EXTRA EDITION

VARIETY TALK/ SKETCH/HOST

JULY 8, 2020

© 2020 Comedy Partners. All rights reserved. ADVERTISEMENT

0708 EE Comedy central_CVR1.indd 1 6/30/20 10:55 PM Untitled-2 1 7/6/20 10:26 AM 2020 AN EMMY EXPLORATION OF LEADING EDITION CONTENDERS BEGINS ON PAGE 16 VARIETY TALK/ SKETCH/ HOST

TOP TALKERS POLITICAL PIVOT STAGING A SKETCH

TREVOR NOAH AND CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND COMEDIANS BALANCE LILLY SINGH COMPARE SOCIAL INJUSTICE PROTESTS CURRENT EVENTS COMMENTARY LATE-NIGHT NOTES HAVE TAKEN CENTER STAGE WITH TIMELESS HUMOR FOR DAILY FORMATS TOP BILLING

A ROAD TRIP BACK IN TIME Courtney B. Vance, (left) Jonathan Majors, Jurnee Smollett Bell star in Misha Green’s adaptation of Matt Ruff’s 2016 novel “Lovecraft Country.” The Relevance of Race and Class Issues Through the Ages

ADAPTING SOURCE MATERIAL WRITTEN YEARS PRIOR AND SET IN EARLIER TIME PERIODS COMES WITH THE CREATIVE CHALLENGE OF WHEN TO USE HINDSIGHT AS A STORYTELLING LENS

By Danielle Turchiano

WHEN ALDOUS HUXLEY was writ- World.” But Wiener’s version comes Fires Everywhere” and both HBO’s ing “Brave New World” in 1931, he almost a century after Huxley’s, and the “Lovecraft Country” and “Perry Mason” was envisioning a futuristic world novelist’s version of the future didn’t 100% also allowed their larger perspective on in which humans were genetically engi- come to pass. events of the past to alter period-specific neered into a caste system. Those who were “He didn’t have the benefit of the 90 tales of race and class issues. They created deemed the most intelligent were on top — years of history that we have,” Wiener says. projects that illuminate previously under- the aptly named Alphas — but no one looked “The book is challenging, it’s a little out represented areas of historical discussion around or within to question why things of date, and there are some elements that while also highlighting how far sensibilities were like this or if it was the best way. No aren’t as relevant anymore, so for us it was have evolved from the last time these one except a man from the “old” way of life about, how do you take the crystals that stories were told. who entered their so-called utopia. feel really true of that book and pass them “We all come into the world with biases The idea “that you’d rather be worry-free through the culture of our own time?” and prejudices and shortcomings and gut than engage with the world around you” Wiener is hardly alone in wanting to reactions to situations based on so many present in Huxley’s book was at the heart of mold source material for a modern audi- things, but if you don’t examine those, how what showrunner David Wiener wanted to ence by allowing hindsight to shape certain do you grow, how do you expand, how do depict when he set out to craft the first sea- elements. The showrunnners behind series you challenge?,” says “Little Fires Every- son of his Peacock adaptation of “Brave New such as TNT’s “The Alienist,” Hulu’s “Little where” showrunner Liz Tigelaar. ELIZABETH MORRIS/HBO ELIZABETH MORRIS/HBO

4 VARIETY

runners are leaning intodepictingit areleaning runners discussions, andsocial headlines show tothefore further in pushed has been against BlackAmericansand brutality as theepidemicof police discrimination ing effects andstill-prevalent But racism. told withtheweight of decadesof linger of JimCrowfor thestory Americatobe allowed in2016,whichalready lished The novel was setinthe1950s, butpub withscience fiction. mixes history heavy to“Braveposition New World,” inthat it becomes.” waydo acertain —what theirreaction andfeelkeep tolook and tellingpeople aren’t andwhat whenyou happens seen, aren’twhen people whenpeople heard, areneglected, whenpeople happens ner says. “We wanted totalkabout what had somethingtosay today,” about Wie them. respectively) toembody (Hannah John-Kamen andNinaSosanya, women, andthencast women of color and world controller Mustafa Mondas as world challenger HelmholtzWatson white,important malecharacterssuch a“multiculturalutopia.”be Herewrote tem of New itwas to London, designed hisversionner created of thecaste sys- not have todowithrace. WhenWie actually have biasestoo.” differences thesameway we dotoday, who don’t concern themselves withthose beyond whothinkthey’re people bias, interesting way toinvestigate how these Whatposes? that setupfor uswas an different classes have different pur system, ‘Well, andwe thought, shouldn’t whenyou’reassigned It’s born. aranking you’reference between characters“what “Brave New World” makes theonlydif ine themselves.” hopefully,think, canhave exam people how that I we tellamorenuanced story thinks of herrelationship torace, that’s womanliberal thinksof herselfand examining what awhite, progressive, “And so, takingonthechallenge of day,” momentof every every shesays. quieter, ways painful that itcomes upin only;it’sin KKKhoods alsoinsidious, butit’swe think, at notpeople marches ist.’ We know like, what look racist people of ‘You’rebinary racist oryou’re notrac Ohio.urban American baby by awhitefamilyin sub ter, aswell astheadoptionof aChinese single motherandherteenage daugh class issues aroundthearrival of aBlack racewas and exploring motherhood, tation of Celeste Ng’s 2017novel, Tigelaar TOP BILLING 6 “Lovecraft Country” isinasimilar “Lovecraft Country” “It madetheworld feel like itstill In thiscase, thebiasesdo though, Wiener notesthat thepremiseof “We didn’t want toexamine this For her1990s-set seriesadap- limited VREY VARIETY

------head in real life, inreal head heknows, but around an AfricanAmericanmadethemast York Timesin1897,whichiswell before fragette, for example, works at theNew Batchelder), aBlackjournalist andsuf The characterof Joanna (Brittany Marie cando:at theturnof the20thcentury aretaken withwhatliberties women Carolan Stuart admitssomeshowrunner reflection butalsocallsfor it. Having hindsightnotonlyallows for asrightorwrong.”[elements of thepast] tellers have to“choose whetheryou depict Group,Civic Entertainment story putsit, ispretty familiar,”bes aswell, says Jones. haves, thehave-nots andthenever- will- andaccessdisparity topower for the yer economic inaLosAngeles where “the character onhisjourney alaw tobecome inthe’30s,began following thetitular Gardner’s 1930-1960ssetnovels, they Mason.”in “Perry Adapting ErleStanley the characterof Paul Drake (ChrisChalk) through aBlackman, tobe who happens police against theirown brotherinblue, brought tolightthediscrimination of the allels tonow,” Greencontinues. horrors ofthetime, andhighlightthepar first-hand. Theshow will“illuminate the heexperiencestheir county it afterdark, inallowed Blackpeople police toshoot experience withthesundown law, which about someone’sathan Majors)hearing means, rather thanAtticus (played byJon This MishaGreen. showrunner County” of1950sAmerica,”reality says “Lovecraft on-screen. further “The Alienist: Angel“The of Darkness” chiefcultureofficer,As LindaOng, Rolin Jones andRon Fitzgerald “We inthehistorical arefirmlyrooted ------the Savage. Ehrenreich asJohn World” starsAlden novel “BraveNew Huxley’s 1932 take onAldous David Wiener’s CASTE SYSTEM STEPPING INTOA model theworldmodel we want tosee.” ators, filmmakers —tohelp —allartists ofshowrunners, cre the responsibility like?’ And soitis the newnormallook going tomove andwhat forward does of,the first responders ‘How arewe ’n’had rock That by isalldefined roll. War you II,you hadpostmodernism, And theneven aftertheendof World ’20s[and]theJazz Age.had theroaring in 1918andtheendof World War Iwe sance —andthenafterthepandemic weafter that hadtheRenais period fromtheMiddleAges — at everything forward,”path says “If you Ong. look tohelpusunderstand andtoset the art right now.” insociety mirror towhat ishappening todotherewaswe holda were trying general violence at thetime. Sowhat was police violence andtherewas There were Blacksuffragettes, there wanting historically truthful. tobe that have aswell neglected as been them now. It’s shiningalightonareas there, andit’s tosee important very have less than2%.But been they were lation inNew York at thetimewould says. African-American “The popu violently attacking theprotestors,” he side theprisonandwe seethepolice suffragette out andthey’re storyline, coming thisyear with aepisode back even ifitislittle-known. Joanna could have,” too, Carolan says. that thefictional characterof supposed ing for awhitenewspaper, sowe pre- the sametime, “IdaB. Wells was writ- “We andcontent media and need “There’s first ascene inthevery infact, But themajorityisbased

