Debbie Allen accepts the Governors Award from the Television Academy after winning two Emmy Awards

Today, I finish my coverage of the Emmy Awards by looking at this year's recipient of the Governors Award, Debbie Allen. Watch 73rd Emmy Awards: Governors Award.

Debbie Allen accepts the Governors Award at the 73rd Emmy Awards.

That was powerful. Allen had more to say in Debbie Allen: 73rd Emmys Winnerview.

Debbie Allen talks to Marc Istook backstage at the 73rd Emmy Awards after being presented the Governors Award.

As much as I agreed with Samantha Bee dragging TikTok in John Oliver and Samantha Bee on misinformation, I also agree with Allen that dance is one area where TikTok's influence has been positive.

Follow over the jump to read about Allen proving me dead wrong about two categories at the Emmy Awards while being a positive influence.


I played up "Oslo" and downplayed "Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square" when I wrote about television movies two months ago, but Allen and Parton surprised me by winning in both of the categories the latter film had been nominated. I honestly thought "Sylvie's Love" would have the better chance of beating "Oslo" based on its Gold Derby TV Award, but the Emmy voters had other ideas. As I reiterate when writing about awards shows, electorates matter.

In the spirit of the holiday season, here is Dolly Parton's Christmas on The Square starring Christine Baranski | Official Trailer | Netflix.

Have a Holly Dolly #Christmas2020 with this Netflix holiday musical featuring 14 original songs by #DollyParton.

Christmas On The Square follows small town "Scrooge" Regina Fuller (Christine Baranski) as she's visited by a rhinestone-bedazzled angel (Dolly) who guides her on a musical journey of redemption. Will this stingy property owner evict the entire town of Fullerville on Christmas Eve, or will her greed give way to the Christmas spirit?

Directed by famed choreographer #DebbieAllen, Dolly's #ChristmasMusic will put a song in your heart and bring the whole family together for the holidays. So curl up with this miracle of a musical starring Dolly Parton, Christine Baranski, Treat Williams, Jeanine Mason, Josh Segarra, Mary Lane Haskell, and many more talented folks. 'Tis the season for song and dance!

After seeing the all-star cast, I am no longer surprised that this movie won. Also, Christine Baranski as a Scrooge character? I'm sold!


Allen won not only as one of the producers of "Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square," but also as its choreographer. For an example of her work, watch "Opening Number" from Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square | Netflix.

Dolly Parton, Christine Baranski, Jenifer Lewis, and more sing and dance their way into our hearts this Christmas in the opening number from Netflix's new holiday musical DOLLY PARTON'S CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE, directed by Debbie Allen and featuring 14 original songs by Dolly Parton.

That certainly put me in the holiday spirit! Also, replacing the town for a mall? I guess Baranski's character hasn't heard of the Retail Apocalypse!

Enough of jumping ahead to Christmas. I'm going to celebrate Thanksgiving next. Stay tuned.

Previous posts in this series

• Diversity one of the themes of the Outstanding Commercial nominees at the 2021 Emmy Awards
• 'The Social Dilemma' leads documentaries at the Emmy Awards with seven nominations
• 'Allen v. Farrow' leads documentary and nonfiction series at the Emmy Awards with seven nominations
• Quibi's last Emmy nominations are also Roku's first as the network was canceled but the shows were renewed
• It's Saturday night, so here are the 21 Emmy nominations for 'Saturday Night Live'
• 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver' leads Outstanding Variety Talk Series nominees at the Emmy Awards for the fifth consecutive year
• 'Hamilton' at the Emmy Awards
• Dave Chappelle's four Emmy nominations for 'SNL' and '8:46'
• 'Queer Eye' leads structured reality program nominees again at the Emmy Awards while 'preaching love, acceptance, pride, and compassion'
• 'RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked' vs. 'Below Deck' for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program at the Emmy Awards
• 'RuPaul's Drag Race' leads competition program nominees at the 2021 Emmy Awards while modeling diversity and acceptance
• 'Oslo' earned two nominations at the 2021 Emmy Awards
• Gold Derby predicts the Creative Arts Emmy Awards plus animation and drama guest acting nominees
• 'The Queen's Gambit' leads limited series at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, but can it beat 'Mare of Easttown' and 'WandaVision' on the final night?
• 'Ted Lasso' vs. 'Hacks' eclipses 'Black-ish' and 'The Flight Attendant' in comedies at the Emmy Awards
• 'The Crown' vs. 'The Handmaid's Tale' - politics and government in drama nominees at the Emmy Awards
• 'The Crown' sweeps drama series categories on final night of Emmy Awards, shutting out 'The Handmaid's Tale'
• 'The Queen's Gambit' wins limited series, while 'Mare of Easttown' and 'Halston' win the acting categories at the Emmy Awards
• 'Saturday Night Live' returns after winning eight Emmy Awards
• Gold Derby interviews the director and producer of 'The Social Dilemma,' which won two Emmy Awards for documentaries
• Emmy Awards by 'RuPaul's Drag Race' and 'Queer Eye' to celebrate National Coming Out Day 2021
• 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver' examines voting rights after winning three Emmy Awards
• Colbert talks 'Peril' with Woodward and Costa after winning an Emmy
• 'Ted Lasso' and 'Hacks' accepting their Emmy Awards for World Television Day