The Handmaid’s Tale, a Hulu Original, awarded the Emmy® for Outstanding drama series on Sunday. This story is about a group of women who produce babies for infertile couples. The drama series brings forward the discussion on the roles of woman. As a streaming drama, it is changing the view of how we watch and award television series.
This television series is, “Adapted from the classic novel by Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale is the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalism in its militarized ‘return to traditional values.” (Hulu)
This is the first time a drama series that is a streaming network receives an Emmy. This means that the many venues for television production and watching are competitive and creative. This shows win brings about a strong reputation and validity to Hulu. They produce a show that is relevant, entertaining, and awarding in an online streaming format. Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu are not only entertainment but also buyers and sellers in the industry. They produce award-winning shows changing the dialogue about what the customer wants and the ability to buy and produce projects from film to television.
Congrats to Hulu, cast, and crew on the eight Emmys®.
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Gina Rodriguez and Shemar Moore present Kate McKinnon her Emmys® for Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series. This is for her portrayal of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton on Saturday Night Live (S.N.L).
Gina Rodriguez, and Shemar Moore Emmys®
Her ability to capture the candidate during the long tedious campaign. She stated, “being part of this season of S.N.L. is the most meaningful thing I will ever do. . . I am a great admirer.” Clinton responds to Kate’s portrayal in her book, ‘What Happened.’ in the Grace and Grit chapter. The music began playing as McKinnon started to thank Clinton for her grace and grit.
Kate McKinnon accepting the Emmy® for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for “Saturday Night Live”
Her ability to capture Hilary’s during the long tedious campaign brought humor to the audience. She stated, “Being part of this season of S.N.L. is the most meaningful thing I will ever do. . . I am a great admirer.” Clinton responds to Kate’s portrayal in her book, ‘What Happened.’ in the Grace and Grit chapter. The music began playing as McKinnon started to thank Clinton for her grace and grit.
Kate McKinnon accepting the award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for “Saturday Night Live”
She has gone on to play Kellyanne Conway, Betsy DeVos, and Jeff Sessions on S.N.L. Conway stated on Fox News, “it had to be much more fun to play me.” Congrats to Kate McKinnon on your Emmy®.
Working together with the directors, crew while keeping the audience and contestants in mind they develop a set that provides the sensory experience.
The anxiousness, nerves, and competition felt in the set design. His focus with the set design is taking the story and style of the environment to experience. This draws the audience, crew, and more into the full feeling.
Connelly’s background provides him with the visual aesthetics on stage to convey the feelings, beauty, and functionality. His parents were architect and art teacher. He participated in theater in High School and graduated from college with a fine art degree.
He faces new challenges with every new season on the set. He sees behavior is the result of environment plus personality. He sees the artists’ personality journeying through the hallways and The Voice brand as the environment. There are real stories with each artist. The set creates the feelings and storytelling. This is how he focuses the set design each season.
The new set takes a team effort, without changing the spinning chairs. He is grateful for the team he is working with on the show. He has served on the Peer Group at the Television Academy since 2008 and is on the Academy Governor’s Board. His talent and insight to aesthetics bring this Emmy winner to the Creative Arts Awards again.
The Voice took home 2 Emmys at The Emmys® for Outstanding Lighting Design Lighting Direction For a Variety Series and Outstanding Reality Competition Program.
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Loretta Swit joins us on the red carpet at Metropolitan Fashion Week. She walks the red carpet with grace, beauty, and joy. She is wearing an elegant red gown that she designed.
Swit is best known for her Emmy® winning role Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on M*A*S*H. This role takes place during the Korean War. She is a strong woman in a medical army camp. She is the mistress of Major Frank Burns. Many actors on the show had a love interest in her character.
Houlihan provided a woman’s insight to working in a male-dominated arena, but great girl power. Swit speaks about her role as, “this character did this in the 50s as a woman. This television show’s time period was when most women were starting to define their role. Not only this, but the series took place in the 70s when women’s roles were still being redefined. She brought a reality that women are strong, influential, and powerful. I loved playing this powerful role.”
Swit is excited to see the role of women continue to be defined and change. She said, “Look at the election this year. Hillary Clinton has brought the first presidential nominated woman. She commands and brings a strong resume to the nomination.” Swit beamed as she discussed the role that women bring to the home, business, and world.
Swit’s most popular role is not her only acting role. Swit’s acting roles include Same Time, Next Year on Broadway, Any Wednesday,Mame, and 1000 performances of Shirley Valentine. She had a show, Those Incredible Animals, seen on the Discovery Channel, The Animal Planet and in 30 countries.
