Love Catherine O’Hara’s mod dress. Little bit of Moira Rose homage without looking like it’s been stuck in the Roses’ motel room for the last few years.
I came into the evening thinking it was Fleabag’s night in the comedy categories, but it looks like the Academy’s tendency to repeat itself might be stealing its thunder.
That Fleabag premiere has such electricity, but goddamn: “ronny/lily” was the most exciting piece of filmmaking I’ve seen on TV this year, featuring the best onscreen combat to air on HBO on April 28, 2019.
Well, he didn’t make Emmy history by winning awards for writing, directing, and acting, but Bill Hader’s picking up another award for doing a tremendous job at playing a bad actor in Barry.
It’s been 11 years since someone won an acting and writing Emmy in the same year–and that someone was Tina Fey. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is in great company.
Bringing out the entire Game Of Thrones cast to introduce the limited-series categories was excessive, but it makes a certain amount of sense. It’ll be a while before another show dominates pop culture the way Game Of Thrones did, so this is a way for the medium to throw its weight around on its biggest night. But all that applause does carry a ring of desperation.
Johan Renck’s win for Outstanding Directing For A Limited Series is just further proof of how tight every non-drama race was this year. He deserves it, but so did Ava DuVernay.
There were two “hard to watch must-watch” shows this year, and it looks like the Television Academy has gone with Chernobyl over When They See Us. I get it, but I’m still disappointed.
Jharrel Jerome’s win is just so deserved. Again, the competition in the limited series/movie categories is dense as fuck this year, but I am just so damn excited about this particular win (even as I thought the Academy would reward Mahershala Ali’s excellent work.)
Bandersnatch wins TV movie, nabbing Black Mirror’s third consecutive win in this particular contest. You might say the Television Academy isn’t exactly adventurous in choosing the winners for this category.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”“Watch shitty Black Mirror Bandersnatch beat beautiful Deadwood The Movie.”“Really? Fuck it, you should have died long ago.”
I couldn’t think of a more accurate visual representation of SNL’s presence in this category than Lorne Michaels rambling on while everyone pretends to be rapt.
I don’t think the Emmys need a host, but I think they need writers. The host usually brings in their own team and the gags might still be very mehhh, but at least there’s some cohesion and editing.
I don’t think the Emmys need a host, but I think they need writers. The host usually brings in their own team and the gags might still be very mehhh, but at least there’s some cohesion and editing.
I do not want the Ozark upset train to continue rolling, but I would like to encourage the very funny bit that Baraka is doing where he’s insisting Ozark will win Outstanding Drama Series.
Again, the unusual choices tonight make for a much more eventful ceremony than usual, but how anyone can come away from an episode of Ozark thinking it looks great is confounding.
So, Gwen, Baraka, and Erik: what was the biggest upset of the night for you? I’m going with six-time winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus not winning Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy.
Honestly, I would have been happy if Fleabag, Russian Doll, or Barry had won, but I am somehow more shocked about Fleabag’s win than I would have been the others. Not sure why—maybe because one of the ceremony’s writers described it as a show about a “sex addict,” which made me worry that a lot of people didn’t really grasp it? In any case, it’s well deserved. I’m glad I don’t have to break anything tonight.
For me, the biggest upset is Game Of Thrones’ lack of momentum anywhere other than Dinklage’s win and (presumably) the last award of the night. I guess they’ll just have to content themselves with all the Emmys they won last week.
I’m actually more surprised now that Game Of Thrones won the big award, because I really thought its momentum had swayed to other shows (maybe Ozark, Baraka?). But I should remember to never underestimate the Emmys’ tendency to return to the tried and true with its awards love.
But overall I thought this was a very snoozy awards show, Sure, it ended on time, but at what cost? What I wouldn’t give for a fun Emmys opening like this one:
The weird thing about this ceremony is how so much of it felt like a requiem for TV—or at least a type of TV, or the most recent era of it. Those extended tributes to Thrones and Veep, the way Michael Douglas described the Outstanding Drama Series nominees as (paraphrasing here) “so different from the TV we grew up with.” A new broadcast television season begins tomorrow night, but from the perspective of the 71st Primetime Emmys, it feels like something is ending. The 72nd edition of the awards will be the first that has to contend with the original programming of the Pluses and the Maxes and the Peacocks, so maybe somebody was trying to subliminally throw one last celebration of TV that lives on, you know, TV.
Possible unpopular opinion: I really thought this was Emilia Clarke’s year. The choices made by the writers aside, she had some excellent, evocative moments this past season. By comparison, I was riveted by Jodie Comer /last/ season on Killing Eve, but thought she was less effective this year.
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The skies are cloudy in Chicago, but…The stars!Are out!In the City of Angels!
So, this year’s Emmys host is… the definition of the word “television?”
Welp, hope y’all already saw the last season of Game Of Thrones!
Preserve and protect Bob Newhart at all costs.
