HOLLYWOOD—Well, awards season is NOT here just yet, but one of the biggest accolades in the TV arena took place on Sunday, September 14. The 77th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were held with comedian Nata Bargatze taking over as the Master of Ceremonies. Sorry, but I don’t know much about Bargatze, but his opening did deliver some laughs as it poked fun at diversity, streaming and the invention of television.
Wow, I expected Bargatze to have a monologue after performing that skit, but the first award of the night was presented by “The Late-Late Night Show” host Stephen Colbert who received a standing ovation from the audience. Colbert presented the Emmy Award for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series to Seth Rogen for “The Studio.”
His monologue actually started AFTER the first prize of the night was presented, but he seemed super nervous. The lovely Jennifer Coolidge presented the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series to Jean Smart for “Hacks.” Smart was expected to be the frontrunner in the race, and she indeed captured as expected.
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series was a victory for Katherine LaNASA for her amazing performance in the critically acclaimed HBO Max series “The Pitt.” On the flipside, the Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series went to Trammell Tillman for “Severance.” I feel like we could be looking at a “Severance” and “The Pitt” battle as the night continues.
We’re not even 40 minutes in and some of the biggest prizes of the night have already been handed out. Oscar nominee Angela Bassett presented the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series to Britt Lower for “Severance” in an upset over Kathy Bates for “Matlock.” Many were expecting Bates to take home the prize. The Primetime Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series went to Hannah Einbinder for “Hacks.”
The Emmy for Reality Competition Program went to “The Traitors,” it looks like that trend of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” being unstoppable has finally shifted. The Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series went to Jeff Hiller for “Somebody Somewhere.” Seth Rogen picked up his second Emmy of the night for Directing for “The Studio.”
Wow, we have five women who were all the contenders for Directing for a Limited Series or TV movie, but it didn’t matter because Philip Barantini won the award for “Adolescence.” Directing for a Drama Series was a victory for Adam Randall “Slow Horses.” With “Severance” and “The Pitt” in that race, I didn’t expect that. Why are all the winners reading off a piece of paper? It feels so tacky, was everyone clued in on their victories before the ceremony started to televise. Preparing a speech beforehand is like a given that you know you’re going to win.
“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” won the Emmy for Scripted Variety Series. Dan Gilroy won the Emmy for Writing in a Drama Series for “Andor.” It almost feels like the TV Academy has a distaste for “The Pitt” and “Severance” when it comes to the awards behind the camera or maybe the competition between the two was so stiff, it led to a split in the races allowing others to sneak in and gain a victory that likely wouldn’t have unfolded.
The Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie went to Owen Cooper for “Adolescence,” who was up against some serious competition. “Adolescence” also picked up the Emmy for Writing for a Limited Series or TV Movie. The Primetime Emmy for Writing for a Comedy Series went to the team of “The Studio.”
Gosh, I miss Tina Fey on my TV screen. That woman is hilarious, as she presented the Emmy for Outstanding Live Variety Special to “SNL 50: The Anniversary Special.” “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” won the Emmy for Writing for a Variety Series. “Adolescence” continued to add to its mantle for the night with Erin Lowery winning for Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie.
Cristin Milioti picked up the Emmy Awards for Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie for her work on “The Penguin.” I’m sorry, but this has to be one of the most boring Primetime Emmy Awards I have watched in a decade. Something is missing; it’s the comedy. It’s not that the ceremony is too serious, it just feels mundane. There was a glorious uproar in the audience when Stephen Graham won the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Limited Anthology or TV Series for “Adolescence.” I will admit I thought Colin Farrell might take home this prize for his work on “The Penguin.”
The Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series went to “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Yes, the crowd is now on an amazing high. It is worth noting Colbert’s show was recently cancelled by CBS, so this win earned a thunderous applause from the audience. “Adolescence” did a virtually sweep of all the categories that it was nominated for picking up the prize for Outstanding Limited Series or TV Movie.
It was nice to see Ray Romano and Brad Garrett on the stage presenting the Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series to “The Studio.” The categories I have been waiting for all night to see who would be victorious: Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series. The most competitive of all races. In the end it was Noah Wyle for “The Pitt.” First Emmy win for the actor, who was previously nominated for his work on “ER.” It was nice seeing members of “Law & Order” present the final prize of the night: Drama Series.
“The Pitt” or “Severance?” Who would come out victorious people, because both are fantastic shows, but in the end, it was “The Pitt” which was indeed the sleeper drama series of the year and well worth the win. After more than three hours, TV’s biggest night comes to an end.
