76th Annual Emmy Awards: Every Viral Moment of the Night

The 76th Annual Emmy Awards are going down just eight months after the last ceremony, which was pushed to January following delays from the Hollywood Strike. Going into this year's telecast, both The Bear and Shōgun were expected to dominate the competition -- meaning it's probably going to be a very good night for FX. That said, things didn't sweep exactly to expectation! Hosted by Eugene Levy and son Dan Levy, this year's event was guaranteed to include a few shocks, surprises and unscripted moments, along with plenty of laughs. Check out all the highlights below! After an opening monologue from the hosts, Selena Gomez, Martin Short and Steve Martin hit the stage to present Supporting Actor In a Comedy to The Bear's Ebon Moss-Bachrach ... and it didn't take long for everyone watching to start saying the exact same thing online. The trio's chemistry really shone through as they both celebrated and poked fun at each other with perfectly-timed jokes -- including one where Martin compared Short to a "former tennis women's champion." On X, the consensus was clear: Have them host an award show together, stat! The Bear won three of the first four awards of the night, taking home Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Actor in a Comedy Series right off the bat. While it fell short for Best Comedy Series in perhaps the biggest surprise of the night, it was still a fantastic night for the unlikely comedy. Stars Ebon Moss-Bacharach, Jeremy Allen White and Liza Colon-Zayas started the show's early streak, after already sweeping at the Creative Arts Emmys last month. All three thanked their costars and family, with Colon-Zayas saying she ignored a suggestion from husband David Zayas -- who also played her husband on the show -- to write a speech beforehand. Becoming the first Latina actress to win in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category ever, she told all the Latinas watching, "Keep believing and vote, vote for your rights." Taking the stage to give out the award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, Candace Bergen took a moment to reflect on Murphy Brown's legacy. After sharing how much of an honor it was to play the titular role, she recalled how her character was attacked by Vice President Dan Quayle for deciding to have a child and raise it on her own after becoming pregnant. "Today a Republican candidate for Vice President would never attack a woman for having kids. So as I would say, my work here is done," she quipped, before adding, "Meow!" That, of course, was a reference to JD Vance's "childless cat lady" comments. Billy Crudup won Best Supporting Actor in a Drama for his work in The Morning Show -- and immediately took the opportunity to call out his wife, Naomi Watts. "I'm happy to be here with my piece of eye candy there, my wife, who also happens to be an immigrant," he said of his Australian other half, "and also gave a searing performance this year for which she's nominated, and she starts businesses too, so nice to be by her side," he began his speech, before going on to thank the show's cast and crew. It's the Naomi moment, however, that had viewers swooning. While accepting her trophy for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, Hacks star Jean Smart took a moment to poke fun at the streaming wars. "This is humbling, it really is. I appreciate this because I don't get enough attention. I'm serious," she began her speech, before thanking Casey Bloys and Sarah Aubrey and "and everybody at HBO," before catching herself.  "... Max," she added, "I'm sorry. Just what we needed, another network!" What was initially HBO Max, a streamer for HBO, was later re-named as just Max, prompting some confusion ... even among those with shows on it, apparently! For the Supporting Actress - Limited or Anthology Series or Movie category, we were treated to three of the screen's most iconic villains, starting with the woman who scared the cockadoodie out of an entire generation -- on her way to an Oscar -- Kathy Bates. The forthcoming Matlock star was joined by Breaking Bad legend Giancarlo Esposito and The Boys' Antony Starr, all who know a thing or three about villains so deliciously evil we kind of love them all the same. But it's not always easy breaking bad on the screen. "You know how hard it was to get a date after Misery?" Bates asked. Esposito lamented that he couldn't even enjoy a quiet dinner without "drug dealers ... trying to ask for advice on how to build their empires." As for Starr, he couldn't quite figure out how he was getting so much criticism from teenagers, who are "not even old enough" to be watching his show. "It's sloppy, sloppy parenting." Joining their ranks was Baby Reindeer star Jessica Gunning, who certainly brought her own chilling realization to the screen with a performance that won'

Moderated by Tomas Kauer Moderated by Tomas Kauer
Sep 16, 2024 - 08:00
76th Annual Emmy Awards: Every Viral Moment of the Night

TV's biggest night is here ... for the second time in 2024!

