There Were A Few Surprises And Record-Breakers In An Otherwise Pretty Predictable Emmy Awards Ceremony

I watched the 73rd Annual Primetime Emmys last night, and because I live on the east coast, I went to bed immediately after the final award was presented at too-late-for-me-o’clock. And it should be no surprise that I had the weirdest dream last night about a member of the royal family-turned-soccer coach that looked like Kate Winslet and sounded like John Oliver, who for some reason really wanted me to learn how to play chess with their best friend, Cedric the Entertainer. The Emmys last night kind of felt like déjà vu happening in real-time. Oh look, Ted Lasso won another award! The Crown is cleaning up! But there were some moments that felt right, like the formerly snubbed Michaela Coel taking home the award for Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, for the incredible I May Destroy You. But other than that, and a few fun surprises, there was a whole lot of Cheerful Soccer Coach and 1980’s-era British Queen Having Problems With Her Son’s Messy Marriage.

When the nominations for the 73rd Emmy Awards were announced back in July, they were swept by The Crown, and The Mandalorian. I hoped in my heart that Baby Yoda would finally get the spotlight he deserves while accepting an award, but no! Baby Yoda took home nothing. Another series starring a beloved saucer-eyed creature nabbed several golden trophies last night instead. I’m of course talking about The Queen’s Gambit (and its star, Baby Chess Girl – I mean, Anya Taylor-Joy). Or are you more of a fan of salty, vape-puffing Pennsylvania detectives? Then you were likely thrilled that Mare of Easttown took home awards for Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (Kate Winslet), Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (Julianne Nicholson), and Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (Evan Peters). All in all, The Crown received the most wins (7), followed by Ted Lasso (4), then Hacks and Mare (both with 3), and The Queen’s Gambit tying with Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (both with 2 wins).

Hacks won one of the awards that I’m sure the internet was really hoping it would win, which was Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, which went to Jean Smart. Here are some of their acceptance speeches below, like Kate Winslet forgetting to thank the unsung hero of the Mare of Easttown production: Wawa.

There was a bit of a common theme with last night’s acting category winners, and let’s just say, the connecting branch between them all is that they’re probably big users of high-number SPF. After the acting awards had been presented last night, the hashtag #EmmysSoWhite began trending on Twitter, because well, every acting award went to a white actor. Which was a change from last year, where a record number of Black actors took home awards. This year, a record was broken by a Black performer, but it was one we all probably could have predicted.

RuPaul made herstory last night when RuPaul’s Drag Race won Outstanding Reality/Competition Program. Last year, Ru broke a record by winning five consecutive Emmy awards for Reality/Competition Host. Now, with eleven Emmy Awards, RuPaul is the most awarded Black recipient in history, beating a record previously set by cinematographer Donald A. Morgan. Naturally, Ru brought Michelle Visage to the stage to accept that 11th award, as well as Season 13 stars Symone, in a look that says I Dream of Not-Low Blood Sugar, and Gottmik, looking like the Hellraiser universe’s version of Jolene.

Here are all the winners from last night’s show! And a big shout out to Ewan McGregor who took home the award for Leading Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, and had me thinking, “Oh yeah, Halston was nominated!”

Drama Series
The Crown

Comedy Series
Ted Lasso

Limited or Anthology Series
The Queen’s Gambit

Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Josh O’Connor, The Crown

Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Olivia Colman, The Crown

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Jean Smart, Hacks

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Tobias Menzies, The Crown

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Gillian Anderson, The Crown

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso

Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Ewan McGregor, Halston

Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Kate Winslet, Mare Of Easttown

Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Evan Peters, Mare Of Easttown

Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Julianne Nicholson, Mare Of Easttown

Directing for a Drama Series
The Crown

Directing for a Comedy Series
Hacks

Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
The Queen’s Gambit

Writing for a Drama Series
The Crown

Writing for a Comedy Series
Hacks

Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
I May Destroy You

Writing for a Variety Series
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

Variety Sketch Series
Saturday Night Live

Variety Talk Series
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

Variety Special Live
Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020: Democracy’s Last Stand Building Back America Great Again Better 2020

Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
Hamilton

Competition Program
RuPaul’s Drag Race

Pic: CBS