She was honored with The Sarah Siddons Award for her performance in Shirley Valentine. Swit honors are numerous from 2 Emmys, People Choice Awards, The Genie Award, The Silver Satellite Award, and 6 Golden Globe nominations to name a few. She is the Woman of the Year from the Animal Protection Institute and International Fund for Animal Welfare. Her love for animals found in her new book “Switheart.”
Swit works with National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. This foundation provides relief and strength in training rescued dog for first responders. The dogs are paired with a firefighter at no cost to the fire department. This training takes the dog from rescue to a contributing member of the community.
Swit’s honored with The GES Africa Conservation Fund’s 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award for Animal Conservation for her passion and commitment to animals. Metropolitan Fashion Week in Los Angeles sponsor, GES Africa Conservation Fund, is the leading Wildlife Management operation in South Africa.
Metropolitan Fashion Week is a growing fashion week with presentations in Seattle, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, and soon in New York. The fashion week provided exceptional fashion, honors, awareness for Autism, and an exceptional event for all attending. Swit states, “She is honored to be attending this event.” We wish Swit a belated 79th birthday. Swit continues to influence in film, art, fashion, philanthropy, and a powerful woman.
Following the Emmys® celebrities like Tracee Ellis Ross,Lily Tomlin, Elisabet Moss, Tituss Burgess, John Lithgow, and Denis O’Hare will gather at the Governors Ball. This year the top in the food, pastry, and design gather to showcase their talents over three evenings at the Governors Ball. This year’s theme is “Golden Grandeur.”
2017 Governors Ball (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
“The 2017 Governors Ball and Creative Arts Governors Ball events will set the gold standard in terms of elegance and environmental sustainability – verifying the two concepts can be compatible,” said Governors Ball Committee Co-Chair, Barbara Cassel. The evening decor will be contemporary and dazzling. The elements of the evening include recycled, repurposed or bio-degradable.
2017 Governors Ball (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
The decor will use eco-friendly paint, all plants turned into mulch after the event, and the linens, tables, and equipment reused for future events. Sequoia Productions will make sure this is a zero waste evening.
Chef Joachim Splichal and Patina Catering (22nd consecutive year) serving a three-course meal. Executive Pastry Chef Frania Mendivil, brings the Golden Grandeur theme to the pastries masterfully. They will showcase produce at the peak of the season while using culinary sustainability. Patina Catering partners with L.A. Kitchen, a local nonprofit that believes no food go to waste, as well as donating food waste from the celebrations to local farms as compost for the next season of crops.
The menu includes:
2017 Governors Ball Last of the Heirlooms (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
First Course
Last of the Heirlooms Local heirloom tomatoes, dinosaur plum, red quinoa, charred leek vinaigrette, balsamic jelly, basils, and sea salt.
2017 Governors Ball Pan Roasted Filet Mignon (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Main Course
Pan Roasted Filet Mignon Mission figs, asparagus, purple marble potatoes, roasted red flame grapes, creamy horseradish purée, and whole grain mustard sauce.
2017 Governors Ball Alunga Brown Bar Dulce de leche (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Dessert
Alunga Brownie Bar Dulce de leche, roasted cherries, and cherry gel
Main courserecipe for your evening glamorous party:
2017 Governors Ball Recipe (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
For the Beef:
Season the beef with salt and pepper, and sear in a pan with 2 ounces olive oil, until caramelized on all sides. Place in oven, and cook to an internal temperature of 128 degrees. Remove from oven cover with foil and let rest 5 minutes. For the Red Wine Sauce: Sauté the 4 tbsp finely chopped onion over low heat for 2 minutes, then pour in the red wine. Add the smashed garlic and thyme, raise the heat, and cook until the wine is reduced by half. Remove the pan from heat and stir in butter, followed by the mustard. Season with salt and pepper.
For the Grapes:
Arrange grape clusters on a baking sheet. Drizzle with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast in a 450-degree oven about 15 minutes, until skins are crisp, and grapes are slightly softened. For the potato purée: Bake the potatoes until cooked through, peel and pass through a strainer or food mill, and place in a sauce pot. Add cream, then add just enough milk to achieve a loose potato purée, then add butter, horseradish, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
For the Garnish:
Coat asparagus with olive oil and grill the asparagus over high heat for 5 to 8 minutes and cut into thirds. Wrap the purple potatoes in aluminum foil with a light coating of olive oil, salt and a branch of fresh thyme, then bake in a 325-degree oven until cooked, about 20 minutes.
To serve:
Spoon the horseradish potato purée onto the center of the plate. Slice the beef, and place 2 slices on each plate. Pour some red wine sauce over the beef. Garnish each plate with figs, purple potatoes, asparagus and a cluster of grapes. Sprinkle parsley on top.
