Awards HQ June 1: What’s In, What’s Out; In-Person Emmys?; No Lifetime Achievement at Daytime Emmys; More!

The Daytime Emmys will once again be produced as a virtual event for 2021, and that’s why the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has decided to skip naming any lifetime achievement awards again this year.

Inside the org, the feeling was that anyone worthy of being recognized with such an honor shouldn’t be deprived of the opportunity of experiencing that moment in person. The Daytime Emmys lifetime achievement award was last handed out in 2019 to Judge Judy Sheindlin and to chef Jacques Pépin.

Meanwhile, there may be no lifetime achievement honorees, but the rest of the nominees for the broadcast portion of the 48th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards were revealed last week.

The telecast, which will air June 25 on both CBS and its sister Paramount Plus streaming service, focuses on major categories such as outstanding drama, game show, entertainment talk show, morning show, informative talk show and legal/courtroom program, as well as the performers, host, writers, directors and other technical teams for those shows.

Among the nominees are the late Alex Trebek, who will compete in the game show category once again (a category he most recently won in 2019 and 2020), and the late Larry King, who has been nominated in the informative talk show host category for Ora TV’s “Larry King Live.”

Nominations for the more than forty categories that will either be showcased on air or on social media on the June 25 telecast have been revealed; final determination of categories presented on broadcast will be announced closer to airdate.

But the rest of the nominations, as well as totals by network and by program, will be announced on June 28, when nominees for both the Daytime Children’s Programming & Animation Emmy Awards and the Daytime Lifestyle Programming Emmy Awards will be revealed.

Go here to see the 2021 Daytime Emmy nominations so far.

In this week’s: Awards Circuit column, I look at how quickly the world, and events, seem to be returning to normal — at least in the United States. (I talked to folks in Melbourne on Friday, as they underwent another lockdown, and we know the tragedy of India, so clearly there are parts of the world still struggling with COVID catastrophe). By September, I sense we may have some sort of in-person Emmys event ready to go. I write:

Those sweatpants you’ve been wearing the past 14 months are comfy, no doubt about it. But it may be time to dust off that formal wear — or at least see if it still fits. In-person events are coming back, starting with next month’s BET Awards, which will be the first major ceremony since the pandemic began to include fully vaccinated audience members. That’s another step on the road to TV normalcy — and something the Television Academy and CBS should be watching with interest as they begin to plan this year’s Emmy Awards telecast.

When the history book is eventually written on TV’s COVID-19 pivot, at least one chapter should focus on the evolving ways awards shows handled these times. A year ago, the BET Awards was one of the first kudocasts to take place in lockdown, as well as address the long-overdue national focus on police brutality, Black Lives Matter and systemic racism in this country. With host Amanda Seales alone in a studio, the BET Awards relied on pretaped original performances, several shot outdoors, that addressed many of these issues while also boasting a sleek, music-video quality.

“It was very scary at first, but then it became just so exciting,” says Connie Orlando, BET’s exec VP of specials, music programming and music strategy. “It wasn’t about going into it like ‘Oh, my gosh, how are we going to do the award show in the pandemic?’ It was finding those great moments and things that spoke to where we were and how to execute it. ‘We’re not on a stage, but guess what — we have the whole world as our set now. How do you utilize that?’ It taught me about resilience, perspective, and really reignited my creativity.”

As for the decision to include a live audience with this year’s BET Awards, Orlando says it was important for the network to promote vaccinations to its viewers, and that she’s working closely with Los Angeles County in adhering to COVID protocols. “The energy of an audience and performing to people, we all miss it,” she says. “As a producer I miss it, being in the room and watching it unfold.”

Read the full column here. And yes, perhaps this could mean a return to high fashion at this year’s event.

With COVID-19 forcing some productions out of last year and into this year — while others had to push to 2022 consideration — it’s quite a jumble. Throw in the new-ish trend of shows taking multiple years between seasons (first popularized by “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” now looking at you, “Atlanta”), and who knows what’s eligible. I know who does: Variety’s Danielle Turchiano, who has the lowdown on this year’s most unpredictable Emmys:

Normally it is the limited series category that provides the most excitement, since all of those projects are brand new for the eligibility window. Now, though, the drama and comedy series categories are giving the limited series race a real run for its money.

