A Sneak Peek At TV’s Hottest Event: The 2017 Emmy Awards Governors Ball

THE 2017 EMMY AWARDS GOVERNORS BALL GOES FOR THE GOLD—AND INTEGRATES SUSTAINABILITY—WITH THIS YEAR’S ECO-FRIENDLY THEME

ON SEPTEMBER 17, THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY’S biggest night will fête its MVPs an event that’s solid gold. Following the Stephen Colbert-hosted 69th Emmy® Awards telecast, a team of Hollywood power players, including event planner Cheryl Cecchetto and James Beard-winning chef Joachim Splichal, will join forces again to bring the ‘Golden Grandeur’ 2017 theme to life—and in an eco-friendly way, no less (an important and timely focus that did not exist in previous years). In fact, all décor and food elements will be either recyclable, repurposed or bio-degradable in a bid to show The Television Academy’s commitment to the environment. Says Governors Ball Committee Co-Chair Barbara Cassel, “The 2017 Governors Ball and Creative Arts Governors Ball events will set the gold standard in terms of elegance and environmental sustainability, verifying the two concepts can be compatible.” Here, Haute Living shares a sneak peek inside this year’s exciting gala.

“Whether it’s a guest’s tenth Governors Ball or the first time they are attending the Emmys after-party celebration, we strive to create a sense of awe when people get their first glimpse of the room. Barbara and I like to stand opposite the entrance as guests come through the tunnel and watch their reactions. When we hear the ‘wows’ and see them whip out their phones and start taking photos and videotaping the room, we know we’ve got a hit and we can start enjoying the party ourselves!” —Governors Ball Co-Chair Ed Fassl

THE DÉCOR
In a dramatic departure from previous years, the 2017 Governors Ball will offer a streamlined aesthetic that emphasizes recurring architectural shapes in resplendent, monochromatic gold. Rectangular tables with linear aisles and seating are complemented with dynamic accents, such as tall, contemporary table lamps; linens infused with rich golden thread; and minimalist florals. The décor is even more impressive when you consider the Governors Ball Committee members and Sequoia Productions’ commitment to produce zero waste. The 5,000 cardboard and paper cylinders that will make up the signature overhead art installation are painted with biodegradable gold coloring—both of which are recyclable and reusable—while rented tables, chairs, linens, cutlery and glassware, plus audio, lighting, rigging and stage equipment, will all be reused at future events. Even the flowers and greeneryadorning table centerpieces will be repurposed as mulch after the ball.

“ With over 200 cooks and over 600 servers, catering this event every year is an extraordinary culinary feat. I am also honored to have members of L.A. Kitchen join our ranks and give back to the local agricultural community. —Joachim

THE FOOD
James Beard Award-winning chef Joachim Splichal and his Patina Catering team return to oversee the Governors Ball menu for the 22nd year. Along with Executive Chef of Culinary Gregg Wiele, Executive Chef of Patina Catering Alec Lestr and Executive Pastry Chef Frania Mendivil, Splichal will interpret the ‘Golden Grandeur’ theme in masterful three courses that showcase seasonal produce, while exemplifying culinary sustainability and a commitment to giving back. This includes incorporating a job program with L.A. Kitchen, a local nonprofit that believes no food or person should ever go to waste, as well as donating food waste from the ball to local farms as compost for the next season of crops. The menu will feature the dishes below.

First Course
Last of the Heirlooms
Local heirloom tomatoes, dinosaur plum, red quinoa, charred leek vinaigrette, balsamic jelly, basil, and sea salt
Main Course
Pan Roasted Filet Mignon
Mission figs, asparagus, purple marble potatoes, roasted red flame grapes, creamy horseradish puree, and whole grain mustard sauce
Dessert
Alunga Brownie Bar
Dulce de leche, roasted cherries, and cherry gel

THE WINE
Napa Valley winery Sterling Vineyards returns for the second consecutive year as the exclusive wine sponsor of Emmy season, choosing a Sauvignon Blanc, a Chardonnay and Cabernet to pair with Splichal’s menu. To add another touch of glamour to the evening, all award recipients will receive a custom-made bottle of Sterling Vineyards’ new luxury Cabernet Sauvignon, IRIDIUM, and are invited to enjoy a glass of the exclusive wine while their Emmy statuette is personalized in the Emmy Winners’ Circle. Ferrari Trento will bring the bubbles for its third year in a row, including flutes of prestige label Ferrari Brut Trentodoc, Perlé, Perlé Rosé Riserva and Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore. Ferrari Trento vineyards have all been awarded organic certification, embodying the theme of natural elegance with sustainable mountain agriculture.