2017 Governors Ball Sterling Vineyards (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
The evening will have exclusive drinks, wines, and a custom bottle of Sterling Vineyards’ new luxury Cabernet Sauvignon, IRIDIUM. Fuji water will keep the guest hydrated through the evening with their exceptional water and custom straws.
2017 Governors Ball Ferrari Trento Vinyards (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Sterling Vineyards presents Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, and Napa Valley Chardonnay. The Guests entering the Governors Ball will enjoy flutes of Ferrari Brut Trentodoc. Ferrari Trento Vineyards is organic certification awarded, keeping with the eco-friendly dinner. Charles Joly designed a signature Emmy cocktail featuring The Hilhaven Lodge Blended Straight American Whiskey. The signature Emmy® cocktail, Created in partnership with renowned director and producer Brett Ratner, is a balanced combination of Hilhaven Lodge Fireside Whiskey, Absinthe, spiced pear liqueur, and fresh lemon juice. Throughout the evening, attendees will enjoy the Diageo Luxury Brands collection.
Emmys® 2017 Governors Ball Table Setting (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
This is the country’s largest sit-down dinner for 4,000 Emmy winners, nominees and entertainment luminaries. The evening will be glamorous after the Creative Arts and Primetime Emmys®.
The 69th Emmy Awards will telecast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Sunday, September 17 (8:00-11:00 PM ET/5:00-8:00 PM PT) on CBS. Stephen Colbert will serve as host.
Grace Wethor Red Carpet Photo Credit Raymond L Forchion Jr.
Wethor takes each day doing what she loves. She states, “2 weeks after my diagnosis I decided that modeling and acting are what I am doing with my life. I moved to Los Angeles and went full force. Before I knew it I was signed with an agent and manager.” She embraced the 8% living for 6 months with this diagnosis to the maximum. This decision and diagnosis took place two years ago. She focuses her goals, life, and mind on living each day.
Grace Wethor Fashion Runway Coverage Photo Credit Raymond L Forchion Jr.
Embracing each day and taking charge of her health she has accomplished:
Teen Vogue® It Girl provides her a place where she feels nostalgic. Attending Catholic school in Minnesota Teen Vogue® provided her a look that was more inspiring than her school uniform. Becoming an It Girl was a dream come true.
Grace Wethor Vogue® It Girl, Tammy Forchion Photo Credit Raymond L Forchion Jr.
These opportunities give Wethor a place to share her story. She embraces the idea that we are all living good days, bad days, and hard days. Wethor says, “I am three different people. There is sick Grace, there is normal teenage Grace, and model/actress Grace. I have found the perfect balance that works.” This balance is giving Wethor a life that is full and touching.
She wants everyone to know that no matter your situation you can live life to the fullest. She has been able to share her story of life living with a brain tumor, sharing her talents, and joining forces with Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
Grace Wethor Vogue Red Carpet Photo Credit Raymond L Forchion Jr.
Wethor took the ability to live life to the fullest by asking herself what do I want from life. She has made those dreams come true through continued medical care, headaches, and other side effects. Wethor forges through all this with strength, determination, and a wonderful mother who listens to her dreams. Wethor will keep embracing her dreams and making a positive impact in the world.
This 10-hour series took 10 years from a conception during film school to airing on Netflix. The story needs time to be told correctly and accurately. The couple moved from New York to Wisconsin for two years. This provided a time for them to research, gain trust about telling the story, and immerse in the story.
They took the story from criminal justice, a victim point of view, to the criminal point of view. The ability for the subjects to trust the duo to share their story accurately made the documentary successful. This documentary is a social justice story instead of criminal justice.
They share the documentary providing a voice, engagement, and conversation that is global. There is an online petition sent to President Obama requesting Steven Avery be exonerated.
They discuss that the documentary is not to solve the crime but to tell the story of Steve Avery, his family, and the community. They said, “we welcome anyone to research the story. It is all public record.”
Emmy’s Creative Arts 2016 Red Carpet
Ricciardi states, “It took some time to get through the noise after the series aired, we are focused on the goal.” They will be returning with season two. The story continues to have questions.
Demos states, “The story continues to evolve. We continue to follow the events taking place. It is not over.” They are working on a project from HuffPost article, America’s Most Admired Lawbreaker.
Ricciardi and Demos work together on filming, concept, production, editing, and a partnership to air the series. The team has grown and they are deeply grateful for them.
The success each day they said, “came from the story and the focus to tell the facts.” Ricciardi states, “The lesson best learned is that we need to have more empathy and dignity towards each other.”
Bob Bergen, the voice of Porky Pig, joins us on the red carpet at the Emmys® Creative Arts Awards with a little voice over of Porky Pig. His talent is vastly beyond Porky Pig. His voice overs include television and movies. His résumé includes commercials, Wall E, Toy Story, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars to name just a very few.