- - - -

STEVE SCHOFIELD/PEACOCK Untitled-11 1 6/30/20 10:56 PM With JohnOliver,” “TheDaily —“LastWeeknominees Tonight been inrecent years. The2019 how littlemovement there has givencompetition, particularly the coronavirus willaffect the sional astheweeks went on. setups thatgrew more profes- tinue —albeitwithmakeshift showsthe talk were abletocon- productions,down mostTV but The COVID-19 pandemicshut oting toanew, at-homeformat. shows allfound themselves piv- of March, whenthelate-night 8 Amid Coronavirus Forced to Change Formats Late-Night IN THERUNNING CONTENT WITH ‘HOMEFEST’ WITH CONTENT AT-HOME TO FIRST DELIVER THE OF WAS ONE CORDEN JAMES It remains tobeseenwhether dramatic turnattheend tooka series variety talk THE EMMYRACE FOR VREY VARIETY Michael Schneider

because they’re mixingthings reality ofthesituation.And intothe mats whilestillleaning Others have tweaked theirfor- casual feel amongsomehosts. studio audienceandalooser, new ways, includingalackof managed toshake uptheform in “TheDailyShow.” left art year since2016, JonStew- after Week Tonight” haswon every unchanged from 2018. And“Last —werephen Colbert” all and “TheLateShow With Ste- Late Show With Corden” James “Jimmy KimmelLive,” “TheLate Frontal With SamanthaBee,” Show With Trevor Noah,” “Full But theremote telecastshave thing changed.OnMarch 12 he stillrecalls how quicklyevery- producer BenWinston tellsme relocating totheHamptons. his homeofficebefore recently pens Live’s” AndyCohenwas in house, and“Watch WhatHap- tobeaclosetinhis appears a whitebackdrop inwhat home, Oliver isfilminginfront of woods behindherNewYork Show.”Distancing Show” isnow “TheDailySocial Late Show,” while“TheDaily isnow “TheLateShow” titles: “A adopted temporary, alternative up, many oftheshows have even “Late LateShow” executive Bee ishostingfrom the James Cordensetup continue totapehis the pandemic. a newsdeskinhis CBS talkshowduring house sohecould FROM HOME WORKING s s a g r ston says. other,” each ofsupport sort Win- and share whatourplansare and group, where we’re very honest response. “It’s areally lovely for everyone toplantheir has becomeaninvaluable way among showrunners recent years. Anemailchain a more friendlycamaraderiein showsof talk hasalsodeveloped place, butthisnewer generation days,” Winston says. completely. were beingshutdown it becameapparent thatthings ence-free; by thenext day, shows hadoptedtogoaudi- r a S t a la S h a garage.” tofitouroldformattrying into within ourformat, ratherthan we candothatwould work We’ve triedtowork outwhat write theshow withpunchlines. little bitdifferently. We don’t towritetheshowalso started a it’s tricky,” Winston says. “We’ve tothebandeverytalking night, and vibe,tobeinagarage show thatrelies onatmosphere finding therighttone.“We’re a control thecameras.” system. We caneven remote functioning, withatalkback that really works andisreally inventedessentially studio aTV send clipsdown We thelines. cue, we have amixer, whocan have aprompter andanauto show thatwe thinkisright.’ We might aswell comebackwitha tothesummerbreak,least sowe while. Thisisgoingtotake usat going tobedoingthisfor a remember ussaying, ‘We’re duction value,” Winston says. “I amountofpro-we hadacertain when we didcomebackonair, which heshotfrom hisgarage. a primetimespecial,“Homefest,” because Corden first focused on Show” tookabitlongertoreturn hosts’ homes. returning, thistimefrom the air —andtheshows began Soon, thoseclipswere puton turned intoDIYmonologues. at-home videosonYouTube that late-night hostsbeganposting e e Some ofthemore antsy Late nightisacompetitive “It was coupleof acrazy The toughest part hasbeen part The toughest tousthat “It was important Winston says “LateLate

CBS “A SPECIAL TREAT” PEOPLE.COM “WE LOVED IT!” ESSENCE “APPLAUSE-WORTHY PERFORMANCES” TV INSIDER

FOR YOUR EMMY® CONSIDERATION OUTSTANDING VARIETY SPECIAL (LIVE) AND IN ALL CATEGORIES

IN FRONT OF A STUDIO AUDIENCE

WATCH NOW ON VIEW.TELEVISIONACADEMY.COM UNTIL 8/31/20

OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE Woody Harrelson Marisa Tomei Andre Braugher Viola Davis

OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE Ike Barinholtz Ellie Kemper Kevin Bacon Justina Machado Jesse Eisenberg Tiffany Haddish Asante Blackk Corinne Foxx Jharrel Jerome Jay Pharoah

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A VARIETY SPECIAL Andy Fisher Pamela Fryman

Untitled-1 1 7/6/20 10:25 AM FACETIME

What do you look for tapes we get in where there when it comes to casting is a lot of talent, but that “RuPaul’s Drag Race”? person hasn’t quite gotten The queen needs to have a there yet and we keep an great story and a defined eye on those, the ones who character. We’re looking have potential. for things we haven’t seen before. We look for some- What other research goes one who is unique and into finding queens to dive has many different skills. into their backgrounds “RuPaul’s Drag Race” is before officially bringing a competition unlike any them into the family? We other. We need to know if try to catch drag shows as they can dance and sing. often as possible, but we Goloka Bolte Will they be good at off-the- aren’t just casting in L.A. cuff humor and comedy? so we have to keep tabs on who is performing at ‘IT’S ABOUT DIVERSITY IN SKILLS AND STYLE’ This show is about being clubs around the coun- true to your authentic self, try, who has great perfor-

By Jazz Tangcay how do you draw that from mances on YouTube [and] the audition tape? The who is getting love on Red- tapes are different quali- dit and gaining popularity A DECADE AGO Goloka Bolte and her business partner Ethan ties. We’ve had tapes where on social platforms. Peterson founded the Casting Firm, and a little over eight years the audition is just shot on ago they were brought on to cast “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and its a phone, and sometimes How much vetting do you we’ll get an entire produc- have to do? For example, subsequent spinoffs. Since then they have been nominated three times tion. [But] an authentic Sherry Pie was disqual- for reality casting Emmys and now Bolte, who also acts as president of sense of self is something ified after allegations of the company, can be found casting up to seven shows at any one time. you already have, you’re catfishing emerged when figuring it out, or you don’t the season began air- have it yet. It’s very obvi- ing, well after she com-

WHERE ELSE YOU’VE SEEN GOLOKA BOLTE’S WORK: “MASTERCHEF,” “MILLION ous when you watch them, peted. All contestants who DOLLAR LISTING,” “THE MILLIONAIRE MATCHMAKER,” “SNOOP DOGG PRESENTS THE you can see when the appear on “Drag Race” go JOKER’S WILD,” “WIFE SWAP” queens know their charac- through a rigorous back- ter and strength. There are ground check as well as a psychological evaluation. This is the industry stan- dard for anyone appearing on an unscripted compe- tition series, as we always want to make sure our cast members are safe and can handle an intense filming schedule.

The most recent season featured the first Iranian contestant. What was it about Jackie Cox that stood out? You see it on the show. She is talented and has a unique point of view and you’ve not seen anyone like that on the show before. I loved that she really knows how to play into her heritage. Diversity is so important to us because it represents the drag com- munity. It is about diversity in skills and style. This sea- son we had some spooky queens, and we haven’t had that before [either]. VH1

10 VARIETY SCENE STEALER

‘BETTER CALL SAUL,’ SEASON 5, EPISODE 5

‘DEDICADO A MAX’

WRITER: HEATHER MARION; DIRECTOR: JIM MCKAY

a hothead who wants to do Giancarlo Esposito it his way. So Gus knows he needs Mike to be able to straighten things out. And he Giancarlo Esposito can arguably be called the king of peak TV, playing a key role in needs Mike to know that he some of the most critically acclaimed TV of this era. Just this past year, he appeared will take care of him in every in Disney Plus’ “The Mandalorian,” Netflix’s “Dear White People,” Cinemax’s “Jett,” way possible. I can’t say that Gus Amazon Prime Video’s “The Boys,” Epix’s “Godfather of Harlem” and, of course, AMC’s doesn’t have some of those “Better Call Saul.” In the latter, the extremely well-rounded actor continues to revisit [psychopathic] qualities [like his iconic “Breaking Bad” character, Gus Fring, who this season methodically recruited Lalo does]. But when you Mike (Jonathan Banks) to be his henchman by demonstrating a sort of elegance that mature and you realize, “Oh, his rivals, the Salamancas, lack. wow, look at my 20s and 30s. I was a maniac!” — that’s not to say I’m not a maniac now, ESPOSITO: Gus knows be doing something else that scale. Gus has a bigger vision but at least I can take a step a lot about Mike. And might be more fulfilling.” So he than Mike ever imagined. back and think through what he knows that Mike, shares a very interesting piece This particular episode my actions might be, and probably out of all of the char- of information with Mike in is really beautiful in a way, take responsibility for them. acters in our show, could be that scene [at a Mexican villa because this conversation takes That’s the difference between closest to himself. What Gus where Gus has taken him]. place around a memorial to maturity and non-maturity: sees in him is incredible poten- There are people with guns. someone that Gus lost who he I’m going to take a second, tial and incredible loyalty. Mike There’s all this strong-arm really believed in and invested think about what I’m going to is a lone wolf but so is Gus. fear happening, keeping these in, who was taken away from say before I speak it. Think But Gus wants to cultivate that people here. But the more him by the Salamancas. Gus about what I really want, because he needs something the story is unfolded through is adamant in saying, “I’m not what the endgame is, what from Mike. Mike’s eyes — down to the chil- like them.” He’s trying to ele- the long game is, and how to [In Episode 5], Gus speaks dren running from school and vate the business. He’s more straighten this out so we can very personally to him. He says the little girl dropping her than likely trying to take fewer remain anonymous as a busi- to him, “Look, do you really knapsack — he starts to see lives and allow a smoother ness, but move forward in our want to go on living the life more of a utopian village that operation to take place. And greater remuneration. you live? Fighting with street Gus has in mind. He gets a this is all jammed up and has punks? Basically being angry glimpse into what Gus is really become quite muddled by this and belligerent? You could trying to figure out on a larger younger Salamanca, Lalo, who’s BY MICHAEL SCHNEIDER GREG LEWIS/AMC/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION PICTURES LEWIS/AMC/SONY GREG

VARIETY 11 ‘YOU’ hnSao , h as Joe settled inSilver 1,”than Season shesays. aboutthelightinL.A. creamier palette. There’s something colornotice thesun-drenched 2,you’ll 1toSeason Season opportunities. Joe’s newworld asoneof fresh ble says tosetup they needed SeraGam showrunner turn, dark nature. toexpose histrue,threatened Taylor) andthenotherswho Willhold thereal (Robin Lord too.Coast, Herehewould first cagea soundproof ontheWest for enoughhefound aneed soon Will. But and oldhabits diehard, different life asamannamed and indoingso, a heassumed ing hertherapist for the crime, after murderinganex andfram toturnoverwanted anewleaf York toLosAngeles. Goldberg Penn Badgley, fromNew relocate 12 Cage ofConvenience THE SETUP SERA GAMBLE

