Viewers have slammed the Emmys after hundreds of celebrities packed into the awards show without masks or social distancing, despite ongoing warnings in LA about the spread of Covid-19.
Many who criticized the show pointed out the hypocrisy of Covid rules that apply to the average person but don’t seem to apply to multi-million dollar celebrities – just as it was during the Met Gala last week.
Even Seth Rogen, who presented the first award, seemed taken aback, saying the guests were packed inside a ‘hermetically-sealed tent’ and ‘lied about it being outside.’
While the Emmys was technically considered as an ‘outdoor event,’ the ceremony took place inside an enclosed tent.
‘Good to be here at the Emmy Awards,’ Seth Rogen said. ‘Let me start by saying: there’s way too many of us in this little room. What are we doing? They said this was outdoors—it’s not! They lied to us.
‘We’re in a hermetically-sealed tent right now. I would not have come to this,’ Rogen said.
‘Why is there a roof?’ Rogen continued. ‘It’s more important that we have three chandeliers than that we make sure we don’t kill Eugene Levy tonight. That is what has been decided.
‘This is insane. I went from wiping my groceries to having Paul Bettany sneeze in my face .. so, that’s a big week. If anyone’s gonna sneeze in my face, Paul, I want it to be you.’
Rogen was laughing and smiling during his 76-second monologue, so it’s appears that he was joking, but videos and pictures showed there was a packed crowd for the Emmys.
After Rogen’s spiel and before the Emmys cut for commercial, Emmys DJ Reggie Watts clarified the record and said they’re following all health and safety guidelines, the USA Today reported.
Then host Cedric the Entertainer said, ‘It actually feels amazing in here unlike what Seth (Rogen) was talking about. It feels good. We’re all vaxxed. We had to get vaxxed to come here.’
But the celebrities were seen gathered in large groups, not wearing masks, and hugging and kissing each other, which angered some viewers who vented on Twitter.
Users also noticed that Emmy event staff were seen serving the celebrities with masks which also drew criticism.
One Twitter user posted: ‘Me: why are the emmys in such a small room without masks and no ventilation during a pandemic? (30 seconds later) seth rogen: why are we in such a small room without masks and no ventilation during a pandemic.’
Another wrote, ‘No distancing, no masks. Clearly a slap in the face for all the font line workers that are still dealing with the pandemic. Check your privilege @TheEmmys#Emmys.’
And another tweeted, ‘No masks being worn INSIDE at The Emmys. Call me not shocked, love to preach but not practice what they preach…’
The same thing happened at last week’s Met Gala, where hundreds of celebrities and politicians strutted down the red carpet without masks.
Twitter user ‘Biancaisabelle’ said, ‘Why no masks in sight at the #emmys?! these be the same people preaching against stubbornness and stupidity in this pandemic yet… agh hypocrisy. there’s seth rogen calling it out but he still came on, and w/o a mask as well. what was that? all talk, no conviction in action.’
Akinwumi Oyebade tweeted, ‘I agree with Seth Rogen… WTF was the #Emmys doing packing that room in the middle of a pandemic… Sends a terrible message. Why I stopped watching hours ago.’
Randee Dawn said on Twitter, ‘I am so happy for the Emmy winners but is there a reason they couldn’t get a good air conditioner in this “hermetically sealed tin” (as Seth Rogen put it) they’re all celebrating in? So much glowing. I am honestly fearful for everyone’s vaccinated safety. #Emmys2021’
Journalist Glenn Greenwald sarcastically tweeted after the Met Gala, ‘Lots of people commenting snidely on the lack of masks and social distancing in this opulent indoor event in the middle of a pandemic but — as was true of Obama’s indoor bash — COVID wasn’t invited’
‘These are the sophisticated people who aren’t in danger.’
President Obama’s 60th birthday party last month was widely criticized for not enforcing masks, despite having hundreds of attendees.
On Friday, the Los Angeles County Department of Health issued a new mandate – which will go in effect on October 8 – that will require unvaccinated people to require proof of vaccination or wear masks inside.
According to the new mandate, the number of COVID-19 cases ‘remains high’ but hospitalizations and positivity rate is ‘declining’ or ‘steady.’
The current mandate – that has been in effect since August 19 – requires attendees at an indoor event with more than 1,000 attendees or an outdoor event with more than 10,000 attendees to wear masks at all times, except when eating.