The shadow of COVID-19 dulls the glitter of this year’s award shows
Ava Bourdeau, Opinion Editor
When it comes to award shows, the Emmys and VMAs couldn’t be more different. Graced by sequined camp attire and outrageous performances, the Sep 12 MTV Video Music Awards are a far cry from the sophistication of the Emmys, occurring the following week on Sep 19. The primary similarity between the two was that both were overshadowed by the relentless threat of COVID-19.
It goes without saying that the Emmys was full of disappointments. The shows that racked up the most awards came as a surprise to nobody: “The Queen’s Gambit,'' “The Crown” and “Ted Lasso”. We all remember the infamous 2015 Oscars when the nomination lists barely included people of color. This brings up the bigger issue within the academy: avoiding diversity and playing it safe. Inclusive, innovative shows such as “Pose” and “PEN15”, despite being incredibly well-received, were denied the acknowledgment they deserved at the Emmys. Instead, we were faced with yet another painfully white winner’s circle.
The VMAs also saw their fair share of snubs. Olivia Rodrigo’s music video for “Good 4 U” was noticeably absent from the list of nominees for Video of the Year. K-Pop sensation BTS, who broke several records recently, somehow failed to receive a nomination for Artist of the Year. Other upsets were the lack of recognition for Lorde’s new song “Solar Power” and the absence of Phoebe Bridgers’s “Savior Complex” music video.
The VMAs boasted incredible performances. Madonna made a surprise appearance at the opening of the awards in celebration of her historic connection with MTV. Alicia Keys delivered a moving rendition of “Empire State of Mind” as a tribute to the victims of the Sep 11 attacks. The entire awards show was full of other dynamic performances, a star-studded list of nominees and eye-catching audio and visuals, making for a wildly entertaining broadcast.
The same cannot be said about the Emmys, which opened with Seth Rogen nervously commenting on the large audience. The shadow of the pandemic hung like an oppressive cloud over the night, and the predictable results did nothing to improve the mood. With the past year forcing many to turn to television as a coping mechanism, the 2021 Emmys should’ve been an exciting way to recognize some of the shows that got us through tough times. Instead, it pandered to the academy hotshots as always.
Now more than ever, entertainment is an important escape from reality. Awards shows are fantastic ways to acknowledge how various media has helped us through difficult moments. It’s always upsetting to see so many of our favorite artists, actors and shows denied even a nomination. Nevertheless, the glitz and glamor of award shows and the world of Hollywood will always keep us coming back for more.