JUNK FOOD THAT TASTES GOOD ANDHAS THIS VENEEROFVIRTUOUSNESS OVER IT; I THAT AREN’TABOUTWORK ANDI’LLTAKE A THAT FEELINGOFBEINGINTHEWORLD. ILIKE A REALLY BIGSTEP BACK ANDDOADIAG- CHOCOLATE-COVERED ALMONDS. ILIKE WE WENT HOME, OURP.A.WE WENTHOME, BROUGHT INHU SOMEWHERE?’” START WORK.” WRITERS’ ROOM STYLE: FEEL STUCK BECAUSE IMADEAWRONG TURN NOSTIC ANDASK, ‘ISITPOSSIBLE THAT I BEING HEALTHY.” LIKE THINGSTHAT AREINTHEZIPCODEOF BOOK OUTANDLOOK THROUGH ITBEFORE I PHY. I’LLSURROUND MYSELF WITHTHINGS HAVE ALOT OFART BOOKS ANDPHOTOGRA- EAVESDROPPING AND IMISS IT. AT I HOME, HOW SHEBREAKS WRITER’S BLOCK: MOOD MUSIC: FAVORITE WRITERS’ ROOM SNACK: SERA GAMBLE’S INSPIRATIONS: “If you went straight from But that before thingstook yJz Tangcay By Jazz Joe Goldberg, played byJoe Goldberg, of Netflix’s “You” saw THE SECOND SEASON VREY VARIETY “CHOPIN ORMOZART.” “ILOVE CAFES AND - - “BEFORE “ITAKE literal box. who areathreattohimin Badgley, right)putsthose On “You,”JoeGoldberg(Penn ISOLATION POD C a a w ( h h s p u C h l c f U t j b a w c G 2 Childers) Airbnb. as inhisex Candace’s (Ambyr and $12greenjuices), aswell sodas homeof artisanal whon, L.A.’s bythereal (inspired Ere store Anavrinhipster grocery himself, suchasthehigh-end situations inwhichhefound heencountered andpeople uncomfortable withthe odds City of Angels often puthimat has that stalker feel toit.” overlooking andit thisatrium, could onthesecond be floor for him,” says, Gamble so“he complex orO-shape U-shape thing was for ittohave “that jokes. Themost important billion” suchbuildings, she acter —andthey “scouted a for thechar- apartment wood classic courtyard-style Holly saysGamble shehadinminda 20-somethings, butoriginally Lake, whichisteemingwith Joe’s innerdisdainfor the - - he didn’t intendtobe,” Gam would findhimselfinplaces ble says. amazed at what you canget in “You’donline research. be withand theirprocess began Knowles andHughD.G. Moody, designersSarahproduction and size of thecage withher for privacy. for Joe’s“perfect” need are broken” inordertobe thecameras the kind“where she says. you don’t wantwith,” todeal to putagiantpileof stuff that city. aplace for you “They’re that are“dotted around” the the “eerie” storage facilities strange city, to looked Gamble a newcage ontheflyandina toconstructhimself needing forplicated Joe andhefound “I loved that Joe theidea As thingsgrewmorecom Gamble discussed theidea discussed Gamble tobe The facilityneeded

- - of,” says. Gamble on-sitewerepeople notaware unauthorized renovations that prison cell of sorts. however, was builtsolelyasa ble. cage, Thesecond-season givingJoe trou hold people to andonlyrepurposed books tostoreated rareanddelicate worked, was originallycre atof whichhe the bookstore one, inthebasement located That inthefirst season. used oneJoe perature-controlled tem from theunderground, this cage would different be also worked outhow andwhy several units. Together they notion that out Joe rented sothey cameupwiththein, andhardtoshoot cramped one storage unitwould too be prints butquicklyrealized says.Gamble it,”a kitifyou Googled Of course, “hedidsome They looked upblue - - - -

BETH DUBBER/NETFLIX PERFECT UNION

well as Midge and her man- ager, Susie (Alex Borstein), riding in a Jeep to an air- plane hangar where Midge will perform as an opening act for Shy Baldwin (LeRoy McClain) as a preview to their USO tour. In the latter, the camera follows them from the Jeep to inside the hangar, where Midge is escorted onto the stage to wave at the nearly 1,000 extras dressed as army soldiers in the audi- ence and then back into the Jeep. “The script didn’t specifi- cally have a sentence saying it was a oner, but it flowed from start to finish,” Mullen says. “If it’s written as con- tinuous, you know she would like to not cut it up, if it’s physically possible.” For this sequence, the shorthand and close rela- tionship Mullen and Sher-

THE WORLD’S man-Palladino have HER STAGE cultivated over the past few Rachel years came in extra handy, Brosnahan’s Midge not only to nail down the Maisel went on a USO tour in “The Steadicam’s progress, but Marvelous Mrs. also for the seamless move- Masters of a Maisel” Season 3. ment of a ramp in and out of the space, the lighting style and the use of so many ‘Marvelous’ Oner background players. “It was a very real air- plane hangar in the daytime, so I knew the daylight com- AMY SHERMAN-PALLADINO AND M. DAVID MULLEN ing in would overpower any ‘THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL’ stage lights,” Mullen says. “So I lit the stage as if it was By Danielle Turchiano lit from the windows and then scattered some Tung- sten lights around the stage “We have a love of move- and the stands. I actually AS THE TITULAR MIRIAM “MIDGE” MAISEL (Rachel Brosnahan) ment,” she says. “But we stole the idea from looking becomes a bigger name in standup comedy within Amazon don’t just do the shot to do at the USO number in Prime Video’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” the venues she plays the shot. [We consider], is it ‘South Pacific.’” telling the story the way we Adds Sherman-Palladino: get larger and the scope of those scenes, too, continues to grow. want to tell the story? If it “We literally measured how Pivotal to making that possible are both co-creator, writer, executive is, then it’s worth the pain.” long the shot had to be and producer and director Amy Sherman-Palladino and director of The third season of went out to a parking lot and the Emmy-winning com- figured out the beginning photography M. David Mullen. edy series begins with and what the hell [Steadicam The duo had never worked together before “Maisel,” and Sherman- some of the most ambi- operator Jim] McConkey was Palladino admits that in the early days of the pilot they “did have to tious oners to date, includ- going to do. It’s one of the ing a 12-page scene during most rehearsed things we’ve get used to each other’s rhythms.” She considers herself a “let’s go, which Midge’s parents Rose ever done, one of the most let’s go, let’s go” personality, while David “needs that moment to step (Marin Hinkle) and Abe coordinated things we’ve back and think. He’s a quiet soul.” But they got into a groove quickly (Tony Shalhoub) are fight- ever done. [But] we wanted ing in their apartment and to start with a big splash this enough and found the “energy and flow” of the show that has more Midge comes in to find her season. I didn’t want people often than not included oners. clothes everywhere, as to know what to expect.” NICOLE RIVELLI/AMAZON STUDIOS NICOLE RIVELLI/AMAZON

VARIETY 13 ANATOMY OF A SCENE

The Child Saves The Day

‘THE MANDALORIAN’

By Will Thorne

IF VIEWERS WERE ASKED to point to the single most popular and influential TV character to emerge last year, it would have to be the Child, more casually referred to as Baby Yoda. The adorable animatronic puppet was introduced to the world in Season 1 of Disney Plus’ “The Mandalorian” and was solidified as a “Star Wars” universe legend in the second episode when the titular Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) was fighting with the ferocious Mudhorn in a squelchy, slippery mud pit. Mando tries every trick in his book to defeat the fearsome beast, including firing his flamethrower and using his grappling hook, but to no avail. The Mudhorn makes its final charge at the mercenary when suddenly it finds itself lifted off the ground by the Child, who is demonstrating his abilities using the Force for the first time, sending fans around the globe into fits of excitement. LUCASFILM LTD./DISNEY+ LUCASFILM

14 VARIETY BAZ IDOINE Cinematographer

“We shot the scene on the lot in a big, huge mud pit under a hot sun. The stunt team did a great job of throwing Mando around in the mud, but the most important shot of the whole scene is that beautiful one of Mando’s profile with the Mudhorn floating above him. [There’s a] close-up on Mando when he’s got nothing left to give: all he can do is hold up his knife at this charging beast, he’s ready to accept as fate. Then he looks up and the beast is floating and he turns to look at the Child. It’s a fantastic moment and it was a joy to shoot.”

RYAN WATSON Stunt coordinator

“The inspiration, the reference that they wanted for this scene was the bear fight from ‘The Revenant,’ but hyped- up even more. We had the stunt performer playing Mando wired up, and then another guy would come at him and chase him around with these big foam jaws, kind of like a massive pair of scissors. So our stunt guy put his arms in these jaws and we would shake him around, just like you wrestle with your buddy at a pool party. That gave us the extra power that the wire guys needed to pull Mando back and forth, to make the shakiness look more powerful and to throw him a greater distance across the mud pit.”

ANDREW JONES Production designer

“We cordoned off an area to build the entrance to the cave and the mud arena based on the concept art, and dug a hole with a bulldozer. We prepared a particular bit of ground for special effects to fill up with a softer soil so that we could do a shot where Mando is punched into the ground by the Mudhorn, but that was when the rains came. In a lot of ways it helped, but when you’re driving all that heavy machinery around, you would rather wet the ground where you want to instead of turning the whole backlot into a mud bowl — that made things more complicated.”

RICHARD BLUFF VFX supervisor

“The [Mudhorn] was supposed to be caked in mud — some of it on his body would be dried, but the mud from down below would be wet, as it splashed up onto him as he ran. Jon and Dave needed the hair to be matted with mud, but as the camera moved down the body of the creature, the mud and hair needed to move together. Sculpting the creature itself was relatively straightforward, but then to achieve that thick, matted hair was the big hurdle to get over. It took a number of weeks.”

