In the aftermath of the ceremony, presenter Jimmy Kimmel is being criticised for remaining on the ground during Quinta Brunson’s acceptance speech for best writing in a comedy series, on Abbott Elementary.
Kimmel was dragged on stage by his fellow presenter Will Arnett to announce the nominees, but remained on the floor as Brunson spoke, even giving a thumbs up to her from the floor. He was later dragged off stage.
Some took to social media to criticise Kimmel as being disrespectful, including Andy Dehnart, secretary of the Television Critics Association.
Jimmy Kimmel not moving to get out of Quinta Brunson's way is a (shitty, selfish, bullshit) choice. #Emmys
— Andy Dehnart (@realityblurred) September 13, 2022
Can't lie, I'm still annoyed that Jimmy Kimmel's annoying ass was on the ground trying to take attention away from Quinta Brunson's historic victory. #Emmys2022
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) September 13, 2022
Brunson seemed to take the joke well, and thanked Kimmel in her speech. Backstage, she told reporters that it “didn’t bother me that much” and explained that Kimmel had provided her first major late-night appearance.
“I think in that moment, I was just really happy that it was Jimmy up there,” she said. “I kind of consider him one of the comedy godfathers. I’m a huge fan of Will Arnett, so I was wrapped up in the moment. I don’t know — tomorrow, maybe I’ll be mad at him. I’m gonna be on his show on Wednesday, so I might punch him in the face. I don’t know. We’ll see what happens.”
The 2022 Emmys – that's a wrap!
It was a year of few surprises: the top categories saw many return winners, in Succession, Ted Lasso, Jason Sudeikis, Zendaya and Jean Smart. But we also had a few moments of genuine surprise: mainly Lee Jung-jae taking best actor for Squid Game, and Quinta Brunson for Abbott Elementary.
You can read the full list of winners here:
And you can ogle the best red carpet looks here:
My 45 seconds are over – as ever, thank you for joining us!
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WINNER: Succession wins best drama series
Selma Blair takes to the stage to strong applause, dressed beautifully and using her cane. (She revealed in 2018 that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.)
Succession wins the top gong, for the second time: it also won in 2020. Creator Jesse Armstrong makes a pointed remark about there being “a bit more voting involved” in their win than King Charles’ recent accession to the throne. I didn’t catch what Brian Cox said to Armstrong afterwards, but it seemed approving.
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WINNER: Ted Lasso wins best comedy series
Pete Davidson comes on stage dressed like an Australian tradie, then announces the winner is Ted Lasso.
Look. This show was up against What We Do in the Shadows, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Hacks and Barry. We’re not in lockdown anymore, yet Ted Lasso continues to win stuff. Jason Sudeikis says the nice soccer show is about “good and evil, truth and lies”. Sure thing bud.
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WINNER: The White Lotus wins best limited series
Showrunner and creator Mike White leads a huge procession of cast and crew on stage, briefly mentions HBO and then hands the spotlight over to executive producer Nick Hall, who is a rare example of someone actually writing out a speech.
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WINNER: Lee Jung-jae wins lead actor in a drama series for Squid Game
Wow! In a genuine upset, the Squid Game actor wins in a category that pit him against Brian Cox, Adam Scott, Jeremy Strong and Bob Odenkirk. The South Korean is the first actor in a non-English language series to be nominated in this category, let alone win. Truly a surprise.
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WINNER: Jesse Armstrong wins best writing in a drama series for Succession
He was up against Better Call Saul, but Armstrong has deserved an Emmy since Peep Show. He also won this category for the Sucession season one and two finales.
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WINNER: MJ Delaney wins best writing in a comedy series for Ted Lasso
I have already made my opinions about Ted Lasso clear. Well done to MJ Delaney, who is wearing a dress with incredible sleeves and gives a speech so quick that no laser dot appears on her forehead.
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WINNER: Jean Smart wins lead actress in a comedy series for Hacks
The third queen of the evening (following Lizzo and Jennifer Coolidge) takes to the stage to receive her second lead actress in a comedy series in a row, having won for Hacks last year too.
She’s funny and radiant and wins the hearts of everyone in the room. Let’s gather again to see her win again next year.
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Doing a little searching around and it appears Zendaya has just become the first Black woman to win the Emmy for lead actress in a drama series twice. She became the second Black actress to win the category in 2020, after Viola Davis in 2015. Seeing as Zendaya is just 26, that is an astounding achievement (and an indictment on the Emmys’ track record.)
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WINNER: Zendaya wins lead actress in a drama series for Euphoria
Zendaya sees off competition from Jodie Comer, Laura Linney, Melanie Lynskey, Sandra Oh and Reese Witherspoon for her performance as Rue in Euphoria. She also won this award two years ago, for the same role.
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WINNER: Hwang Dong-hyuk wins best director of a drama series for Squid Game
Squid Game lands its first win of the evening*, with Hwang Dong-hyuk taking to the stage without his translator and giving a perfect speech in English. He also reveals the time limit is 45 seconds, which seems longer than expected given the panic everyone is having.