Out of the eight drama series nominees, only three will be eligible again consecutively: Disney Plus’ “The Mandalorian,” which picked up a surprise freshman nod in this category last year, streamed its second season beginning in October; Netflix’s “The Crown,” now including Emma Corrin as Princess Diana and Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher, delivered its fourth season in the fall; and Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” returned in April after almost two years with its own fourth season, just ahead of the eligibility deadline, in April.

“The Crown” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” are already repeat nominees, picking up nods for each of their previous seasons. (“The Handmaid’s Tale” also won this category in 2017.) This makes them likely to be lauded again. But the rest of the 2020 drama series roster — AMC’s “Better Call Saul,” BBC America’s “Killing Eve,” Netflix’s “Ozark” and “Stranger Things,” and HBO’s “Succession” (the incumbent) — are all sitting out this year’s race.

Meanwhile on the comedy series side of the ballot, only one show from last year’s ballot is eligible out of eight: the final season of Netflix’s “The Kominsky Method.” Both NBC’s “The Good Place” and Pop TV’s “Schitt’s Creek,” which swept the comedy races in wins last year, came to an end with their 2020 seasons, while HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Insecure,” Netflix’s “Dead to Me,” Amazon Prime Video’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows” simply won’t have new seasons to deliver in time for the eligibility deadline.

The absence of last year’s big winner, “Schitt’s Creek,” leaves the comedy ballot wide open.

Read more here.

A reimagining of the classic series, CBS’ “Equalizer” stars Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, described as “an enigmatic woman with a mysterious background who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn.” The cast also includes Chris Noth, Lorraine Toussaint, Tory Kittles, Adam Goldberg, Liza Lapira and Laya DeLeon Hayes. We asked showrunner and executive producer Debra Martin Chase to fill out our “Watch My Show!” survey; here are her answers on behalf of “Equalizer.”

Sum up your show’s pitch on one sentence.
The Equalizer is the one you turn to for help when you cannot call anyone else.

What’s an alternate title for your show?
“The Avenging Angel”

What do we need to know before tuning in?
Robyn McCall is a disillusioned former CIA agent that has decided to commit her considerable skills and resources to helping people that have fallen through the cracks in our social justice and governmental systems. She balances these missions with what, is perhaps, her greatest challenge–being a loving divorced mother to her 15-year-old daughter.

Give us an equation for your show.
“Alias” plus “Person of Interest” plus “Law & Order” plus “Madame Secretary.”

What’s the best thing someone said about your show?
Everything that Leslie Jones says about our show every week on Instagram is hilarious, provocative and on the money. Muchas gracias to her!

If you could work on any other series in TV, what would it be?
“The Crown” or “Jack Ryan.”

Finish this sentence, ‘If you like [blank], you’ll love our show.’
“If you like BADASS WOMEN WHO ARE NOT AFRAID TO KICK SOME BUTT WHEN NECESSARY, you’ll love our show.”

How does the old cliché go, sometimes good things happen to people who wait? In the case of Ralph Macchio, it’s been 37 years since he first began playing Daniel LaRusso in “The Karate Kid” franchise. But now, it’s the third season of the series “Cobra Kai” that may get Macchio some awards attention for the first time in that role. And yes, the exposure from Netflix didn’t hurt. “Cobra Kai” has been around since premiering on YouTube in 2018, but look at the frenzy since it hit the top streaming service. I write:

Here’s how Ralph Macchio knows the “Netflix Effect” is real: Shopping in public has once again become a bit more of a challenge. “Outside of having a mask on, it’s tougher to get out to the grocery store,” he says. “I had a couple years where I could go in and out. Now it’s a little bit limited.” It’s not just at the corner store. Macchio recently found himself swarmed by a new generation of teenagers while attending a hockey game. But he’s not complaining — just the opposite. For Macchio, “The Karate Kid” franchise, reborn as “Cobra Kai,” is the “gift that keeps giving. I’m as privileged and lucky as you can get.”

“Cobra Kai” became the most-watched series on YouTube’s subscription service, and a second season followed in 2019. But then YouTube got out of the scripted business — and producer Sony Pictures TV, which has a lengthy track record of keeping shows alive by moving them to other platforms (“Community” and “One Day at a Time” among them), saw a big opportunity in Netflix. The first two seasons of “Cobra Kai” moved to Netflix last year, followed by a third season that debuted on New Year’s Day 2021. Wax on: After that, “Cobra Kai” swept the leg.

Read more here.

