The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards put a spotlight on the year’s biggest and boldest shows, and the night itself was full of unpredictable fun. While “Severance” and “The White Lotus” tied for major nominations going into the evening with 10 each, there were plenty of snubs and surprises during the Nate Bargatze-hosted evening.
Surprise: Despite tying for the most nominations of the night, “The White Lotus” won nothing.
One of the year’s biggest and most-celebrated shows couldn’t topple competition like “Severance” and “The Pitt.”
Surprise: Presenting the first award of the evening before the monologue
It was fun to see Seth Rogen take home his first statue between the opening sketch and Bargatze’s monologue. More moments to nudge the flow a bit off-kilter could help to keep things rolling along.
Surprise: Katherine LaNasa won when the buzzy women of “The White Lotus” cancelled each other out for supporting actress in a drama series
Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell and Aimee Lou Wood had four of the most-discussed roles on television this season, and while “The Pitt” is certainly a cultural phenomenon, it’s hard to imagine that the women didn’t split votes enough to open the lane for LaNasa.
Snub: Not showing clips of the shows
One of the most fun parts of award shows is sampling some acting, the score or that one big moment that gives goosebumps even without seeing the show. It’s a real loss to lose those bits.
Snub: Kathy Bates left empty-handed
Between her buzzy work on “Matlock” and a career filled with roles worth celebrating, Bates seemed like a shoo-in for outstanding lead actress in a drama series. But Britt Lower’s powerful work on the buzzy “Severance” felt like a race between a chic streamer and a network stalwart.
Surprise: Jeff Hiller wins big
The night’s least-known nominee, from one of the shows with the smallest audience, created a joyous moment, as a beside-himself Hiller won for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series. His charming acceptance speech surely won him even more fans, as well as people interested in checking out “Somebody Somewhere.”
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Snub: Correctly pronouncing people’s names
From presenter Jason Bateman mispronouncing winner Tramell Tillman to Bergatze stumbling through Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman’s names for a musical performance, it was not a great night for the common courtesy.
Snub: Women directors celebrated by presenter Elizabeth Banks… only for a man to win
Banks presented the award for directing for a limited series and spent most of her time praising the fact that five of the six nominees are women, which is great! But in a moment of unfortunate timing, “Adolescence” helmer Philip Barantini ended up winning.
Snub: Colin Farrell couldn’t cross the finish line for “The Penguin”
Despite his marquee name, strong campaign and co-star Cristin Milioti going home a winner, Farrell couldn’t beat “Adolescence” juggernaut Stephen Graham, who also created the show, for lead actor in a limited series.
Surprise: Bargatze’s lack of rehearsal
For a standup comedian whose work is based on timing, Bergatze spent the night stumbling and stammering through his jokes and observations, which lead to the biggest “huh” of the night: Was the abandoned denim suit bit supposed to be a crack at incoming presenter Sydney Sweeney? It certainly left the Variety newsroom Slack split, which isn’t the sign of a sterling bit.
See all the Emmy winners here.
From Variety US