Emmy producer criticizes Seth Rogen and Scott Frank: “disrespectful”

The 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards went viral at the start of the show thanks to Seth Rogen, who took a moment to feature the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy to prepare the ceremony for presumably dangerous coronavirus protocols. “What are we doing? They said it was outside. It’s not. They lied to us,” the comedian told the audience. “We are currently in a tightly sealed tent. . I wouldn’t have come to that. Why is there a roof?

A new report from Variety claims Emmy producers Ian Stewart and Reginald Hudlin are “still furious” over Rogen’s decision to toast the Covid safety ceremony. The producers confirmed that Rogen had stepped out of the script to make the jokes and expressed confusion over Rogen’s decision given that he had attended rehearsals earlier today and knew the safety protocols.

“We worked for months and months to make it a safe space,” Stewart told Variety. “We worked with all the health authorities. We were signed by LA County, we worked out a plan with them. These tables were far away. Everyone has been vaccinated. Everyone has tested negative in this audience. And also he had rehearsed. So he knew exactly what it was. So I just felt it was an unfortunate mistake on the part of [Seth Rogen]. Because it wasn’t just our decision. It is also the decision of the health authorities, to say that it is a completely safe environment if you do all of these things. “

Rogen’s off-script jokes forced producers to include a last-minute addition to the Emmys telecast: Cedric the Entertainer and Reggie Watts detailing all of the reasons the ceremony was Covid-safe and even mentioning that all attendees were compliant. making sure they were vaccinated and received a negative Covid Test in advance.

“It’s been three months of really hard work and a lot, a lot of talking about getting it right feeling a little lost, really,” Stewart said of Rogen’s decision. “And then we kind of played catch-up. Because we wanted the public to know how safe it was in there. We work in this industry, we are desperately aware of COVID. I’ve done 50 productions almost in COVID and no one gets sick. So, it is deeply frustrating.

Stewart also spoke out against “The Queen’s Gambit” creator Scott Frank, who was widely criticized for going long during his acceptance speech for Outstanding Achievement in a Limited or Series or Movie. anthology. Frank continuously ignored musical cues to shorten his speech and gave a four-minute speech.

“I don’t want to go through this again,” said Stewart. “It’s a simple equation. These people are professionals. They understand what’s going on, it’s their industry. It is not a sports award. So they know what they are doing and the simple fact is they know there is only a limited time. I would like them to be able to speak for half an hour if they wish. But we don’t have that time. So it’s a simple equation. If you think you have to talk for four or five minutes, that means someone else can’t. It’s just incredibly disrespectful to your fellow candidates.

Head over to the Variety website for more on Stewart on telecasting the 2021 Emmys.

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