Here’s what happened at this year’s Emmy Awards ceremony.
BIGGEST WINNERS
Shōgun, The Bear, and Baby Reindeer pretty much swept their categories this year, leaving little room for any surprises.
Shōgun won:
Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Best Drama Series
Baby Reindeer won:
Best Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series
Best Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series
Best Limited or Anthology Series
Best Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series
The Bear won:
Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
What they didn’t get however, was Best Comedy Series, which went to Hacks.
THE HOSTS
Daniel and Eugene Levy, a father-son duo, co-hosted the 76th Emmy Awards this year, setting up a variety of punchlines that landed exceptionally well. I believe that this team was the best to host any awards show in many years, fostering a playful and stimulating atmosphere that jumped right through the screen. Straying from the usual political banter, they stuck to light-hearted jokes about each other and the industry in which their audience was apart. Daniel and Eugene Levy provided just what everyone needs right now: an escape from the world and a little laughter.
BEST BIT
Presenting the award for Best Supporting Actor, Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlin played confusion about the demographic to which the prize is awarded. She opened with, “I would like to say it is an honor to be here to present the first award dedicated to emotional support animals in a limited series. From Lassie to Old Yeller, emotional support animals have a rich history in television.”
I got a good laugh out of that one.
BEST SPEECH
The speeches this year were largely disappointing, and it seemed as though absolutely no one was prepared to deliver one. The lack of creativity and meaning in the acceptances made the night a little dull.
Further, far too many people talked for far too long. The music began to play off quite a few winners, but they just kept on talking. As the classic instrumental tune threatened to drown out their voices, the winners spoke over the sound for up to a minute. They just couldn’t take the hint. I hope that next year the Academy takes a page from the Presidential Debate playbook and starts to mute the microphones when the time is up.
Richard Gaad, however, shone like a diamond in this rough lot of actors. Winner of three awards, Gaad touched on the rough journey that eventually lead him to success in a competitive industry. He encouraged young people to “Keep going, and I promise you, things will be okay,” following it with “Follow your heart and the rest will fall into place.” The words were well thought-out, moving and connected with the audience in a way that no other winner was able to accomplish.
BIGGEST FLOP
Something I found most bizarre in this year’s Emmy Awards ceremony was the musical tribute to all the industry professionals whom we have lost in the past year. As touching as the memorials were, singer Jelly Roll sang the song “I Am Not Okay” as the slideshow played behind him. The odd lyrics of this random song made it impossible to take the moment seriously, and his expressions as he sang had a comical undertone, despite his good intentions. Save it for the Grammys, Jelly Roll.
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