Dan and Eugene Levy hosted the 76th Emmy awards.
Photo: Courtesy Television Academy.
The 76th Emmy Awards were held September 15, hosted by former Pacific Palisades Mayor Eugene Levy and son Dan.
Radio talk show host Tim Conway Jr. on his September 16 show the next day, described the Levys as funny and enjoyable and quipped that whoever produces these shows, should sign the father-son duo up to do more awards shows, including hosting the Oscars.
By contrast, Variety called the stars of Schitt’s Creek, which won nine Emmy Awards during its run, “affable, although not especially memorable, emcees.”
Sorry, Variety. Social media Tweets supported Conway’s view that the Levys were fabulous.
One wrote “I think Eugene Levy and Dan Levy should host every award show from now on.” A second tweeted “Put Dan and Eugene Levy to host everything.” Multiple X/Twitter users praised the natural chemistry the father and son brought to the show.
The evening’s top winner was Shogun with a record-breaking 18 Emmys. The Bear followed with 11 total wins.
The first presenters of the evening were Steve Martin, former Palisades Honorary Mayor Martin Short and Selena Gomez, whose show Only Murders in the Building received 21 nominations.
When presenting the trio, Eugene joked Martin and Short were The Golden Bachelor contestants.
But the three practically stole the show with amusing quips.
Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez presented at the 76th Emmys.
Photo: X.com
Short started the skirmish, “Steve, let me say what an honor it is to be working with someone who looks like he’s fallen and can’t get up.”
Martin responded, “And let me say what an honor it is for me to be working with someone who looks like a former women’s tennis champion.”
Gomez quipped “And let me say, what an honor it is to work with two men who are this far away from being childless cat ladies.”
The three were also nominated individually. Martin and Short lost to Jeremy Allen White of The Bear and Gomez saw Jean Smart receive the Emmy for Hacks.
Another former Palisades Honorary Mayor Billy Crystal presented the awards for Talk Series nominees/winner. Pretending to read from his diary, Crystal said that after appearing on the Daily Show, Jon Stewart told him they’d grab dinner after the program, but that he waited around and the host never showed up. Same with Seth Meyers. Crystal’s first impression of Stephen Colbert: “Brilliant guy but I wonder if he’s ever seen himself naked.” The award went to The Daily Show.
Reese Witherspoon was nominated for Lead Actress for The Morning Show. Photo: Courtesy Television Academy
Reese Witherspoon, executive producer and star of The Morning Show, was nominated for Lead Actress, but lost to Anna Sawai (Shogun). Billy Crudup did receive a nod for outstanding supporting actor in The Morning Show.
Perennial Emmy nominee Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm was up for Outstanding Comedy Series, but lost to Hacks. David was also nominated for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series but lost to Jeremy Allen White. Perhaps it’s time for David to consider a political career – and serve as the next Palisades Honorary Mayor.
The evening closed with the Levys on stage joined by their Schitt’s Creek costar Annie Murphy.
“They said the shining star of Schitt’s Creek is going to present the final award of the night, so…” Murphy noted to her onscreen dad and brother.
Eugene pointed out, there’s “a little confusion here.”
The actress responded, “You can stay onstage, but just kind of scootch back a bit.”
Dan clarified that they were about to announce the final presenter: their on-screen mother, Catherine O’Hara, who came on stage to present Outstanding Comedy Series, which was awarded to Hacks.
Two high-profile Palisadians are new Emmy winners.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Conan O’Brien both won Emmys at the Creative Arts Emmys, which were held September 7 and 8, at the Peacock Theater in L.A.
Curtis won Guest Actress in a Comedy for her role on The Bear. This is her first Emmy award.
O’Brien won as part of the writing team for his travel series, Conan O’Brien Must Go. This is his fifth Emmy award.
For many residents of Pacific Palisades, it was no surprise that Eugene Levy received numerous kudos for his role as co-host of the Emmy Awards. He did a great job as emcee when the Historical Society held the town’s Centennial celebration in Temescal Canyon in 2022. We appreciated his friendly humor and his introductions of various speakers.