The 75th Emmy Awards actually wanted to celebrate TV history above all else. At the end of the three-hour ceremony in Los Angeles, it seemed as if the Television Academy had one message in particular that it wanted to give US viewers: Be more patient with one another. The most important TV award in the world presents its most important awards separately for drama, comedy and mini-series – biting comments on the state of modern society won in all three categories.
“Succession” wins the Emmys
As in the previous year, the satire “Succession” won the premier category of best drama series on Monday evening (local time). It tells of the many intrigues in a family clan that is fighting over the succession of a patriarch in a media empire. The series ended this year after four seasons.
There were also awards for direction, screenplay and the two main actors Kieran Culkin and Sarah Snook, who play two of the inheritance-sneaking children in the series. “Succession” won six Emmys this year and has 19 awards over its entire run. In Germany it runs on Sky and its streaming service Wow.
“The Bear”
“The Bear – King of the Kitchen” won big in the comedy categories. With quick cuts and a documentary feel, the series tells of the hectic everyday life behind the scenes of a sandwich restaurant in Chicago. It was declared best comedy, actor Jeremy Allen White won best actor. Here, too, there were further awards for direction and screenplay by Christopher Storer as well as supporting role awards for Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
Because the Emmy Awards were postponed for four months due to the writers and actors’ strikes, the opening season of “The Bear” was nominated, although there is now a more quietly told second season. In total, the series, which can be seen on the streaming provider Disney+, won ten awards – more awards than any other program nominated this year.
Eight Emmys for “Beef”
At the awards for “miniseries, anthologies and television films”, the satire “Beef” was a great success with a total of eight awards. In addition to the main prize in this category, Steven Yeun and Ali Wong were honored as best actors. In the ten-part Netflix series you play two strangers who attack each other angrily after a car accident and develop increasing hatred.
A look into the past
The producers of the three-hour TV gala have repeatedly tried to evoke nostalgia at the 75th edition of the Emmy Awards. Stars from ensembles from series such as “Cheers”, the “Sopranos” and “Ally McBeal” commemorated their series in replica sets. A total of 27 awards were announced, and the Television Academy had already awarded almost 100 additional awards last weekend. The show often seemed hectic, but at least the acceptance speeches often provided entertaining entertainment and emotional moments.
Acceptance speeches
“Succession” actor Kieran Culkin sparked excited hecklers as he turned to his wife Jazz Charton. Culkin said he loved their two children and added: “Jazz, I want more!” To loud applause, he said: “You said ‘maybe’ if I won.”
Steven Yeun responded more emotionally, saying of his “Beef” role: “I thank Danny for teaching me that judgment and shame lead to a lonely place, but that we could all come together around compassion and grace.”
Many other winners showed humor, including Sarah Snook, who said of her win: “Acting is very easy when you’re pregnant because your hormones are raging inside you.” Comedian and presenter Trevor Noah won best talk show for his “Daily Show” and happily shouted: “I said we can beat John Oliver if he’s not in our category.”
Perhaps the most touching moment of the evening, however, was the montage with people who have died from the past few months – this was a rare quiet moment in the otherwise often hectic broadcast. Singer Charlie Puth played a sentimental piano version of the “Friends” theme song “I’ll Be There For You”, while the “In Memoriam” montage ended to great applause with a picture of leading actor Matthew Perry, who died at the end of October.