Postponed by four months because of Hollywood strikes, the Emmy Awards finally took place Monday, with the last season of “Succession” scooping six prizes including best drama, on a nostalgic night that honored television’s past and present.
The HBO show about the back-stabbing dynastic battles of a powerful media family won awards for stars Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook and Matthew Macfadyen, while “The Bear” topped the comedy awards and “Beef” led in the limited series section.
“This is a show about family, but it’s also about when… partisan news coverage gets intertwined with divisive right-wing politics,” said “Succession” creator Jesse Armstrong.
“After four seasons of satire, as I understand it, that’s a problem we have now fixed,” he joked, on the night that Donald Trump won the Iowa Republican caucuses.
Accepting their best actress and actor prizes, both Snook — who was pregnant during the show’s final season — and Culkin paid tribute to their babies.
“Succession,” which had already won best drama series twice previously, had entered the night with a whopping 27 nominations, including a record three of the six nominees for best actor. It also won for best writing and directing.
Jennifer Coolidge, the sole returning star for the Sicily-set second season of satire “The White Lotus,” won for best supporting actress. The Emmys, which are the small screen’s equivalent of the Oscars, typically take place in September. But organizers opted for an unusual January slot this time around, correctly gambling that the entertainment industry strikes would be over, and that actors would be free to attend.
Stars and guests from Harrison Ford to Joan Collins walked the red carpet into the Peacock Theatre at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles for the ceremony.
Celebrating its 75th year, the Emmys featured multiple skits paying homage to beloved classic shows on elaborate sets.
Stars like Kelsey Grammar and Ted Danson appeared on a set emulating the beloved famous Boston bar from “Cheers,” while “The Sopranos” actors Lorraine Bracco and Michael Imperioli presented an award from the mob drama’s psychiatrist office.
Other shows getting nostalgic reunions included “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Ally McBeal.”
The organizers’ decision to hark back to television’s golden days came in stark contrast with the gala’s recent struggles, as the Emmys’ audiences have plummeted.
