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Emmy Awards 2016: Surprises Among Early Comedy Winners Emmy Awards 2016: O.J. Simpson Drama Dominates Emmys, Sweeping 5 Categories
(about 2 hours later)
LOS ANGELES — Free of the controversy that overshadowed this year’s Academy Awards and its lineup of all-white acting nominees, the 68th Primetime Emmys arrived on ABC on Sunday night with the focus squarely on the awards at a time when there’s never been more competition in TV. LOS ANGELES — FX’s popular “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” had a triumphant showing at the 68th Primetime Emmys on Sunday night, capturing several acting awards and winning the honor for best limited series.
[ Read our live coverage of the Emmys | see red carpet looks | the list of Emmy winners ][ Read our live coverage of the Emmys | see red carpet looks | the list of Emmy winners ]
Two HBO hits, “Game of Thrones” and “Veep,” were looking to repeat in the best drama and best comedy categories. And the limited series category was receiving extra attention thanks to FX’s “The People v. O. J. Simpson” and its star-studded cast. Would it come close to sweeping all the limited series categories? (Very possibly.) The Emmys can be a numbingly predictable show, but the success of the O.J. series set the tone for a ceremony that was infused with a new energy, with Sarah Paulson, Courtney B. Vance and Sterling K. Brown all scoring their first Emmy victories.
In a sign of the expected Emmys dominance for both shows, Jimmy Kimmel, the show’s host, said in his opening monologue, “If your show doesn’t have a dragon or a white bronco in it, go home.” Kate McKinnon of “Saturday Night Live” also provided a change of pace, upsetting Allison Janney, a seven-time Emmy winner, as best supporting actress for comedy. Likewise, Louie Anderson won his first Emmy in the best supporting actor category for his role as a suburban mother in FX’s “Baskets.”
Mr. Kimmel then veered into the presidential election. Lamenting the possibility of a Donald J. Trump presidency, he lit into the reality show producer Mark Burnett, who was one of the creators of NBC’s “The Apprentice,” the show that made Mr. Trump a nationwide television star. With ABC’s camera firmly squared on Mr. Burnett — who laughed the entire time, despite the charged barbs — Mr. Kimmel said that if Mr. Trump is elected president, Mr. Burnett is the man to blame. There was also a changing of the guard in the variety category, as John Oliver’s show, “Last Week Tonight,” ended the 13-year run of Comedy Central victories.
There were familiar winners as well: In the comedy category, Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her fifth consecutive best actress award for her role on “Veep,” and Jeffrey Tambor, for the second year in a row, won for his role as a transgender woman in “Transparent.”
In a sign of the expected Emmys dominance for “Game of Thrones” and “O.J,” Jimmy Kimmel, the show’s host, said in his opening monologue, “If your show doesn’t have a dragon or a white bronco in it, go home.”
Mr. Kimmel veered into the presidential election, but he otherwise spent his routine on the TV industry, including an introductory video in which he appeared in a “Carpool Karaoke” segment with his late-night rival James Corden.
Here are some of the themes and highlights of the evening:
Comedy Central had a chokehold on the variety talk show category for years, and a Comedy Central alumnus took the award on Sunday: Mr. Oliver, for his HBO show, “Last Week Tonight.”
The show is now in its third season, and the win represents a breakthrough of sorts. The Emmy in this category has been handed out to daily talk shows for years and hasn’t been given to a weekly show since Tracey Ullman won for her sketch series “Tracey Takes On…” nearly 20 years ago. (Starting last year, variety sketch series and variety talk series were separated into different categories.)
Mr. Oliver’s triumph is a blow for Comedy Central, which had won this award for 13 consecutive years between “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report.” Not this year; Trevor Noah, Jon Stewart’s replacement, was shut out of the race and not nominated in his first year as host of “The Daily Show.”
But there was some solace in Comedy Central’s night, when “Key & Peele” won the best variety sketch series award. The bad news? That is now off the air.
Not surprisingly, this year’s divisive election played a significant role in this year’s ceremony.
Lamenting the possibility of a Donald J. Trump presidency, Mr. Kimmel lit into the reality show producer Mark Burnett, who was one of the creators of NBC’s “The Apprentice,” the show that made Mr. Trump a nationwide television star. With ABC’s camera firmly squared on Mr. Burnett — who laughed the entire time, despite the charged barbs — Mr. Kimmel said that if Mr. Trump is elected president, Mr. Burnett is the man to blame.
“If he’s elected and he builds that wall, the first person we’re throwing over it is Mark Burnett,” Mr. Kimmel said.“If he’s elected and he builds that wall, the first person we’re throwing over it is Mark Burnett,” Mr. Kimmel said.