The 76th Annual Emmy Awards are going down just eight months after the last ceremony, which was pushed to January following delays from the Hollywood Strike.

Going into this year's telecast, both The Bear and Shōgun were expected to dominate the competition -- meaning it's probably going to be a very good night for FX. That said, things didn't sweep exactly to expectation!

Hosted by Eugene Levy and son Dan Levy, this year's event was guaranteed to include a few shocks, surprises and unscripted moments, along with plenty of laughs. Check out all the highlights below!

Future Hosts In the Building?

After an opening monologue from the hosts, Selena Gomez, Martin Short and Steve Martin hit the stage to present Supporting Actor In a Comedy to The Bear's Ebon Moss-Bachrach ... and it didn't take long for everyone watching to start saying the exact same thing online.

The trio's chemistry really shone through as they both celebrated and poked fun at each other with perfectly-timed jokes -- including one where Martin compared Short to a "former tennis women's champion."

On X, the consensus was clear: Have them host an award show together, stat!

The Bear's ALMOST Perfect Night

The Bear won three of the first four awards of the night, taking home Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Actor in a Comedy Series right off the bat. While it fell short for Best Comedy Series in perhaps the biggest surprise of the night, it was still a fantastic night for the unlikely comedy.

Stars Ebon Moss-Bacharach, Jeremy Allen White and Liza Colon-Zayas started the show's early streak, after already sweeping at the Creative Arts Emmys last month. All three thanked their costars and family, with Colon-Zayas saying she ignored a suggestion from husband David Zayas -- who also played her husband on the show -- to write a speech beforehand.

Becoming the first Latina actress to win in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category ever, she told all the Latinas watching, "Keep believing and vote, vote for your rights."

Candice Bergen, Cat Lady

Taking the stage to give out the award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, Candace Bergen took a moment to reflect on Murphy Brown's legacy.

After sharing how much of an honor it was to play the titular role, she recalled how her character was attacked by Vice President Dan Quayle for deciding to have a child and raise it on her own after becoming pregnant. "Today a Republican candidate for Vice President would never attack a woman for having kids. So as I would say, my work here is done," she quipped, before adding, "Meow!"

That, of course, was a reference to JD Vance's "childless cat lady" comments.

Mr. Naomi Watts Wins

Billy Crudup won Best Supporting Actor in a Drama for his work in The Morning Show -- and immediately took the opportunity to call out his wife, Naomi Watts.

"I'm happy to be here with my piece of eye candy there, my wife, who also happens to be an immigrant," he said of his Australian other half, "and also gave a searing performance this year for which she's nominated, and she starts businesses too, so nice to be by her side," he began his speech, before going on to thank the show's cast and crew.

It's the Naomi moment, however, that had viewers swooning.

Jean Smart, Confused as the Rest of Us

While accepting her trophy for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, Hacks star Jean Smart took a moment to poke fun at the streaming wars.

"This is humbling, it really is. I appreciate this because I don't get enough attention. I'm serious," she began her speech, before thanking Casey Bloys and Sarah Aubrey and "and everybody at HBO," before catching herself.  "... Max," she added, "I'm sorry. Just what we needed, another network!"

What was initially HBO Max, a streamer for HBO, was later re-named as just Max, prompting some confusion ... even among those with shows on it, apparently!

The Downside of Villainy

For the Supporting Actress - Limited or Anthology Series or Movie category, we were treated to three of the screen's most iconic villains, starting with the woman who scared the cockadoodie out of an entire generation -- on her way to an Oscar -- Kathy Bates.

The forthcoming Matlock star was joined by Breaking Bad legend Giancarlo Esposito and The Boys' Antony Starr, all who know a thing or three about villains so deliciously evil we kind of love them all the same.

But it's not always easy breaking bad on the screen. "You know how hard it was to get a date after Misery?" Bates asked. Esposito lamented that he couldn't even enjoy a quiet dinner without "drug dealers ... trying to ask for advice on how to build their empires."

As for Starr, he couldn't quite figure out how he was getting so much criticism from teenagers, who are "not even old enough" to be watching his show. "It's sloppy, sloppy parenting."

Joining their ranks was Baby Reindeer star Jessica Gunning, who certainly brought her own chilling realization to the screen with a performance that won't be soon forgotten.