If you haven’t watched “The Late Late Show with James Corden” lately, especially as the show returned to the studio (with staffers and writers as the audience), then you’ve missed what has become a signature part of the show: A loose opening that allows Corden, his band and his producers to all interact and riff about whatever is going on in their lives. It has allowed for plenty of spotaneous moments, like when Corden randomly dialed up Oprah Winfrey on air.

Corden says the idea came from being a bit of a virtual spot for people at home to hang out with friends, albeit on their TV screen. “What can’t people do right now, you can’t meet up in a bar in a pub, or wherever you would see your friends,” he says. “We’ve always wanted to be just a little bit of levity at the end of the day. And so really, we thought, if we can be a group of people that [viewers] check in with every night, and I’ve never wanted the show to be me. Our show has always been about collaboration, and sharing the whole show with people.”

On this edition of the Variety Awards Circuit podcast, we talk to Corden on the unusual year that was hosting his show from his garage, and then in a studio with no audience. Listen below!

Also on this episode: On the third and final season of “The Kominsky Method, life only becomes more complicated for Sandy, played by Michael Douglas, with the arrival of his ex-wife Roz (played by Academy Award nominee Kathleen Turner). The pair’s famously volatile relationship is further inflamed when she comes to LA to spend time with their daughter Mindy (Sarah Baker) and her boyfriend Martin (Paul Reiser).

Variety’s Jazz Tangcay caught up with Turner to discuss her reunion with Douglas, her co-star on “Romancing the Stone,” “Jewel of the Nile” and “The War of the Roses,” and what to expect this final season. They began by discussing how much Turner and Douglas have kept in touch over their 40-year friendship.

But first, on the Variety Awards Circuit Roundtable, we wrap up the traditional TV season with a big question mark.

Variety’s Emmy edition of the “Awards Circuit” podcast is hosted by Michael Schneider, Jazz Tangcay and Danielle Turchiano and is your one-stop listen for lively conversations about the best in television. Each week during Emmy season, “Awards Circuit” features interviews with top TV talent and creatives; discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines; and much, much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you download podcasts. New episodes post every Thursday.

Amazon Prime Video is getting into the Emmy FYC pop-up groove after all. The streamer is unveiling a three-day experiential event next weekend tied to its drama series “The Boys.”

The drive-thru restaurant, dubbed “Planet Vought,” will take place at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, with reservations available between June 4 and June 6. Besides being fed, visitors will be sent through a 40-minute ride that will showcase production elements related to “The Boys,” as well as storylines and characters that should familiar to fans of the show. Because of COVID protocols, attendance will be limited to reservations, which can be made both by Emmy voters and civilian consumers.

The event represents a return to experiential Emmy FYC events for Amazon, which traditionally holds a large pop-up space, including panels and displays, at the Hollywood Athletic Club. But that experience has been put on hold the past two years due to TV Academy rules against in-person events (except for drive-in screenings) and lingering concerns about COVID-19.

Read on here.

As part of its FYC campaigns, NBCUniversal frequently includes a nonprofit or public service element — which also allows those events to be showcased on city-owned lightpole banners around town. This year, Universal Studio Group has launched an event series with Ghetto Film School, an award-winning nonprofit founded to educate, develop and celebrate the next generation of storytellers.

Here’s more on GFS: “Ghetto Film School (GFS) is an award-winning nonprofit founded in 2000. With locations in New York City, Los Angeles and London, GFS equips students for top universities and careers in the creative industries through two tracks: an introductory education program for high school students and early-career support for alumni and young professionals. GFS annually serves over 8,000 individuals, 14-34 years of age.”

I recently moderated a panel featuring Kenan Thompson and some of the producers and talent behind his NBC sitcom “Kenan.” For the event, students and alumni of GFS were invited to watch the taping and could submit questions in advance for the panelists.

The panels, taking place between June 15 and June 30, are part of Universal Studio Group’s “USG University” FYC campaign.

Award-winning novelist Neil Cross has adapted the best-selling book “The Mosquito Coast” by Paul Theroux, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The show follows the journey of radical idealist and brilliant inventor Allie Fox (played by Justin Theroux), who uproots his family for Mexico when they suddenly find themselves on the run from the US government. We asked Cross to fill out our “Watch My Show!” survey; here are his answers on behalf of “The Mosquito Coast.”

