I’ve discussed the changing landscape of television and the demise of awards shows in previous posts. So, let’s just get right to it. Like it or not, the Emmys were here again on Monday September 12th. Succession had the most nominations (25) giving it a good chance to win again as Best Drama Series. Same for Ted Lasso in the Comedy category with its 20 nominations. The White Lotus also had 20 nominations making it the favorite for Best Limited Series. Jennifer Coolidge and Murray Bartlett from The White Lotus appeared to be locks for the Supporting Actor categories. Julia Garner and Sydney Sweeney joined a select group with multiple nominations; Garner for Inventing Anna (lead role) and Ozark (supporting), and Sweeney for The White Lotus and Euphoria (both supporting). Amidst the dominance of premium and streaming channels, Abbott Elementary became the little network show that could with its seven nominations, three for its creator and lead, Quinta Brunson. And Better Call Saul. Now with 46 total Emmy nominations and no wins over its marvelous six-season run, including finally a nomination for Rhea Seehorn. Would the show finally get the love it deserves?
The 74th Emmy Awards Program
Kenan Thompson hosted the show in the Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live. It had the Golden Globes vibe again with the nominees sitting at tables instead of theater-style seating. A few skits were performed at the bar with a special appearance by Moe from The Simpsons. There was a DJ instead of a band. Thompson led the opening song-and-dance number of memorable TV theme songs (Friends, Law & Order, Stranger Things, and Game of Thrones) augmented by club-house remixes. A few of his jokes drew the usual cringes but they were not too controversial overall. Netflix’s troubles took a couple of shots as did Showtime’s viewership. After wishing Zendaya a happy 26th birthday, he proclaimed that she was now too old to date Leonardo DiCaprio. He had to explain NBC and Peacock to certain demographics: “Now, if you’re over 50 years old, Peacock is NBC’s streaming service and if you’re under 20 years old, NBC is a network that used to show The Office.”
The presenters were the usual parade of Hollywood celebrities with a few bright spots. The Only Murders in the Building trio of Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez naturally displayed the chemistry that makes their show so charming (or so I’ve heard, as I don’t watch this). Selma Blair, suffering from multiple sclerosis, was a surprise last presenter whose presence was wholeheartedly acknowledged. The countdown clock once again became way too much of a talking point. Nary a winner didn’t start their acceptance speech with “oh my gosh, it’s already running” or “oh no, 10 seconds left” as they started rattling off names. This has become the annoyance of awards show.
The Awards: Predictable or Surprise Winners?
As predicted it was a big night for Succession, Ted Lasso, and The White Lotus. Succession won for Best Drama again, in addition to Writing and Best Supporting Actor (Matthew McFadden). Ted Lasso repeated as Best Comedy, as well as winning for Directing, Best Actor (Jason Sudeikis), and Best Supporting Actor (Brett Goldstein). The White Lotus won five awards: Best Limited Series, Writing, Directing, Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Coolidge), and Best Supporting Actor (Murray Bartlett). Julia Garner won again for playing the indomitable Ruth on Ozark, Zendaya prevailed again for Best Actress in Euphoria, as did Jean Smart for Hacks. Michael Keaton brought home the trophy as many predicted for Best Actor in a Limited Series (Dopesick). Amanda Seyfried seemed genuinely surprised when her name was called for Best Actress in a Limited Series (The Dropout).
Fortunately, Abbott Elementary and Squid Game delivered a few fun surprises. Quinta Brunson was heralded for Best Writing in her wonderful comedy about teachers in the Philadelphia school system. Sheryl Lee Ralph also won for Abbott as Best Supporting Actress and delivered the acceptance speech highlight of the night. She was clearly overwhelmed after winning for her first ever nomination. After gathering herself for a few moments she belted out a few lines from the song, “Endangered Species”: “I am an endangered species/But I sing no victim’s song/I am a woman I am an artist/And I know where my voice belongs.” If we didn’t know it at the time, we do now. She’s a Tony-nominated singer. The shocker of the night had to be Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae taking Best Actor in a Drama series. He became the first actor from a foreign-language show to win this award. Hwang Dong-hyuk also won for Directing the Squid Game series.
In other awards, for Best Variety Sketch series, SNL showed that it still matters in 2022 after 46 seasons (and still counting). John Oliver won its seventh consecutive Emmy for Best Variety Talk series. (This caused Jimmy Kimmel to “pass out” after drinking too many skinny margaritas and be dragged onto the stage by Will Arnett. Kimmel carried the joke through Quinta Brunson’s acceptance speech causing her to step over him to the microphone.) In the Competition category (reality-TV) Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls beat out previous multiple winners RuPaul’s Drag Race and my longtime favorite, The Amazing Race.
And Better Call Saul? Still shut out.
Trivia: In addition to be a writer, director, actor, and producer, Mike White competed on which two well-known reality TV competition programs?
Answer: The Amazing Race (two seasons) and Survivor, finishing as the runner-up.