John Oliver Honors ALL Dogs

John Oliver had a stumbly acceptance speech as he picked up the night straight Emmy for Last Week Tonight. He accidentally called one of his sons "husband" instead of Hudson, before saying that was going to come back to haunt him.

He then went on to pay tribute to his late dog ... just as the playoff music started to play. Calling it the "perfect choice of music," Oliver continued to pay tribute to his dog, before joking that he felt like Sarah McLachlan.

As the music tried to play him off, he vehemently declared, "F--k you! There you go," before expanding his message "for all dogs."

"All dogs, you are all very good girls. You are very good boys. You deserve a treat," he said, before finally conceding, "Play me off now! Thanks so much."

Roasting 'Loren' Michaels

RIght after Last Week Tonight beat Saturday Night Live again, cast members Maya Rudolph, Seth Meyers, Kristen Wiig, and Bowen Yang came out to give out the next award. But first, they decided to share their outrage by roasting the boss, who was in the audience.

"Lorne Michaels has lost 85 Emmys," they lamented, before Wiig spoke directly to the SNL creator. "You have value. You are worthy. You are not a loser," she told him, "even though you have lost a lot."

"Each and everyone of those 85 times that you lost, you were robbed," Rudolph added, while Yang -- who was sure his name was "Loren" -- told him that just because this Saturday Night Live thing didn't work out, didn't mean his next idea wouldn't.

That's when Meyers noted the show has actually won a whole slew of Emmys -- more than 200, actually. "200?" Wiig marveled immediately, "That's too much."

"I can't believe you're complaining about this, Lorne," Rudolph shot with the same venom as she shared her earlier outrage. "Grow up!"

Billy Crystal's Stood Up Standup

Billy Crystal got the honor of presenting Best Talk Show, which led him to recall it had been approximately 50 years since his first-ever appearance on The Tonight Show, back when it was seen as a make-or-break opportunity for young comics.

As Crystal shared, you either got a full-stop signal, meaning thank you have a great career ... or you got signaled to go chat with Carson a bit. Getting to go talk meant he liked what you did, and was a ticket to the future for many young stars, including Crystal.

That led him into a funny bit where he recalled some other firsts from when he first dropped by each of this year's nominated shows. Right away, there was a notable pattern.

He said that Jon Stewart of The Daily Show invited him to dinner -- "I waited and he was gone." Then, Seth Meyers invited him out for drinks -- "I waited and they said he had gone home." Jimmy Kimmel invited him to his own restaurant, but his sidekick "Guillermo showed up."

Finally, for Stephen Colbert, he noted, "I wonder if he's ever seen himself naked." Crystal then told the surprised audience, "I didn't say they were funny, I said they were first impressions of the show."

John Leguizamo's Powerful Inclusivity Message

John Leguizamo has been a voice for inclusion and representation for a few years now, using his platform to champion voices often overlooked and underseen in his industry. On Sunday, he brought his voice to the Emmy stage for a powerful message.

He spoke about growing up in Queens where "I didn't know that people like me could be actors. At 15, I didn't know the word representation. Actually, there wre a lot of works I didn't know back then."

The 64-year-old then spoke about what he did see, brownface on the screen. He called out Marlon Brando as a Mexican in Viva Zapata!, Al Pacino's Cuban gangster in Scarface and Natalie Wood's Peurto Rican Maria in West Side Story.

"Everybody played us, except us. I didn't see a lot of people on TV who looked like me," he added, before noting that there are, of course, exceptions to the rule. With that, he listed hapless husband Ricky Ricardo and cartoon parodies Speedy Gonzales and Slowpoke Rodriguez, before noting there were not Latinx in Star Trek's future.0

"For years, I didn't complain about the limited roles my people were offered, the spicy sexpot, the Latin lover, the maid, the gangbanger," He said. But then he started complaining, even taking out a full-page ad in The New York Times -- "before I found out how much a full-page ad in The New York Times costs."

Now, finally, he's starting to see change. "What I see here tonight makes me, well, almost happy, and certainly less angry," he said, before going on to single out some of this year's diverse nominees and winners.

Greg Berlanti Leaves 'Em Crying

Greg Berlanti was given the Television Academy’s governors award, giving a speech that left many wiping tears from their eyes.

