Elton John nabs EGOT, ‘Beef’ and ‘The Bear’ clean up, plus reunions galore: Emmys highlights
It may have been four months late, but the Television Academy still knows how to throw a classy party.
The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards aired Monday night, well behind schedule due to the actors and writers strikes last year. But the post-strike ceremony didn't lose much from the delay. With deserving (if very predictable) winners, genuinely emotional moments, sweet speeches and inoffensive host Anthony Anderson, the Emmys managed to pull off a respectable broadcast. It came in on time, it wasn't (too) cringey, and we got to see some of the original "Grey's Anatomy" cast back together again, among other reunions. All in all, that's a successful night.
From nostalgic reunions like "Grey's" to sweeps for "Succession," "The Bear" and "Beef" in. the best drama, comedy and limited series categories, respectively, we captured the highs, lows and in-between moments. And we'll be back in September to do it all over again.
'Succession' sweeps it all! HBO's media drama takes the top prize
With 27 nominations this year, and 75 in total for its four seasons, "Succession" says a final goodbye with the Emmys' top prize for best drama series. "This is a show about family, but it's also about when partisan news coverage gets intertwined with right-wing politics, and after four seasons I understand that's a problem we have fixed," quipped Jesse Armstrong, the show's creator.
The Roy family had a fantastic night all around, winning six awards (so did winning comedy "The Bear"). Kieran Culkin, the adorable, blubbering winner of best actor in a drama for "Succession," just couldn't get his tuxedo buttoned for his acceptance speech and begged his wife for another kid since he won (she said "maybe," so we'll see). His co-star Sarah Snook won for best actress, and remarked how easy it is to act while you're pregnant, because you're "full of hormones" (where's the lie?). They may play seething, cynical and scheming media moguls in the HBO series, but in real life, they're the sweetest, most adorable recipients of the night.
'The Bear' tops off best comedy series win with a big kiss
FX's high-pressure, stressful and somehow still a comedy series "The Bear" took the top prize of the night in that category. Representing the cast and producers was series co-star and producer Matty Matheson, who gave a shoutout to the restaurant industry and got a big old smooch from his co-star (and supporting actor winner) Ebon Moss-Bachrach. It was nearly as chaotic as a knife-flying episode of "The Bear."
In Memoriam honors Norman Lear, Matthew Perry
As Charlie Puth sang a slow, acoustic version of his bittersweet “See You Again,” the Television Academy honored those in the TV industry who died in the past year. The emotional segment started with the legendary producer Norman Lear and ended with “Friends” star Matthew Perry, to the tune of the sitcom’s theme song “I’ll Be There For You.” It was tear-jerking, to say the least.
We have zero beef with all the 'Beef' wins for Ali Wong, Steven Yeun
Sometimes, miraculously, awards shows get it right. It might be boring when one show seems to sweep all the categories, but it was more than deserved when it came to Netflix's "Beef," the unequivocal best show of 2023 and one of the most unique series to debut on TV in the past several years. Actors Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, and director and writer Lee Sung Jin are so deserving, and gave such wonderfully thoughtful and heartfelt speeches. And, of course, it also took best limited series. Wins like these make it worth tuning in to these shows.
GLAAD wins the Governor's Award, highlights the importance of representation
"Ted Lasso" star Hannah Waddingham and Colman Domingo were giddy with delight to present the prestigious Governors Award to GLAAD, an LGBTQ media advocacy organization that promotes realistic representation of the community on screen. President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis begged the Hollywood community to portray transgender people in their stories. "More people claim to have met a ghost than know a transgender person."
Elton John is finally an EGOT
Hey, that Elton John guy might have a career in TV if he's all done touring his music! The legendary singer and songwriter became a member of the elite EGOT club (those who have received an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) when his Disney+ speical "Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium" won for best live variety special. The man himself couldn't be there, but I feel confident the Emmy might have a nice spot on his shelf all ready.
'Grey's Anatomy' cast reunites
Pick me. Choose me. Love me. Meet me ... on the Emmys stage? Yes, that's right: "Grey's Anatomy" cast members past and present – originals Justin Chambers, Katherine Heigl, Ellen Pompeo, James Pickens Jr. and Chandra Wilson – reunited at this year's Emmy Awards, just shy of 19 years of the show's March 2005 premiere. The cast appeared following a tribute from host Anthony Anderson, who talked up his mother's love for medical dramas. "Grey's" – which has earned 39 Emmy nominations and multiple wins – is now the longest-running primetime medical drama in TV history. ―David Oliver
John Oliver wins two more Emmys for 'Last Week Tonight'
Perennial Emmy winner John Oliver won two awards, variety talk host and a new category, best scripted variety series, for his HBO series "Last Week Tonight." This year's new category, in which "Saturday Night Live" also competed, separated them from late-night talk shows, which lately have taken a back seat at the Emmys. That was all upside for Trevor Noah, whose "Daily Show" was able to win in its own category, as he noted in acceptance speech, because Oliver wasn't nominated. Maybe there's hope yet for NBC's "Late Night With Seth Meyers," the best of the late night bunch.
