The Television Academy today shared an exclusive insider’s glimpse into the official 74th Emmy® Awards and its “Light Up the Night” themed Governors Gala. Hosted by Kenan Thompson, the 74th Emmy Awards will air this Monday, Sept. 12, (8:00-11:00 PM EDT/5:00-8:00 PM PDT) on NBC and will simultaneously stream live on Peacock.
The Academy welcomed Thompson and Executive Producers Reginald Hudlin and Ian Stewart for a “sneak peek” at this year’s Emmy Awards unique show elements, including a glamorous, transformative set created inside the Microsoft Theater with glimmering immersive views of Hollywood. EGOT winner John Legend was announced to perform “Pieces” off his new album LEGEND for the “in memoriam” segment of the show. Also, GRAMMY Award-winning artist Zedd will DJ for the evening; and comedian Sam Jay will act as the announcer.
Attendees at the Press Preview also got a taste of the official Academy afterparty celebration that will immediately follow the awards telecast.
This year’s “Light Up the Night” themed Governors Gala will offer an unforgettable “under-the-stars” experience including sampling a myriad of celebratory libations from award-winning JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, sparkling wines from Franciacorta, and Ketel One Family Made Vodka. Press preview attendees also enjoyed culinary delights prepared by two of the group of Celebrity Chefs who will prepare dishes for the Governor’s Gala: BBQ-expert Adam Perry Lang served Burnt-End Sandwiches with Pickles while award-winning Pastry Chef Sherry Yard provided Apollonia Infused Espresso Affogatos and Kokoleka Chocolate Banana Beignets. Those in attendance stayed hydrated with FIJI® water.
Kia America displayed the newly updated 2023 Telluride, marking its debut. The 74thEmmy Awards partners also include Drybar, PEOPLE® and United Airlines®.
The preview also included a glimpse of what Emmy presenters and winners will receive in the official Emmys Giving Suite! located backstage at the Microsoft Theater. The Giving Suite is produced by Backstage Creations and raises funds for the Television Academy Foundation’s education programs. In attendance were two of this year’s trophy presenters for the big night —2022 Television Academy Foundation summer interns Dara Adedara, a student at USC, and Manuel Diaz who is attending Pasadena City College.
The official Emmy® Awards “Light Up the Night” after-party Governors Gala celebration, to be held Monday, Sept. 12, immediately following the awards telecast.
Under a glittering illuminated sky, the television industry and celebrity guests will come together to enjoy a chic multifaceted 100% alfresco experience inspired by lush California foliage and contemporary design.
Returning to the heart of downtown Los Angeles, this year’s Governors Gala festivities will take place outside the Los Angeles Convention Center. Overhead, a unique floating-light canopy will create a one-of-a-kind dazzling “starlight ceiling.”
Governors Gala Committee Co-Chair Keiren Fisher said, “What better way to welcome the Emmys return to the excitement of being ‘live’ again than to treat the stars of television to a celebration of excellence under the stars in the sky … literally.”
Interactive photo-ops, live entertainment and dancing, intimate dining stations, and wide-open lounges are just a few captivating ways attendees will enjoy the elegant and inviting open-air space, perfect for a magical Southern California night. All these elements combine to create an unforgettable evening with a dynamic spirit that promises to “Light Up the Night” for all attending.
Design & Decor
Embracing an alfresco environment, the California chic contemporary design will seamlessly integrate style and function. Eclectic guest areas will be arranged throughout to entice mingling and exploration. Suspended, starlight-inspired lighting treatments will sculpt the environment into a cohesive experience.
“The design is an extension of the natural environment, blended with elegance and vibrant colors to bring guests together under the special floating-light installation. We are actually lighting up the night,” said Co-Chair Halina Siwolop.
Modern aesthetics and a color palette of purples, fuchsias and corals highlighted by shimmery splashes of white and gold will create a dazzling effect among wooden and metal accents. Modern hedge walls and swaying palm trees will be boldly scattered throughout open spaces, while elevated California Chic modern décor is creatively balanced with classic fabrics and textures.