* The show won three Creative Arts Emmys the other day, but they don’t get televised so somehow that means they don’t count.
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WINNER: Quinta Brunson wins best writing on a comedy series for Abbott Elementary
Will Arnett drags Jimmy Kimmel on stage and it is immediately funnier than any moment in Ted Lasso. ANYWAY. Brunson wins for her work on Abbott Elementary and handles the time limit like an absolute pro. She’s been an absolute star since her Instagram series, The Girl Who’s Never Been on a Nice Date.
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WINNER: Jason Sudeikis wins lead actor in a comedy series for Ted Lasso
Law and Order stars Chris Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are pretending they are investigating an Emmy being stolen. But they appear in Law and Order: SVU, which somehow implies the Emmy statue was assaulted. Who cares – they are both super hot and this really doesn’t make much sense.
Sudeikis takes to the stage to win yet another gong for Ted Lasso, a repeat of last year. It remains baffling to me that TV’s equivalent of beige continues to dominate the comedy categories, but it is nice I guess.
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We’re now at the in memoriam point of the evening, with Betty White, Nichelle Nichols, Bob Saget, James Caan, Gilbert Gottfried, Ray Liotta, Sidney Poitier and Anne Heche all getting mentions. As we’ve been saying every year since about 2016: it truly has been a big year for celebrity deaths.
John Legend performs; it is undeniably moving, but it does feel like the only time I see him perform is at in memoriam ceremonies. I’ve just checked and he has only done it once before, at the 2017 Grammys, so it is truly just a vibe he gives off. Sorry John.
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WINNER: Jerrod Carmichael wins for writing for a variety special
The comedian takes to the stage, deservedly winning for his comedy special Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel. (If you haven’t seen it yet, I recommend you go find it any way you can – it is completely brilliant.)
He also happens to be wearing the best outfit of the night. (Sorry Lizzo.)
“I wanted to win, I am happy I won,” he says, adding: “I’m going to go home because I can’t top this right now.” Beautifully put.
WINNER: Mike White wins best writing in a limited series
Writing dream team and my dream aunt and uncle, Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak, take to the stage to present best writer on a limited series. Mike White takes to the stage for the second time in one minute to receive his second Emmy of the night. He starts talking about Survivor for some reason, because why not when you’re being given a whole extra seven seconds on stage.
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WINNER: Mike White wins best director of a limited series
Diego Luna and Rosario Dawson take to the stage to announce the nominees for best director of a limited series. Dawson makes an awkward joke about being ambushed in a dark parking lot, which seems to just unsettle everyone. Can’t they give the presenters the ridiculously tough time limit too?
Of course, Mike White wins for The White Lotus. He tearfully thanks Molly Shannon and Jennifer Coolidge for inspiring him to write the show.
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If you missed it earlier, here is Sheryl Lee Ralph’s very moving speech for best supporting actress in a comedy series, for her role in Abbott Elementary.
Sheryl Lee Ralph just gave the most moving acceptance speech in #Emmys history. #AbbottElementary pic.twitter.com/IvNdXQx94o
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) September 13, 2022
Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media receives the Governors award
The actor’s organisation, focused on promoting gender equality in entertainment, has won the 2022 Governors award. Sarah Paulson and Shonda Rhimes introduce a little movie about Davis and the organisation, with interviews with Meryl Streep and Rashida Jones.
The Governors award is for individuals or organisations that have made a profound impact on entertainment. It is only given in years when a recipient is deemed worthy – other recipients include Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, PBS and Star Trek.
We spoke to her in 2020 about the organisation – you can read that interview here.
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WINNER: Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls wins competition series
Two cast members of the show that will surely dominate next year, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, are on stage, Markella Kavenagh giving us our second Australian accent of the night. Hey I’m in charge here.
Lizzo wins for her dancing reality show Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, and has to shuffle that wonderful dress up on stage to receive her award. “I need my big girls to come to the stage right now,” she shouts and bursts into tears. “When I was a little girl all I wanted to see someone like me in the media, fat like me, black like me, beautiful like me. If I could go back and tell little Lizzo something, I’d be like ‘You’re gonna see that person, but bitch it’s gonna have to be you.’”
Her big grrrls (the show’s contestants) are at the back and having the time of their lives.
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WINNER: Amanda Seyfried wins lead actress in a limited series
Seyfried wins for her performance as Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout. Her slightly panicked speech makes me feel they must be writing threats on the teleprompter to motivate anyone who stays longer than 20 seconds.
WINNER: Jennifer Coolidge wins supporting actress in a limited series
Freddie Highmore, who plays a doctor in a show no one watches, thanks doctors for being doctors, then goes to the prize announcement. Five of the seven nominees in this category are in The White Lotus and the queen wins: Jennifer Coolidge.