His dream to do the voice of Porky Pig started at the age of 5. He told his mother he wanted to be Porky Pig. When he was 14 he started by reaching out to Mel Blanc, the voice-over actor for Porky Pig, at the time. He took the advice provided by Mel Blanc and when the time was right he achieved his dream. This voice over actor performs the iconic role providing tears, laughter, and memories that will live on for generations to come.
Bob Bergen’s talents have benefited from the Television Academy for decades. He is a member of the Board of Governor for Television Academy Performers Peer Group. Bob Bergen, an active member since in 1994, provides service on the:
He states, “there are 107 events held with the Television Academy.” Each event takes the time to honor and celebrate each nominee, show, and talent.
Bob Bergen is excited to share that Lily Tomlin Television Academy Governor, is honored during the 23rdScreen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards show in January. She will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. He also had great accolades for Kathy Bates and her exception career.
Bob Bergen’s daily success is showing up and being present. This daily success is present in his life since his first phone call with Mel Blanc. He ended the interview with the classic Porky Pig, “That’s All Folks!”
Kether Donohue joins us on the red carpet at the Emmys® Creative Arts Awards. She comes with a strong background in television, theater, and film. She is an actress, producer, director, and writer. Her performance in Grease Live as Jan provides comic relief.
Donohue embraced her career from an early age growing up in New York. She attended a performing arts high school and graduated from Fordham University with a concentration in film. This training prepared her for each role she has undertaken.
Taking on the iconic role Jan in Grease Live took some time to create the character into a new modern role while capturing Jan’s essence. Donohue states, “The directors provided an atmosphere for me to explore, make mistakes, and hone in on the character for this production.” This allows for Jan to come to life for a new generation.
Her career has spanned decades. She has worked with theater allowing for her to interact with the audience and crew during a performance. She moved on to voice-over work. This took some time to get used to being alone in a room during a performance. Each role has provided insight to her next performance.
Her beauty in a Vivienne Westwood corset cocktail dress and Prada shoes grace the runway, but her intellect and passion to each role she embraces were clearly demonstrated. She is in You’re the Worst on FX Networks.
Grease Live awarded 5 Emmys® for Outstanding Lighting Design Lighting Direction For A Variety Special, Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, video control for a limited series, movie, or special, Outstanding Special Class Program, Outstanding Directing A Variety Special, and Outstanding Production Design For A Variety Nonfiction Event Or Award Special.
Gary Kordan and his wife, Justine Ungaro, join us on the red carpet at the Emmy® Creative Arts Awards. Kordan provides production design on Key & Peele on Comedy Central.
Kordan and his wife wear matching colors (black) and leather for their red carpet looks. They are a successful busy creative couple. They manage their busy lives very well. Ungaro is a professional photographer just returning from Lake Tahoe to attend The Emmy Creative Arts. She states, “It is easy for us to match our entire closet is black including the closet itself.” She is excited about the evening events and thrilled for her husband’s nomination.
Kordan started his career working at CBS. He got the positions while attending college for visual arts in New York City. He saw a flyer on a bulletin board at school. It stated that CBS was looking for an intern. He took the flyer because he wanted to be the only one applying. He interviewed and is hired for the Joan Rivers’ Show.
The show needed visuals about two weeks into the internship, Joan Rivers said, “Make the art student intern do that.” That was his first credit in production on television. Kordan states, “Joan Rivers was so supportive. She was someone to look up to and admire. She was there for you. If an up and coming artist needed food, cab fare, or scarf she was right there.” Kordan learned a lot from the experience.
This was 25 years ago. He uses those lessons to help many shows with his creativity. He enjoys the intensity on Key & Peele. Kordan breaks down the set requests, design, get approvals, find locations, and research for each set. There are two sets designed each day totaling 10 designs a week. The team travels all over the LA area to set up the designs and film the series.
Emmys® Creative Arts 2016 Red Carpet Gary Kordan and his wife.
His success for every day is wearing black, #wewearblack. He must dress the part for ruffling feathers, being demanding, and self-confident. Kordan states, “I wear black like my role model, Johnny Cash. This is Kordan’s first Emmy nomination.
Key & Peele nominated for 7 Emmys this year. They include: Outstanding Art Direction For Variety or Music Program, Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, Outstanding hairstylist For Multi-Camera Series or Special, Outstanding Makeup For A Multi-Camera Series or Special (Non-Prosthetic), Outstanding Editing For Variety Programming, Outstanding Production Design For A Variety, Nonfiction, Reality or Reality-Competition Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in A Comedy Series, and Outstanding Variety Sketch Series.
