Does anybody throw a watch party for television’s Emmy Awards? Does anybody watch television’s Emmy Awards?
If last year’s Nielsen ratings are any indication, the answer to the second question is fewer and fewer. In 2023, 4.3 million viewers between the ages of 18 and 49 tuned into the Emmys, a record low for the awards telecast. In fairness, this isn’t a specific indictment of the Emmys. Viewership for awards shows on television overall has been declining for years.
Well, it’s Emmys time again. The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards will be given out live from Hollywood on Sunday night. Here’s one reason to watch: the ceremony’s co-hosts are Eugene and Daniel Levy, the first ever father/son pairing at the podium. They’re both funny and more than capable of being spontaneous amid all the scripted blather of these awards shows.
As for the awards themselves, ABC — the network that is broadcasting the Emmys — had better not be planning on taking many bows. Its nominations this year total 38 — that’s 69 fewer than Netflix, which leads the pack in nominations. CBS got 38, too, NBC 37 and Fox a whopping 6, all of this emphasizing the irony of a traditional broadcast network carrying the Emmys.
If Netflix can stream a Tom Brady roast, which was one of the most-watched shows that week this past May, why not let the big dog host the Emmy Awards? The Levys are a lot more entertaining than the retired NFL quarterback.
Maybe there’s hope for the old networks yet. CBS, which will air the Golden Globe Awards in January, chose comic Nikki Glaser to host. Glaser ended up being the star of that Tom Brady roast. What goes around occasionally comes around.
Theater
Prepare, should you choose to check out Chalk Circle Collective’s production of British playwright Nick Payne’s “Constellations,” to enter the multiverse. It’s a realm in which lovers Marianne and Roland find themselves playing out their relationship repeatedly and in non-linear time.
Those of a scientific bent may be entranced by all that the Marianne character has to say about string theory and cosmology. Those of a non-scientific bent (like yours truly) had some difficulty with this when I saw the Old Globe’s production of “Constellations” back in 2017. But I do remember the play’s exploration of love being pretty mesmerizing.
“Constellations” opens Friday in the Light Box Theater at Liberty Station. For tickets, visit chalkcirclecollective.com.
More theater
The Whole Megillah New Jewish Play Festival continues Sunday night at New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad with a production of Stephen Kaplan’s “Un Hombre, A Golem Story.” Patrice Amon, founder of the Latinx New Play Festival and co-artistic director of TuYo Theatre, directs.
A sculptor mother and her son’s shared grief is the emotional background for a story in which a clay creation of hers seems to come to life.
Tickets are $18 to $22. Tickets at newvillagearts.org.
Pop music
The first time I saw singer-songwriter Amos Lee in concert was two years ago at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. I’ll never forget the experience: It poured cold rain almost the entire show, and that was in the month of August.
I’m fairly certain there won’t be rain next Thursday night at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park when Amos Lee and the Indigo Girls perform by the bay downtown.
Lee’s songs draw from multiple idioms: folk, country, soul. At Red Rocks, I remember that during his set people were even up on their feet and dancing. Of course that may have been a way of distracting themselves from the rain. Tickets at theshell.org.
Bicultural festival
The artistry thriving on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border is showcased at the ENVZN Urban Arts Takeover, which returns on Saturday to Logan Heights. Vanguard Culture presents this event, which runs from 2 to 10 p.m.
There’s music, dance, film and more at the event, which I checked out last year and absolutely recommend. There’s plenty for kids, too, including the popular Fern Street Circus troupe. If you do go, consider trolleying or ride-sharing to the site. Admission tickets are around $25 and up. Tickets at envznfestival.com.
READ MORE: ENVZN Urban Arts fest celebrates creativity, culture from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border
U-T arts stories you may have missed this week
UCTV
University of California Television (http://www.uctv.tv) invites you to enjoy this special selection of programs from throughout the University of California. Descriptions courtesy of and text written by UCTV staff:
“Discussion of the Film ‘The Disappearance of Shere Hite’”
Director Nicole Newnham joins moderator Kyna McClenaghan to discuss her documentary “The Disappearance of Shere Hite,” which explores the life and work of feminist icon Shere Hite. The film traces Hite’s groundbreaking research on female sexuality, most notably through The Hite Report (1976), a controversial study that challenged societal norms. In the conversation, Newnham shares the origins of her interest in Hite, the extensive archival research involved in the film, and how Hite’s work intersected with the feminist movement of the 1970s. They also explore the sexist backlash Hite faced for her bold research, leading to her retreat from the public eye, and the lasting influence of her studies on feminist discourse and sexual liberation.
“Stem Cells and Human Longevity”
Can we live not only longer but healthier lives? Robert A.J. Signer and Shiri Gur-Cohen explore how stem cell research may unlock the secrets of longevity. Signer discusses the critical role stem cells play in combating aging-related diseases, such as cancer and immune system decline, by boosting their regenerative abilities. His work on hematopoietic stem cells and “super stem cells,” which better manage cellular waste, shows promise for delaying aging and preventing disease. Shiri Gur-Cohen examines how vascular and lymphatic systems support stem cell health, revealing new strategies for enhancing longevity and reversing the effects of aging. Don’t miss this in-depth look at the future of aging and human health.
“Democracy is Born in Conversation”
In this series celebrating the legacy of humanist and scholar Walter Capps, Alessandro Duranti, distinguished research professor of anthropology at UCLA, reflects on Capps’ decision to enter politics. Drawing from archival footage of Capps’ 1996 congressional campaign, Duranti uses semantic and narrative analysis to explore how Capps refined his message to energize voters. He highlights how Capps’ public and private comments reflected his ethical and political values. Elected to Congress in 1996, Capps tragically passed away after only 10 months in office. Through his yearlong ethnographic research, Duranti became close to the Capps family and shares insights on the central role family played in Capps’ life and political journey.
And finally, top weekend events
The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: Sept. 13-15