During his speech, he explained how he grew up watching TV at a time when there weren’t a lot of queer characters on television, before recalling how alienating it was being gay at a time before the Internet. Despite all the death during the AIDS crisis, he also recalled seeing gay men marching and holding hands on television, something which gave him some hope he would someday have the courage to share his truth with the world.

As he spoke about how the landscape of television has changed — in great part, thanks to Berlanti himself —
he went on to his parents, his “soul mate” and husband, Robbie Rogers — whose show, Fellow Travelers, is also nominated this year.

“When I think about it, to have traveled that distance from that scared kid years ago to this stage with my husband in the audience and our two beautiful children watching at home,” he continued, “when I think about how much the world had to change to make the life I’m living now possible, even in hindsight, it’s unimaginable to me.”

He also thanked his mother, who he lost to cancer several years ago — telling everyone who feels “other” at home, “She believes in you, I believe in you too, so hurry up and get here.”

Pacey Returns to the Creek

Introducing the Television Academy’s governors award to Greg Berlanti, Dawson’s Creek alum Joshua Jackson walked out on stage with Fellow Travelers star Matt Bomer — to quiet the music cue.

As the pair stepped out, Paula Cole’s I Don’t Wanna Wait — aka the theme song to Dawson’s Creek — played. Jackson seemed surprised by the song choice, shaking his head and laughing.

In addition to people getting a kick out of the song, many also started thirsting over Jackson online.

Jodie Foster Wins Her First Emmy Award

Academy Award-winner Jodie Foster just added Emmy-winner to her resume too, as she picked up her first Emmy for True Detective: Night Country.

Taking to the stage to accept her award, Foster said it was an “incredibly emotional moment” for her, saying show runner Issa Lopez made it such a “magical experience.” She went on to thank the cast and crew, as well as her “partner in crime,” costar Kali Reis.

Foster also gave a special shoutout to the Indigenous population of Northern Alaska, thanking them for sharing their personal stories with everyone involved with the show. “It was love, love, love and when you feel that, something amazing happens that deep and wonderful and it’s older than this place and time.”

She ended her speech thanking her two sons, as well as the “love of my life,” wife Alexandra Hedison.

Shogun Takes Top Drama Spots

Shōgun dominated throughout the night, which the show came into having already one 14 awards at the Creative Arts
Emmys. Adding to their total were top wins for Best Actor and Actress in a Drama, as well as Best Drama.

Hiroyuki Sanada took home Best Actor, saying the show was such a “East meets West project,” and one filmed with “such respect” for all those involved. “When people work together, we can make miracle. We can create a better future together. Thank you so much!”

An emotional Anna Sawai, meanwhile, won Best Actress, with the first-ever actor of Asian descent to take home the honor explaining she was already crying before her name was even called.

Sawai gave praise to the other actresses in her category, saying they were all talents she “grew up watching and love,” before thanking the show’s cast and crew … and her mom, for being an example of stoicism.

After picking up those 14 wins at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Shōgun added four more. Co-creator Justin Marks praised FX for even supporting the series, saying, "You guys greenlit a very expensive, subtitled, Japanese period piece whose central climax revolves around a poetry competition."

He then gave the final word to Sanada, who opted to speak in Japanese in thanking the crew, directors and teams behind each episode. "The passion and dreams that we have inherited from you have crossed oceans and borders," Marks translated.

Best Comedy Series Surprise

While everyone was expecting full sweeps for both Shōgun and The Bear in the night's so-called top categories, that's not how things turned out. Following up Jean Smart's win for Best Actress, the biggest shocker of the night might have been the final award for Best Comedy Series going to her show, Hacks.

"I have no thoughts in my brain," admitted co-creator Paul W. Downs.

"We are so luck to live our dream and make television," he added, thanking the crew and the whole team that helps make a television show happen.

"About 20% of our population is over 60+ and there are 3% of those characters on television," he noted. "I would like to see more of them because while I'm a good young Supporting Actor, I really want to be a great old lead."

"Comedy is obviously so important to us," added co-creator Lucia Aniello, "but we really feel like it can bridge divides. When you laugh with someone you have something in common with them, so please support comedy. It speaks truth to power."

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