Food & Beverage
Los Angeles-based TV celebrity chefs will showcase their culinary talents with a lavish tasting menu of specialty dishes along “Chef’s Row.” Basking in the spirit of alfresco dining under an illuminated sky, guests will also nibble on tray-passed hors d’oeuvres, including pan-seared tuna popsicles and avocado toast topped with pomegranate fennel. Small plates of Southern California lobster rolls and smoked trout blinis with caviar are just a few of the delicious Levy Restaurant offerings that a staff of over 240 will serve in the natural setting.
At Chef’s Row, chef Shirley Chung (Top Chef; Tournament of Champions) will serve specialties, including Golden Chicken Dumplings and Jumbo Cheeseburger Potstickers. Alongside her, chef Jet Tila (Tournament of Champions; Beat Bobby Flay) will plate Spicy Tuna Te-Maki Hand Rolls and Thai Honeycrisp Larb Salad with Shrimp. James Beard Award-winner Sherry Yard (Great Holiday Baking Show; MasterChef Legends; Cake Wars) will be on hand to share her splashy signature desserts, including an Apollonia Infused Espresso Affogato with Vanilla Gelato and Triple Sweet Cream. Chef Nyesha Arrington (Next Level Chef; Top Chef) will serve “Soul Noodles,” a dish of braised pork belly, collard greens and chicharron crumble. Chef Mei Lin (Top Chef) will provide Szechuan Hot Chicken Sliders and Herbed Slaw, while chef Adam Perry Lang (All-Star Best Thing I Ever Ate; Iron Chef America) will serve his trademark BBQ Brisket and Short Ribs as well as Texas Toast with Mustard Slaw.
Additional stations of culinary delights will entice guests to relax and enjoy delicious cuisine. This will include vegan and gluten-free options such as cauliflower rotisserie and watermelon poke.
FIJI® WATER returns as the Official Water Partner of the 74th Emmy Awards for the ninth consecutive year and will be debuting a new bottle on the red carpet. Guests will keep hydrated with individual FIJI® water bottles made from 100% recycled material, part of the brand’s effort to shift the entire portfolio to recycled plastic bottles by 2025.
Returning as the Official Spirits partner of the 74th Emmy Awards, Ketel One Family Made Vodka will feature four new original serves, including a non-alcoholic option, the “Butterfly,” which is an old fashioned mocktail riff by bar visionary Lauren Paylor and Diageo Reserve World-Class award-winning mixologist Charles Joly.
JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery is the Official Wine Partner of the 2022 Emmy Awards season and will be pouring its 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon and the iconic ISOSCELES® blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Partnering with the 74th Emmy Awards, Franciacorta returns to offer gala guests various bubbly options, including brut, rosé and satèn varietals.
Kia America returns as the Official Automotive Partner of the Emmys for the third consecutive year with the updated 2023 Telluride making its primetime debut.
Entertainment
As the stars twinkle in the dusky blue sky above and over the deep purple carpet below, attendees will enjoy the sounds of Collective LA, a 17-piece orchestra with the vocal stylings of five dynamic singers. The evening will start with strings; but as the night progresses, the horn section will lead the dance floor.
Once again, the Television Academy is committed to sustainability and recycling and has partnered with companies such as 1 Plastic Life to support an eco-friendly production.
The 74th Emmy Awards, hosted by Kenan Thompson, will be broadcast live Monday, Sept. 12, (8:00 – 11:00 PM EDT/5:00 – 8:00 PM PDT) on the NBC Television Network and will simultaneously stream live on Peacock.
The 74th Emmy Awards, produced by Done+Dusted in association with Hudlin
Entertainment and directed by Hamish Hamilton, will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 12, (8:00-11:00 PM EDT/5:008:00 PM PDT) on NBC and will simultaneously stream live on Peacock.
In order to create a more inclusive experience for blind and visually impaired viewers, NBCUniversal is proud to present the full NBC broadcast with live audio description on the Secondary Audio Program channel (SAP), provided by Descriptive Video Works. The broadcast will be available with additional audio narration, describing the rich visuals of the Emmys.
About the Television Academy
The Television Academy strives to shape and advance the dynamic television landscape and advocate for the global television industry capturing the zeitgeist of a new generation of entertainment. Through its innovative programs, publications and events, the Academy and its Foundation endeavors to foster and empower the diverse community of storytellers fueling the medium while celebrating those who have excelled in the industry, recognizing their achievements through awards and accolades, including the coveted Primetime Emmy® Award. For more information, please visit TelevisionAcademy.com.
