LOS ANGELES, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Selena Gomez, Jon Hamm,

Reese Witherspoon and other stars stepped onto a red carpet in

downtown Los Angeles on Sunday as Hollywood luminaries prepared

to celebrate the best of television at the annual Emmy Awards.

"Shogun," a historical epic set in feudal Japan, headed into

the ceremony as the frontrunner to take the night's top trophy

for best drama series. Reigning best comedy champion "The Bear,"

about a family trying to open a top-tier restaurant in Chicago,

is expected to claim that prize again, according to awards

pundits.

Both shows debuted on the FX cable network and stream on

Hulu, setting up a big night for owner Walt Disney ( DIS ) and

its TV chief Dana Walden.

"Shogun," a series about a power struggle in the 17th

century with most of the dialogue in Japanese, was no sure

thing. It had been in development for years before it came

together with elaborate sets, makeup and costumes and

storytelling that impressed critics with its attention to

detail.

"It was a great surprise" when "Shogun" was showered

with Emmy nominations, star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada said on

the red carpet.

"We believed in the audience, their intelligence, their

curiosity for our culture," he added. "We are so happy they are

enjoying it."

Sunday's ceremony takes place just eight months after the

last Emmys, which aired in an unusual January slot because of

disruptions caused by Hollywood labor strikes.

Back on a September schedule, the show will air live on

Disney's ( DIS ) ABC starting at 5 p.m. Pacific time on Sunday (0000 GMT

on Monday).

"Schitt's Creek" father/son duo Eugene and Dan Levy will

host the festivities. Producers have promised cast reunions from

shows past, such as "Happy Days," and other moments to celebrate

the history of television.

Country singer Jelly Roll was scheduled to perform during

the night's In Memoriam segment.

"I'm the only musician here," he said on the red carpet.

"I'm like a kid in a candy store. I just met the cast of

'Shogun.' I'm losing my mind."

Ahead of the ceremony, "Shogun" had already set records. It

won 14 trophies - the most ever for one season of a drama series

- at last weekend's Creative Arts Emmys, where awards were given

for guest actors and crafts such as cinematography.

Competitors for best drama include British royal family saga

"The Crown" and spy thriller "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" from Amazon's ( AMZN )

Prime Video.

"The Bear" is competing with its second season, the one that

featured a widely praised episode about a disastrous family

holiday gathering.

"We just tried our best to do what we did the first season

and just stick together, be a unit, listen to each other, and

just play with each other," "The Bear" star Ayo Edebiri said on

the red carpet.

HBO's "Hacks," about a 70-something comedienne and a

millennial writer, could play the role of spoiler in the comedy

category. Due to the timing of their seasons, the shows have

never competed head-to-head at the Emmys.

Winners are chosen by the nearly 22,000 performers,

directors, producers and other members of Hollywood's Television

Academy.