Here's Everything You Might Have Missed At The 75th Emmy Awards

Again, such a great show — but not really a comedy! As I said earlier: Just because it happens to be a half-hour show does not make it a comedy! Award bodies really need to rethink this.

I love this cast so much. It’s great to see them trading off who gives the acceptance speech. At the Globes, it was Lionel Boyce, at the Critics Choice Awards, it was Liza Colon-Zayas and tonight it’s Matty Matheson, who plays Fak and is also a chef in real life, which is a nice way to recognize how the show honors restaurant workers and the restaurant industry. — Marina

Yes! It’s such a nice touch to see different cast members get to make a speech. — Erin

This is cute. It also reminds me that Tracee Ellis Ross was once on a show called “Lyricist Lounge Show.” She was SOOOOOO funny on that show, and I feel like no one remembers it? It was only on for one season in 2000. I wonder if it’s streaming anywhere and if I’d actually think it’s funny now? LOL. — Erin

Wait, why don’t I know about “Lyricist Lounge”??? But I absolutely love how much “I Love Lucy” has thrived for the past seven decades! And that most any comedic actor working today owes such a debt to the show — in particular to the late, great Lucille Ball. Tracee Ellis Ross and Natasha Lyonne were, unsurprisingly, fabulous. And they paid homage to one of the show’s most iconic episodes, 1952’s “Job Switching.” And they nailed it, chaotically, but nailed it nonetheless! — Candice

Sarah Snook nabbed the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (right after her co-star Kieran Culkin won for lead actor). In her speech, she shouted out her first child with husband Dave Lawson, whom she was pregnant with during the final season of “Succession.” Her character, Shiv, was also pregnant in the TV series. “The proximity of her life growing inside me gave me the strength to do this,” she said. Beautiful. — Erin

The way she announced the birth of her daughter was so baller: The morning after the “Succession” series finale, she posted a photo on Instagram of her holding her baby, with the episode on her TV screen in the background. Part of the caption: “I just watched the final episode of the final season of something that has changed my life. And now, my life has changed again.” Beautiful.

I also love how the “Succession” writers wrote her pregnancy into the show because it raised the stakes for Shiv and Tom’s messy (to say the least) marriage.

Yes, “Succession” was so obviously going to dominate tonight, but I’m nevertheless so happy to see all of this recognition. They so deserve this victory lap. — Marina

As expected, “Beef” took home nearly all the awards in the limited series categories, including Outstanding Limited Series, and Ali Wong and Steven Yeun each won in their acting categories. I don’t have much more to say about this, other than that “Beef” is great, and Wong's, Yeun's and creator Lee Sung Jin’s speeches were all lovely. — Marina

Agree. I started to write a post about the actors winning, and I couldn’t even think of much more to say other than this is a great show. — Erin

This is minor, but I also enjoyed how proud Bill Hader was! — Marina

Again I say, I’m here for the #BeefSweep — Candice

Ellen Pompeo, Justin Chambers, Katherine Heigl, Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr.!!!!!! — Erin

Erin, this is our moment.

“Code blue! Not my baby!” is a very spot-on imitation of basically every episode of “Grey’s.”

I am so impressed this reunion came together, especially since Katherine Heigl and Justin Chambers each left the show under some abrupt circumstances.

Also, lol at Chandra Wilson noting all of the calamities that have befallen the characters of the show: plane crashes, bombs, the pandemic, etc. — Marina

Marina, several times over the weekend I was going to text you about this “Grey’s” reunion. But only to speculate if there was going to be some kind of announcement about the show’s fate. (I’m staunchly on team "It’s time to end it.") I love seeing this reunion, but I really wish George O’Malley (T.R. Knight) was up there. — Erin

Yes! And Sandra Oh, but I get why she wouldn’t want to do it.

Twentieth season. Good lord. — Marina

Right! And we are still riding till the wheels fall off. — Erin

OK, so I fell off this show too many years ago, only because I got overwhelmed with other TV. This cast and show are so funny, sharp and unapologetic and have ridden through the “woke” culture wave. I am just so happy to see it still standing — and this very hilarious cast do their whole bit tonight. — Candice

"Last Week Tonight" won for Outstanding Scripted Variety Series.

