HOLLYWOOD—We are inching in the direction of awards season America. One of the biggest accolades in the TV world is the Primetime Emmy Award. The ceremony was held on Sunday, September 22, and with so much competition there were plenty of surprises at the ceremony. Walking away with top honors was “Fleabag” taking home a total of four Emmy Awards including Outstanding Comedy Series. As for Outstanding Drama Series it was “Game of Thrones.” Do I think that was the best of the year in the drama race? No, but this was the Emmys way of bidding farewell to the series that has drawn so many people to its orbit.

For as long as I can recall, the Primetime Emmy Awards did not have a host. At first I thought that was a good thing, but as the night progressed, it seemed to drag the pacing of the show and really didn’t speed up the ceremony. There was no host, but it felt like everyone was attempting to do their best to host. Things did kick off with a few laughs courtesy of Anthony Anderson who was hilarious. Um, it may not have been a bad idea to let Anderson host the ceremony. He has the charisma and comedic chops to make things happen. Bryan Cranston took to the stage to deliver a few laughs before the first award of the night for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series went to Tony Shaloub for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”

On the flip side, the prize for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series went to Alex Borstein for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” We saw some changes this year in the Writing and Directing race for Comedy Series with “Fleabag” taking home Emmys in both categories. Many were expecting Julia Louis-Dreyfus to pick up her eighth Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for “Veep,” but it was Phoebe Waller-Bridge who walked home with the trophy. Bill Hader walked away with the Emmy for Lead Actor for his work on “Barry.”

RuPaul walked away with the Emmy for Competition Program for “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” while Patricia Arquette collected another Emmy this time for Supporting actress for her work in the Limited Series or Movie for “The Act.” “Chernobyl” walked away with Emmys for Limited Series, Writing and Directing, while Ben Winshaw won the trophy for Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie for “A Very English Scandal.”

There were not many rousing moments at the ceremony, but one that stood out for me was seeing Jharrel Jerome win the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie for “When They See Us.” That standing ovation said it all in my opinion. Outstanding TV Movie was a victory for “Vandersnatch,” while it was FINALLY nice to see Michelle Williams receive some Emmy love for Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie for “Fosse/Verdon.” In the Variety Series category, it was “Last Week With John Oliver” that walked away with Emmys for Writing, and Variety Talk Series. However, “Saturday Night Live” won the Emmy for Variety Sketch Series.

The Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series was a victory for Peter Dinklage for “Game of Thrones.” Julia Garner picked up the Emmy Award for Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her work in “Ozark.” On the writing front, “Succession” was victorious in taking home the Primetime Emmy Award. Jason Bateman was stunned to pick up the directing prize in a Drama Series for “Ozark.” To say it left him speechless was an understatement.

It was a battle alright for Lead Actor in a Drama Series that saw Billy Porter make history winning the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in “Pose.” Wow, that was perhaps a moment that I did not see coming. He gave an inspirational speech that echoed throughout the audience. Lead Actress in a Drama Series was a competitive battle to say the least that witnessed Jodi Comer pick up her first Emmy for her work on “Killing Eve.” Things are not looking great for “Game of Thrones” people; I think that is a direct result of that lackluster final season that was so hyped that it faltered on its delivery.

I enjoyed the VARIETY of winners this season at the Primetime Emmy Awards, it’s nice to see different people pick up accolades for their work. So the 2019 Primetime Time Emmy Awards are now in the record books, so the question we all want to know is who will remain supreme for 2020?