Emmy impostor, trophy injury: awards chief has seen it all

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Next week’s Emmy Awards will be the 70th ceremony, and John Leverence has managed more than half of them.

Leverence is the TV academy’s senior vice president for awards, and he’s had witnessed big changes in in the industry and in the awards.

When Leverence started at the TV academy in 1979, there were about 60 nominations categories and 1,500 entries.

This year, there are double the categories and 9,000 submissions, Leverence said.

He’s witnessed some lesser Emmy moments, too. In 1985, a ceremony gatecrasher popped up on stage and accepted actress Betty Thomas’ award for “Hill Street Blues” before she could.

This year’s Emmys air at 8 p.m. Eastern Monday on NBC.