THE NOMINEES Drama Series
Better Call Saul
The Crown The Handmaid’s Tale
House of Cards Stranger Things
This Is Us Westworld

Comedy Series
Atlanta black-ish Master of None
Modern Family
Silicon Valley
Unbreakable
Kimmy Schmidt Veep Limited Series or Movie Big Little Lies Fargo
Feud: Bette and Joan
Genius
The Night Of

Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Viola Davis – How to Get Away with Murder
Claire Foy – The Crown
Elisabeth Moss – The Handmaid’s Tale
Keri Russell – The Americans Evan
Rachel Wood – Westworld
Robin Wright – House of Cards

Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown – This Is Us
Anthony Hopkins – Westworld
Bob Odenkirk – Better Call Saul
Matthew Rhys – The Americans
Liev Schreiber – Ray Donovan
Kevin Spacey – House of Cards
Milo Ventimiglia – This Is Us

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson – black-ish
Aziz Ansari – Master of None
Zach Galifianakis – Baskets
Donald Glover – Atlanta
William H. Macy – Shameless
Jeffrey Tambor – Transparent

Lead Actress in a Comedy
Pamela Adlon – Better Things
Jane Fonda – Grace and Frankie
Allison Janney – Mom
Ellie Kemper – Unbreakable
Kimmy Schmidt Julia Louis-Dreyfus – Veep Tracee
Ellis Ross – black-ish
Lily Tomlin – Grace and Frankie

Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Riz Ahmed – The Night Of Benedict
Cumberbatch – Sherlock: The Lying Detective
Robert De Niro – The Wizard of Lies
Ewan McGregor – Fargo
Geoffrey Rush – Genius
John Turturro – The Night Of

Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Carrie Coon – Fargo
Felicity Huffman – American Crime
Nicole Kidman – Big Little Lies
Jessica Lange – Feud: Bette and Joan
Susan Sarandon – Feud: Bette and Joan
Reese Witherspoon – Big Little Lies

Supporting Actor in a Drama
Jonathan Banks – Better Call Saul
David Harbour – Stranger Things
Ron Cephas Jones – This Is Us
Michael Kelly – House of Cards
John Lithgow – The Crown
Mandy Patinkin – Homeland
Jeffrey Wright – Westworld

Supporting Actress in a Drama
Uzo Aduba – Orange Is the New Black
Millie Bobby Brown – Stranger Things
Ann Dowd – The Handmaid’s Tale
Chrissy Metz – This Is Us
Thandie Newton – Westworld
Samira Wiley – The Handmaid’s Tale

Supporting Actor in a Comedy
Louie Anderson – Baskets
Alec Baldwin – Saturday Night Live
Tituss Burgess – Unbreakable
Kimmy Schmidt Ty Burrell – Modern Family
Tony Hale – Veep
Matt Walsh – Veep

Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Vanessa Bayer – Saturday Night Live
Anna Chlumsky – Veep
Kathryn Hahn – Transparent
Leslie Jones – Saturday Night Live
Judith Light – Transparent
Kate McKinnon – Saturday Night Live

Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Bill Camp – The Night Of
Alfred Molina – Feud: Bette and Joan
Alexander Skarsgård – Big Little Lies
David Thewlis – Fargo
Stanley Tucci – Feud: Bette and Joan
Michael Kenneth Williams – The Night Of

Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Judy Davis – Feud: Bette and Joan
Laura Dern – Big Little Lies
Jackie Hoffman – Feud: Bette and Joan
Regina King – American Crime
Michelle Pfeiffer – The Wizard of Lies
Shailene Woodley – Big Little Lies

Variety Talk Series
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Jimmy Kimmel Live Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
The Late Late Show with James Corden
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Real Time with Bill Maher