74th Emmys in Quick Review: Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lee Jung Jae, Jennifer Coolidge and more...
Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 12:21PM by Nathaniel R
The 74th Emmys last night were a good time, don'cha think? Further proof that you dont really need a host (sorry Kenan Thompson!) just a lively crowd, memorable speeches, and good presenter bits. Herewith a quick list of the sky highs (and a couple of lows) of the evening.
And the winners too of course...
BEST MOMENT - SPEECH OF THE YEAR! / SPEECH OF THE DECADE ?
Much to my shock, my favourite performance in Abbott Elementary took the prize! All the buzz online had been with Janelle James (being the breakout character of the show) but Sheryl Lee Ralph had Hollywood history and decades of goodwill in her favor, plus a smart, funny, and charismatic performance. To top of the well deserved win, the best acceptance speech in ages, She kicked it off by singing her speech (!) about her own worth, subliminally reminding Hollywood that she was Tony nominated as the original lead of Dreamgirls on Broadway (the role of Deena that Beyoncé played in the movie 24 years later) and really could be an EGOT winner if Hollywood would get it together and properly worship her. As if that weren't enough she followed it up with a more traditional but still stupendous spoken word speech. And didn't bore anyone with a list of names. It was the most memorable moment of the show by such a margin that nothing even coming close as runner up!
OTHER FINE SPEECHES
Lizzo was genuinely moved and as funny as always as a winner with her voluminous dress being like its own character (turning other stars into supporting players to help with the train).
Michael Keaton was entertaining talking about falling in love with TV as a child.
And though Amanda Seyfried defaulted to a list of names (argh) she included her dog in the list which was quite adorable! How is this not a regular occurence? Who do people love as much as other humans? Their cats and dogs!
Jean Smart was memorable describing how surprised she's been by Hacks popularity (while also doing a fun aside to a gift basket she received from her rival Rachel Brosnahan.)
MOST LOVEABLE LOSER / ENTHUSIASTIC APPLAUSE-GIVER
Hannah Waddingham didn't repeat her win from last year like her Ted Lasso co-stars did but once again, proved a delicious presence in the room. She looked genuinely excited for all the winners, especially her cast-mates and Sheryl Lee Ralph who beat her (and who, like Hannah, was first an acclaimed musical theater performer).
RELATABLE REACTION MOMENT
Did you catch Melanie Lynskey's relief that she didn't win Best Actress? She didn't want to get up in front of the world for a speech!
MOST COMMITTED TO A PRESENTING BIT
Jimmy Kimmel being (literally) dragged onto the stage to "co-present" as if he'd passed out from drinking. And staying dead to the world thorugh the entire presentation was memorable. At first it was really funny. Whether or not he should have stayed that way through Quinta Brunson's acceptance speech is another issue entirely... but she made the best of it handing him her phone.
MOST CHAOTIC DUO
Who thought to pair Juliette Lewis with RuPaul and may we hug them?
WHY ARE CORNY JOKES SO LOVEABLE DURING AWARDS SHOWS?
I couldn't help but ponder this conundrum during the pairing of Mariska Hargitaya and Christopher Meloni "chasing" an Emmy thief in full glamour mode and their banter thereafter. Now there is a lot of questionable banter no matter the awards show but when it works it works, even when it's ridiculous like it was here.
I'M TORN. DECIDE FOR ME
Was the opening musical number a hit or a miss? The idea of famous theme songs morphing into dance breaks was quite amusing but then again... was it? Or did it just go on too long with the joke moments lost in the chaos? What'cha think?
COY THIRST TRAP
We were thrilled to see Jerrod Carmichael win for his brilliant confessional special Rothaniel. We were not expecting the huge white fur with no shirt underneath. And how did it read bashful and shy despite the display?
BEST DRESSED
Hmmm. So many great choices. Amanda Seyfried, Jean Smart, Sheryl Lee Ralph to the front of the line though probably. Who gets your vote?
HISTORY MADE
Lee Jung-jae became the first Asian man to win Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. (Asian representation has been very low at the Emmys, historically, in the acting categories. The only previous winners were Archie Panjabi in Drama Supporting Actress, and both Darren Criss and Riz Ahmed in Lead Actor Limited Series)
Zendaya became the first black actress to win twice in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category. (Viola Davis was the first to ever win this category just a handful of years prior with How to Get Away with Murder but she only took the prize for the first season)
BEST VIBES
So many deserving winners! But also...