Sum up your show’s pitch on one sentence.
A charismatic, flawed genius takes his family on a perilous adventure — whether they like it or not.

What’s an alternate title for your show?
I’m terrible at titles. How about LIONS, AND TIGERS, AND BEARS! OH, MY! (See?)

What do we need to know before tuning in?
“The Mosquito Coast” is a family adventure that wants to entertain you rather than educate you.

Give us an equation for your show.
I’ll give you a recipe instead. Add Theroux to Theroux. Mix well. Flavour with elements of “The Americans” and “The Wizard of Oz” plus some “Running on Empty” to taste. Gently fold in some “Homeland.” Finally sprinkle in a little “Tom Sawyer,” some Graham Greene, a good dash of Robert Louis Stevenson. Add a final touch of Paul Bowles for that sinister astringency.

What’s the best thing someone said about your show?
“Holy fucking shit.”

If you could work on any other series in TV, what would it be?
Hmmm. This question presumes I’d want to work on a show I loved. But the problem with that is — it’s something you love. If you work on a show, all you’re going to see on screen is the faults, the compromises, the botched opportunities, the days you didn’t make. So why would I ruin things for myself as a viewer?

That said, I loved being a guest writer on “Doctor Who” and I’d do it again at the drop of a hat. And I would’ve loved to have been a fly on the wall in “The Shield” writers room. I still miss that world and those characters. I often run a little private “Shield” writer’s room in my head when I should be working.

Finish this sentence, ‘If you like [blank], you’ll love our show.’
“If you like exciting stories with tricky characters in exotic locations, you’ll love our show.”

NBC’s “Summer Games” lineup (yes, they’re still leaning into the idea that the Tokyo Games are happening — let’s see!)  launched Sunday night with “American Ninja Warrior” and new series “Small Fortune,” and continues tonight with the return of “America’s Got Talent.” Other shows include “College Bowl” (June 22), “Making It” (June 24), “Olympic Dreams feat. the Jonas Brothers” (July 21), “Ultimate Slip ‘n Slide” (Aug. 8) and “Family Game Fight” (Aug. 11).

Starz’s “Blindspotting,” created and executive produced by Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs, is based on the film of the same name and premieres June 13. It centers on Ashley (Jasmine Cephas Jones), who is approaching middle-class life in Oakland until Miles (Casal), her partner of 12 years and father of their son, is suddenly incarcerated. Benjamin Turner, Candace Nicholas-Lippman, Jaylen Barron, Atticus Woodward and Helen Hunt also star. I especially loved these multicultural Crayolas that came with the package.

We asked Glynn Turman, who plays Dcotor Senator in Season 4 of FX’s “Fargo,” to share his TV guilty TV pleasure (Can be of all time, or currently. Cheesy reality show? Campy sitcom? Obscure public access show? Anything applies!); his “deep cut” (the show he recommends that isn’t as well known, past or present); and “show mate” (the show that, if you were stuck on a desert island with only one DVD, you’d choose to be the most important/most influential/best TV show in your life). Here are his answers:

GUILTY TV PLEASURE: “American Ninja Warrior”: I believe that at my age, l would be able to be competitive on the obstacle course. 😆 LOL.

DEEP CUT: “Gunsmoke.” You can count on seeing back-to-back episodes of Matt Dillion and his crew. While on location you spend a lot of time in hotel rooms with nothing to do. Thank goodness for “Gunsmoke.” Lol.

SHOW MATE:  And last, probably one of the most tell it like it is TV shows ever. “The Wire”: Gives the viewer any number of characters to root for, depending on your point of view. No character is one dimensional. Great show to watch with friends.

As another unusual, COVID-compromised TV season comes to a close on Wednesday, Variety has once again compiled the list of the most-watched TV shows of the year, in both total viewers and adults 18-49. If these don’t look like great numbers, well, it’s 2021. There’s no such thing as great numbers anymore.

Our winners included:

“Equalizer” (CBS): All hail the Queen. Thanks to that plum post-Super Bowl slot, “Equalizer” is the most-watched new series of the year in linear TV — and the second-most watched entertainment program.

Ken Jeong: The comedian has become a huge part of Fox’s lineup, and he’s also involved with the two top-20 unscripted series. “The Masked Singer,” of which Jeong is a panelist, ranked No. 4 this year (tied with “This Is Us”), while “I Can See Your Voice,” which Jeong hosts, is tied at No. 19. Jeong’s third appearance in the top 100 is for “The Masked Dancer,” on which he was also a panelist.