HAL HICKEL Animation supervisor RICK FAMUYIWA Director “We had a handful of shots of the Child where it wasn’t the puppet. Of course, the puppet does the heavy lifting in the “Going into it, [executive producers] Jon [Favreau], Dave [Filoni] show — the puppet is the baseline — but at that moment and I talked about this scene being a pivotal narrative moment, in time we were still figuring out what the puppet could do both for Mando and the Child. Having this big reveal of the and how to get the best out of it. That particular shot of Child’s abilities and it saving him, it felt like the perfect culmi- the baby using the Force to pick up the Mudhorn was the nation of this episode and a way to set up their relationship for hardest from a CG perspective because it was such a big the rest of the season. We wanted to make it cinematic — on the performance moment — its face was so concentrated. We scale of a theatrical film — that was the expectation both from were trying to make sure we didn’t do more than the puppet us and the fans. What was even more tense about that scene for could do, and that we didn’t break what’s awesome and me was that it was our first week of shooting.” charming and perfect about the puppet.”

VARIETY 15 REALITY HOST REALITY SPECIALS VARIETY SERIES SKETCH VARIETY VARIETY TALK SERIES 16 CAUSED SIGNIFICANT SHIFTS TO THE LATE-NIGHT AND SPECIALS SPACES THE INCREASINGLY FRAUGHT POLITICAL ANDSOCIAL LANDSCAPE EDITION VREY VARIETY EMMY 2020 CONTENDERS

GUTTER CREDIT CONTENDERS: IN CONVERSATION TREVOR NOAH

‘THE DAILY SHOW WITH TREVOR NOAH’ & LILLY SINGH

‘A LITTLE LATE WITH LILLY SINGH’

By Brian Steinberg SINGH: RYAN PFLUGER; NOAH: PHOTOGRAPH BY SHAYAN ASGHARNIA ASGHARNIA SHAYAN BY PHOTOGRAPH NOAH: PFLUGER; SINGH: RYAN

VARIETY 17

CONTENDERS: IN CONVERSATION

Lilly, you just finished your first season on your show, and Trevor, not too long ago, you were the freshman late-night host. What was it like for both of you to be under so much new scrutiny? TREVOR NOAH: I will say the first two years were horrible — and it was horrible because I had taken over one of America’s most beloved institutions. And Lilly Singh and Trevor Noah have been studying each other. even though Jon Stewart had passed over the reins to me, it Noah says he has been looking at some of Singh’s YouTube was essentially a year of people videos as he’s been hosting Comedy Central’s “Daily Show” from home, telling me I shouldn’t be doing and “A Little Late’s” Singh keeps tabs on how Noah handles talk about the job and I was unworthy of being in that seat. And I con- politics and national affairs. tinued to believe that. You step Here, they get to compare notes as Variety brought them together into this new role and you’re for a conversation about how to produce a late-night show during a doing a new job and most of the first year was just trying pandemic and balance comedy with commentary on tough issues that to stay afloat, just trying not face the nation these days. to get canceled and trying to

SEASONED PROFESSIONAL Trevor Noah took over “The Daily Show” from Jon Stewart in 2015. GUTTER CREDIT

18 VARIETY find my footing. And the anal- a domino effect that just keeps then people and audiences to is working on things that ogy I use is trying to learn how on going. I don’t want to live are in a very different space. are just that — something peo- to fly a plane while the plane in a world where there are no I try to provide context; I try ple really care about, that I feel is flying. That’s what it felt like white late-night hosts — I’m not to distill it. If I think people really good about. It’s been a every single day. A new host is looking for erasure — I’m look- are looking for anything from little challenging, I won’t lie, going to rattle people. Then you ing for a world where there are my show, they are looking for not being on the air during this have extra factors: You come more late-night hosts. a clarification — what every- time, because it’s strange to see from another country, you SINGH: I can only say that not thing means. That’s what peo- my [older] episodes that are out sound different and one of the every story has to be about ple want because that’s what I there, where no one is wearing biggest things that I took for everyone, but there should be want. We are living in a world a mask and sometimes granted was you look different. stories for everyone. I think where nobody agrees on a fact. I am hugging my guest. I’m lit- A lot of people had been used it’s not, “Let’s get rid of all the People are allowed to live in erally cringing watching myself to getting their late-night news white late-night hosts, and let’s completely different realities, doing this. from a face that looks a cer- get rid of all the shows,” but and what that creates is uncer- NOAH: When I chose to do the tain way. I see now that must “Let’s have shows that repre- tainty that I think it’s already show from home, one of the have been jarring for viewers sent other people.” If I had this uncomfortable for human interesting things I looked to — to go from having the face great story about this Indian beings, because you don’t get to was people like Lilly. People that you know to having some- girl in high school, I don’t want establish what your base level like Lilly Singh are now the one like, “What are you doing to hear, “Oh, but we already really is. veterans and I am now the on my screen?” Sometimes, it’s have Mindy Kaling’s ‘Never SINGH: Comedy is such a good amateur. How do you make not even something that peo- Have I Ever,’ so we can’t do vehicle to talk about things this thing? How do you create ple are consciously thinking of this.” I think that part of the that are difficult to talk about. something with nothing? It’s [but they’re] not used to hav- problem is that just because People put down their defense frustrating but it’s liberating. I ing a person like you. So, yeah, there’s a show about some- mechanisms a little bit more. hope that now people like Lilly the first year was just me des- one who’s brown on Netflix, it Right now is such a challeng- will have more leeway to be perately trying not to drown. It doesn’t mean that there can’t ing, difficult and unique time. more Lilly as opposed to the TV probably wasn’t the happiest be another story. Usually, when people want to world telling Lilly to be more year of my life, and I think the escape from their day they TV. Now we’ve all become only reason I appreciate it is The coronavirus pandemic want to dive into comedy. I just more YouTube. because my mom always says, has changed all of late night; think the desire to escape is not SINGH: I got my start on You- “You don’t get stronger unless Lilly, you taped many of there anymore. I think people Tube, but I grew up with TV you struggle.” your episodes before things don’t want to escape. and I grew up with stars. When LILLY SINGH: To hear you had spread, and Trevor, you are I got my late-night show of a hard time honestly, selfishly, doing all your shows from your Where do you think things go course, TV is a big crew. When makes me feel a little better. It’s apartment. What do you think from here? I went in, there was definitely a really hard and the analogy of audiences want to see from SINGH: The good news about struggle. There was a crew, so trying to figure out how to fly late night? what I do, if there is any good many people behind the script a plane is absolutely correct. NOAH: I think audiences are news during COVID, [is] when and so many people telling me Before I started my first year, in less concerned by what they you see late-night hosts doing what punchline was funniest. a previous interview, you told see on TV and more concerned things from home. I say, “Baby, It definitely challenged me to me, “Don’t let anyone tell you it’s by the world they are living that’s what I’ve been doing my kind of mesh these two worlds not going to consume your life, in. I always think that enter- whole life.” I’ve been an advo- together. The first season really because it’s going to consume tainment is oftentimes a wel- cate for “story comes first.” reminded me of “first video your life.” And you were the only come release from the world You don’t have the high pro- on YouTube Lilly,” like some- person bold enough to say it to that is real, but when the world duction values, but you have one just trying to figure it out, me like that. I had anticipated that is, really is almost too real people saying things that mat- not really sure. I want to bring obstacles: Yeah, it will be a lot and happening all the time, ter. What I’m looking forward more me. of work, maybe there will be NOAH: I think a lot of people some scrutiny — but there were have allowed the studio audi- so many obstacles I never even ence to dictate the feeling of thought about. the show, when the viewing audience is infinitely larger. For decades, late-night hosts You have 50 or 200 people in were largely cut from the a room versus millions of peo- same cloth, namely white ple who are watching the thing, men. In recent years, that has and that smaller group of peo- started to change. How do you “I DON’T WANT TO LIVE IN A WORLD ple gets to dictate the feeling see representation evolving WHERE THERE ARE NO WHITE LATE-NIGHT of what’s happening and how over time? HOSTS — I’M NOT LOOKING FOR ERASURE. it’s happening. They get to shift NOAH: As audiences change, your mood. They get to define you’ll start to see diversity I’M LOOKING FOR A WORLD WHERE THERE how a thing is or how a joke is and as networks become more ARE MORE LATE-NIGHT HOSTS.” landing or isn’t landing. open, their audiences will SINGH: There might be some adjust over time. There will be Trevor Noah moment where I would not COMEDY CENTRAL CENTRAL COMEDY

VARIETY 19 CONTENDERS: IN CONVERSATION

follow the mark or follow what organizers and activists on the politics? I can try, but will I be Is being funny tougher in we had planned out, go into ground, not pundits, not peo- Trevor? Absolutely not. What these times? the audience, crack some joke, ple who think they know what I think I can offer is how I talk NOAH: We are looking for a but of course the cameras is happening, but actual people about these issues. Maybe, balanced diet. If you have aren’t set up that way. Things who are actually moving things especially with my show being too much sugar in your sys- are a little bit tricky. That’s forward. When I am talking to a a successful YouTube player, tem, your body is going to something I want to bring to farmer from Oklahoma, I want I can talk about when a pol- tell you. If you have too much Season 2 — to get away from to talk to an actual farmer who itician talks about how they fiber, your body is going to tell the production that puts you may or may not support Trump, want to deal with women’s you. What I think audiences in such a narrow range. but tells me his perspective, as rights, or how they want to are going opposed to someone who is a deal with the LGBTQ+ commu- to be looking for is con- How do you think your pundit who tells me the perspec- nity. And I will do that through tent that connects, whether shows will tackle the tive of a farmer. comedy, like I have in the past it is funny or whether it is 2020 election? SINGH: Am I the most savvy with so many times. informative. NOAH: People spit out sound- SINGH: Me and my roommate bites, but no one likes to pro- were feeling quite heavy vide context. No one thinks and we’ve been going to the why things are happening, NOT EVERY STORY HAS TO BE ABOUT protests and doing what- why people are saying what “ ever stuff we can do, but I can they are saying, why, why EVERYONE, BUT THERE SHOULD BE tell you we came home and why? And so, for me, that’s STORIES FOR EVERYONE.” I watched a video of a puppy what I’ve done. I’ve tried to farting. That’s why there has provide a platform to as many Lilly Singh to be an array of content.