He otherwise spent his routine on the TV industry, including an introductory video in which he appeared in a Carpool Karaoke segment with his late-night rival James Corden. Later in the night, after “The Voice” won the best reality show, Mr. Burnett, a producer for that show as well, shot back at Mr. Kimmel saying that the host gave “another five minutes of free publicity” for Mr. Trump.
The first award of the evening went to Louie Anderson for his role as Zach Galifianakis’s suburban mother in FX’s “Baskets.” Mr. Kimmel took the stage afterward and had his own retort: “That Emmy is going on the hood of Trump’s limousine, isn’t it? “
In the night’s first big upset, Kate McKinnon won for best supporting actress in a comedy series for her role in “Saturday Night Live,” upsetting Allison Janney, a seven-time Emmy winner. And, yet again, Julia Louis-Dreyfus won the best actress in a comedy Emmy, the fifth consecutive year she’s won for her role as Selina Meyer in “Veep.” And Ms. Louis-Dreyfus, who plays the vice president turned president Selina Meyer, said this upon winning her Emmy for every year she’s been nominated in the role: “Our show started out as a political satire, but it now feels more like a sobering documentary.”
Here were five issues that loomed as the awards approached and took the air: FX’s “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story” was a ratings hit and a darling of critics, and now a big-time Emmy winner.
The Emmys tend to find winners and cling to them for years (Jim Parsons, “Modern Family,” Ms. Janney), which is what made last year’s first-time victories for HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and “Veep” in the drama and comedy categories so refreshing. In addition to winning the limited series Emmy, Ms. Paulson, Mr. Vance and Mr. Brown all won acting awards. Mr. Vance and Mr. Brown both beat co-stars to win. Nearly every feature player on the show was nominated for an award, a total of six in all.
New voting rules helped secure their victories. (Everyone in the Television Academy, which organizes the Emmys, can now vote in the top categories, instead of just members of a closed-off committee.) But the question looming over Sunday’s selections was whether their victories ushered in a new era of unpredictability or Emmy voters had simply found new thoroughbreds to ride. After Ms. Paulson was named best actress, she got up from her seat and gave a big hug to Marcia Clark, the prosecutor she played in the 10-episode drama, and whom she brought as her date to the ceremony.
There is some good news for HBO’s rivals: Next year, “Game of Thrones,” one of the most widely praised dramas, will not be eligible for the Emmys; the network elected to start the show’s seventh season next summer, outside of the Emmy-eligible window. Ms. Paulson’s performance was a sympathetic one, and it’s been a year of redemption for Ms. Clark.
Though the Emmys are usually numbingly predictable, two categories seemed very much up for grabs, and they were big ones: best actor and best actress in a drama. Last year, Viola Davis became the first African-American woman to win in that category for “How to Get Away With Murder,” and she was a favorite to prevail again. And with politics in the air, Ms. Wright’s portrayal of the vice-presidential candidate Claire Underwood in “House of Cards” had a chance to produce her first prime-time Emmy. “I, along with the rest of the world, had been superficial and careless in my judgment,” Ms. Paulson said, choking up as she directed her comments to Ms. Clark. “And I am glad to be able to stand here today in front of everyone and tell you I’m sorry.’’
The best actor category — in which the prize went last year to Jon Hamm, whose Don Draper character in “Mad Men” is now retired — was wide open. The three top contenders were the newcomer Rami Malek for his role as a hacker in “Mr. Robot” and two veterans: Kevin Spacey as President Frank Underwood in “House of Cards” and Bob Odenkirk in “Better Call Saul.” None have won acting Emmys. For FX, “The People v. O.J. Simpson” was the leader for what was turning out to be its best year at the Emmys ever. “Fargo” was also nominated in the limited-series category and, after years of being shut out in previous seasons, FX’s critically praised “The Americans” finally broke through with three major nominations — best drama, best actor (Matthew Rhys) and best actress (Keri Russell).
One other question was whether Emmy voters would give any love to “Downton Abbey,” which completed its final season this year. It was up for drama, but many experts considered the best supporting actress in a drama category, with Maggie Smith, to be its best chance for a victory.
The comedy talk-show space has never been more crowded, and even with diminished ratings, the spotlight can still be awfully bright: Just ask Jimmy Fallon, who was criticized for his “Tonight Show” interview with Donald J. Trump on Thursday.
Comedy Central has dominated the variety show category, winning for 13 consecutive years with “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report.” Not this year; Trevor Noah, Jon Stewart’s replacement, was shut out of the race in his first year as host of “The Daily Show.”
The favorite to win was John Oliver for his HBO show “Last Week Tonight,” now in its third season. The Emmy for variety show has been handed out to daily talk shows for years and hasn’t been given to a weekly show since Tracey Ullman won for her sketch series “Tracey Takes On…” nearly 20 years ago. (Starting last year, variety sketch series and variety talk series were separated into different categories.)
