In a virtual Emmys version of the wrong-winner Oscars gaffe, Ron Cephas Jones’ guest actor award for “This Is Us” was announced for another nominee, Jason Bateman.
The error occurred during Saturday's online creative arts Emmys, precursor to Sunday's main ceremony and the culmination of a week of events honoring technical and other achievements.
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In a virtual Emmys version of the wrong-winner Oscars gaffe, Ron Cephas Jones’ guest actor award for “This Is Us” was announced for another nominee, Jason Bateman.
The confusion wasn't addressed until after a commercial break, with an on-screen message that read, “Our apologies, an incorrect winner has been announced. We're fixing it now,” followed by the repeated display of Jones' name but without an announcement.
Given the virtual event's lack of on-stage presenters and a theater audience, the error was far less dramatic than the 2017 Oscars mix-up, in which Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway mistakenly announced “La La Land” as the best picture instead of winner “Moonlight.”
Maya Rudolph claimed the category’s guest actress trophy for her portrayal of Sen. Kamala Harris on the same episode.
In this video grab issued Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 by The Television Academy, Cherry Jones accepts the award for outstanding guest actress in a drama series for "Succession" during the 2020 Creative Arts Emmy Awards. (The Television Academy via AP)
Saturday's show on FXX, however, was the only one of the creative arts presentations to be televised, making the error more glaring. In a voice-over announcement, Bateman was declared the winner for his guest appearance on HBO's “The Outsider,” while the screen displayed Jones' name.
This image released by NBC shows Ron Cephas Jones in a scene from "This is Us." Jones won the award for outstanding guest actor in a drama series during the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020. (Ron BatzdorffNBC via AP)
The confusion wasn't addressed until after a commercial break, with an on-screen message that read, “Our apologies, an incorrect winner has been announced. We're fixing it now,” followed by the repeated display of Jones' name but without an announcement.
There was no immediate explanation for the mistake.
Bateman has another shot Sunday, when he is competing for the best actor honors for “Ozark.” The ABC telecast (8 p.m. EDT) will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
In this video grab issued Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 by The Television Academy, Ron Cephas Jones is announced as the winner of the award for outstanding guest actor in a drama series for "This is Us" during the 2020 Creative Arts Emmy Awards. (The Television Academy via AP)
Given the virtual event's lack of on-stage presenters and a theater audience, the error was far less dramatic than the 2017 Oscars mix-up, in which Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway mistakenly announced “La La Land” as the best picture instead of winner “Moonlight.”
But the Emmys misstep represented a cautionary note for Sunday's show, which also will be virtual because of the pandemic but has ambitious plans. More than 100 cameras are being deployed to nominees at home and elsewhere so winners can accept their award in real time.
Other winners Saturday included Eddie Murphy, whose return to “Saturday Night Live” after more than three decades earned the star his first Emmy Award, for guest comedy series actor.
This image released by NBC shows Bowen Yang as Andrew Yang, from left, Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, and Colin Jost as Pete Buttigieg during the "Democratic Debate" cold open on "Saturday Night Live" on Dec. 21, 2019. Rudolph won the award for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series during the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020. (Will HeathNBC via AP)
Maya Rudolph claimed the category’s guest actress trophy for her portrayal of Sen. Kamala Harris on the same episode.
Cherry Jones was honored as guest actor in a drama series for “Succession."
This image released by NBC shows Eddie Murphy as Buckwheat during the "Masked Singer" Sketch on "Saturday Night Live." Murphy won the award for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series during the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020. (Will HeathNBC via AP)SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- "Eddie Murphy" Episode 1777 -- Pictured: Host Eddie Murphy as Buckwheat during the "Masked Singer" Sketch on Saturday, December 21, 2019 -- (Photo by: Will HeathNBC)
In this video grab issued Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 by The Television Academy, Cherry Jones accepts the award for outstanding guest actress in a drama series for "Succession" during the 2020 Creative Arts Emmy Awards. (The Television Academy via AP)