LAZY VIBES
They really can't help themselves can they? No matter how much buzz new shows have the safest bet is ALWAYS to predict what won the year before. It can take the Television Academy a year or three to catch up with where the general buzz has gone. Even when you have new genuine mainstream, phenomenon buzz like Squid Game, Only Murders, and Abbott Elementary, it's stastically-suggested that the psyche of Hollywood is such that they have an extremely hard time letting go of whatever they loved the year before and will usually vote for it again.
We realize that your mileage may vary -- many readers here have expressed delight and non-stop wins for various shows -- but we think unless something is miles ahead of the competition its much better to spread the wealth. You really don't need 3 or more statues for the same performance! Not unless you are running circles around your competition (and there have been very few series or performances that have done that over the course of TV history)
WORST SPEECH
Accepting for Succession, a terrible joke about the Queen of England's death and King Charles succession. Not cool.
WORST SPEECH MOMENT BECAUSE OF "HOW DARE THEY!?!" INTERRUPTION
While the show was not without its sour notes here and there, one really stood out. Jennifer Coolidge's acceptance speech started off sublimely with her traditional "hello hiiii" bringing waves of joy and laughter. Then a memorably meandering bit about her lavender bath. But then the unthinkable. 'Mr stick man, HOW are you choosing Jennifer Coolidge of all people to play off?' Naturally then, flustered she pulled out a list of names which ruined the comedy. But then she saved it by dancing to the 'get off the stage' moment.
When will awards show producers ever learn that the audience for awards show tunes in primarily to see famous people and watch them lose or win and give speeches. THAT'S THE WHOLE REASON AWARDS SHOWS EXIST. There will never be a comic "bit" or a montage or really anything else that gives off as much entertainment high as a good acceptance speech.
WINNERS FROM THE 74TH PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS CEREMONY
COMEDY
Series - Ted Lasso (2nd consecutive win)
Direction - MJ Delaney, Ted Lasso "No Weddings and a Funeral"
Writing - Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary "Pilot"
Actress - Jean Smart, Hacks (2nd consecutive win)
Actor -Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso (2nd consecutive win)
Supporting Actress - Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary
Supporting Actor - Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso (2nd consecutive win)
DRAMA
Series - Succession (2nd win)
Direction -Hwang Dong-hyuk, Squid Game "Red Light, Green Light"
Writing - Jesse Armstrong, Succession "All the Bells Say" (3rd win)
Actress -Zendaya, Euphoria (2nd win)
Actor - Lee Jung-jae, Squid Game
Supporting Actress - Julia Garner, Ozark (3rd win)
Supporting Actor -Matthew McFadyen, Succession
LIMITED SERIES
Series - The White Lotus
Direction - Mike White, The White Lotus
Writing- Mike White, The White Lotus
Actress -Amanda Seyfried, The Dropout
Actor - Michael Keaton, Dopesick
Supporting Actress - Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus
Supporting Actor - Murray Bartlett, The White Lotus
MISCELLANIA
Variety Talk Series - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (7th consecutive win)
Writing Variety Series - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (7th consecutive win)
Variety Sketch Series - Saturday Night Live (6th consecutive win)
Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) - Adele: One Night Only
Variety Special (Live) - Superbowl LVI Halftime Show
Writing, Variety Special - Jerrod Carmichael, Rothaniel
Documentary or Non-Fiction Series - Beatles: Get Back
Documentary or Non-Fiction Special - George Carlin's American Dream
Reality Competition Program - Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls (breaking RuPaul Drag Race's winning streak after 4 consecutive years in this category)
Reader Comments (19)
Didn't care for the host, hated the DJ, but overall a good time. I did incredibly well with my predictions.
I don't like the tables. The nominees have a good time but we loose all the reaction shots. Andrew Garfield, Sebastian Stan and Oscar Isaac were there and we barely saw them.
Biggest takeaway - Matthew Macfadyen and Keeley Hawes are a couple.
People will always complain about an award shows, but I thought this was a pretty okay. I mean any award show which has Sheryl Lee Ralph winning AND delivering that speech is already an all-timer, in my opinion.
And even some of the wins that I wouldn't have done weren't egregiously bad save for perhaps that third win for Julia Garner. And I'm sorry but all of the Variety stuff -- if they keep just giving it to SNL and John Oliver -- should just be relegated to Creative Arts Emmy. And GOD, did we need to hear from Lorne Michaels over someone like Jennifer Coolidge?!
Melanie Lynskey's outfit was my favorite of the night. An awesome combo of actress and designer in a very lovely color. Wished people got to see it up on stage.
I am also very happy Ralph won, but I’m genuinely shocked. Some of the predictions I saw had her in last place! She seemed stunned at her win as well. But the fact that she in a matter of seconds overcame that and gave THAT great of a speech just proves how great she is as a performer. I can’t really complain about anything at the Emmys because the Emmy’s gave us and Ralph this moment.
