‘GAME OF THRONES’ AND ‘MRS. MAISEL’ WIN BIG AT 2018 EMMYS – (09/18/2018)

HBO’s Game of Thrones and Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel were the big winners at the 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday (September 17th.)

The evening was hosted by Saturday Night Live head writers and “Weekend Update” co-anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che. The show kicked off with a star-studded skit led by Kenan Thompsonand Kate McKinnon that poked fun at the Academy’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

After much (often humorless) soul-searching on the part of Hollywood, especially at awards shows, the skit—which eventually pulled in a veritable roll call of culturally, physically, racially and sexually diverse Hollywood, including John Legend, Rupaul, Ricky Martin, Kristen Bell and Aidy Bryant—set the show off to a rollicking start.

Che and Jost continued the party, coming out to roast Hollywood’s well-meaning, but often ham-fisted attempts at diversity at all costs, but ultimately concluding that television has truly come a long way in the past 70 years.

Going in, HBO’s Game of Thrones led the pack, raking in 22 nominations, after missing the eligibility window last year. Westworld, another HBO drama, landed 21 nods, as did NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale was hot on their heels with 20, and FX’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story nabbing 18 and FX’s Atlanta earning 16.

Ultimately, Game of Thrones landed the coveted Outstanding Drama Series Emmy, while The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel grabbed the equally sought-after Outstanding Comedy Series Award. FX’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story nabbed Outstanding Limited Series. Claire Foy clinched Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work in The Crown and Matthew Rhys landed Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work inThe Americans. 

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:

Henry Winkler, 72, gave social media all the feels when he won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in Barry. It was, he noted, his first-ever Emmy, following three previous nominations in the 70s for his role in Happy Days. Winkler closed his brief thank you with a shout-out to his son, Max, and daughter Zoe — yelling triumphantly: “You can go to bed now, daddy won!”

Amy Sherman Palladino’s trademark fast-paced and eccentric but delightful patter was on display during back-to-back acceptance speeches when she won writing and directing awards for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. 

Merritt Wever gave an awkward but adorable acceptance speech after winning the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for Netflix’s Godless. The visibly flustered  star appeared to taken completely by surprise by the honor and after struggling to read from the crumpled up note she was clutching, she thanked the Academy profusely and left the stage, saying she’d thank people in private.

Betty White, 96, saying ‘Oh my goodness’ about 1,000 times as she soaked in and reflected nothing but 100% sunbeams of love from the Academy. Over her career, White has been nominated 24 times and won 8 Emmys.

Regina King’s pure, unadulterated shock and delight at winning an Emmy for her role in Seven Seconds.

Che presented the tongue-in-cheek “Reparation Emmys” to black actors, including Tichina Arnold, Marla Gibbs and John Witherspoon, whom he felt got looked over by a racist Academy.

Glenn Weiss stole the show during his acceptance speech for Outstanding Directing For a Variety Special… and turned the thank you into a proposal. He said: “You wonder why I don’t call you my girlfriend? it’s because I want to call you my wife.” Needless to say, she joined him on stage and accepted.

The 2018 In Memoriam tribute was jam-packed with phenomenal talent this year. “Tonight, we celebrate the lives of some people who have been our very good friends,” Tina Fey said as she introduced the segment which honored Anthony Bourdain, Burt Reynolds, Aretha Franklin, John McCain, Hugh Hefner, John McCain and many others.

Claire Foy won Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series and acknowledged “this wasn’t supposed to happen.” Many hoped that Sandra Oh, nominated in the category for her work on Killing Eve, would clinch the award and make her the first woman of Asian descent to win a Best Actress Emmy.

WINNER’S MONTAGE:

WINNER’S LIST:

Outstanding Drama Series: Game of Thrones (HBO)

Outstanding Comedy Series: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)

Outstanding Limited Series: The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Claire Foy, The Crown (Netflix)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Matthew Rhys, The Americans (FX)

Outstanding Lead Actress in Comedy Series: Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Bill Hader, Barry (HBO)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie: Regina King, Seven Seconds (Netflix)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: Darren Criss, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Thandie Newton, Westworld (HBO)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones (HBO)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Henry Winkler, Barry (HBO)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie: Merritt Wever, Godless (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: Jeff Daniels, Godless (Netflix)

Outstanding Reality Competition: RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1)

Outstanding Variety Talk Series: Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO)

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Outstanding Directing For a Comedy Series: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel “Pilot” (Amazon)

Outstanding Directing For a Drama Series: The Crown, “Paterfamilias” (Netflix)

Outstanding Directing For a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special: The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story “The Man

Outstanding Directing For a Variety Special: The Oscars (ABC)

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, “Pilot” (Amazon)

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: The Americans, “Start” (FX)

Outstanding Writing For a Limited Series: Black Mirror, “USS Callister” (Netflix)

Outstanding Writing for Variety Special: John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous At Radio City (Netflix)

CHECK IT OUT:

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THE RED CARPET:

The Good:

• Sandra Oh looked knife-fierce in a low-cut ruby red dress, but all eyes were on her adorable, effusive parents, whom she brought to support her. Who knew parents could be such a chic accessory? Oh made history as the first actress of Asian descent to be nominated for Lead Actress in a drama series.  
• Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake earned a rare double rave; Jessica for her stunning white strapless gown, and Justin in a sleek, classic tux. Wedding. Vibes. 
• Issa Rae looked like a post-mod Cinderella in a bedazzled, perfectly tailored, swishy pale blue Vera Wang jumpsuit with a long train. 

The Bad:

• Gwendoline Christie looked un-a-peeling dressed as a wrinkled, baggy banana. 
• Alexis Bledel came wearing a beautiful set of yellow and pink curtains, but they came in the form of an ill-fitting sleeveless dress with random pintucked bits, bedazzled pins and … black sandals? 
• Is that Millie Bobby Brown or your grandma’s teacup?

The Interesting:

• Tiffany Haddish came dressed as a sexy rainbow, and somehow, it worked. 
• Blackish star Jenifer Lewis garnered raves and outrage for donning a Nike sweatshirt in support for Colin Kaepernick. The former NFL player-turned-Nike spokesperson started the movement of kneeling in protest during pre-game national anthems. 
• Glow director Jess Pertez’s wife, Sarah Sophie Flicker, graced the red carpet with  “Stop Kavanaugh” writing on her arm, along with the phone number for the U.S. Senate. It was a response to news that the Supreme Court nominee has been accused of sexual assault.