Television’s biggest stars descend upon this glitz- and glam-filled event wearing their best game-face smiles to see who will win one of the annual Emmy Awards, which recognize excellence in the television industry. There’s more than one night of award presentations, but the “biggie” that attracts millions of viewers are the Primetime Emmys, held since 2008 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles (though from 2008 to 2014 the same venue was named the Nokia Theater). On that night, usually in late August or mid-September, awards are doled out to the big guns of the industry for their work in shows that air during the highest viewing times. Categories such as Outstanding Lead Actor, Outstanding Supporting Actor and Outstanding Directing get the most attention, but there are dozens of other TV-making roles that receive nods in the form of a glittering Emmy statuette as well.
Want to experience the excitement of television’s biggest night live and in person? While your chances of getting inside are practically nil, you just could be in luck: the Emmys are one of the major entertainment awards ceremonies that does draw seat fillers from a pool of applicants. Since no tickets are ever sold to the general public, it’s a large pool, but visit SeatfillersAndMore.com to inquire about opportunities. Or, head to downtown’s Microsoft Theater and L.A. Live complex the day-of to line up with the throngs of dedicated fans craning their necks to see the stars of their favorite shows walk the red carpet.
There are plenty of opportunities to spot celebrities or go behind-the-scenes while vacationing in Los Angeles. One of the most reliable is to get tickets to attend a taping of a sitcom, talk show, or game show. You can also go on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour or the Universal Studios Hollywood Tour, where you’ll get a fascinating look at how television shows and movies are made and maybe see a few stars at work (or on a lunch break).