“Curse of Oak Island” (History): Every year we put together this chart and mutter the same thing to ourselves: “What is ‘Curse of Oak Island’?” And every year we Google it and re-discover the rabid popularity of the treasure hunters off of Nova Scotia. This year, it’s the most-watched cable entertainment series of the year.

TLC: Perhaps they should go wall-to-wall “90 Day Fiancé” on TLC, given the continued success of the franchise. And actually, they sort of have, with countless offshoot series, all doing so well. This year, the network’s “90 Day Fiancé Happily Ever After: Tell All,” “90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way,” “90 Day Fiancé: Tell All” and the original recipe “90 Day Fiancé” are among the top-rated cable series of the year in adults 18-49. Also, what is “Darcey & Stacey,” you might ask? Why, it’s a spinoff of the “90 Day” franchise, of course!

Here’s a quick look at the top 10 in total viewers (left) and adults 18-49 (right):

But check out the full charts here.

Daniel Minahan spent 20 years trying to get the story of iconic fashion designer Halston’s story on the screen. Not only did he direct all episodes of the Netflix limited series show, but he oversaw casting, design and aesthetics. Soon, he had partnered with Ewan MacGregor to star, and then landed Ryan Murphy to executive produce. Minahan filled out our “Watch My Show” survey to share why we should tune in.

Sum up your show’s pitch on one sentence.
Ambitious young man arrives to NY with a made-up name, dominates the fashion world, markets/brands himself as HALSTON then loses himself and his company in a fugue of drugs, sex, and avarice, in the end he’s stripped of his very name and identity.

What’s an alternate title for your show?
“Whatever Happened to HALSTON?” or “HALSTON: The Prisoner of Seventh Avenue”

What do we need to know before tuning in?
There will be glamour, nudity, luxury, excess, and Liza Minnelli sings in almost every episode.

Give us an equation for your show.
The American dream + Ultrasuede + The fame machine = HALSTON.

What’s the best thing someone said about your show?
“That Scottish man pulled it off…” says fashion editor André Leon Talley, who knew Halston intimately, “I cried.” This was the highest compliment for me to hear because we set out to honor Halston the man in all of his pain and glory.

If you could work on any other series in TV, what would it be?
“Young Halston: Season 2.” (The early years.).

Finish this sentence, ‘If you like [blank], you’ll love our show.’
“If you like fashion, money, sex, and glamour, you’ll love our show.”

Meanwhile, we asked Krysta Rodriguez, who stars as Liza Minelli, and Rebecca Dayan , who plays Elsa Peretti, to share their TV guilty TV pleasure (Can be of all time, or currently. Cheesy reality show? Campy sitcom? Obscure public access show? Anything applies!); their “deep cut” (the show he recommends that isn’t as well known, past or present); and “show mate” (the show that, if you were stuck on a desert island with only one DVD, you’d choose to be the most important/most influential/best TV show in your life). Here are their answers:

GUILTY PLEASURE: [Rodriguez] I’m still an AVID watcher of “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race.” Some other die hard friends of mine and I have been re-watching remotely during covid. I love reality shows that require skill and strategy to win. Also anytime I’m in a hotel room with cable, I look for “Hollywood Medium.”

[Dayan] “Poirot” (with David Suchet) and “Sex and The City.” “Poirot” because I used to watch it with my mom all the time as a kid so it’s very comforting. Who doesn’t like Agatha Christie? And “Sex and the City” is just like candy.

DEEP CUT: [Rodriguez] I was an early adopter of “The Comeback” with Lisa Kudrow on HBO back in 2005. I got HBO just to watch it. And I was so bummed when it got canceled because it’s just sheer genius and she is transformative in it. I would watch the single season about once and year and talk about it to everyone. I was so happy when they brought it back and now it’s more well known!

[Dayan] “Tous les garçons et les filles de leur âge”. It’s a French limited series of 9 films commissioned by Arte, written and directed by different auteurs; Claire Denis, Chantal Akerman, André Téchiné and Olivier Assayas to name a few. The theme was adolescence and rock’n roll, the budgets were very small, the actors all unknown at the time. Each 1h film takes place at a different time between the 60’s and the 90’s and is filled with genuine moments of grace and a sense of freedom. It’s incredible. And very difficult to find online, but a must see.