NEW HOST ON THE LATE-NIGHT BLOCK Lilly Singh (right, with Malala Yousafzai) launched “A Little Late” in September 2019. NBC NBC

20 VARIETY CONTENDERS

THE SHOW GOES ON Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) filmed her “Desus & Mero” interview from her car in March. LATE-NIGHT’S POLITICAL PIVOT

IN THE WAKE OF CORONAVIRUS AND SOCIAL INJUSTICE PROTESTS, THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION HAS TAKEN SOMETHING OF A BACKSEAT

By Cynthia Littleton and Brian Steinberg

AS 2020 BEGAN, pages. And then, just as the tide landscape and the national In short, the whiplash of the nobody could have seemed to be turning on coro- mood have made it impossible past 135 days has forced late- doubted that the navirus, the brutal May 25 kill- for politicians to be too jocular night to get a lot more serious. presidential election would be ing of George Floyd spurred a in late-night TV appearances. If nothing else, the comedians the story of the year when it resurgent Black Lives Matter “It’s been a tricky moment that lead the most prominent came to late-night talk shows. movement that has vastly over- for figuring out what is funny,” shows in the genre are adept at The hosts and their teams shadowed the race between says Josh Gondelman, writer reading the room. spent most of 2019 getting into presumptive Democratic nom- and co-executive producer, “With the ongoing corona- fighting shape for Trump: inee Joe Biden and President Showtime’s “Desus & Mero” and virus crisis — impacting both The Rematch. Trump. a “Last Week Tonight With John health and economy — the But a not-so-funny-thing The severity of the times has Oliver” alum, speaking about Black Lives Matter social-jus- happened on the way to the had a huge impact on late-night the late-night genre in general. tice movement, and the fast-ap- Oval Office. By late February, television. Shows produced in a “When things are bleak, you’re proaching referendum on the shock of a deadly pandemic remote format don’t lend them- always thinking about what is the Trump presidency, the reaching U.S. shores blew the selves to stunts and games. The expected by the audience and stakes are high,” says Geoffrey presidential race off the front lurches in the national political what they’ll accept.” Baym, a professor at Temple SHOWTIME

VARIETY 21 CONTENDERS

entertainment-related guests, but the post-Floyd moment has spurred segments with a host of artists and thinkers, as well as the June 17 appearance by “White Fragility” author Dr. Robin D’Angelo. Conan O’Brien has on several nights simply invited an array

PROVIDING of Black guests from different CONTEXT walks of life on TBS’ “Conan” Stephen Colbert and listened to them. Those has been breaking shows have generated power- down political news remotely with ful moments that showcase the guests including hosts stretching their muscles. Sen. Kamala Harris As America reopens from the (D-Calif.). pandemic and shows return to their traditional sets, the big question is will the old rhythms of the late-night return. “My question is what’s going to happen as to what the book- ing situation is going to be as far as people promoting shows and movies over the next six months,” says Jeff Ross, O’Brien’s University’s Klein College of resurgence of focus on crimi- “WHEN THINGS ARE BLEAK, longtime executive producer. “I Media and Communication. “At nal justice reform and the Black YOU’RE ALWAYS THINKING don’t know the answer.” the same time, the entertain- Lives Matter movement. The ABOUT WHAT IS EXPECTED One thing that is clear from ment industry is largely on hia- harsh impact of the COVID-19 BY THE AUDIENCE AND WHAT the way TV’s topical late-night tus, and the kind of Hollywood outbreak on marginalized com- THEY’LL ACCEPT.” shows have responded to this promotional tours that feed the munities with limited access to extraordinary moment is that traditional late-night interview health care has also put more Josh Gondelman viewers expect their favorite are paused for the time being. focus on dense wonky top- bedtime shows to reflect the That all indicates a need for ics that previously would have world at large — even when it’s serious and informed conversa- been seen as less than compel- anything but funny. tion, and a related lack of pure ling for late-night fodder. “Late-night comedy is part distraction.” Recent examples of late of the experience of processing As a lockdown mentality took night getting more serious: difficult feelings,” Gondelman hold of the nation, the shows “Daily Show” has featured KEEPING THE says. “Comedy is a way of hear- that were already inclined to Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Dr. CONVERSATION GOING ing someone articulate their dive into politics — notably CBS’ Anthony Fauci in recent remote With “United Shades feelings, through jokes and “The Late Show With Stephen broadcasts. On June 9, Noah of America” on hiatus, through facts and things that W. Kamau Bell (right) Colbert” and Comedy Central’s even hosted a six-person vir- stopped by “Conan.” everyone is experiencing. It “The Daily Show With Trevor tual panel to talk about polic- feels stabilizing emotionally.” Noah” — began to go deep with ing. The show is still based in political- and public policy-re- comedy, but “not everything lated guests. In many cases, the is funny right now,” says Jen hosts have given up multiple Flanz, executive producer of segments of remotely produced “The Daily Show.” shows to conversations about Colbert’s guest list in recent CDC protocols and the supply months has included former chain issues that left the nation presidential candidates Sens. starved for PPE. Not exactly the Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Cory set-up-joke-plug formula of tra- Booker (D-N.J.) and Amy Klobu- ditional late-night talk. char (D-Minn.); Mayor Pete Butt- The sober tone has only been igieg; as well as NAACP Legal heightened by the outrage over Defense Fund chief Sherrilyn the Floyd killing. Late-night Ifill; Congressional Black Caucus has become a platform for dis- chair Karen Bass; and former cussion of social-justice issues Georgia legislator and voting and the nitty-gritty of police rights activist Stacey Abrams. reform measures that were “The Tonight Show Star- long stalled until the national ring Jimmy Fallon” has kept wave of protests helped fuel a its focus more firmly on LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT: CBS; CONAN: TEAM COCO CBS; CONAN: TEAM COCO COLBERT: WITH STEPHEN SHOW LATE

22 VARIETY CONTENDERS

WHEN ROBIN THEDE was in the process of writing “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” she already had a bad feeling about the state of the world. “I had SKETCH AS SOCIAL a literal fever dream about the end of the world and the women living in it,” she recalls. “I came into the writers’ room the next day and said, ‘Here’s my idea for the interstitials.’”

COMMENTARY That idea morphed into the hyper-masculine woman who connecting segments on the resembles one of her husband’s HBO sketch comedy, in which bros, but not political ones. WHETHER COMEDIANS WANT TO DIRECTLY RESPOND TO four women are in a house “A great way to being ever- CURRENT EVENTS OR JUST BROACH BROADER TOPICS IN THEIR SERIES DEPENDS ON A VARIETY OF FACTORS together when an apocalyptic green is just by being so weird, event occurs. It’s a recurring because weirdness never goes By Jenelle Riley narrative Thede wanted to drop out of style.” in on while also giving a spot- Arturo Castro, who launched light to talented black women “Alternatino” on Comedy Cen- “showing we don’t always have tral in June 2019, says sketch to play the neck-rolling best comedy is really about “mak- RELATABLE LAUGHS friend or the loud woman in ing people laugh while trying to Arturo Castro’s the grocery store. We can play a comment on the human expe- “Alternatino” covers murderous woman running for rience.” He, too, wanted to stay everything from city council, aliens, dudes, law- away from commentary on relationships to its star’s experience yers, zombies.” specific social-media posts or with fame. Thede didn’t know when she events because there could be was writing the show or even “issues with it feeling dated” when it premiered in August, by the time it made it to air. how topical and important But the show, which is this would become due to largely based on Castro’s the COVID-19 pandemic. The experiences as a Latinx millen- question of when to comment nial, still had plenty of material directly on a current event ver- to mine. “We tried to cover sus when to lean into univer- concepts that would be relevant sal themes that still speak to to us as long as possible,” he the state of larger truths is one says. “I’m still as confused comedians have always had to about translating, dating and ask themselves. The answer is architecture as I’ve ever been.” proving to be show-specific. Also on Comedy Central, “When you’re making com- Derek Waters’ “Drunk History” edy in general, you always has been going strong for six want something that is time- seasons by digging into the past, less,” says Iliza Shlesinger, who but also finding new takes on launched “The Iliza Shlesinger the material. Sketch Show” on Netflix in “The premise can’t change, April in the midst of the pan- but how we tell the stories demic lockdown. “Hyper-spe- has to feel fresh, to keep audi- cific things are great when ences interested,” Waters notes. you’re doing a weekly show. But “We’ve focused on making on Netflix, you want people to episodes that only tell one or be finding it for months even two stories. We get to tell more after you made it.” and I can have more fun with While “Saturday Night the narrators.” Live” airs weekly and earned The biggest responsibility raves for its “SNL at Home” sketch shows may have is episodes filmed under quaran- to be escapist for the audience. tine, most sketch comedy “Obviously, watch the is written and shot months news and stay informed,” before airing. Shlesinger’s Waters says, “but it’s always characters included a wide important to laugh, so I think variety of offbeat personalities, entertainment is crucial COMEDY CENTRAL COMEDY such as the “Husband Wife,” a right now.”

