Five things to watch for on Emmys night

Hollywood will honor the best in television at the Emmys on Sept. 20, but the awards show - like most things in the pandemic-era world - will look totally different.

And maybe that's a good thing.

Here are five things to watch for on Sunday night:
Late night funnyman Jimmy Kimmel will take the stage at a nearly empty venue in Los Angeles to host the Emmys, as the stars will be... elsewhere.

Producers have sent camera equipment to about 130 A-list nominees in multiple countries around the world -- and the winners will accept their awards live.

Technical difficulties, F-bombs dropped on air, wardrobe malfunctions: the set-up seems tailor-made for at least a few hiccups, but experts say that could be a boost overall.

"I think it's got the potential to actually be a breakthrough for award shows, and actually shake up the whole format, make it interesting," said Deadline awards columnist Pete Hammond.

Kimmel is the host who had to handle the notorious best picture Oscar bungle in 2017, so industry observers say if anyone is prepared to deal with the unknown, he's the man.

"I really think he's going to be able to roll with the punches better than maybe anyone else who could be in that position," IndieWire TV awards editor Libby Hill told AFP.
There is no red carpet, of course, so how the stars will appear on camera is anyone's guess. Organizers have encouraged participants to embrace comfort over couture.

"Our informal theme for the night is 'Come as you are, but make an effort!'" said a letter sent to nominees by organizers in July, according to Variety.

"If you want to be in formal wear, we'd love that, but equally if you're in the UK and it's 3 am, perhaps you want to be in designer pajamas and...