Oh wow, well I guess different strokes for different folks… I really wanted Sheryl Lee Ralph to win (she’s the only thing I really like about Abbott), but I really hated the speech - I kind of wanted the ground to open up beneath me whilst I was watching it; I was cringing so hard. In the moment it kind of put me off the win I was previously willing her to achieve.
I absolutely loved Zendaya’s speech though - contagiously excited (so good to see her get this win “in the room” after her previous win at home), but also respectful of her fellow nominees, and nailing an understanding of how her character is a symbol. A shame for the must-have-been-close Lynskey though, and a real shame Linney is now never going to win that award for such a sustained powerhouse turn.
Yay for White Lotus triumphs too!
RobUK - I completely agree regarding Sheryl Lee Ralph's speech. She seemed very self-important.
Better Call Saul hasn't won a single Emmy award in 50+ nominations. Any plea for spreading the wealth should start there. Abbott Elementary and Squid Game both did just fine last night.
"We realize that your mileage may vary -- many readers here have expressed delight and non-stop wins for various shows -- but we think unless something is miles ahead of the competition its much better to spread the wealth. You really don't need 3 or more statues for the same performance! Not unless you are running circles around your competition (and there have been very few series or performances that have done that over the course of TV history)"
Except that whether someone is "running circles around the competition" is another instance where someone's mileage may vary, and yes, there are instances where a certain show or a certain performance is so consistently excellent that it feels right to reward them several times. Most people I talk to feel that way about Bryan Cranston's performance in Breaking Bad (which I know you, Nathaniel, are not a fan of), or in my case, David Hyde Pierce's performance in Frasier (I recently re-watched the whole show, he's so consistently hilarious and endearing, it's not fair). Even this year, I should in theory be against Zendaya winning another Emmy for Euphoria, but then I watch her in it, particularly her submitted episode, and yes, she runs circles around the competition!!! Julia Garner, to my taste, was in a much tighter race, but she's been so consistently the best part of Ozark and she submitted one of her most explosive episodes, so I can't really be mad about it.
That said, I also typically prefer first time winners, particularly surprise winners, and I also think Sheryl Lee Ralph is the best performer in a very strong cast. I also appreciated Matthew McFadyen's win (my standout from that lineup was Kieran Culkin, but McFadyen is equally enthralling).
I've been wrapped up with the Queen and King Charles. I forgot the Emmys were on. And like many, I get really tired of them repeating winners. Spread the wealth indeed.
@Peggy Sue, re Matthew and Keeley, you're kidding, right? They've been together for years, since their Spooks (MI-5) days.
As much as I enjoyed WHITE LOTUS, winning over DOPESICK? No way. I was fine with the acting awards for it though.
And zero awards for BETTER CALL SAUL? Are you freaking kidding me?
Super happy for Quinta as Writer and Sheryl as Supporting Actress. ABBOTT ELEMENTARY is such a sweet, fresh show.
Gawd, the repeat wins though proves the point that Academy voters DO NOT watch enough television.
Best moment - Selma Blair! Loved that they honored her that way, loved to see her glowing and happy and appreciated.
Best speeches - Sheryl Lee Ralph, Zendaya, Jean Smart, and I'd say Jesse Armstrong because I found his comments about the monarchy refreshing after the non-stop fawning over it on tv lately. That said, I really enjoyed Brian Cox interjecting "keep it royalist" too.
Best Dressed - A Euphoria pair - Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney. Although yeah, Jean Smart looked great.
Worst moment - What they did to Coolidge, obviously. Although what on Earth was up with the In Memoriam segment where we couldn't see anything 2/3rds of the time?
And, I'd love it if they'd drop hosts and and a lot of the banter from a lot of these shows, but I won't hold my breath for that to happen.
I thought Zendaya's first win was fun and fresh—the Emmys having a little HFPA moment, for once. A second win for that show/performance is really overkill, especially given the competition. Zendaya hasn't been the best dramatic actress on television (or close to it) once, much less twice.
I loved Sheryl Lee Ralph's speech.
I totally thought Lynskey was winning until they showed the 5-second clip of Zendaya screaming in a hotel room all coked out and I knew she was going to take it. Bummer.
Pam -- I'm with Peggy Sue -- i didn't know this either!
DK --- but she's awesome on Euphoria? (but yes, no need for a second win. There's almost never need for a second win)
Scott C -- i didn't catch what Sydney was wearing so i'll have to peruse the fashion blogs.
“You really don't need 3 or more statues for the same performance!”
I have been thinking about this.