'Cheers,' 'Martin' Lawrence sitcom casts reunite, and it's all a little awkward
It's the 75th Emmy Awards so you can't blame the producers for being nostalgic. You can blame them for scripting some very awkward, stilted reunions, including the casts of "Martin" and "Cheers" in recreations of their famous sets. Maybe shorter, actually funny segments would have worked, but when the "Martin" cast went on about how they didn't have any Emmys themselves, I started looking for an escape route.
Niecy Nash-Betts wins for Netflix's 'Dahmer' series, and her speech is better than the series
Netflix's Jeffrey Dahmer true-crime drama was abhorrent in almost every way ― except for Nash-Betts, who gave a searing performance that Emmy voters recognized with the best supporting actress in a limited series trophy. But truly the actress's emotional, moving, political and life-affirming speech was a far better piece of art than "Dahmer." And much easier to watch.
Christina Applegate makes rare, emotional appearance
Christina Applegate was met with a standing ovation as she presented the award for best supporting actress in a comedy series. The 52-year-old actress, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021 while filming the third and final season of Netflix's "Dead to Me," made a rare appearance Monday at the awards show. She was a nominee as lead actress in a comedy series for the show. As the crowd stood up and cheered, Applegate joked that they were "totally shaming" her by standing up because she uses a cane for support amid her diagnosis. -Naledi Ushe
Yes, chef! Ayo Edebiri wins for ‘The Bear’; Quinta Brunson takes the acting Emmy for “Abbott Elementary”
The first win of the night was emphatically deserved. Edebiri, the young breakout star of FX’s “The Bear” (who took the Emmy for its first season), gave an electric performance in the series -- even presenter Applegate was overjoyed to present the award. Edebiri was overwhelmed and hyperventilating yet gave a graceful speech. “Probably not a dream to emigrate to this country and have your child say, ‘I want to do improv!” she quipped to her parents. Hey, sometimes those improv classes pay off.
Next up: Quinta Brunson won best actress in a comedy for ABC's “Abbott Elementary.” (Fun fact, the two actresses play sisters on “Abbott”.) The legendary Carol Burnett presented Brunson her award, leaving the actress (and writer, who previously won for that work on “Abbott”) in tears. It’s always lovely to see genuine heartfelt moments at an awards show. “I love Abbott Elementary,” Brunson sobbed. Us, too. Us, too.
2024 Emmy awards red carpet photos: See the best shots of Selena Gomez, Issa Rae, Quinta Brunson
Anthony Anderson doesn't embarrass himself in his monologue
Anthony Anderson could have walked across the stage and made a fart noise and it still probably would have been better than Jo Koy’s opening at the Golden Globes last week. But the comedian, who is known more for his scripted work than stand-up monologues, managed a very respectable opener honoring great TV shows from the medium's past (it is the 75th anniversary of the Emmys, after all). With the help from a "local and ethnically diverse choir," Anderson revisited the likes of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," "Good Times," "The Facts of Life" and "Miami Vice." It was quaint and cute, almost a relief after the Globes disaster last week. You can just ignore the part where he shoehorned his mother into the show.
Emmys red carpet looks
What’s a good awards show without a good red carpet? A red carpet live stream will begin Monday at 6 EST/3 PST on E!, hosted by Laverne Cox. For fashionistas who need to prep TV’s biggest night, check out our picks for the best gowns of all time. See the best dressed stars so far. And here's our full red-carpet gallery:
Why were the Emmys postponed?
The Emmys are usually a September event, launching the traditional broadcast TV season. But producers were forced to delay the 2023 ceremony due to the dual writers and actors strikes last summer. This marks the lengthiest delay of the Emmys since 2001, when the show was put on hold for seven weeks following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the related U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. (The Emmys carried on during the early days of COVID in 2020 with a partially virtual show.) But it also means the show falls in the crush of a busy awards season, just eight days after the Goiden Globes and one night after the Critics Choice Awards.
What TV shows were eligible for the 75th Emmy Awards this year?
You have to dig deep back into your memory (like, really deep) to remember all the great TV that premiered from June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023, the eligibility period for this year's awards. That's right, we're talking the final season HBO's "Succession," Season 3 of Apple's "Ted Lasso"; Season 1 of FX's "The Bear"; Netflix's "Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" and a host of other series from as long as 19 months ago.
Emmy noms 2024: Who had the most?
What shows are vying for the awards on TV's biggest night? Here are the most nominated series this year, including nods for last weekend's Creative Arts ceremonies (let's just say it's good to be on HBO). But among them, in Monday's ceremony "The Last of Us," "Ted Lasso" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" were shut out.
"Succession" (HBO): 27
"The Last Of Us" (HBO): 24
"The White Lotus" (HBO): 23
"Ted Lasso" (Apple TV+): 21
"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (Amazon): 14
"The Bear" (FX): 13
"Beef" (Netflix): 13
Henry Winkler and Kieran Culkin share sweet moment on red carpet
Over on the — er — silver carpet, celebrities arrived seemingly grouped by show. First “The Bear,” then “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Ted Lasso, “Succession,” and so on.As Henry Winkler made his way over to speak with USA TODAY, he spotted Kieran Culkin doing an interview and swooped in to kiss the side of his face.“I love him! How can you not kiss him?” he told reporter Ralphie Aversa. ―KiMi Robinson
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2024 Emmys highlights: Niecy Nash stirs crowd, 'Succession' wins big
