Emmy Awards likely to be postponed due to looming SAG-AFTRA strike

Emmy Awards likely to be postponed due to possible dual SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes… with Fox and Television Academy conflicted on date

The 75th annual Emmy Awards are mostly likely to be postponed as the Television Academy and the show’s broadcast Fox fear it will be interrupted by potential strikes.

But the two organizations are split as to when the iconic television awards should be rescheduled to, according to insiders who spoke to Variety.

The Television Academy is reportedly hoping to pencil in a date later in the fall, but Fox is circling around a new spot early in 2024.

Both the Academy and Fox fear that the show could be devastated if the SAG-AFTRA union, which represents actors, goes on strike, and it is also possible that the ongoing WGA strike could still be dragging on by the original date of September 18. 

The shakeup comes shortly after SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher caught plenty of negative publicity for taking a break from the already-extended negotiations with film studios to attend a Dolce & Gabbana show in Italy, where she was pictured rubbing elbows with Kim Kardashian and other stars. 

Split decision: The Television Academy and Fox both want to postpone the Emmy Awards, but they disagree over the new date, Variety reported on Tuesday; Zendaya seen accepting an Emmy in 2022

Between a rock and a hard place: The organizations fear a likely SAG-AFTRA strike could derail the show, and the ongoing WGA strike could also extend to its original September 18 date; picketing writers seen May 15 in LA

According to Variety, the Television Academy has proposed pushing the Emmys back to sometime in November, about two months after the show would have normally aired, in hopes that issues around the unions have been resolved by then.

However, the show’s broadcaster Fox is pushing for a more aggressive strategy. It suggests delaying the ceremony until January of 2024. 

Both the Academy and Fox have agreed that canceling the show is out of the picture, as its 75th anniversary is too important a date to skip.

If the strikes are settled on an ideal timetable, then the Emmys could also be the first major award show to air after new contracts are signed for actors and writers.

Fox has the bigger leverage and final say on when the show will happen, as forgoing the broadcast isn’t an option.

The network isn’t in favor of a November date as that month is already stuffed with other high-profile events and lucrative NFL games. However, there is precedent for a November reshuffle, which previously happened in 2001.

That year, the ceremony was delayed twice, first by the September 11 terrorist attacks, and then again by early military action in Afghanistan. 

The publication notes that January 21 is the most likely date for the rescheduled show, as January 7 is already reserved for the Golden Globes, while the Critics’ Choice Awards are being held on January 14.

Those dates assume the show stays on a Sunday. It could also be moved to a different day of the week, though that might have an impact on ratings.

The Emmy nominations are set to be announced on Wednesday, and the presenters will still be mentioning the previously scheduled September 18 date, though they are said to likely downplay its significance should the show be postponed.

Months apart: The Television Academy wants the show in November, but Fox wants to do it in January so as to avoid conflicts with the NFL and other events; an Emmy statue outside the Shrine Auditorium in 2007

Difficult choice: The options would be limited in January due to other award shows, and the company producing the ceremony would have difficult working on other winter award shows; Lizzo pictured in September 2022

A decision on the new date is expected to be made by the end of July, as it should be clear by then if SAG-AFTRA members are going on strike. Currently, all indications are that the union plans to, and little progress has reportedly been made in recent negotiation sessions.

Moving the show could also impact Jesse Collins Entertainment, which is producing the show, as a January ceremony would make it difficult for the company to also work on other awards shows in the winter.

The shuffling would also upset the Creative Arts Emmy Awards and the Daytime Emmys.

The report also notes that Academy members have been having talks about potentially pushing back the deadline for the second round of voting on award winners if the show is postponed, but the current consensus seems to be to keep the current deadline in place. 

Source: Read Full Article