TV stars from Westeros to the White House will hit the red carpet in Los Angeles on Sunday as Game of Thrones and Veep take their final tilts at Emmys glory.The long running HBO smash hits helped the premium cable network raise the game for the small screen with 74 Emmys between them, they are among the most decorated shows ever at television’s answer to the Oscars.
Both hope to add to their record hauls before they bow out at the glittering ceremony in downtown LA’s Microsoft Theater.
While the divisive final season of Thrones enraged many fans it is the Television Academy 24,000 plus voters who get to choose the winners.
There is an overwhelming chance the blood soaked fantasy epic will land the top drama series statuette, according to Pete Hammond, awards editor at entertainment news outlet Deadline.There was controversy over how it ended but that just shows the impact of this piece of television he told AFP. I don’t see anything in the category that can compare it’s appointment television.
Thrones already bagged 10 Emmys in lesser categories at last week’s Creative Arts Emmys, including for the show’s special effects and elaborate costumes. It needs three more statuettes to top its own record for most Emmys in a single season.
Nine of its stars including Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) Kit Harington (Jon Snow) and Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) are in the running for acting prizes.
They will all take to the stage as presenters too US broadcaster Fox hopes to squeeze a final ratings boost out of the global cultural phenomenon in a year which sees the Emmys go without a host.
Another long running popular show taking its final Emmys bow is The Big Bang Theory the throwback CBS sitcom about a group of geeky young California scientists.
It only competes in one category for directing but its creators are unlikely to mind after all 12 seasons were purchased by HBO Max streaming service this week for a reported $500 million.In the comedy categories Fleabag has its first and apparently last stab at springing an Emmys surprise.
The British dark comedy acquired by Amazon was totally shunned by voters last year, failing to bag a single nomination but its second season has grown into a phenomenon on both sides of the Atlantic.
Creator and star Phoebe Waller Bridge has ruled out a third season saying the irreverent BBC series about a self absorbed young Londoner has come to a natural end. In the variety competition HBO’s political satire Last Week Tonight starring John Oliver is again front runner, while NBC all time leading Emmys winner Saturday Night Live remains formidable.
