HBO’s “The Pitt,” a tense hospital drama, and Apple TV+’s “The Studio,” a madcap satire of recent Hollywood, nabbed high honors on the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday evening. The three-hour ceremony was hosted by first-time emcee Nate Bargatze, a low-key slapstick comedian who largely steered away from political headlines.
Right here’s what you might want to learn about how the evening unfolded:
‘SNL’ stars be part of Bargatze for opening sketch
“Saturday Night time Stay” solid members James Austin Johnson, Mikey Day and Bowen Yang joined Bargatze for a chilly open skewering the trendy tv panorama. Bargatze, wearing a white lab coat, portrayed Philo T. Farnsworth, the inventor who developed the primary all-electronic tv system. The setting was historic, however the gags had been up to date.
Within the sketch, Bargatze’s Farnsworth envisioned a brand new televisual medium referred to as streaming — “a brand new manner for these corporations to lose cash.” Requested by an underling whether or not there’ll sooner or later be a community for white individuals, Farnsworth stated sure: CBS. (The community initialism really stands for Columbia Broadcasting System.)
Stephen Colbert riffs on cancellation, then wins
Stephen Colbert took the stage at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater to introduce the nominees for finest actor in a comedy collection. However first, he addressed the elephant within the room: CBS’ choice to take his late-night showcase the air. “Whereas I’ve your consideration, is anybody hiring? As a result of I’ve bought 200 very well-qualified candidates right here with me tonight, who can be accessible in June,” Colbert stated.
CBS introduced in July that “The Late Present with Stephen Colbert” would finish in 2026, after greater than a decade on the air. The information got here as CBS’ mum or dad firm, Paramount, ready to finish a blockbuster merger with Skydance — and confronted scrutiny from the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Fee.
Colbert returned to the stage hours later to simply accept the Emmy for excellent speak collection.
“Typically, you solely know the way a lot you like one thing while you get a way you may be shedding it. … I’ve by no means liked my nation extra desperately. God bless America. Keep robust and be courageous, and if the elevator tries to carry you down, go loopy and punch a better ground,” Colbert stated to thunderous applause.
‘Severance’ actor Tramell Tillman makes historical past
Tramell Tillman made historical past as the primary Black man to triumph in the perfect supporting actor in a drama collection class. Tillman, who stars on “Severance” as company enforcer Seth Milchick, riveted the viewers together with his acceptance speech. He paid tribute to his “first performing coach” — his mom, who was seated within the auditorium. He then quoted her recommendation to him.
“You keep in mind what you need to keep in mind. You find time for what you need to make for. Do the work. Present up. And most significantly, for the love of God, don’t embarrass me in public,” Tillman stated. (He devoted his award to his mother.)
Hannah Einbinder and others advocate for Gaza ceasefire
“Hacks” star Hannah Einbinder, accepting the Emmy for finest supporting actress in a comedy collection and carrying a purple “Artists4Ceasefire” pin, closed her speech with two phrases: “Free Palestine.” She was not the one attendee who advocated for Palestinian rights and an finish to the battle in Gaza.
Meg Stalter, one in every of Einbinder’s “Hacks” co-stars, carried a handbag that stated “CEASEFIRE!” Javier Bardem, star of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” wore a keffiyeh and informed a reporter on the purple carpet that he would “not work” with any leisure firm that “justifies or helps the genocide” — echoing a pledge he has made with others within the trade.
Tv Academy chair sticks up for PBS
Cris Abrego, the chairman of the Tv Academy, the group that oversees the Emmy Awards, drew cheers and applause with remarks that centered partially on the Company for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the nonprofit group that lately misplaced all federal funding after which introduced it could shut down.
The CPB distributed funding to PBS and NPR stations nationwide, turning it into what Abrego characterised as “the spine of American public media.” He talked about the famed PBS collection “Sesame Road” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” then blasted lawmakers.
“Congress voted to defund” the CPB, Abrego stated to loud boos, “and silence one more cultural establishment.”
He added: “That’s a reminder simply how a lot our work right here issues, particularly proper now. In a time when division dominates the headlines, storytelling nonetheless has the ability to unite us.”
Malcolm-Jamal Warner remembered
“The Cosby Present” star Phylicia Rashad opened the annual In Memoriam video package deal with a tribute to her former co-star Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the Emmy-nominated actor who drowned on July 20. “He stays in our hearts,” Rashad stated.