The “Last Week Tonight” writers gave a nice shoutout to their union, the Writers Guild of America, after their groundbreaking strike last year. (Here’s where we note that the unionized staff of HuffPost are also fellow WGA members.) — Marina

Loved this quote from RuPaul’s speech, noting the context of the right-wing crackdown on drag queen story hours amid an insidious wave of anti-trans legislation across the country. “Listen, if a drag queen wants to read you a story at a library, listen to her because knowledge is power. And if someone tries to restrict your access to power, they are trying to scare you. So listen to a drag queen!” — Marina

Absolutely love that RuPaul dedicated some time to shout this out. — Candice

“I’m a winner, baby!" I’m so happy for Niecy Nash-Betts. She was incredible as Glenda Cleveland in “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” Cleveland, who was Jeffrey Dahmer’s neighbor, tried to alert police about Dahmer several times, but they never listened. Nash-Betts’ performance was so stirring.

“I accept this award on behalf of every Black woman who has gone unheard yet overpoliced like Glenda Cleveland, like Sandra Bland, like Breonna Taylor. As an artist, my job is to speak truth to power and baby, I’m gonna do it till the day I die. Mama, I won!” YES, NIECY! — Erin

Such a well-deserved standing ovation too.

“I want to thank me, for believing in me.” Instantly legendary. — Marina

I need that quote on my tombstone. I also need to finish “Dahmer” because I totally forgot to do so. I liked the first episode! — Candice

OK, this was cute. John Oliver won for Outstanding Scripted Variety Series for “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver.” He actually kinda begged for Anthony Anderson’s mom, Doris Hancox, to kick him off the stage. — Erin

I chuckled. I know we were saying earlier about this bit potentially getting old. But so far, so good. I hope she is having a good time. — Marina

Did he say “I’d like to thank Jesus and my parents” and then bounced?? HILARIOUS! — Candice

Look, I love both of them so much, and I adore “The Bear.” But I still don’t really get the show being classified as a comedy. Just because it happens to be a half-hour show does not make it a comedy! We really gotta rethink this. (This also applies to “Barry.” Incredible television, but not a lot of laughs in either of these shows!) — Marina

Still very dumbfounded by this as well, Marina! Also: Tyler James Williams is on an actual sitcom/comedy series (“Abbott Elementary”) and should have won here. But Bachrach is also so great on “The Bear,” the most dramatic comedy series ever. — Candice

I’m loving these old sets popping up on my TV tonight. I love that Carl Anthony Payne II was definitely in his character Cole in this. Cole was always lost in the sauce on “Martin.” I can tell this cast had a lot of fun with this. “I'm just excited to be here on the Emmy stage with the tremendous cast of the ‘Martin’ show,” Martin Lawrence said ahead of announcing the nominees for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

I love that they did a whole bit! I hope more TV reunions do this. But also, while we’re here, am I the only one who watched the BET+ “Martin” reunion in 2022? Because there was a lot more of this and, like, a lot of awkward moments, too. Anyway, seeing them all here reminded me of… that whole thing. Also, they’re damned right they more than earned a plethora of Emmy nominations (and wins)! — Candice

Candice, you know I immediately thought of this special. It was definitely giving that same vibe. — Erin

Right?! Thank you so much for validating me. I feel like you and I are the only ones who watched that. — Candice

As expected, Matthew Macfadyen, aka new Waystar Royco CEO Tom Wambsgans, won his second consecutive Emmy. I love that he thanked both his on-screen wife, Sarah Snook, and his “other wife,” Nicholas Braun, aka Cousin Greg (as well as his actual wife, fellow actor Keeley Hawes). Tom is continuing to get the last laugh. — Marina

While presenting, “The Last of Us” star Pedro Pascal joked about his broken arm, which has become his red carpet accessory lately. He jokingly claimed “Succession” star Kieran Culkin injured him (using some bleeped-out words), which is a nod to Culkin jokingly saying: “Suck it, Pedro!” at last week’s Golden Globes. — Marina

I would like to know what was bleeped! I would like to laugh, too! — Candice

This also reminds me that I would watch the two of them in a comedy. — Marina

I would like to see Pedro Pascal in more comedy, period. And I say this as someone who loves his dramatic performances very much — Candice

In her win for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Jennifer Coolidge confirms that she is actually dead in the popular HBO series “The White Lotus.” But then right in the middle of her speech, Anderson’s mom, who is on “your time is up, so wrap it up” duty tonight, stood up to get her to hurry off stage. It was kinda funny, but I hope it only happens with people like Jennifer Coolidge who won’t take it so seriously. ‘Cause that could get not-so-funny quite fast.

HBO’s “The Sopranos” recently turned 25, so Anthony Anderson just did a little nod to Tony Soprano in Dr. Melfi’s office.

And now, here’s Dr. Melfi herself, Lorraine Bracco, presenting with co-star Michael Imperioli.