SHOW MATE: [Rodriguez] That would have to be “Friends.” No other show has stayed with me for so long. My dog is named Phoebe! It’s been “there for me” for 25 years so why stop??

[Dayan] “Twin Peaks.” I love everything about it – the darkness, the absurd/surreal, the music, the characters, the production design, the dialogue, I could go on and on…David Lynch! I’ve seen it a hundred times, I could see it a hundred more.

Writes Clayton: The filmed version of the hit Broadway musical was one of the key items that lifted spirits amid the pandemic in July 2020. What better way to reward it for its efforts than its writer and star Lin-Manuel Miranda, who received a nomination from the Golden Globes, although on the film side of the house. With the added attention around Miranda this June when his “In the Heights” drops, he could be a safe bet for a nom here. The Tony Award winner Leslie Odom Jr is now fresh off double Oscar noms for “One Night in Miami,” which only serves to elevate his visibility for Emmy voters. He is one of our most talented performers in the industry but will likely split some votes with his co-star Miranda.

Here are his limited series actor picks:

Bryan Cranston, “Your Honor” (Showtime)
Joel Edgerton, “The Underground Railroad” (Amazon Prime Video)
Hugh Grant, “The Undoing” (HBO)
Ethan Hawke, “The Good Lord Bird” (Showtime)
Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Hamilton” (Disney Plus)

As for comedy actor, Clayton writes: Having the year of his career, there’s an excellent chance that the longest-running cast member of “Saturday Night Live” could be a double nominee this year. Nominated twice before in the supporting comedy actor race for “SNL” (including just last year), His namesake series is Kenan Thompson’s first chance at scoring lead love. The first season ended just as FYC season was kicking in, but its renewal helped boost buzz to both the show and its star.

Former “Saturday Night Live” star Jason Sudeikis may be an undeniable recognition this year for his work as the lovable eponymous coach Ted Lasso on Apple TV Plus’ show. Not only is he on a roll after picking up the Golden Globe and the SAG Award, but that the second season is kicking off this summer is keeping him even more top of mind.

His picks:

Anthony Anderson, “Black-ish” (ABC)
Ted Danson, “Mr. Mayor” (NBC)
Michael Douglas, “The Kominsky Method” (Netflix)
William H. Macy, “Shameless” (Showtime)
Jason Sudeikis, “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV Plus)
Kenan Thompson, “Kenan” (NBC)

As then there’s drama actor, Clayton writes: Regé-Jean Page became the “it” man of the year, getting and keeping people talking since December 2020, when the Shondaland-produced Netflix series dropped. With the news (tragedy?) that he won’t be returning for the second season, this will be the Academy’s only shot to reward Page for his dynamic portrayal of the surprisingly deep and vulnerable Duke Simon Basset. He may be the one sure nod “Bridgerton” can expect on nomination morning.

Critics Choice and Golden Globes recognized Josh O’Connor’s work in the fourth season of “The Crown,” when he went lead for the first time as Prince Charles. Like Majors, his layered work on the Netflix royal family period is tied to Emma Corrin’s, his constant scene partner’s. She is a shoo-in for a nom, and so too does he appear to be. As a bonus, his show is undoubtedly the frontrunner for drama series, and that will keep him near the top of the pack.

His picks:

Sterling K. Brown, “This Is Us” (NBC)
Jonathan Majors, “Lovecraft Country” (HBO)
Josh O’Connor, “The Crown” (Netflix)
Regé-Jean Page, “Bridgerton” (Netflix)
Billy Porter, “Pose” (FX)
Matthew Rhys, “Perry Mason” (HBO)

Check out all of Clayton’s predictions here.

More than 20 years ago, when Dick Wolf first expanded the “Law & Order” universe to include “Law & Order: SVU,” he compared the brand extension to Campbell’s Soup: If you like one flavor, you’ll likely be willing to try and enjoy another. Cut to 2021: This fall, Wolf boasts an unprecedented nine series in primetime, including three “Chicago” dramas and three “Law & Order” entries on NBC, and three different “FBI” shows on CBS. It’s not just one brand anymore — Wolf has come close to filling the entire broadcast supermarket.

“To use the Campbell’s comparison, it’s my hope that viewers are comfortable with the brand, and they know no matter what type of soup they are buying, or show they are watching, they know they are getting a high-quality product,” Wolf says.

