The 76th Primetime Emmys were held on Sept. 15 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Eugene and Dan Levy hosted the award show and became the first father-son duo to co-host; they also won Emmys together in 2020. This is the second Primetime Emmy Awards show of 2024 because the Writers Guild and Actors strikes delayed the 75th show from Sept. 2023 to Jan. 2024. The awards show was filled with achievements and surprises. Like incumbent members of Congress, predicting the Emmys should be easy when shows continue airing new seasons to garner nominations. This phenomenon would establish precedents for expected winners each year and bring a betting man payday. While there is always a break in the chain, there are also losers that receive critical acclaim and large fan bases left empty handed. This year’s awards show was no exception.
Shōgun won a total of 18 Emmys — a new record for most wins from a show’s single season. Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai became the first Japanese actors to win in their respective categories for a drama series. Frederick E.O. Toye won an award for directing as well. Furthermore, Billy Crudup of The Morning Show and Elizabeth Debicki of The Crown represented the supporting actor and actress awards, and Slow Horses won for writing for a drama to screenwriter Will Smith (not the one you are thinking). He even alluded to the other Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars when he joked, “Despite my name, I come in peace.”
In a surprising twist, Hacks won Outstanding Comedy Series against the favored show and last time’s winner The Bear, but the latter made Emmy history. In addition to 23 nominations in the comedy category, The Bear set a new record with 11 wins in a single season. It also dominated the acting category with Jeremy Allen White, Liza Colón-Zayas and Ebon Moss-Bachrach winning. Liza Colón-Zayas became the first Latina to win supporting actress — coincidentally on the first day of National Hispanic Heritage Month. The Bear narrowly missed a clean sweep in acting when Hacks star Jean Smart won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She stated, “I really appreciate this because I just don’t get enough attention.” The Bear won for directing but lost to Hacks for writing. With the third season of The Bear eligible for next year’s awards, there’s room for redemption. Though I would prefer if Only Murders in the Building could finally win any category.
Netflix’s Baby Reindeer dominated the limited or anthology series categories, and creator Richard Gadd nabbed trophies for lead actor and writing. Gadd’s co-star Jessica Gunning also won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. Jodie Foster won her first Emmy for True Detective: Night Country; same for first-time nominee Lamorne Morris for Fargo.
After five past wins, RuPaul’s Drag Race lost the Outstanding Reality Competition Program category to The Traitors. The loss sparked the cast of the former show to walk out after the announcement. That was not the only controversial and awkward moment from the ceremony. Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jessica Gunning were played off during their acceptance speeches. The worst of this instance occurred when John Oliver accepted the award for Scripted Variety Series. As he eulogized his dog, orchestral music cut him off and he responded, “Perfect choice of music.” He continued and when the music played, he retaliated, “F — you! There you go.” “This isn’t just for her. This is for all dogs,” he continued while the audience clapped. “All dogs, you are all very good girls. You are very good boys. You all deserve a treat. Play me off now! Thanks so much.” Executive producer Dionne Harmon later regretted this decision saying, “We had no idea that the dog that he was talking about had passed away. If you look back, you’ll notice that we turned the music down the moment he said the dog had passed. We didn’t know!”
Several anniversaries of television shows of yesteryears were commemorated with reunions. Ron Howard and Henry Winkler reunited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Happy Days and appeared on a recreated set of Arnold’s Drive-In. The West Wing stars Allison Janney, Martin Sheen, Dulé Hill, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff and Jimmy Smits appeared in an Oval Office set to celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary. Janey and Schiff urged audience members to vote in the 2024 presidential election. While the biggest event is less than two months away, television’s biggest night concluded.
