NetflixBԪַs BԪַThe CrownBԪַ and BԪַThe QueenBԪַs GambitBԪַ combined with Apple TV+BԪַs BԪַTed LassoBԪַ to sweep top series honors at the SundayBԪַs Emmy Awards, a first for streaming services that cemented their rise to prominence in the television industry.
BԪַIBԪַm at a loss for words,BԪַ said Peter Morgan, the creator and writer of the British royal saga BԪַThe Crown,BԪַ which collected acting, writing and directing awards in addition to four acting honors.
His comment may also apply to the premium cable channels that once ruled the Emmy Awards and to the broadcast networks BԪַ including SundayBԪַs ceremony host, CBS BԪַ that have long grown accustomed to being largely also-rans.
Netflix won a leading total of 44 awards, equaling the broadcast network record set back in 1974, by CBS. The streaming service, which fielded the first drama series nominee, BԪַHouse of CardsBԪַ in 2007, finally won the category.
Newcomer Apple TV+BԪַs first top series came less than two years after it launched.
BԪַThe CrownBԪַ and BԪַThe QueenBԪַs GambitBԪַ tied as leaders with 11 awards each, with BԪַTed LassoBԪַ topping the comedy side with seven trophies.
BԪַThe QueenBԪַs GambitBԪַ made Anya Taylor-Joy a star and Emmy nominee for her portrayal of a troubled chess prodigy. Executive producer William Horberg singled her out in his acceptance speech.
BԪַYou brought the sexy back to chess, and you inspired a whole generation of girls and young women to realize that patriarchy has no defense against our queens.BԪַ he said.
There was a bright spot for HBO with its limited series BԪַMare of Easttown,BԪַ the crime drama that earned four Emmys, including a lead acting award for star Kate Winslet. For broadcaster NBC, BԪַSaturday Night LiveBԪַ again came through with variety honors.
The ceremony proved disappointing as well to those scrutinizing diversity in Hollywood. The yielded only two Black winners, including RuPaul for BԪַRuPaulBԪַs Drag RaceBԪַ and star-creator Michaela CoelBԪַs writing award for BԪַI May Destroy You.BԪַ
Cedric the Entertainer proved a game host, moving from a hip-hop opening number to gags and sketches, but the relatively small crowd BԪַ a result of pandemic precautions BԪַ was fairly muted in their response to him and othersBԪַ one-liners.
There was a .
BԪַThe CrownBԪַ stars Olivia Colman and Josh OBԪַConnor won the top drama acting honors Sunday, with Jason Sudeikis, star of the warm-hearted BԪַTed Lasso,BԪַ and Jean Smart of the generation-gap story BԪַHacks,BԪַ winners on the comedy side.
Colman and OBԪַConnor were a winning fictional mother-son duo: She plays Queen Elizabeth II, with OBԪַConnor as Prince Charles in the British royal family saga that combines gravitas and soap opera.
BԪַIBԪַd have put money on that not happening,BԪַ Colman said of the award, calling it BԪַa lovely end to the most extraordinary journeyBԪַ with the showBԪַs cast and creators. She cut her remarks short, explaining why she was growing tearful.
BԪַI lost my daddy during COVID, and he would have loved all of this.BԪַ she said.
OBԪַConnor gave a shoutout to Emma Corrin, who played opposite him as Princess Diana and was also a nominee Sunday, as a BԪַforce of nature.BԪַ
He also offered thanks to his grandmother, who died a few months ago, and his grandfather, Peter OBԪַConnor, for the BԪַgreatest giftsBԪַ of kindness and loyalty.
Sudeikis co-created BԪַTed Lasso,BԪַ which many viewers found a balm for tough pandemic times. He gave a speech that evoked the chipper, upbeat title character he plays in the series about a U.K. soccer team and its unlikely American coach.
BԪַThis showBԪַs about families and mentors and teammates, and I wouldnBԪַt be here without those things in my life,BԪַ said Sudeikis. He also thanked his fellow castmates, saying, BԪַIBԪַm only as good as you guys make me look.BԪַ
Smart, who received a standing ovation, began her acceptance speech on a somber note: Her husband actor, Richard Gilliland, died six months ago.
BԪַI would not be here without himBԪַ and his willingness to put her career first, said Smart. She also praised their two children as BԪַcourageous individuals in their own right.BԪַ
Earlier in the evening, ebullient BԪַTed LassoBԪַ cast member Hannah Waddingham, winner of the best supporting actress award for a comedy, said Sudeikis BԪַchanged my life with this, and more importantly my baby girlBԪַs.BԪַ
Brett Goldstein, who won the counterpart award for supporting actor for playing a retired soccer star, said he had promised not to swear and either mimed or was muted for a few seconds, then called the show the BԪַprivilege and pleasureBԪַ of his life.
Gillian Anderson and Tobias Menzies were honored for their supporting performances on BԪַThe Crown.BԪַ
Anderson, who played British political leader Margaret Thatcher, was one of numerous cast members to accept from a BԪַCrownBԪַ gathering in London. Menzies who plays Prince Philip, didnBԪַt attend either ceremony.
Before announcing the winner in his category, presenter Kerry Washington paid tribute to another nominee, Michael K. Williams of BԪַLovecraft County.BԪַ .
BԪַMichael was a brilliantly talented actor and a generous human being who has left us far too soon,BԪַ Washington said.
Another lost star was remembered by John Oliver of BԪַLast Week Tonight with John Oliver.BԪַ
BԪַNo one was funnier in the last 20 years than Norm Macdonald on late-night comedy,BԪַ Oliver said in accepting the Emmy for best variety talk show, suggesting people spend time checking out clips of Macdonald, as he did after Macdonald died Sept. 14 at age 61.
Kate Winslet, who played the title character in BԪַMare of Easttown,BԪַ and Ewan McGregor, who starred in the fashion biopic BԪַHalston,BԪַ were honored as top actors for a limited series.
Winslet saluted her sister nominees in BԪַthis decade that has to be about women having each otherBԪַs back.BԪַ
Julianne Nicholson and Evan Peters claimed best supporting acting honors for BԪַMare of Easttown,BԪַ about crime and family dysfunction. Both she and Peters praised star Winslet as an actor and colleague.
Debbie Allen received the Governors Award for a long and acclaimed career as an actor, dancer, choreographer and activist.
BԪַI am trembling with gratitude and grace and trying not to cry BԪַ itBԪַs been many years in the making, taken a lot of courage to be the only woman in the room most of the time. Courage and creative and fight and faith to believe I could keep going, and I have,BԪַ she said.
The show opened with a musical number that featured Cedric the Entertainer rapping a modified version of the Biz Markie hip-hop hit BԪַJust a FriendBԪַ with lyrics like BԪַTV, you got what I need.BԪַ LL Cool J bounded from the audience as stars including Rita Wilson, Mandy Moore and more dropped verses celebrating the breadth of television.
Seth Rogen presented the first award, throwing some cold water on the celebratory vibe by noting that the Emmys were being held in a giant tent. BԪַThereBԪַs way too many of us in this little room,BԪַ he exclaimed in what seemed to be an attempt to be funny that fell flat.
In the cumulative awards handed out Sunday and at the previously-held creative arts events, the outlets that followed Netflix included HBO and HBO Max with 19 combined awards; Disney+ with 14; Apple TV+, 10; NBC, 8.
BԪַ The Associated Press