Politics, cast reunions and more expected during the second show

It is the biggest television evening of the year for the second time. On September 15, the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, airing on ABC, will honor the best of 2023-2024 on the small screen. There are high expectations for the second Emmy ceremony after the outing in January. While the ratings for that first show weren’t as high as Fox would have liked, its nostalgic elements, including cast reunions and set recreations for series celebrating major anniversaries, made for one of the most entertaining Emmy casts in years.

With Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay returning as executive producers, it’s safe to assume they’ll find a way to lean into some of those components that touch the heart. (It’s the 30th anniversary of “Friends” a week after the Emmys – just saying!)

But can the second Emmys measure up? Variety See what you can expect from the ceremony.

Haute looks

Not only do you expect to see red carpet favorites like Gucci, Dior, Chanel, Armani, Versace and Louis Vuitton well represented, but emerging designers can also grab some of the attention, as they have done in the past. Maybe Brooklyn-based Agbobly — founded by Jacques Agbobly during the height of the pandemic — will show up at the Emmys? Known for its vibrant colors, rich materials and Togolese inspirations, Agbobly earned kudos for its custom rainbow pride-colored sunflower skirt worn by Uma Thurman at the GLAAD Media Awards earlier this year in support of “Red, White & Royal Blue. ” Swedish designer Ellen Hodakova Larsson launched her Hodakova line just three years ago, but her sustainable designs, using upcycled and second-hand materials, are already a favorite of Cate Blanchett and Emma Corrin.

Emmy nominee Greta Lee wore a black leather Hodakova corset made from repurposed riding boots while promoting “Tron: Ares” at D23 in August. Speaking of Lee, her fellow “Morning Show” nominee Karen Pittman will wear a special design by Charles Harbison, who relaunched his eponymous studio two years ago after moving to Los Angeles from New York. When it comes to jewelry, Bucherer Fine Jewelery may be a heritage brand dating back to 1888, but its diamond and gemstone designs only hit the U.S. market three years ago. Since then, Bucherer has dazzled at most major awards shows, including pieces worn by Eva Longoria, Kate McKinnon and Olivia Munn at this year’s Oscars. While Bucherer can’t share his Emmy plans ahead of the big day, you can bet the jeweler will have a strong presence.

Red carpet politics

With US Election Day less than two months away, the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the war in Ukraine, politics could take center stage at this year’s Emmys. Many celebrities have worn these clothes during the award shows over the past year red pins supporting Artists for Ceasefire. There is also the threat of traffic disruption due to protests, such as the pro-Palestinian protests at the Oscars in March, which caused such a traffic nightmare that the broadcast was delayed by five minutes as guests rushed to get to their seats. The Television Academy and ABC also have to work overtime to ensure that their guests get to the red carpet without any interference.

Pack leaders

This year it is a little more difficult to predict frontrunners; While it appears that Peak TV continues to grow, due to the aftermath of the strike, a smaller group of programs will actually air within the eligibility period between June 1, 2023 and May 31, 2024.

Netflix leads the way as the platform with the most nominations (107), which consists of no fewer than 35 programs. Meanwhile, FX, which broke its own record with 93 nominations, is highlighting just nine shows, including the esteemed “Shōgun” in the drama race and “The Bear” in comedy. Although HBO earned 91 nominations, this is the first time in two decades that HBO did not rank first or second in nominations earned; However, ‘True Detective: Night Country’ was the fourth most nominated series and the most nominated limited series with 19 nods, so it’s hard to imagine that it won’t get a plethora of trophies as well. Apple TV+ also had a record year with 72 nominations, thanks to hits like “Palm Royale” and “The Morning Show.”

The categories themselves are filled with heavyweight players: Carol Burnett takes on Meryl Streep (and they’ll have to beat “Abbott Elementary” favorite Sheryl Lee Ralph); Paul Rudd enters the supporting comedy race against last supporting winner Ebon Moss-Bachrach; and Dakota Fanning, Lily Gladstone and Diane Lane compete for supporting roles in a limited series. Not to mention Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr. (who received the only nomination for “The Sympathizer”) who competed for the trophy against John Hawkes and the late Treat Williams.

Dynamic duos

Father-son duo Eugene Levy and Dan Levy will celebrate this year’s ceremony, four years after they made history as the first father and son to win major awards in the same year. The stars of “Schitt’s Creek” won for lead and supporting actors, while Dan Levy also won for writing and directing, and both took home outstanding comedy series trophies as executive producers.

“For two Canadians who won our Emmys in a literal quarantine tent, the idea of ​​being asked to host in a real theater this year was incentive enough,” the pair said in a joint statement about their duties.

These Emmys will generally see more duos, with many couples earning nominations, including Sarah Paulson (“Mr. & Mrs. Smith”) and Holland Taylor (“The Morning Show”); Carrie Coon (“The Gilded Age”) and Tracy Letts (“Winning Time”); Naomi Watts (“Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”) and Billy Crudup (“The Morning Show”); Paul W. Downs (“Hacks”) and Lucia Aniello (“Hacks”); and Kaitlin Olson (“Hacks”) and Rob McElhenney (“Welcome to Wrexham”).

Time to celebrate

From the days and nights leading up to the Emmys until the wee hours after the final award is presented, parties will take place all over Los Angeles. Sandra Oh, Anna Sawai and Awkwafina are expected at the Gold House and Macro toast on September 12. While CAA has no plans for an Emmy soiree, WME, UTA and Gersh will host their annual pre-parties. BAFTA’s afternoon Tea Party and the Creative Coalition’s Humanitarian Awards are the hot day tickets on September 14, followed a few hours later by the MPTF’s Evening Before benefit, co-chaired by Sheryl Lee Ralph, Greg Berlanti and Robbie Rogers, and Jon and Anna Osceola Hamm. Disney, Netflix and Apple are throwing afterparties, as is HBO Max, which returns to San Vicente Bungalows for the second year in a row.