Other nominees include the newcomer James Corden (though, notably, not his CBS colleague Stephen Colbert) and late-night veterans including Mr. Kimmel; Mr. Fallon; Bill Maher; and Jerry Seinfeld, for “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.”
FX’s “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story” was a ratings hit and a darling of critics, setting it up for a potentially big night at the Emmys.
Nearly every feature player for the limited series scored a nomination, including Sarah Paulson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Courtney B. Vance, Sterling K. Brown, John Travolta and David Schwimmer. Ms. Paulson has been nominated for an Emmy six times and was looking for her first win. Her possible good-luck charm? She brought the former prosecutor Marcia Clark — whom she portrayed in the 10-episode series — as her date.
For FX, the Emmy glow extended beyond the O. J. series. “Fargo” was also nominated in the limited-series category and was vying to claim its second victory in three years. And after years of being shut out, FX’s critically praised “The Americans” finally broke through with three major nominations — best drama, best actor (Matthew Rhys) and best actress (Keri Russell).
HBO had an early lead after the Creative Arts Emmys were handed out last weekend, but FX was not far behind, with 12 compared with 16 for HBO. There was a possibility, though remote, that FX could catch HBO, which has won the most Emmys of any network for 14 consecutive years.
The Oscars have been the subject of withering outrage the last two years for a lack of racial diversity in the acting categories. The Emmys? There’s been something closer to silence. No one would argue that TV has fully addressed the issue of race — it has a problem when it comes to tapping minorities behind the scenes, as the Directors Guild of America reported last week, and CBS was criticized in August for a fall lineup featuring familiar white male actors. But nearly two dozen minority actors were nominated for Emmys this year, following Ms. Davis’s acting victory a year ago.The Oscars have been the subject of withering outrage the last two years for a lack of racial diversity in the acting categories. The Emmys? There’s been something closer to silence. No one would argue that TV has fully addressed the issue of race — it has a problem when it comes to tapping minorities behind the scenes, as the Directors Guild of America reported last week, and CBS was criticized in August for a fall lineup featuring familiar white male actors. But nearly two dozen minority actors were nominated for Emmys this year, following Ms. Davis’s acting victory a year ago.
Instead, attention has turned to the awards themselves, with campaigning having turned into something of a blood sport. In the last two years there has been a 40 percent increase in the number of submissions for the best drama Emmy, according to the Television Academy. And “for your consideration” mailers have reached comical proportions, with Netflix sending out a package to Emmy voters so hefty that it could crush a toe.Instead, attention has turned to the awards themselves, with campaigning having turned into something of a blood sport. In the last two years there has been a 40 percent increase in the number of submissions for the best drama Emmy, according to the Television Academy. And “for your consideration” mailers have reached comical proportions, with Netflix sending out a package to Emmy voters so hefty that it could crush a toe.
But even if the industry is in a locked battle, that interest isn’t necessarily spreading to the public. The Emmys broadcast had its lowest ratings ever last year, following a trend for other awards shows.But even if the industry is in a locked battle, that interest isn’t necessarily spreading to the public. The Emmys broadcast had its lowest ratings ever last year, following a trend for other awards shows.
For each of the last three years, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon have been getting close to breaking through at the Emmys. Netflix had 54 nominations this year, its highest ever, and for the first time, it did better than any of the broadcast networks. (Pity ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox: Their presence diminishes each year.)For each of the last three years, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon have been getting close to breaking through at the Emmys. Netflix had 54 nominations this year, its highest ever, and for the first time, it did better than any of the broadcast networks. (Pity ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox: Their presence diminishes each year.)
But when it comes to the major awards, the streaming services are having a harder time of it. Jeffrey Tambor did win best actor in a comedy last year for his role as a transgender woman in Amazon’s “Transparent.” And last year, Netflix had one victory in the major awards, with Uzo Aduba taking best supporting actress in a drama for her role as Crazy Eyes in “Orange Is the New Black.”But when it comes to the major awards, the streaming services are having a harder time of it. Jeffrey Tambor did win best actor in a comedy last year for his role as a transgender woman in Amazon’s “Transparent.” And last year, Netflix had one victory in the major awards, with Uzo Aduba taking best supporting actress in a drama for her role as Crazy Eyes in “Orange Is the New Black.”
But Ms. Aduba was not even nominated this year, and Netflix in previous years has struck out in all the other top awards: best drama, best comedy, best actor and actress in a comedy or drama. Mr. Spacey and Ms. Wright had the chance to change that on Sunday. Netflix could also hope for victories (however unlikely) from “House of Cards” in the drama category and “Master of None” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” in comedy. But Ms. Aduba was not even nominated this year, and Netflix in previous years has struck out in all the other top awards: best drama, best comedy, best actor and actress in a comedy or drama. Mr. Spacey and Ms. Wright had the chance to change that on Sunday.