As recent controversy would suggest, it can be next to impossible to get an award show right.
From questions of diversity to overlong shows and boring bits, the very mention of an awards show brings with it a certain sense of resignation.
That’s why, on Sunday night, it was so rare that the 68th Emmy Awards managed to get just about everything right. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the show awarded both deserved veterans and a variety of diverse first-time winners. It also clocked in at just under three hours, which is as blessedly short as any awards show in recent history.
The top prizes, though merited, weren’t as new and exciting as many of the acting awards. HBO reigned supreme yet again as “Game of Thrones” and “Veep” took home Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Comedy Series respectively.
HBO’s popular drama “Game of Thrones” tied its previous record of 12 Emmy wins in one year and has now won 38 overall, making it the most awarded scripted primetime series in history.
Queen of comedy Julia Louis-Dreyfus was another familiar face who graced the stage, and her win was equally historic. She now holds the record for the longest consecutive streak in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy category with five straight wins.
Jeffrey Tambor also picked up a consecutive win for his performance as transgender matriarch Maura Pfefferman in “Transparent.”
He took the opportunity to address recent controversy over the casting of transgender roles, saying, “I would not be unhappy were I the last cisgender male to play a female gender on television. We have work to do.”
Mr. Robot’s Rami Malek was awarded his first Emmy for his work in “Mr. Robot,” joining a bevy of other first-time winners.
Fan-favorite Tatiana Maslany’s surprise win for “Orphan Black” was one of the most shocking, crowd-pleasing moments of the night, and SNL alum Kate McKinnon also upset her category to take home the gold.
Although many would argue that she was a lock, Sarah Paulson’s Emmy for “The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story” was long-deserved and oh-so satisfying. Paulson brought Marcia Clark herself as her date, and she used her speech to apologize for unfairly judging Clark during the Simpson trial, as many Americans did.
This year’s show rewarded a number of minority nominees, including Courtney B. Vance and Sterling K. Brown for “The People v. OJ Simpson,” Alan Yang and Aziz Ansari for “Master of None,” Regina King for “American Crime,” and two female TV directors (who are a minority in their own right.)
As Brown put it, “A lot of you may not have known who I was, but you checked the box anyway, and that makes me very happy.”
Granted, not all the winners were particularly popular; after a lengthy bit about how she never deigns to show up to the Emmys, Dame Maggie Smith won yet again for her role as the Dowager Countess on the final season of “Downton Abbey.”
Kimmel stormed the stage and took her trophy, joking that she could pick it up from the lost and found.
Considering that she was up against Lena Headey, Maisie Williams and Emilia Clarke, Smith had better watch her back — the last season of “Game of Thrones” would suggest that they’re not the most forgiving group.
Kate Halliwell
khalliwe@indiana.edu @kate__halliwell