I’m really looking forward to these tributes and reunions tonight. I think they could add some variety to the show. — Marina

I love the idea of TV anniversaries. “The Sopranos” has such a sprawling, phenomenal cast that to see only Bracco and Imperioli there is a tad disappointing, but I’m happy to see the celebration anyway! — Candice

Quinta! She wins Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. — Erin

“Probably the Carol Burnett of it all…” was so cute for Quinta Brunson to say in between fighting back tears. Love to see the generational love for a comedy icon from a comedy genius of her own time. And I love that an actually hilarious performance won best comedic actress. Loved everything about her win. — Candice

So thrilled for Quinta. At last year’s Emmys, one of the disappointments was not enough recognition for her and “Abbott,” so I’m glad we’re already off to a great start tonight. — Marina

Ayo Edebiri wins Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. No surprise here, but I’m still so so happy for Ayo Edebiri. Her frazzled energy is so perfect on this show. — Erin

I love her nervous humor in her acceptance speeches. — Candice

I was holding back tears as Christina Applegate made her way to the microphone. She shared her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2021. Her jokes at the top literally made me scream. What an icon. I’ve loved her ever since she was Kelly Bundy on “Married … With Children.” — Erin

I love that they played some of the “Married…With Children” theme song. And I love that Anthony Anderson’s monologue had some of the classic TV theme songs, like “Good Times,” too. Bring back great theme songs!

And I love to see Christina Applegate get the ovation she deserves! — Candice

One highlight from the red carpet pre-shows so far: “Jury Duty” star (or really, the hero of the show) Ronald Gladden said of all the big names tonight, he’s most looking forward to meeting “Barry” star and creator Bill Hader.

Also, I should note he is looking very spiffy in his green velvet suit. If you have not seen “Jury Duty” yet, you absolutely must. When it was nominated, my first thought was that I was so thrilled Ronald would get to go to the Emmys, and now he’s here! — Marina

I'd be shocked if "Succession," "The Bear" and "Beef" didn't dominate tonight, as they did at last week's Golden Globes and last night’s Critics Choice Awards. And I'm not mad about that. They were easily three of the best and buzziest shows of 2023, and each of them demonstrated different forms of bold, inventive and breathtakingly brilliant television.

One thing to keep in mind about these Emmys: They're kind of like a weird time capsule because they were voted on last summer. Although the Screen Actors Guild and Writers Guild of America strikes meant the ceremony was delayed, the voting for these awards still happened at their original time. The nominations were announced in July, and Emmy voters turned in their ballots after that.

Also, these nominated shows had to air between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023, so some of them aired a year and a half ago — which might as well have been five years ago, honestly. The most recent shows that are nominated tonight are series like “Succession,” whose glorious finale aired on Memorial Day weekend. That’s recent compared with some other nominees, but still, it was almost seven months ago!
And keep in mind that because of this timeline, some of the winners will not be winning for their most recent seasons. For instance, if and when "The Bear" wins, it will be for its first season, not its second, which aired in June 2023, just after the eligibility period (but a convenient strategy for creating some recency bias for voters). Confusing, right? — Marina

OMG, I forgot that this is for the first season of “The Bear.” You’re right, Marina, I know all night I’m going to be saying: What is time??? Another series that feels weird to still be talking about is “Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” It was released in September 2022, which feels like eons ago. FWIW, Niecy Nash-Betts was incredible in the series. If “The Bear,” “Beef” and “Succession” dominate, I won’t be mad at all. I’d also love to see a win for “The Last of Us,” which really surprised me. Sometimes it can be hard for me to watch end-of-the-world shows or films (ahem, “Leave the World Behind”), but I thought “The Last of Us” was so well done. — Erin

I know, Erin! I think in any other year, “The Last of Us” would be really dominant in all of these awards. But obviously, that final season of “Succession” was nothing short of spectacular and unforgettable television, and the Roys deserve their victory lap. The good thing is we’re getting more of “The Last of Us,” so they’ll get their due eventually, I’m sure. — Marina

I feel like genre series like “The Last of Us” are rarely honored among award committees, so I’m not surprised to see “The Last of Us” not run away with trophies. It’s rightly been nominated for the performances, which I think are its strongest aspect, but not enough committees take this kind of fare seriously. — Candice

Spotted on the red carpet: Khalid Abdalla, who plays Dodi Fayed on “The Crown,” has written “never again” on his palm and is holding it up in his red carpet photos. Abdalla, who has called for a cease-fire in Gaza, is among the few stars to use award season to draw attention to atrocities in Gaza. At last week's Golden Globes and last night's Critics Choice Awards, he wore a white dove pin, which he's also wearing tonight. — Marina