Everything was sung, written, planned. History repeated itself as if the Emmys, delivered this Monday in Los Angeles, were a repeat of the Golden Globes eight days ago. There was no surprise at the Television Academy Awards. Succession, best drama series, and The Bear, the comedy award-winner, shared six trophies each, the most relevant, while Beef followed in their wake and monopolized the top five in the field of miniseries.
The Emmys gala was held on an inappropriate date. It was scheduled for last September, as usual, but the strike of scriptwriters and actors forced its suspension and postponement. Despite this circumstance, on the night there were few or no references to the role played by each party in the stoppage, about its reasons, and only veiled allusions to the plan that put the Hollywood industry in check.
This lack of memory contrasted with the nostalgia exercise that was carried out during the awards ceremony, in which the video library was used to pay tribute to historical series such as The Sopranos (25 years after its premiere), Cheers, Anatomy Grey's, Ally McBeal or, among others, Dynasty with Joan Collins on stage, at the 75th anniversary of the Emmys.
Perhaps in a while, those who collected awards in this edition will appear on stage to remember this era in which Succession and The Bear indisputably dominate the scene without any room for surprises. High-level comedies like Ted Lasso or an innovative and unrepeatable drama like Better Call Saul went empty due to the impulse of fashion that looks the other way.
This trend, marked especially from the networks, devastates everything. Succession's story of family greed won the distinction of best script, which went to Jesse Armstrong, and best direction for a chapter signed by Mark Mylod.
This series also won, or rather, again, the distinctions for three of its actors: the main Kieran Culkin; protagonist Sarah Snook; and secondary Matthew Macfadyen. Only Jennifer Coolidge snuck in, highlighted as a supporting role for her role in The White Lotus, although her award was also more than predicted.
The same can be said for The Bear in the realm of comedy. He added the awards for best script and best direction, both awarded to Christopher Storer. He could not collect the statuettes, apparently suffering from covid. The comedy set in a Chicago restaurant won the awards for best actor, Jeremy Allen White; and the supporting actors, Ayo Edebiri and Ebon-Moss-Barchrach. The leading comedy actress corresponded to Quinta Bruson for Abbott Elementary.
The other winning series of the evening was Beef, with the same winners as at the Globes. Leen Sun Jin won for best director and screenwriter. Ali Wong and Steven Yeun received the distinction of main protagonists.
Paul Walter Hauser won best supporting role in a limited series for his performance in Black Bird, while supporting in this category went to Niecy Nash-Betts for Dahmer. In his speech, the most political in tone, she paid tribute “to the black and brown women who could not be heard” because of police violence and racism. And he had an original closing within the repetitive and boring thanks: “I thank myself because I believed in myself.”
John Oliver won two awards for his variety show and Elton John joined a privileged group. He achieved distinction by broadcasting his farewell concert. This means that in his showcase there are the four awards that are awarded in the world of entertainment: the Emmy for television, the Grammy for music, the Oscar for cinema and the Tony for theater. So he is already part of the EGOT.
BEST DRAMA SERIES: Succession
BEST COMEDY SERIES: The Bear
BEST MINISERIES: Beef
BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES: Sarah Snook (Succession)
BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES: Kieran Culkin (Succession)
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES: Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary)
BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES: Jeremy Allen White (The Bear)
BEST ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES: Ali Wong, (Beef)
BEST ACTOR IN A MINISERIES: Steven Yeun (Beef)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES:
Jennifer Coolidge (The White Lotus)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES:
Matthew Macfadyen (Succession)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES:
Ayo Edebiri (The Bear)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES:
Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES: Niecy Nash-Betts (Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES: Paul Walter Hauser (Locked Up with the Devil).
