Emmy Awards Cancelled For the First Time in 53 Years

Sunday night's Emmy Awards show was canceled four hours prior to the ceremony in light of the U.S and British missile attacks on Afghanistan. It had already been pushed back three weeks from the original air date of September 16 and is now on hold indefinitely. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and CBS decided it seemed "trivial" to go on with the show. This is the first time in the Emmys' history that the show has ever been canceled.

Some actors, such as The Soprano’s star James Gandolfini had already decided not to attend the event. It seemed almost inappropriate after last month's tragedy to celebrate while the rest of the nation grieves. After the attacks, it was almost inevitable that the Emmys would be canceled completely. Academy Chairman Bryce Zabel said in a press conference, "Things have changed. America is at war." Reruns of favorites such as Everybody Loves Raymond and The King of Queens were shown in place of the telecast.

The show, which would have taken place in both Los Angeles and New York, was to have maintained a somber tone because of last month’s tragedy. Veteran newscaster, Walter Cronkite, was to have opened the show with a few remarks. Host Ellen DeGeneres would have had the difficult job of being humorous, yet respectful. CBS chief Leslie Moonves is uncertain of the future of the show. He is quoted as saying, "It’s one day at a time, like everything else in America."