VARIETY 23 CONTENDERS

COOKING UP A GREAT SHOW Padma Lakshmi looks on as “Top Chef” contestant Stephanie RESHAPING Cmar works. REALITY

MANY OF TODAY’S TOP COMPETITION PROGRAM HOSTS HAD TO PIVOT FOR FORMAT CHANGES OR REMOTE PRODUCTION POST-COVID

By Daniel D’Addario

AS TV’S FLAGSHIP REALITY SHOWS grow up where we were close to not — one that may not have been and evolve — and, in many cases, face down the making air with audio bugs,” able to occur on a show rooted he says. “But I think people at in a single city. production changes imposed by COVID — their hosts do, home didn’t even know I was A third type of versatil- too. And this year set a surprising benchmark for ingenuity in a house.” ity showed itself in the work among the talent in the hunt for the reality host Emmy. “The Voice” is part of a gen- of Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn. eration of Emmy-favorite real- Past winners in this category ity series that came of age for “Project Runway,” the pair To wit: With in-person taping wanted to avoid “the ‘Brady together. Another example, built a craft-forward new show, suspended for the time being, Bunch’ boxes” familiar from “Top Chef,” has been evolv- “Making the Cut” for Ama- RuPaul hosted a reunion and Zoom conversations. ing for other reasons entirely. zon Prime Video that focused finale for “RuPaul’s Drag Race” He positioned himself in “a Rather than aiming to keep up on what they found lacking on entirely remotely, shepherding high-gloss area,” complete with consistency in changing times, reality TV. conversation among the show’s a neon lighting package pro- “Top Chef” is trying to generate “We wanted an audience that contestants as well as leading a vided by the NBC show, in order new interest — most recently not only falls in love with this lip-sync competition among the to replicate a studio feel. with an all-stars season set in competition show about fash- finalists, each performing from “We had piped and draped Los Angeles. ion,” Klum says, but also “peo- their respective living rooms. and converted the pool house “Changing the city every ple who can create, because we Jeff Probst of “Survivor” simi- and brought in this beautiful season really helps, because all want to do that too.” larly engaged his show’s cast- set piece,” Daly says. “We lit it, food is very regional,” says Their show is designed to aways over remote technology, we had great lighting and they Padma Lakshmi, who co-hosts be more humanistic than most as did Ryan Seacrest of “Amer- brought in the field ops: They the Bravo staple with Tom Col- reality shows, allowing them ican Idol” and Carson Daly of were doing it all from afar.” icchio. “The place that we to focus on the art of fashion “The Voice.” Daly could hear commands, choose to film really informs rather than personality conflict. Daly relocated to California including from “Voice” show- our challenges.” “We felt unshackled — we full time from New York City; runner Audrey Morrissey, but Last season, that meant an felt released,” says Gunn. “We after that, he and the produc- was on his own for the live episode dedicated to the leg- were out of the straitjacket.” tion had to figure out “how do shoot, from changing his mic acy of L.A. food critic Jonathan It’s a statement that speaks we do it better than anybody battery packs to doing his hair Gold. “He wrote beautifully to the power the right hosts: else out there.” and makeup. and was beloved so it was they can craft a show in their Daly says he specifically “We had a couple moments the perfect fit,” Lakshmi says own image. NICOLE WEINGART/BRAVO

24 VARIETY CONTENDERS VARIETY’SVARIETY CATEGORY BREAKDOWN TALK SERIES /NBC

The Daily Show Desus & Mero Full Frontal With Jimmy Kimmel Live! Last Week Tonight With Trevor Noah Showtime Samantha Bee ABC With John Oliver Comedy Central TBS HBO

Desus Nice and the Kid Mero A perennial favorite for the past This cable mainstay has picked have been on the premium Bee has been a fixture in this eight years, Kimmel has managed The incumbent winner in this up two consecutive noms in this cabler for little more than a year, category for the past three to find a balance between the category has won four previous category to date, including last but in that time have gained years when she was the only winking everyman comedy for years and is still the one to beat.

ST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER: LLOYD BISHOP/HBO; BISHOP/HBO; LLOYD WITH JOHN OLIVER: WEEK TONIGHT ST year. Host Noah’s lengthening broader recognition for a loose- woman in the late-night game. which his show is known and the The premium cable show takes tenure behind the desk has lent limbed, freewheeling chat style Her midweek cable show has need to comment on this nation’s a weekly deep dive into a single him new gravitas, as newsmak- that often creates surprising been a cathartic half-hour that current cycle of scorched-earth topic that has some observers ers seeking to get their words moments with guests including has tackled everything from politics. These days his ability to comparing it to a segment of “60 in front of a younger audience David Letterman and Alicia Keys. racism in the U.S. to police serve up comfort from a home Minutes.” In his current season, gravitate to his forum. Of late, As more upstart shows seem to brutality. Moving the show to studio made his new format a Oliver examined everything from Noah has turned his program be gaining voters’ notice, don’t the woods near her home winning one. Kimmel is taking facial-recognition technology into a “Daily Social-Distancing count this duo out. after the pandemic allowed for time away from the show this and the role of sheriffs in the U.S. Show” by holding things together more experimentation and the summer and that may make to talk-show host Wendy Williams. from his apartment. Both of these ability to switch things up so voters focus more intently on his advancements could give him deftly should have her high on recent efforts. new credence in the category. voters’ radars. BEE: PETER YANG/TBS; JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE: JEFF LIPSKY/ABC; LA JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE: JEFF LIPSKY/ABC; BEE: PETER YANG/TBS; SINGH: RYAN PFLUGER/NBC; PATRIOT ACT WITH HASAN MINHAJ: MARK SELIGER/NETFLIX; TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON: ART STREIBER ART JIMMY FALLON: STARRING SHOW TONIGHT MINHAJ: MARK SELIGER/NETFLIX; WITH HASAN ACT PATRIOT PFLUGER/NBC; SINGH: RYAN

The Late Late Show The Late Show With A Little Late With Patriot Act With The Tonight Show With James Corden Stephen Colbert Lilly Singh Hasan Minhaj Starring Jimmy Fallon CBS CBS NBC Netflix NBC

Nominated for the past four years Nominated for the past three Singh is late-night’s new voice “Daily Show” alum Minhaj Fallon has picked up three in this category Corden is a prov- years, Colbert still remains top and a fresh one at that, as she is explored hot-button issues prior noms for this series in en favorite of the TV Academy. of the pack when it comes to the first openly bisexual woman including mental health, crip- this category, but his most He has picked up noms in other seeing another nom. His focus in late night (and one of few pling debt and the assault on asy- recent was in 2016. Shaking categories including special and on the news of the day means women in general), as well as lum claims in the U.S. in the fifth up his format by relying on short form, too. His willingness his show’s transition to remote the first host of Indian and South season of his streaming series. his family to be a part of his and ability to still deliver his production amid the pandemic Asian descent. Her background He never failed to get detailed at-home production has become suit-and-tie nightly format from has been relatively seamless, as in the digital world also gives in his research, passionate in his important to this Peacock his garage has been unwavering. well as making his commentary her a unique perspective. delivery or specific in where he network staple as the show’s He was one of the first to deliver a tonic for the current times. His Voters seeking a new voice in a shined a spotlight — including on band, the Roots. While he such an “at home” special, and interviews with top names from crowded field could have Singh how fashion brands such as H&M showed a fun side of him that that extra mile won’t likely go Joe Biden to Kamala Harris are in their sights. are killing the planet. Minhaj is way, he balanced it with more unnoticed come ballot time. always top-notch, too. no stranger to speaking truth to serious conversations with power and the Academy would guests, and his multi-dimensional be wise to recognize him now growth should have voters with his star on the rise. looking at the show anew. LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN: ART STREIBER/CBS: LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT: TIMOTHY KURATEK/CBS; LITTLE LATE WITH LILLY LITTLE LATE KURATEK/CBS; TIMOTHY COLBERT: WITH STEPHEN SHOW LATE STREIBER/CBS: CORDEN: ART WITH JAMES SHOW LATE LATE DAILY SHOW WITH TREVOR NOAH; COMEDY CENTRAL; DESUS & MERO: CHRIS PIZZELLO/INVISION/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK; FULL FRONTAL WITH SAMANTHA WITH SAMANTHA FULL FRONTAL CHRIS PIZZELLO/INVISION/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK; CENTRAL; DESUS & MERO: COMEDY NOAH; WITH TREVOR SHOW DAILY

VARIETY 25 CONTENDERS VARIETY’SVARIETY CATEGORY BREAKDOWN SKETCH SERIES

Alternatino With The Astronomy Club At Home With A Black Lady The Degenerates Arturo Castro Netflix Amy Sedaris Sketch Show Netflix Comedy Central TruTV HBO

Executive producer Kenya Barris The six-episode second season Castro broke out on “Broad City” lent some cachet to this one-sea- Nominated for the past two Led by creator Robin Thede, this of the standup comedy series and quickly established himself son series that shined a light on years in this category, comedian premium cable series featured a raised the bar for the kinds of as an even greater force with the titular improv group. Their Sedaris’ series returned just at strong ensemble of Black female comedians (and topics) it would this series he writes, executive self-titled show offered a unique the close of eligibility to ensure comedians taking on race, culture deliver. Featuring sets from Nikki produces and stars in as multiple take on being Black comedi- another nom. A force in comedy and a runner about the end of the Glaser, Jim Norton and Donnell characters. His documentation ans, who have typically found for years, this season Sedaris world through a lens far-too-often Rawlings, to name a few, it of what it means to be Latinx little love in the category, but used her passion for humor, overlooked in the media. They delivered full belly laughs and a in America came with insight also skewered pop culture and crafts and cooking to focus on brought with them a who’s who couple of cringeworthy moments only he could provide but was turned the sketch genre on its holidays and play with some of amazing guest stars including as those on stage dared to mine much-needed. The season aired side by including reality TV-style big-name guest stars including executive producers Angela Bas- the most personal parts of their a year ago so voters may need to confessionals with cast members. Jason Sudeikis and Peter sett and Issa Rae, as well as Patti lives. It’s not a typical entry in refresh their memories on specif- The recent cancelation means Serafinowicz. Her clever take LaBelle, Laverne Cox, Lena Waithe this category, but it is a year ics of the sketches, but when they this is the TV Academy’s one and on the lifestyle format is always and Jermaine Fowler. Television where the Academy may want to do they will find a truly fresh voice only chance to reward this fresh bright and fun, a nice antidote Academy voting members should shake things up. that deserves recognition. breath of air in the category. in these tough times. want to join the party, too. IS: PHIL CARUSO/TRUTV; BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW: HBO; DEGENERATES: ADAM ROSE/NETFLIX; ROSE/NETFLIX; ADAM DEGENERATES: HBO; SHOW: SKETCH LADY BLACK IS: PHIL CARUSO/TRUTV; PRESENTS: ADAM ROSE/NETFLIX ADAM PRESENTS:

