Reunions, politics and dogs: Eight Emmys highlights

The 76th Emmy Awards took place on September 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. This annual event is a celebration of television excellence, and this year was no exception. The ceremony was hosted by the father-son duo of Dan Levy and Eugene Levy, who are best known for their work on the hit show 'Schitt's Creek. ' Dan opened the show with a humorous anecdote about how his father had been sending him playful messages leading up to the event. One of the messages read, 'Letz host emmyys. colin ferell will b ther. u still have crush? sent from my iphone. ' This light-hearted banter set a jovial tone for the evening, and the audience was eager to see what else the duo had in store. One of the most talked-about moments of the night was the unexpected win of 'Hacks' for Best Comedy Series. Many had predicted that 'The Bear' would take home the award, but 'Hacks' surprised everyone. Jean Smart, who stars in 'Hacks,' also won the award for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. In her acceptance speech, she expressed her gratitude and shared her thoughts on the importance of representation in television. 'When we pitched this show about two women, one of whom is over 60, we didn't know if we would sell it,' she said. This statement highlights the need for diverse stories and characters on screen, especially for underrepresented groups. The hosting duo of Dan and Eugene Levy was a perfect match for the Emmys. They struck a balance between warmth and humor, keeping the audience engaged throughout the night. Dan humorously described the Emmys as 'broadcast TV's biggest night - for honouring movie stars on streaming services. ' He encouraged winners to keep their speeches short, joking that it was a 'cruel joke that two Canadians have been put in charge of playing you off tonight. ' The Levys even addressed the ongoing debate about 'The Bear' being categorized as a comedy, with Eugene saying, 'Now, I love The Bear, and I know some of you might be expecting us to make a joke about whether The Bear is really a comedy. But in the true spirit of The Bear, we will not be making any jokes. ' This clever commentary added to the light-hearted atmosphere of the evening. Alan Cumming, a Scottish actor and presenter, also had a memorable moment when he accepted the award for Best Competition Program for 'The Traitors. ' Dressed in a stunning tartan outfit, Cumming expressed his gratitude to the Academy for recognizing a new show in a competitive category. He acknowledged the challenges of breaking through in a field dominated by established programs like 'RuPaul's Drag Race. ' 'Thank you to the Academy. We are so grateful because we are a new show, and you guys, when you like something, you tend to stick to it,' he said. Cumming also paid tribute to Scotland, where 'The Traitors' is filmed, stating, 'I owe it everything, it's such a beautiful co-star. ' This moment showcased the importance of location in storytelling and the appreciation for the places that contribute to the success of a show. The night also featured a reunion of the cast of 'The West Wing,' which celebrated its 25th anniversary. Five cast members took the stage to present the award for Best Drama Series, reminiscing about their time on the show. Allison Janney humorously remarked, 'It's hard to believe that just 25 years ago, the writers actually had to use their imaginations to create interesting plot lines for the West Wing. ' This comment sparked laughter and reflection on how television storytelling has evolved over the years. Will Smith, a British writer, won the award for Best Writing for a Drama Series for his work on 'Slow Horses. ' He made a point to clarify that he was not the famous actor Will Smith, saying, 'First of all, relax. Despite my name, I come in peace. ' This humorous introduction lightened the mood and reminded everyone of the importance of not taking oneself too seriously. Jodie Foster also had a significant moment when she won the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series for her role in 'True Detective: Night Country. ' Foster expressed her gratitude to the crew and the indigenous people of Alaska, saying, 'Takk fyrir,' which means 'Thank you' in Icelandic. This acknowledgment of the cultural contributions to her work was a touching moment that resonated with the audience. As the night progressed, political references became a recurring theme, especially with the upcoming US presidential election. Candice Bergen, a presenter, recalled a storyline from her show 'Murphy Brown' that had drawn criticism from a former vice president. She remarked, 'How far we've come. Today, a Republican candidate for vice president would never attack a woman for having kids. ' This statement highlighted the progress made in societal attitudes towards women and motherhood. Despite the political undertones, the celebrities largely avoided discussing the recent events that had occurred just hours before the ceremony. In a heartwarming conclusion to the night, John Oliver, the host of 'Last Week Tonight,' won the award for Best Scripted Variety Series for the second consecutive year. In his acceptance speech, he dedicated the award to his beloved dog, saying, 'This isn't just for her, this is for all dogs. You're all very good girls, very good boys, you all deserve a treat. ' This touching tribute to pets resonated with many in the audience and served as a reminder of the love and companionship that animals bring into our lives. Overall, the 76th Emmy Awards was a night filled with laughter, surprises, and meaningful moments that celebrated the best of television.