Catherine O’Hara won her first Emmy for Outstanding Actress. The costumes in ‘Schitt’s Creek’ were also recognized with an Emmy. Photo: Pop TV
By BERNICE FOX
The “Schitt’s Creek” team has a pile of shiny Emmys. And “Schitt’s Creek” fans now have more ways to binge-watch the beloved show. More below about the binge opportunities.
Sunday night at the Emmy Awards was more than a fun, well-produced virtual show. It was downright historic.
“Schitt’s Creek” – about a family who goes from riches to rags and is better for it — won all seven major comedy categories. That’s the first time there’d been an Emmy sweep like that. The series is the creation of members of the Pacific Palisades Levy (that’s LEH’-vee) family, Eugene and Dan.
When an extremely shocked Dan Levy won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy, he praised the two veteran performers who play his parents on “Schitt’s Creek.”
“I would not be here if it were not for the six-year master class that was led by two brilliant comedic minds that I had the good fortune of working with for the past six seasons: my dad, Eugene Levy and the magnificent Catherine O’Hara, who led by example.”
For as long and respected as their careers have been, Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara had never won Emmys for acting until last Sunday’s awards show. That’s when they won for Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series, “Schitt’s Creek.” Both previously won Emmys for writing “SCTV” in the early 1980s.
When Eugene Levy heard his name announced for that acting Emmy, he pointed out “it’s ironical that the straightest role I’ve ever played lands me an Emmy for a comedy performance. So now I seriously have to question just what I’ve been doing for the past 50 years. But that’s for another time.”
Levy then focused on his wife, thanking “my darling wife of 43 years, Deb Divine, for all the love, support and sage counsel over the years. Wouldn’t be up here, Deb, without you. I love you.”
Levy said it was a joy acting with both of his kids, Dan and Sarah. Dan plays his son on “Schitt’s Creek.” Sarah plays a waitress at a local café. It’s new Emmy winner for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Annie Murphy, who plays Levy’s daughter and Dan Levy’s sister.
Eugene Levy then focused his thank-you speech back at his son.
‘Schitt’s Creek’ created by Eugene and Dan Levy took Emmys in seven major comedy categories, including Outstanding Actor and Actress.
Photo: The Television Academy and ABC Entertainment.
“That brings me to my multi-Emmy nominated partner, Daniel Levy, who took our show that we came up with and brilliantly guided it to this little Emmy party tonight. So thank you, Son.”
Dan Levy was gathering Emmy statues as fast as the announcers could name the winners. Along with his supporting actor win, he also won for writing one of many “Schitt’s Creek” episodes and for co-directing an episode of the series.
The final comedy honor of the evening also went to “Schitt’s Creek,” named Outstanding Comedy Series. And Dan Levy had more to say about the series he created with his dad.
“Our show at its core is about the transformational effects of love and acceptance. And that is something that we need more of now than we’ve ever needed before.”
The overwhelming Emmy victory by “Schitt’s Creek” meant some other Palisadians were locked out. With Eugene Levy winning Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series, Don Cheadle from “Black Monday” and Ted Danson from “The Good Place” could only look on.
Same with “The Good Place,” Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and Chuck Lorre’s “The Kominsky Method” which were among those up for Outstanding Comedy Series opposite “Schitt’s Creek.”
And a few days earlier at the Creative Arts Emmys, “Schitt’s Creek” won Emmys for contemporary costumes and for casting.
Almost all nominees in all categories at Sunday night’s Emmy Awards show were at home with TV cameras positioned at each location for live streaming while host Jimmy Kimmel was broadcasting from a cavernous Staples Center. (Kimmel’s opening line was “Hello and welcome to the Pandemmys.”)
But Eugene Levy was not at home in the Palisades. He, his wife Deborah Divine, along with son, Dan Levy and others from the “Schitt’s Creek” group were in a small event space in their native Toronto. The series had been filmed in the Toronto area.
They were wearing masks. But each time one of their many awards was announced, there was a new round of joyous hugging.
And if you’re horrified that they were part of a close social gathering while the virus runs amuck, “Schitt’s Creek’s” public relations people issued this statement: The gathering adhered to Ontario’s COVID-19 guidelines, and everyone in attendance had been in isolation since returning a negative test.
Reese Witherspoon (left) and Kerry Washington (right), who were nominated for Emmys as producers for ‘Little Fires Everywhere,’ watch the show from a garden party. Photo: The Television Academy and ABC Entertainment
At a different gathering was Reese Witherspoon. She and a small group, including Kerry Washington, were seated at little round tables while sipping from champagne glasses. It looked like a garden party. Witherspoon didn’t say if this was in the backyard at her Riviera home.
Witherspoon and Washington were nominated as producers of the show they both star in, “Little Fires Everywhere.” In a little comedy bit, they clarified to Jimmy Kimmel that they were not having an Emmy party. Instead it was a New Year’s Eve party. When Kimmel asked why, Witherspoon said it was “because we’re ready for this year to be over.”
No Emmy trophies for them this year. Or for Martin Short, who had been nominated as a guest actor on “The Morning Show.” Former Palisadian Tracey Ullman did not win an Emmy either. She had been up as supporting actress in the limited series, “Mrs. America.” But as it’s often said, it’s an honor just to be nominated.
“Schitt’s Creek” has aired on Pop TV in the U.S. Now there’s a new way to binge-watch this year’s top comedy. Over the next few months, Comedy Central will run all six seasons of “Schitt’s Creek.” It’ll air five half-hour episodes each Friday at 5 p.m. starting October 2.
And those who have watched on Netflix, only to have to stop cold at the end of Season 5, should be glad to know that Season 6 will be available to stream on October 7.
As mentioned, the series was filmed in Canada. And Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is caught up in the excitement. After Sunday night’s awards show he tweeted “Congratulations to the cast and crew of @SchittsCreek for their historic Emmy’s sweep tonight – and for bringing such joy and humor to all our lives these past six years. And to all Canadians who were nominated this year, we’re so proud of your great work too.”