I asked Dick to give some thoughts about his primetime takeover; read on here.

Tuesday, June 1, 5 p.m. PT: CBS invites Television Academy National Active members to a virtual screening and panel for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”

Tuesday, June 1, 5 p.m. PT: Actors Haley Lu Richardson, Barbie Ferreira and director / writer Rachel Lee Goldenberg of “Unpregnant” join Variety’s Jenelle Riley in the Variety Streaming Room presented by HBO Max for an exclusive Q&A discussing clips from the show Emmy® eligible film. Go here to register.

Tuesday, June 1, 5 p.m. PT: Netflix invites Television Academy National Active members to “Ratched” FYC event.

Tuesday, June 1, 7 p.m. PT: Disney Plus invites Television Academy National Active members to “Clouds” FYC event.

Wednesday, June 2, 5 p.m. PT: “#IMPACT” host and executive producer Gal Gadot, executive producer Jaron Varsano, series director and executive producer Vanessa Roth, subjects Kameryn Everett and Kelsey Ellis join Variety’s Jazz Tangcay in the Variety Streaming Room presented by National Geographic for an exclusive Q&A discussing clips from the documentary short series. Go here to register.

Wednesday, June 2, 5 p.m. PT: HBO Max invites Television Academy National Active members to “Made for Love” FYC event.

Wednesday, June 2, 5 p.m. PT: TBS invites Television Academy National Active members to “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” FYC event.

Wednesday, June 2, 7 p.m. PT: Netflix invites Television Academy National Active members to “Bridgerton.”

Thursday, June 3, 5 p.m. PT: Executive producer Craig Plestis, past contestants Tori Spelling (“Unicorn”), Adrienne Bailon-Houghton (“Flamingo”), Bow Wow (“Frog”), Mark McGrath (“Orca”), season two winner Wayne Brady (“Fox”) and Emmy Award-winning costume designer Marina Toybina join Variety’s Michael Schneider in the Variety Streaming Room for an exclusive “The Masked Singer” Q&A presented by FOX Entertainment. Go here to register.

Thursday, June 3, 5 p.m. PT: Netflix invites Television Academy National Active members to “Bridgerton” FYC panel.

Thursday, June 3, 5 p.m. PT: VH1 invites Television Academy National Active members to “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

Thursday, June 3, 7 p.m. PT: Netflix invites Television Academy National Active members to “Love, Death and Robots” FYC event.

Thursday, June 3, 7 p.m. PT: NBC and Universal Television invites Television Academy National Active members to “Mr. Mayor.”

Friday, June 4, 11 a.m. PT Kickoff for Variety/NBCUniversal FYC Virtual House. Go here to register.

Friday, June 4, 5 p.m. PT: Warner Bros. Television invites Television Academy National Active members to “An Evening With Chuck Lorre Productions: Celebrating Six Comedies and the Teams that Produce Them” FYC events.

Friday, June 4, 5 p.m.: HBO invites Television Academy National Active members to “Connecting the Dots: What We Didn’t Know” FYC event.

Friday, June 4, 7 p.m. PT: Peacock invites Television Academy National Active members to a virtual event for “Saved by the Bell.”

Saturday, June 5, 7:30 p.m. PT: FX & 20th Television invites Television Academy National Active members to a special drive-in screening and panel for “Pose” at the Rose Bowl

Sunday, June 6, 2 p.m.: Netflix invites Television Academy National Active members to “The Kominsky Method” FYC event.

Sunday, June 6, 7 p.m. PT: Showtime invites Television Academy National Active members to “Desus & Mero” FYC event.

Premiere dates: TUESDAY, JUNE 1: “America’s Got Talent” (returning/NBC); “Lego Masters” (returning/Fox). WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2: “MasterChef” (returning/Fox); “Kim’s Convenience” (returning/Netflix). THURSDAY, JUNE 3: “Beat Shazam” (returning/Fox); “We Are Lady Parts” (new/Peacock); “Why Women Kill” (returning/Paramount Plus). FRIDAY, JUNE 4: “Lisey’s Story” (new/Apple TV Plus); “Sweet Tooth” (new/Netflix). SUNDAY, JUNE 6: “43rd Annual Kennedy Honors” (returning/CBS); “Celebrity Family Feud” (returning/ABC); “The Chase” (returning/ABC); “Little Birds” (new/Starz); “Domina” (new/Epix).