An Emmy statue appears before the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (AP)
The sprawling golden carpet for the 70th annual Emmy Awards is heating up as security readies for the deluge of television stars headed for the Microsoft Theater Monday afternoon.
NBC's Natalie Morales and Hoda Kotb were among the very early arrivals, making their way down the carpet before the inevitable traffic jam of bodies. Extra host Mario Lopez, who has a foot injury, zipped down the carpet on a tiny scooter keeping his left leg off the ground.
Although the temperatures in downtown Los Angeles are in the 80s, arriving attendees will not have to bear the brunt of the heat. The carpet area is covered by a massive tent and an army of industrial-size ceiling fans.
As nominees nervously wait to hear their name called, or not, there's more on the line at Monday's ceremony than personal glory.
"Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels is tasked with turning viewership around, after the 2017 Emmy audience of 11.4 million narrowly avoided setting a new low.
"The Handmaid's Tale" is the defending best drama series champ, with past winner "Game of Thrones" its top rival.
On the comedy side, the front-runners are FX's "Atlanta" and Amazon Prime Video's "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel."
Sandra Oh could become the first performer of Asian descent to win a top drama acting trophy for spy thriller "Killing Eve."
The Emmys air on NBC with "SNL" cast members Michael Che and Colin Jost as hosts.
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