Emmys sure love their Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
When you have to come in on a Sunday to help run the Emmys liveblog:
No disrespect to Tony Shalhoub’s work on TMMM, but if you think the three-way split among Barry actors didn’t contribute to his win, well…
You can tell Tony Shalhoub’s a good actor, because that incredibly bit-heavy acceptance speech came off as quite spontaneous.
And Disney+ pounces on the very first commercial break. A year from tonight: Werner Herzog picks up Best Supporting Actor for The Mandalorian.
Love Catherine O’Hara’s mod dress. Little bit of Moira Rose homage without looking like it’s been stuck in the Roses’ motel room for the last few years.
I take no joy in accurately predicting Alex Borstein’s win for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy—not when Sian Clifford was. RIGHT. THERE.
Alex Borstein sitting next to her TV husband
Any host would be better than this flop sweat masquerading as banter.
Dear lord, as a fellow parent, the literal last thing I want to see on the Emmys is a frickin’ Tik Tok video, Ken Jeong
I came into the evening thinking it was Fleabag’s night in the comedy categories, but it looks like the Academy’s tendency to repeat itself might be stealing its thunder.
…someone, please, put Ken Jong out of his (and my) misery…
Spoke too soon! (Fortunately.)
Fleabag’s first, but hopefully not last, Emmy win is for Outstanding Writing (for the season-two premiere).
The FX sizzle reel provides.
Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series winner Harry Bradbeer helmed all but one episode of Fleabag.
That Fleabag premiere has such electricity, but goddamn: “ronny/lily” was the most exciting piece of filmmaking I’ve seen on TV this year, featuring the best onscreen combat to air on HBO on April 28, 2019.
The fake names are really saving this LASIK bit.
I’m only… 2 for 6? on predictions, but I’ll take it. Congrats to Bill Hader!
Finally laughed at the “Ted Danson” bit
Well, he didn’t make Emmy history by winning awards for writing, directing, and acting, but Bill Hader’s picking up another award for doing a tremendous job at playing a bad actor in Barry.
Alexa’s reading the nominees, because the winner’s going to be from an Amazon show.
I was optimistic about the wrong things, apparently. I’m so sorry for not believing strongly enough in you, Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
And with Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s second win of the night, Julia Louis-Dreyfus remains tied with Cloris Leachman as Emmy’s most decorated actor.
Moira Rose was ROBBED. So sure, bring on the Kardashians.
Drag Race coronation: RuPaul holds off The Amazing Race for a second consecutive year [Stage whispers.] for a pretty mediocre season.
Okay, this bit between Maya Rudolph and Ike Barinholtz was cute:
It’s been 11 years since someone won an acting and writing Emmy in the same year–and that someone was Tina Fey. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is in great company.
A tribute to Game Of Thrones? Won’t all of the drama awards suffice?
Oh no, everyone was complaining about the lack of a host, so the Emmys brought out the cast of Game Of Thrones.
Billy Porter definitely watched the final season of Game Of Thrones.
I just started watching The Act, and it’s crazy good!
The wrong Patricia won!
Bringing out the entire Game Of Thrones cast to introduce the limited-series categories was excessive, but it makes a certain amount of sense. It’ll be a while before another show dominates pop culture the way Game Of Thrones did, so this is a way for the medium to throw its weight around on its biggest night. But all that applause does carry a ring of desperation.
Johan Renck’s win for Outstanding Directing For A Limited Series is just further proof of how tight every non-drama race was this year. He deserves it, but so did Ava DuVernay.
Live look at The A.V. Club comment section after Chernobyl won for Outstanding Directing:
I didn’t doubt Ben Whishaw would win Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series/Movie—I mean, who doesn’t want to hear Paddington accept an award?
Echoing the sentiments of my entire Twitter feed at the moment: Would watch a Waller-Bridge/Hader rom-com.
The dads from Brooklyn Nine-Nine presenting an award!
There were two “hard to watch must-watch” shows this year, and it looks like the Television Academy has gone with Chernobyl over When They See Us. I get it, but I’m still disappointed.
Aww, loved Angela Bassett’s shout-out to husband Courtney B. Vance
Jharrel Jerome’s win is just so deserved. Again, the competition in the limited series/movie categories is dense as fuck this year, but I am just so damn excited about this particular win (even as I thought the Academy would reward Mahershala Ali’s excellent work.)
Love the all-too-rare Emmy upset
Also, Jharrel Jerome introducing The Exonerated Five is the greatest moment of the night so far by a considerable margin.
What is the strange tumor on James Corden’s jacket?
Bandersnatch wins TV movie, nabbing Black Mirror’s third consecutive win in this particular contest. You might say the Television Academy isn’t exactly adventurous in choosing the winners for this category.
Jharrel Jerome thanks “The Exonerated 5″ in his acceptance speech for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for When They See Us.
At least Julia Louis-Dreyfus is dressed like an Emmy.
NOBODY will want to be around me in a few moments if Michelle Williams loses
Oh thank God
I generally adore Tom Lennon, but the announcing choices are so unfunny and borderline inappropriate. Just a misstep.
Totally agree
It’s been awful, and takes away from the show. Wish there was a way to mute it.
Wow, someone is literally doing the dictionary thing.
