By Walker Polivka, Contributing Writer
The 68th Primetime Emmy Awards started off with a bang with a wonderful comedy bit by Jimmy Kimmel and friends. In the bit, Jimmy is going to be late for the Emmys and tries to find a ride. From singing carpool karaoke to Wake Me Up Before You Go Go with James Corden, learning how to run a clean campaign with Jeb Bush, or praying for a ride to the ‘god’ Oprah, he strives to make it to the Emmy Awards on time. He ends up hitching a ride to the Emmys on a dragon to make his hosting gig on time.
Jimmy’s monologue and jokes throughout the night burned any celebrity and no one was safe. He told everyone that if they weren’t on a show involving dragons or a white bronco, then they might as well leave. He told all nominees that if they want to win, they need to sit by Marcia Clark, the prosecuting attorney who failed to convict O. J. Simpson during his high profile trial in 1996. He also stated that Miley Cyrus will be Trump’s first nominee for the Supreme Court Justice position.
He poked jest at Maggie Smith, who has won three Emmys and not shown up to accept them. He wanted a clause written where the winner needs to be present or the award goes to someone else. He lastly stated that he wants to ‘make the Emmys great again.’ During the show, he made a joke about Bill Cosby being a presenter, just to see how people would react. When The People vs. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story won multiple awards over the duration of the night, Jimmy wondered aloud if O. J. had a viewing party in prison. He also brought up that O. J. Simpson’s attorney was smiling up at us when the actor who portrayed him won.
Overall, The People vs O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story was the biggest winner of the night, nabbing 5 Emmys. The show won: D. V. Devincentes for Outstanding Writing in a Limited Movie or TV Series, Sterling K. Brown for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, Sarah Paulson for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, Courtney B. Vance for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Movie or Series, and the show itself for Outstanding Limited Series.
Another show that cleaned up was Transparent, which garnered two Emmys, one for Jill Soloway for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series and for Jeffery Tambor, for the second straight year, for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Tambor took the stage and pleaded with with Hollywood to become more accepting of transgender actors and to give them and their story a chance.
SNL won multiple awards, with Kate McKinnon winning Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and Amy Phoeler and Tina Fey winning Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. Kate was very emotional when receiving her Emmy, but managed to thank Ellen Degeneres and Hilary Clinton, the two women she portrayed on the show that truly launched her career to stardom. Tina and Amy are the first women to ever share the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.
Veep, a political comedy won multiple Emmys as well, with Julia Louis-Dreyfus winning Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series for the 5th consecutive year, while the show itself won Outstanding Comedy Series. Julia was very emotional during her speech, whom she dedicated to her father, who passed away two days before the ceremony.
The other impressive haul of the night went to Game of Thrones, which won three Emmys. It won with David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, with Miguel Sapochnik for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series, and the show itself for Outstanding Drama Series.
Louie Anderson won Outstanding Supporting actor in a Comedy Series for his work on Baskets. He dedicated the win to his mother, who inspired his role on the show. Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang won Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for their work on Masters of None. Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series went to the legendary Peter Scolari for his work on Girls.
Regina King won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her work on American Crime. Susanne Bier won Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special for her work on The Night Manager. Sherlock: The Abominable Bride won Outstanding TV Movie.
The Voice won Outstanding Reality Competition. Patton Oswalt won his first Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Variety Series for Patton Oswalt: Talking While Clapping. He dedicated the award to his daughter and late wife, who passed away unexpectedly this year. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver won for Outstanding Variety Talk Series and when he was done accepting the award, he asked to be played off the stage.
Thomas Kail and Alex Rudzinski won Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series for their work on Grease: Live. Key & Peele won for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series. Hank Azaria won for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work on Ray Donovan, while Margo Martindale won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her work on The Americans.
Maggie Smith won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Downton Abbey. When she wasn’t there to accept, Jimmy Kimmel had a fit and jokingly asked the award be taken away from her. Ben Mendelsohn won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work on Bloodline. Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series went to Rami Malek for his work on Mr. Robot. Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series went to Tatiana Maslany for her work on Orphan Black.
This year’s Emmy awards were a major success, some hailing them the best in many years. Hopefully, the a award show can keep that trend going next year and continue to blow us away.
