A win and then a mic cut for Sterling K. Brown
A year after winning in a different category for playing Christopher Darden, Brown became the first black actor in 19 years to win the top drama series trophy, for This Is Us. He paid tribute to the last African-American man to win the category, Andre Braugher, and also saluted his castmates, “the best white family a brother could have.” The emotional moment was marred by the unfortunate decision to cut Brown’s speech short, a particularly sour note on a night that celebrated so many diverse voices. Waithe, who shared the best comedy writing award with Master of None co-creator Aziz Ansari, expressed gratitude to Emmy voters: “Thank you for embracing a little Indian boy from South Carolina and a little queer black girl from the south side of Chicago.”
Stories about women rule
Winning the limited series award for Big little lies, co-producers and stars Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman issued a call for meatier, important roles for women. “Bring women to the front of their own stories,” said Witherspoon. “More great roles for women, please!”said Kidman (who also won for acting in the hugely popular series.) The winning shows in the other two major categories also featured women’s stories– The Handmaid’s Tale and Veep. Backstage, Elisabeth Moss, who won the drama acting prize, said “incredible progress” has been made, but “there’s still a lot of work to be done. There are still meetings you walk into and wonder if they say ‘no,’ because it’s a show by or about a woman.” And comedy actress winner Julia louis-Dreyfus said she hoped “this is the beginning of something even better in our country, and the world. I think the world would be a better place if more women were in charge.”
SNl has a good night
Saturday Night live, like the nighttime talk shows, has capitalised on the 2016 election to huge success. lorne Michaels, accepting the variety sketch series award, recalled how when the show won an Emmy in 1976, “I remember thinking ... there would never be another season as crazy, as unpredictable, as frightening, as exhausting, or as exhilarating. Turns out I was wrong.” Kate McKinnon, who won as supporting actress in a comedy, paid tribute to Hillary Clinton – whom she memorably played – for her Grace and grit. Baldwin, who won for his Trump portrayal, spoke directly to Trump– “I suppose I should say, ‘At long last, Mr President, here is your Emmy.’”
In Memoriam Snubs
It always seems to happen– there’s a major omission in the memorial segment and social media notices right away. This time, it was actor Harry Dean Stanton, who died Friday at age 91, and comedians Dick Gregory and Charlie Murphy. “Thinking of my brothers Dick Gregory + Charlie Murphy,” tweeted rapper Common, after the snub. “I’ll never forget you. I miss you both.”