Is it the same performance? When Jean Stapleton first won in 1971 as Edith Bunker on All in the Family in its first season, she was featured in an episode that essentially replaced Henry Fonda in 12 Angry Men with Edith. Veteran scribe and later creator of The Golden Girls Susan Harris wrote a single script for the hit show that deepened the character of Edith into a woman whose naïveté harbored compassion and common sense.
When Jean Stapleton won her third Emmy for All in the Family in 1978, Edith was grieving following the brutal murder of her dear friend Beverly LaSalle, a transvestite. Edith, always devout, now refused to go to church or pray. She lost her faith in God. I don’t think this fundamental shift can be defined as the same performance, and I most emphatically believe the third Emmy was deserved to bring a spotlight to the heinous crime of violence against members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Quick thoughts:
Coolidge cut off. Big mistake.
Kenan was a bore.
Kimmel knows better.
Ralph's speech rivals Sally Field's for pure gusto.
Bartlett--Emmy winner
Carmichael and Goldstein--masculine perfection
Queen Zendaya slays, making Lynskey's loss palatable.
Jean Smart--legend, and judging by the trailer for "Babylon," next year's supporting actress Oscar winner.
And, finally, "White Lotus" winning everything.
Quick thoughts:
Coolidge cut off. Big mistake.
Kenan was a bore.
Kimmel knows better.
Ralph's speech rivals Sally Field's for pure gusto.
Bartlett--Emmy winner
Carmichael and Goldstein--masculine perfection
Queen Zendaya slays, making Lynskey's loss palatable.
Jean Smart--legend, and judging by the trailer for "Babylon," next year's supporting actress Oscar winner.
And, finally, "White Lotus" winning everything.
So I'm mixed on repeat winners at the Emmys in general. I still harbour a grudge, not gonna lie, at how much people complained about Mad Men not winning acting emmys when it basically owned the show otherwise at a time when there were really great shows on TV. Especially since the Emmys can be late to great dramas/performances. Game of Thrones won best drama four times but for the last four seasons (which, okay - I love season five and six more than most.... but no.... just no). But I actually think it's more likely a great performance stays great than a great show stays at that level, which I know isn't universally agreed. Like I would give James Gandolfini four or five emmys easily, but I don't think I'd give The Sopranos as many and certainly not easily.
I'm so far behind on TV watching that I'm not even in the same universe anymore, alas, but I also think that they overnominate basically everything they love, so it adds to the sameness even when the awards aren't that repetitive.
Very excited that Sheryl Lee Ralph was the winner. While I had an inkling that she was a much stronger contender than thought, it was especially great to see her triumph. Part of the fun of the emmys is seeing character actors/non-movie stars rewarded. She brought such pathos, and humor, to Abbot, that it's impossible to think that the show could work without her.
I disagree about spreading the wealth. Sometimes, actors and shows deserve multiple wins. I don't even think they need to top themselves to do so, they just need to be more appealing/better than the competititon. I was fine with Mad Men's first four wins because, even when it was tight, it was mostly deserving. At the same time, that means the Good Wife season 2 went unrewarded which is a shame. I also say that, even though I was have preferred someone other than Julia Garner to win. But, multiple wins also means that someone like Jean Smart gets to be rightfully rewarded for doing hilarious, and truly deep character work.
I have to imagine the Comedy series race was close.
The White Lotus sweep was impressive, and I hope it means that networks and, really, streaming services, won't be afraid to release strong content during summer/other times. There was a big trend this year of streamers releasing their emmy plays in November/December and May to get awards attention. If it's quality, and has the right buzz, the TV academy will reward it.
I was unprepared for Sheryl Lee Ralph to go from stunned shock to supreme confidence once she started to sing, but I was also unaware of the historical importance of that moment, and I suspect most of you were as well.
Jackée Harry sent a congratulatory tweet thread here. Worth the read. She points out that she was the first African-American to win that Emmy category (Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series) and that she had to wait 35 years for Sheryl Lee Ralph to become the second.
And it's not like there were a lot of black nominees in 74 years of this category. Apologies if I missed anyone:
Claudia McNeil, The Nurses (a drama, as the category was not yet genre-specific)
Marla Gibbs, The Jeffersons (5 nominations)
Paula Kelly, Night Court
Lisa Bonet, The Cosby Show
Keshia Knight Pulliam, The Cosby Show
Alfre Woodard, Desperate Housewives
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty (3 nominations)
Niecy Nash, Getting On (2 nominations)
Leslie Jones, SNL (2 nominations)
Zazie Beetz, Atlanta
Yvonne Orji, Insecure
Janelle James, Abbott Elementary
Sarah Niles, Ted Lasso
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