"Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels, producing his second Emmy telecast in 30 years, is tasked with turning viewership around after the 2017 show's audience of 11.4 million narrowly avoided the embarrassment of setting a new low. The long-running NBC sketch show, already the top Emmy winner ever with 71, could snare up to three more. The networks, which air the Emmy telecast on a rotating basis, are so eager for the ad dollars it generates and its promotional value for fall shows that they endure online competitors sharing the stage. It's Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale" that's the defending best drama series champ, with HBO's two-time previous winner "Game of Thrones" the top rival. Yeardley Smith, an Emmy winner for voicing Lisa on "The Simpsons," said she doesn't object when winners use the spotlight to say more than "thank you."

Source: ABC News September 17, 2018 04:07 UTC