Schitt's Creek, a 'Castigation of Homophobia,' Sweeps Emmy Awards 

Schitt's Creek won big at the Emmys.

The show about a rich family that loses its fortune triumphed in all of the major comedy categories during television's biggest night, including Outstanding Comedy Series.

In the sweep, Catherine O'Hara, who plays the over-the-top eccentric matriarch of the Rose family, Moira, nabbed Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

O'Hara thanked the voters for her "Trophyeal Treat," a nod to the unique voice of her character. She then thanked father-and-son co-creators Eugene and Daniel Levy for affording her the opportunity to "play a woman of a certain age, my age, who gets to fully be her ridiculous self."

Additionally, Eugene Levy won for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as patriarch Johnny Rose. And Daniel Levy took home three awards during the televised event: Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for penning the episode "Happy Ending" about a same-sex marriage, Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series for directing that episode with Andrew Cividino, and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for giving life to the Roses' pansexual son, David.

In his speeches, gay actor and co-creator Daniel Levy called Schitt's Creek "the greatest experience of my life ... I cannot thank the Academy enough for their generosity."

Annie Murphy, garnering Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for portraying Alexis Rose, said in her speech, "I'm so proud to be a part of a show that stands for love and kindness and inclusivity and acceptance because those four things are things that we need more than ever right now."

In accepting the award for Best Comedy Series, Daniel Levy praised "the transformational effects of love and acceptance, and that is something that we need more of now than we ever needed before," he said.

"I just wanted to say that for any of you who have not registered to vote, please do so, and then go out to vote because that is the only way we are going to have some love and acceptance out there. I'm so sorry for making this political, but I had to!" he added.

Standing alongside Daniel, Eugene Levy thanked his son for turn a "fish-out-of-water" series into "a celebration of inclusivity, a castigation of homophobia, and a declaration of the power of love."

Schitt's Creek, a Canadian series, concluded its six-season run this year. The feel-good show, which began on CBC before finding a larger audience on Pop TV and Netflix, has become an international hit. It is beloved by LGBTQ+ audiences for the loving same-sex relationship of David and Patrick (Noah Reid) and Moira's over-the-top ensembles and performance, which have established her as a gay icon.

Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the Emmys aired on ABC live this year but the awards show was dramatically different due to the pandemic. Nominees, most of them at home, accepted honors through live-streams. The cast of Schitt's Creek was gathered together at a Canadian venue and wore masks, removing them only to accept their many awards.

In total, Schitt's Creek won nine Emmys this year. It picked up Outstanding Casting for a Comedy and Outstanding Contemporary Costumes last week.