Drunk History The Iliza Saturday Night Live Sherman’s Showcase Tiffany Haddish Comedy Central Shlesinger Show NBC IFC Presents: They Ready Netflix Netflix

“Drunk History” has received A staple at the Emmys since Creators Bashir Salahuddin and Haddish used her cachet in the 14 nominations (five in this Shlesinger has been a major force 1976, this broadcast late-night Diallo Riddle took viewers back comedy world to bring together SHERMAN’S SHOWCASE: MICHAEL MORIATIS/IFC; TIFFANY HADDISH TIFFANY MICHAEL MORIATIS/IFC; SHOWCASE: SHERMAN’S category) through its first five in comedy for some time now, sketch series took home the to the ‘70s with their unique HOME WITH AMY SEDAR AT LARA SOLANKI/NETFLIX; CLUB: ); ASTRONOMY a group of comedians for a seasons so its new batch of but her self-titled Netflix series trophy in this category for the sketch show. In a callback special stand-up series. Sets episodes is sure to continue that marked the first leading television past three years and is certainly to shows like “Soul Train” from Aida Rodriguez, Marlo streak. Every story seemed to up role of her career. The six-episode in line for another nom, if not and “American Bandstand,” it Williams and April Macie (to the ante for what this show can first season featured sketches another win. This season not presented a fictional musical name a few) were interspersed do, diving into topics such as on New Jersey moms, lesbian only saw a parade of stars from variety show hosted by the with backstage footage and an all-female Air Force set up to chefs, sex robots and even the Robert De Niro to Ben Stiller “legendary” Sherman McDaniel. personal stories of shared history fight Nazis, the tale of the Little struggles of Nicole Kidman’s stunt portraying presidential hopefuls, The show’s unconventional with Haddish. It was a platform Rock Nine and the notorious Dr. double. Shlesinger’s strong stage but it also perfectly pivoted format and hilarious antics make to elevate those who may not be Max Jacobson, aka “Dr. Feelgood.” presence and impeccable timing in the pandemic era to deliver it a strong contender, and its household names just yet but should have her on every Acade- well-crafted and sharp-humored recent renewal gives it extra deserve to be. my voter’s radar. sketches (and musical numbers) visibility at a pivotal voting time. from cast members’ homes. ALTERNATINO WITH ARTURO CASTRO, DRUNK HISTORY: COMEDY CENTRAL (2 COMEDY DRUNK HISTORY: CASTRO, WITH ARTURO ALTERNATINO ILIZA SHLESINGER SHOW: NETFLIX; SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: WILL HEATH/NBC; SATURDAY NETFLIX; ILIZA SHLESINGER SHOW:

26 VARIETY CONTENDERS VARIETY’SVARIETY CATEGORY BREAKDOWN SPECIAL (LIVE) AUDIENCE: ERIC MCCANDLESS/ABC; OSCARS: ARTURO HOLMES/ABC ARTURO OSCARS: ERIC MCCANDLESS/ABC; AUDIENCE: The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards The 73rd Annual Tony Awards The 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards CBS CBS NBC

Four Grammy telecasts in the past decade have been The Tony Awards were on a hot streak with the Emmys, Seeing nine nominations in this category since 2007, nominated for Emmy Awards in this category, including picking up 10 consecutive nominations between 2009 and including the past two years, another could be right the previous two years. After a ceremony that included 2017 before falling off the ballot in 2018. But they returned around the corner for this kudoscast. Even with come- powerful performances by headline-grabbers Billie Eilish, strong with a nom for the James Corden-hosted ceremony dian Ricky Gervais at the center of the show, things were Camila Cabello and Demi Lovato, as well as emotionally last year and then turned in another solid program with more celebratory than controversial, with beloved Phoebe raw, show-stopping tributes to the late Kobe Bryant by him as emcee. Boasting such icons as Elaine May, Judith Waller-Bridge wrapping up her awards laps for “Fleabag” Lizzo and Alicia Keys, it stands to see another nomination. Light and the late Terrence McNally as part of the show, it with yet another win and awarding “Succession” with its looks like it’s time for a new nomination streak to start. first-ever major trophy. If TV Academy members can focus on the production, rather than that the HFPA honored “Succession” first, it should be a shoo-in for another nom. RTH & TRISHA LIVE: MICHELE CROWE/CBS; LIVE IN FRONT OF A STUDIO LIVE IN FRONT & TRISHA LIVE: MICHELE CROWE/CBS; RTH LO/CBS; 77TH ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS: PAUL DRINKWATER/NBC; GA DRINKWATER/NBC; PAUL AWARDS: GOLDEN GLOBE 77TH ANNUAL LO/CBS;

Garth & Trisha Live Live in Front of a Studio The Oscars CBS Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All in ABC the Family’ & ‘Good Times’

ABC In the midst of a global pandemic lockdown, country A ballot staple for the past 13 years, it would take a true music power couple Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood shock for this kudofest to be bumped off now. The host- performed fan-requested numbers live on broadcast tele- The incumbent winner in the category is back with new less ceremony managed to make history when Acad- vision. It was an intimate concert in its production, which all-star reenactments of classic sitcom episodes. Not only emy members awarded the Korean-language “Parasite” was done at their at-home studio. The interactive ele- did the show set out to entertain with a star-studded cast the best picture trophy, which created more discussion ment enhanced the spirit and message of connection, that included Woody Harrelson, Marisa Tomei, Viola Davis, around the show than there had been in years. With inclu- which proved pivotal during a time of social distancing Andre Braugher and Jharrel Jerome, but, through the epi- sion still a necessary hot topic in the industry, TV Acad- and self-isolation. There have been many similar specials sodes performed, it also shined a light on the importance emy members here won’t be able to forget those strides. in the pre-recorded category, but doing it true-live was a of coming together despite differing political views. A different undertaking that voters should give a closer look. timeless message that carries significant weight in the world today, it’s a shoo-in for a second consecutive nom. 62ND ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS: MONTY BRINTON/CBS; 73RD ANNUAL TONY AWARDS; JOHN P. FI JOHN P. AWARDS; TONY ANNUAL 73RD MONTY BRINTON/CBS; GRAMMY AWARDS: 62ND ANNUAL

VARIETY 27 CONTENDERS VARIETY’SVARIETY CATEGORY BREAKDOWN SPECIAL (PRE-RECORDED)

Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones Hannah Gadsby: Douglas Homefest: James Corden’s Netflix Netflix Late Late Show Special CBS

The comedian recently turned heads for his surprise set Australian comedian Gadsby burst onto the Emmy scene shot during the pandemic, about the systemic racism that in 2019 with her standup special “Nanette,” which scored The TV Academy seems to have something of a love affair led to the murder of George Floyd, among others. That a nom here and a win for variety special writing. Now with Corden, nominating him 22 times (nine wins) across standup special isn’t being submitted here, but it cer- she’s back with a followup named for her dog that again talk, interactive, short form and special categories since tainly helps to keep him top of mind come voting time. pushed the boundaries of what standup comedy could, 2016. This remotely produced piece may be no different. His previous streaming special that is being submitted and perhaps should, be. She delivered yet another ser- It was no easy feat to set up, and it was one of the first of took on the equally hot topics of cancel culture and the mon, this time tackling societal issues such as “entitled its kind, ushering in a whole new wave of pandemic pro- opioid crisis but did come with some controversy. Still white women,” and turned the lens on her own experi- gramming. He also drew an all-star roster, from Billie Eil- any way you slice it, two-time Emmy winner Chappelle ence with autism. ish to BTS. gets everyone talking. ’SLATE LATE SHOW SPECIAL: CBS; JERRY SEINFELD: 23 HOURS TO KILL: JEFFERY NEIRA/ NETFLIX; NEIRA/ NETFLIX; KILL: JEFFERY TO 23 HOURS SEINFELD: CBS; JERRY SPECIAL: SHOW LATE ’SLATE

Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill Mel Brooks: Unwrapped’ A Parks and Recreation Special Netflix HBO NBC

Seinfeld is much-beloved by the Television Acad- The premium cable comedy special took a deep dive into The Television Academy only nominated “Parks and Rec” emy, dating back to his first-ever Emmy nom for com- the legendary Brooks with archival footage sure to tug at twice in the comedy series category while it was in its edy writing on “Seinfeld” in 1991. That this is his first full voters’ heartstrings, funny bones and sense of nostalgia, original run, so the chance to celebrate it one more time, standup comedy special in decades is sure to score him as well as more recent interviews with important figures in albeit in a new way, may prove too good to pass up. The some extra attention in this category. The comedian his life and career. Director Alan Yentob has only received remotely mounted special started a trend in reuniting proved himself to continue to be relatable to his audi- one prior Emmy nom (in 1987), but his intimate portrait of beloved casts but did so with a wholly original — and ence through a sophisticated set about how marriage is another larger-than-life helmer could change that. emotional — script that spread the message of the impor- exhausting and why things that seem great also “suck.” tance of proper health precautions during a pandemic and put equal importance of connecting with loved ones during tough times. MEL BROOKS: UNWRAPPED: HBO; PARK AND RECREATION SPECIAL: NBC SPECIAL: AND RECREATION PARK HBO; UNWRAPPED: MEL BROOKS: DAVE CHAPPELLE: STICKS & STONES: MATHIEU BITTON/NETFLIX; HANNAH GADSBY: DOUGLAS: ALI GOLDSTEIN/ NETFLIX; HOMEFEST: JAMES CORDEN JAMES HOMEFEST: NETFLIX; ALI GOLDSTEIN/ DOUGLAS: HANNAH GADSBY: BITTON/NETFLIX; MATHIEU & STONES: CHAPPELLE: STICKS DAVE