“Oh hey, hi,” Coolidge purrs, then kicks off in her wonderful way. “I took a lavender bath tonight and it made me swell up inside my dress, I am having a hard time speaking. This is so thrilling – first, oh shit I didn’t think it was going to happen,” she says to laughs, unrolling a crumpled speech. The music starts: “Oh wait, this is a once in a lifetime thing – I am full, I am full!” she says, before defiantly dancing to the play-off music.
I love her. We all love her. Let’s put her in everything.
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Right we’re one hour in and we’ve got our first Will Smith slap joke. I applaud the restraint.
There was just a weird extended film that seemed to be promoting both the work of editors and a certain brand of car that I won’t mention here because they’re not bloody paying us to advertise, are they. It earns some confused applause in the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. It makes me feel better that even the millionaires with their golden idols are watching this stuff too.
WINNER: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver wins best variety talk series
Steve Martin, Selena Gomez and Martin Short present this award, reminding everyone why they’re so excellent together in Only Murders in the Building and making everyone slightly wish that they were hosting.
ANYWAY John Oliver wins; the British comedian takes a knee before Martin and Short as he receives his statue. He also makes note of the punishing clock in his speech, saying it says “STOP NOW” in big letters. I’ve decided I like this breakneck speed, though please pray for the Guardian subeditors correcting all my spelling in these posts.
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WINNER: Saturday Night Live wins best variety sketch show
Lorne Michaels takes to the stage to receive the award, thanking the cast for “all showing up” during the pandemic. This is SNL’s 87th Emmy win. That’s right.
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We all know Lizzo can wear a big dress like no one else, but I feel this needs its own post.
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WINNER: Brett Goldstein wins supporting actor in a comedy series
The British actor wins for his role as footballer Roy Kent in Ted Lasso, winning the gong two years in a row. He apologises for swearing last year, which apparently cut the broadcast in the UK – and promptly swears again, bless.
WINNER: Sheryl Lee Ralph wins supporting actress in a comedy series
Sheryl Lee Ralph takes to the stage in tears and, unexpectedly, leads a rousing rendition of Endangered Species by Dianne Reeves, earning a standing ovation. Has anyone seen Abbott Elementary? I need to start watching Abbott Elementary.
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As per Julia Garner’s speech, it appears the Emmys is shuffling everyone off faster than normal by asking everyone for their thank yous in advance. I can’t say I hate it, but it also seems weird.
wait, wait wait the emmys have a lower third banner where you can pre-submit your thank yous??? pic.twitter.com/tM6vGWnVHi
— Kathryn VanArendonk (@kvanaren) September 13, 2022
If you missed it earlier this week, our very own Adrian Horton in the US wrote about who should – and who will – win today. For the ceremony’s top award – outstanding drama – she predicts that Emmys-favourite Succession will win, but that Severance, making its Emmy debut this year, should win. Let’s see if she’s right!
WINNER: Julia Garner wins supporting actress in a drama series for Ozark
Garner thanks her co-stars Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, and seems flustered by the countdown; strangely, there is text at the bottom of the screen also detailing how she would like to thank her husband Mark. Is there no time to mention Mark? Is it just me, or is this all proceeding at an unusual, breakneck speed?
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WINNER: Matthew Macfadyen wins supporting actor in a drama series for Succession
Everyone’s favourite punching bag (Tom) has won best supporting actor and takes to the stage, probably surprising some Americans with his perfectly clipped English accent in the process. In true Tom fashion, he also gets played off.
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WINNER: Murray Bartlett wins supporting actor in a limited series for The White Lotus
Aussie winner! Sorry, I am going to be inordinately pleased for a while. Bartlett wins deservingly for his excellent performance in The White Lotus, which involved, among other things, pooping in a suitcase.
Bartlett looks thrilled and thanks Mike White, who is mid-wine glug, and his mum “all the way home in Australia for giving me the ultimate foundation in unconditional love”. Aw.
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WINNER: Michael Keaton wins lead actor in a limited series for Dopesick
Birdman gives Oprah Winfrey a hug as he takes to the stage.
“I’ve had some doubters – and you know what? We’re cool,” he says, to laughter and applause, before thanking “the true believers”: “I fucking love you man.”
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Follow the 2022 Emmys live!
Good morning and evening wherever you are in the world – my name is Sian Cain and I am writing from Melbourne, Australia. Today is the 2022 Emmy awards, held in downtown Los Angeles, marking the best in television. Following the pattern of the last few years, surely we’re in for a night dominated by Better Call Saul and Succession, and more inexplicably, Ted Lasso.
But we’ve also got a few newcomers: Severance, Apple TV+’s hit drama that has 14 nominations this year, as well as Yellowjackets and Squid Game, landing the Emmys’ first non-English language nominee for outstanding drama series.
In true Emmys fashion, we’ve kicked off with an awkward dance number dedicated to TV, with host Kenan Thompson leading dancers in bodypopping to Game of Thrones footage. Yeah, I don’t know either.
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