SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Nominations for the 72nd Emmy® Awards were announced recognizing a host of groundbreaking new programs and up-and-coming talent, along with beloved performers and hit shows that have been integral in helping television viewers navigate a changing world. The live ceremony, reimagined as a virtual event due to production restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, was hosted by Supermarket Sweep star and Saturday Night Live alumnus Leslie Jones with presenters Laverne Cox (Inventing Anna), Josh Gad (Central Park), Tatiana Maslany (Perry Mason) and Television Academy Chairman and CEO Frank Scherma. HBO's Watchmen took the top spot for program nominations with 26 followed by The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (20), Ozark (18), Succession (18), The Mandalorian (15), Schitt's Creek (15), Saturday Night Live (15) and The Crown (13). Netflix lead the nominations in totals by platform with 160, setting a record previously held by HBO with 137 nominations in 2019. HBO had the second-most nominations with 107, and rounding out the top five were NBC with 47, ABC with 36 and FX with 33.

Half of this year's nominees for Outstanding Comedy Series are new to the category, including Dead to Me, Insecure, The Kominsky Method and What We Do in the Shadows. Returning favorites include Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Good Place, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Schitt's Creek. The Mandalorian is a newcomer in the Outstanding Drama Series category joining returning nominees Better Call Saul, The Crown, The Handmaid's Tale, Killing Eve, Ozark, Stranger Things and Succession. Ramy Youssef is new to the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series category, joining previous nominees Anthony Anderson, Don Cheadle, Michael Douglas, Eugene Levy and two-time Emmy winner Ted Danson. Nominees for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series include first-time nominee in this category, Linda Cardellini, who joins previous category nominees Christina Applegate, Catherine O'Hara, Issa Rae and Tracee Ellis Ross, along with 2018 Emmy winner Rachel Brosnahan.

Zendaya received her first-ever Emmy nomination, in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, while Emmy winner Jennifer Aniston and previous Emmy nominee Olivia Colman were nominated for the first time in this category. They join returning nominees Laura Linney and Sandra Oh, and last year's Emmy winner Jodie Comer. Jeremy Strong received his first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series while former Emmy nominees Steve Carell and Brian Cox received their first nominations in this category, joining returning nominees Jason Bateman and previous Emmy winners in this category Sterling K. Brown and Billy Porter. View the full list of nominations.

The 72nd Emmy Awards will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, who also serves as executive producer for television's biggest night. Recently announced executive producers for the telecast include Guy Carrington, Reginald Hudlin, David Jammy and Ian Stewart. The show will be broadcast, Sunday, September 20 from 8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT/5:00-8:00 p.m. PDT on ABC. The 2020 Creative Arts Awards will air on FXX on Saturday, September 19 at 8:00 p.m. EDT/PDT.

After sharing heartfelt remembrances on the Monday, July 27, episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan, hosts Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest announced that Live will honor the memory of former host Regis Philbin with an updated presentation of the Emmy® Award-winning "Regis Farewell Celebration Special" episode from Nov. 18, 2011. The special send-off celebrates Philbin's nearly three decades on Live and features favorite guests, musical tributes and Philbin's reflections on his years with the iconic morning program. Also, throughout the week, Live is sharing additional memories and favorite moments on the show's social and digital platforms. 

Freeform's upcoming limited comedy series Love in the Time of Corona will premiere as a special two-night limited event, beginning Saturday, Aug. 22, at 8 p.m. ET/PT and continuing Sunday, Aug. 23, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, the network announced in the first teaser trailer for the series. The episodes will also be available on Hulu the following day. Filmed using remote technologies and shot in the cast's actual homes, this four-part, limited series follows four interwoven stories about the hopeful search for love and connection during this time of quarantine, from the early days of the stay-at-home order through the events that ignited the worldwide Black Lives Matter protests.

James and Sade, a married couple who have been living somewhat separate lives, are forced back under the same roof after the pandemic puts James' work travel to a halt. With headlines mounting, they begin to reevaluate their family's priorities. Roommates Oscar and Elle's mostly platonic friendship becomes increasingly complicated with the uncertainty of the pandemic as they wonder if they can find love under one roof. Paul and Sarah put up a "happy couple" facade for their daughter Sophie's sake when the pandemic sends her home from college, although unbeknownst to her, they have separated. Nanda, a headstrong woman whose husband is unable to return home from his rehab facility, is determined to celebrate her fiftieth wedding anniversary.

Love in the Time of Corona stars Tony® and GRAMMY® Award winner Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton) as James, Nicolette Robinson (The Affair) as Sade, Tommy Dorfman (13 Reasons Why) as Oscar, Rainey Qualley (Mad Men) as Elle, Gil Bellows (Ally McBeal) as Paul, Rya Kihlstedt (One Mississippi) as Sarah, Ava Bellows (This Too Shall Pass) as Sophie and L. Scott Caldwell (Lost) as Nanda. The series is executive produced by Joanna Johnson, Chris Sacani, Robyn Meisinger, Leslie Odom Jr. and Nicolette Robinson.

ABC News announced a prime-time special on television pioneer Regis Philbin, his life and his legacy as the legendary host of the Live morning franchise for 28 years - following his passing last Friday. The special edition of 20/20 features an exclusive interview with Live with Kelly and Ryan host Kelly Ripa, Philbin's former co-host for a decade. The program will also include Philbin's final television interview with Jimmy Kimmel in March 2020, as well as interviews with his co-hosts through the years including Kathie Lee Gifford and Mary Hart; interviews with his childhood friends; a tour of the Bronx where he grew up; an emotional surprise visit with students at his high school; and a trip down memory lane with Philbin screening some of his favorite clips of Live. Regis Philbin: The Morning Maestro - A Special Edition of 20/20 airs Tuesday, July 28 from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. EDT on ABC.  

Regis had some very famous appearances on sitcom such as Hope & Faith, Seinfeld, Spin City, Mad About You, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and How I Met Your Mother (clip below) over the years. His last acting appearance came earlier this year on ABC's Single Parents where he played himself, see a clip below.