28 VARIETY CONTENDERS VARIETY’SREALITY CATEGORY BREAKDOWN HOST

Bobby Berk, Karamo Bob the Drag Queen, Nicole Byer Tom Colicchio and Ellen DeGeneres Brown, Tan France, Eureka O’Hara, ‘Nailed It!’ Padma Lakshmi ‘Ellen’s Game of Games’ Antoni Porowski, Shangela Laquifa ‘Top Chef’ Jonathan Van Ness Wad ley ‘Queer Eye’ ‘We’re Here’ The Netflix amateur-baking The comedian and daytime competition scored a surprise The food competition duo has talk-show host picked up noms series nomination last year, and not been on this ballot since in this category for the past The Netflix makeover series won The trio of drag queens drove a lot of its success is due to 2009, though the series itself two years, so it may take a lot the structured Emmy for the past all across the U.S. in HBO’s foray comedian Byer, who always continues to find favor with to bump her off the ballot now. two years, but the Fab Five have into unscripted, transforming knows how, where and when the TV Academy voters. But In the third season of the NBC yet to be celebrated here. The small-town residents into drag to infuse the over-the-top tasks their poise anchors the series, game show, she continued to time to rectify that should be superstars. They perfectly bal- with extra bursts of energy. Byer no matter in what location welcome average contestants now, though, as they continued anced their big personalities with has yet to be recognized in this they find themselves or with and celebrity guests seamlessly, to drive home the importance of some serious looks at close-mind- category, but the momentum what challenges lay ahead for but it was moments when she embracing those who are differ- edness, always knowing when carried from last year could push the competing chefs. There is lost her cool in laughing fits over ent from you in the latest batch to stand in the light and when to her over the edge now. something to be said for guiding how an off-the-wall challenge of episodes. Always out to impart shine it on their drag daughters. such a successful series for so went down that truly made for important lessons from cuisine to Their openness and vulnerability long, so they should definitely great TV. grooming, they did it all with light, inspired the same in those around receive a closer look come love and true empathy. them, and that is no small feat. ballot time. ME OF GAMES: WARNER BROTHERS/NBC; MAKING THE CUT: KEITH TSUJI/AMAZON STUDIOS; STUDIOS; KEITH TSUJI/AMAZON MAKING THE CUT: BROTHERS/NBC; WARNER ME OF GAMES:

Tim Gunn and Jane Lynch Nick Offerman and Phil Rosenthal RuPaul Heidi Klum ‘Hollywood Game Night’ Amy Poehler ‘Somebody Feed Phil’ ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ ‘Making the Cut’ ‘Making It’

Lynch has four prior noms in Rosenthal has two Emmy wins The incumbent winner in the After more than a decade on this category, and it’s no wonder, The “Parks and Rec” pair received for “Everybody Loves Raymond” category has held the title C; SOMEBODY FEED PHIL: NETFLIX; RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE: VH1 VH1 RACE: DRAG RUPAUL’S FEED PHIL: NETFLIX; C; SOMEBODY “Project Runway,” the duo has given how consistent she has a nomination in this category last and is drafting off a more recent since 2016 and is once again a six shared hosting noms and been at leading a combination of year and their momentum is only (just last year) nom for his Netflix frontrunner for always elegantly should see another for their new celebrities and average contes- on the upswing since the virtual travel-foodie show. He has yet to steering the juggernaut Amazon Prime Video venture. tants through increasingly weirder reunion of their beloved NBC see accolades in this category, series through increasingly Their signature chemistry was games over the years. The most sitcom in spring. Their jocular but if voters want to celebrate complicated choreography and still intact, but it was spotlighted recent season proved no different, friendship and life-affirming living vicariously through his runway challenges, as well as even more with fun scenes of even with one special episode’s spin on reality TV is a salve in globe-trotting in a time they are navigating the big personalities them in international locations pivot to at-home production otherwise tumultuous times and personally sheltering in place, of the queens, the permanent cut around the competition. After amid the coronavirus pandemic. should not go unnoticed. this could be his year. The third judging panel and special a year away from this category, Lynch’s infectious energy, cou- season saw the always-affable celebrity guests. Ru does it they return seemingly revitalized, pled with her history with voters, Rosenthal bring his unique brand all, and still makes it look both the perfect combination of some- is enough to put her on the ballot of humor and cultural appetite effortless and entirely glamorous. thing tried and true, which voters again, but it doesn’t hurt that she to Marrakech, Chicago, Seoul, love, and shiny and new. has extra visibility from her work London and Montreal. in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” HOLLYWOOD GAME NIGHT: CHRIS HASTON/NBC; MAKING IT: CHRIS HASTON/NB MAKING IT: CHRIS HASTON/NBC; NIGHT: GAME HOLLYWOOD QUEER EYE: NINO MUNOZ/NETFLIX; WE’RE HERE: JOHNNIE INGRAM/HBO; NAILED IT: NETFLIX; TOP CHEF: SMALLZ & RASKIND/BRAVO; ELLEN’S GA ELLEN’S SMALLZ & RASKIND/BRAVO; CHEF: TOP NETFLIX; NAILED IT: HERE: JOHNNIE INGRAM/HBO; WE’RE QUEER EYE: NINO MUNOZ/NETFLIX;

VARIETY 29 CONTENDERS

Guilty Pleasure: “90 Day Fiancé” “The original and every iteration of the franchise: ‘Before the 90 Days,’ ‘Pillow Talk,’ ‘Happily Ever After,’ ‘What Now?,’ ‘Can You Get a DNA Test for Our Baby,’ ‘90 Days in Space,’ etc,” Thede says. “Some of those are not real, but they should be! The concept is not only a fascinating study into the delusions people have about ‘love,’ but it’s also sur- prisingly sweet at times. Mostly though, I’m watching for the awkward family interactions, people getting stood up in foreign countries and folks sharing a translation app to communicate with each other. Truly quality programming.”

Deep Cut: “The PJs” PROD/KOBAL/SHUTTERSTOCK ITT-THOMAS-HARRIS “As a kid, I loved ‘The PJs,’” she says. “Eddie Murphy and Michael Schneider Loretta Devine in a stop-motion claymation series about living in the projects? Give me more of it, please. I used to love the California Raisins as a kid too and so when ‘The PJs’ came along, the claymation also reminded me of my fondness for them. Yep, I just compared Eddie Murphy to a Robin Thede’s dried-up grape, but I mean it with all love and respect!” TV Picks

THE “A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW” CREATOR and star selects her TV “guilty pleasure,” as well as her pick for “deep cut” (a show you probably haven’t heard of but she recommends) and her “show mate” (the TV series she couldn’t live without).

Show Mate: “The Golden Girls” Variety, VOL. 348, NO. 18 (USPS 146-820, ISSN 0011-5509) is published weekly, except the fourth week of June, the first week in July, and the fourth and fifth weeks in December, with 40 special issues: Jan (8), Feb (8), June (7), Aug (6), Nov (5) and Dec (6) by Variety Media LLC, 11175 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025, “The level of comedy writing and acting on that show will never a division of Penske Business Media. Periodicals postage paid at Los Angeles, CA and at other mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to: Variety, P.O. Box 15759, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5759. Canada Post International Publications Mail Product (Canadian Distribution) Publications Mail Agreement No. be duplicated. The dry wit and friendship storylines made me 40043404. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: RCS International Box 697 STN A, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6N4. Sales agreement No. 0607525. Variety

©2020 by Variety Media, LLC. Variety and the Flying V logo are trademarks of Penske Business Media. Printed in the U.S.A. realize how funny women could be and I’ve never looked back.” TV/WH GOLDEN GIRLS: TOUCHSTONE EVERETT COLLECTION; THE PJS: FIANCÉ: TLC; 90 DAY THEDE: CHRIS PIZZELLO/INVISION/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK;

30 VARIETY HENRY CAVILL

IT’S ABOUT THE WORK

TUNE IN JULY 17 & 24 8 PM PDT

& ON PBS STATIONS NATIONALLY CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS ADDITIONAL CONVERSATIONS AVAILABLE NOW ON VARIETY.COM

PATRICK STEWART

KERRY WASHINGTON & SANDRA OH DAN LEVY & KIERAN CULKIN ZENDAYA & MJ RODRIGUEZ CHACE CRAWFORD & PENN BADGLEY PAUL RUDD & CHRIS EVANS REGINA KING & REESE WITHERSPOON HUGH JACKMAN & ANNE HATHAWAY JENNIFER ANISTON & LISA KUDROW NICOLE KIDMAN & RUSSELL CROWE PAUL MESCAL & NICHOLAS HOULT RAMY YOUSSEF & TESSA THOMPSON CLAIRE DANES & DAMIAN LEWIS HENRY CAVILL & PATRICK STEWART DAVEED DIGGS & ANTHONY MACKIE OUTSTANDING VARIETY SPECIAL

“HEARTFELT AND HUMOROUS” –INDIEWIRE

“O’BRIEN’S TRAVEL EPISODES ARE ESSENTIAL” –VULTURE

TM & © 2020 Turner Entertainment Networks, Inc. A WarnerMedia Company. All Rights Reserved. TM & © 2020 Conaco, LLC. CONAN is used with the permission of Conan Properties International, LLC.

Untitled-11 1 6/30/20 10:57 PM