Hoo boy, this variety series number…
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”“Watch shitty Black Mirror Bandersnatch beat beautiful Deadwood The Movie.”“Really? Fuck it, you should have died long ago.”
Holy shit, we used to work with the guy accepting the award for Last Week Tonight.
This will haunt my nightmares tonight:
See, it’s funny that the category is called “variety,” because the same shows always win!
The only thing more predictable than a Black Mirror win for TV movie is Saturday Night Live winning for outstanding variety sketch series.
I couldn’t think of a more accurate visual representation of SNL’s presence in this category than Lorne Michaels rambling on while everyone pretends to be rapt.
I don’t think the Emmys need a host, but I think they need writers. The host usually brings in their own team and the gags might still be very mehhh, but at least there’s some cohesion and editing.
I don’t think the Emmys need a host, but I think they need writers. The host usually brings in their own team and the gags might still be very mehhh, but at least there’s some cohesion and editing.
This in memoriam reel for shows that recently ended wraps with The Big Bang Theory, effectively making the tears go back into my eyes.
Alfie Allen gives his approval of the end of the Variety category:
I’m sure we’ll come up with others as the night goes on, but the omission of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend from that reel is… a choice.
WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA?
Is Orange Is The New Black going to get its own in memoriam, or?
The sound going out as Jesse Armstrong launches into some commentary on the “rethinking immigration restrictions”—curious.
House Of Pies Lies reunion with Kristen Bell and Don Cheadle.
If I could see Julia Garner’s performance in Ozark, maybe I’d grasp this win more easily. As it stands, justice for Gwendoline Christie!
Let’s just pretend Garner’s winning for this performance.
I do not want the Ozark upset train to continue rolling, but I would like to encourage the very funny bit that Baraka is doing where he’s insisting Ozark will win Outstanding Drama Series.
The Ozark sweep is coming, Erik.
Succession and Ozark have delivered some upsets in categories I wasn’t otherwise very interested in tonight.
Excuse me, Emmys, how could you leave off beloved cast member from Emmy-award-winning show The Monkees, Peter Tork ?
Me: Give Billy Porter his things!Emmys: Right away!
Actual applause in the Onion, Inc. kitchen as Billy Porter is announced.
Baraka broke reality.
Baraka really should use his powers for good, not dimly lit evil!
This is Jason Bateman’s first Emmy—for directing Ozark. Ozark!
Again, the unusual choices tonight make for a much more eventful ceremony than usual, but how anyone can come away from an episode of Ozark thinking it looks great is confounding.
Wow. I don’t know what to say, y’all.
Glad we don’t have to say “Sorry, baby” to Jodie Comer tonight.
And now, an El Camino teaser, or: Netflix reminding us of what it’ll win an Emmy for next year.
And Game Of Thrones goes into the long night never having won in the lead actor or lead actress categories.
So, Gwen, Baraka, and Erik: what was the biggest upset of the night for you? I’m going with six-time winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus not winning Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy.
Honestly, I would have been happy if Fleabag, Russian Doll, or Barry had won, but I am somehow more shocked about Fleabag’s win than I would have been the others. Not sure why—maybe because one of the ceremony’s writers described it as a show about a “sex addict,” which made me worry that a lot of people didn’t really grasp it? In any case, it’s well deserved. I’m glad I don’t have to break anything tonight.
For me, the biggest upset is Game Of Thrones’ lack of momentum anywhere other than Dinklage’s win and (presumably) the last award of the night. I guess they’ll just have to content themselves with all the Emmys they won last week.
Agreed. I thought Game Of Thrones would just obliterate every category it was nominated in.
So did I, clearly!
I’m actually more surprised now that Game Of Thrones won the big award, because I really thought its momentum had swayed to other shows (maybe Ozark, Baraka?). But I should remember to never underestimate the Emmys’ tendency to return to the tried and true with its awards love.
Also Bandersnatch winning over Deadwood: The Movie was kind of a kick in the teeth.
But overall I thought this was a very snoozy awards show, Sure, it ended on time, but at what cost? What I wouldn’t give for a fun Emmys opening like this one:
And without a host, the whole thing just seems disjointed. Colbert and Kimmel were right.
The weird thing about this ceremony is how so much of it felt like a requiem for TV—or at least a type of TV, or the most recent era of it. Those extended tributes to Thrones and Veep, the way Michael Douglas described the Outstanding Drama Series nominees as (paraphrasing here) “so different from the TV we grew up with.” A new broadcast television season begins tomorrow night, but from the perspective of the 71st Primetime Emmys, it feels like something is ending. The 72nd edition of the awards will be the first that has to contend with the original programming of the Pluses and the Maxes and the Peacocks, so maybe somebody was trying to subliminally throw one last celebration of TV that lives on, you know, TV.
And on that note…Goodnight, everyone!
Possible unpopular opinion: I really thought this was Emilia Clarke’s year. The choices made by the writers aside, she had some excellent, evocative moments this past season. By comparison, I was riveted by Jodie Comer /last/ season on Killing Eve, but thought she was less effective this year.