Emmys 2022: The 6 biggest talking points as Zendaya, Lee Jung-jae and Succession triumph
The biggest night in television has wrapped in Los Angeles, with ‘The White Lotus’ cleaning up and Lizzo, Zendaya and Jason Sudeikis among those going home happy.
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Your support makes all the difference.The 2022 Emmys saw a galaxy of stars gather in Los Angeles to celebrate the best in television.
Actor and Saturday Night Live comedian Kenan Thompson oversaw proceedings at the Microsoft Theater, bringing wit and charm to the role despite some lacklustre sketches.
The tight three-hour telecast produced plenty of memorable moments. Here are the biggest talking points from the 2022 Emmys:
The White Lotus reigns supreme
The night’s biggest winner was The White Lotus. The razor-sharp social satire won Outstanding Limited Series as well as two awards for creator Mike White (one for directing, another for writing). It also gave Murray Bartlett and Jennifer Coolidge their first Emmys with supporting actor nods. Coolidge delivered one of the night’s most entertaining speeches, culminating in her bursting into dance when they tried to play her off. White, meanwhile, referred to his time on reality show Survivor when he jokingly pleaded: “Don’t vote me off the island!”
Succession creator Jesse Armstrong fails to ‘keep it royalist’
Hotly-tipped Emmys favourite Succession had a good night, winning Outstanding Drama Series at the very end of the night as well as a writing award for creator Jesse Armstrong and a supporting actor gong for Matthew Macfadyen. Despite his writing accolades, Armstrong may end up wishing he’d polished his final acceptance speech a little more. “Big week for successions,” he said on stage. “New King in the UK, this for us. Evidently a little bit more voting for us than Prince Charles. I’m not saying we’re more legitimate in our position than he is, we’ll leave that to other people...” Armstrong’s words were met with uncomfortable sounds from the audience, with actor Brian Cox, who was also on stage, chiming in with the advice: “Keep it royalist! Keep it royalist!”
Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae and director Hwang Dong-hyuk make history
There were few winners in the brutal South Korean survival drama Squid Game, but the series produced a couple of historic ones at the Emmys. Star Lee Jung-jae became the first Asian actor to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, while director Hwang Dong-hyuk became the first Asian director to win in the Outstanding Drama Series category and the first ever director to win for a non-English language series.
Sheryl Lee Ralph shows off her vocal talents while delivering the ‘Greatest Emmy speech of all time’
Sheryl Lee Ralph delighted fans after winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Barbara Howard, a veteran teacher on Abbott Elementary. Howard belted out a snatch of “Endangered Species” by jazz singer Dianne Reeves before proclaiming that: “This is what not giving up on yourself looks like.” Watch her staggering speech here.
Unlike his girlfriends, DiCaprio jokes don’t get old
Jokes about Leonardo DiCaprio refusing to date anyone over the age of 25 have become something of an awards show staple over the last few years - but Kenan Thompson still drew a shocked response with his line: “Twenty-six is a weird age in Hollywood... You’re old enough to play a highschooler but too old to date Leonardo DiCaprio.”
Ted Lasso is still cream of the comedy crop
Football sitcomTed Lasso was once again celebrating after raising several trophies. As well as Outstanding Comedy Series, the night also saw acting wins for stars Jason Sudeikis and Brett Goldstein.
Here’s how the rest of the star-studded evening unfolded:
Connie Britton hints she could return in a future series of ‘The White Lotus'
Connie Britton is up for the Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie this year for her magnificent turn in resort-based social satire The White Lotus. While she won’t be back for the forthcoming second season, she reveals on the gold carpet that she did hold discussions about bringing her character back - and hints she might yet return in a future season.
What’s inside the 2022 Emmys gift bag?
It’s not just a fun new trophy that winners get to take home after the Emmys: all presenters and winners will also get a swag bag full of luxurious goodies. What exactly is inside? Find out here:
What’s inside the 2022 Emmys gift bag? From luxurious vacations to skincare
74th annual awards show will take place in Los Angeles tonight
No rest for the staff of ‘Abbot Elementary’
Abbot Elementary creator Quinta Brunson has revealed that her colleagues on the school-set sitcom will all be back at work tomorrow - they’d get more time off if they were real teachers! Brunson will also be appearing in the forthcoming Weird Al Yankovic biopic Weird. She describes her role as Oprah as: “What I was born to do”.
Zendaya back to make more history?
Two years ago, Zendaya broke a record when she won the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for Euphoria at just 24 years old. That makes her the youngest woman to ever take home that award, and this year - at the age of 26 - she becomes the youngest two-time lead actress nominee in Emmys history. Could she make it a double win tonight?
Kenan’s dance tribute to TV
Host Kenan Thompson, or as he calls himself: “The Mayor of Television,” gets things started at the 2022 Emmys with a dance routine set to the theme tunes from a variety of classic shows including Friends, The Brady Bunch, Law & Order, Stranger Things and Game of Thrones. Considering this is supposed to be a tribute to television, a lot of viewers may be tempted to switch theirs off after seeing this...
Fans praise Elle Fanning as she reveals Emmys 2022 dress was inspired by Old Hollywood
Fans have praised Elle Fanning’s look at this year’s Emmy Awards after she revealed that her outfit was inspired by Old Hollywood and created by the designer on her hit show, The Great. Read more about her eye-catching look here:
Fans praise Elle Fanning as she reveals Emmys dress was inspired by Old Hollywood
‘It’s so special and you can see that those dresses are made with love,’ actor says about outfit
Michael Keaton wins first award of the night for ‘Dopesick'
The night’s off to a flying start as TV icon Oprah Winfrey hands the award for Best Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie to Michael Keaton for his turn in Dopesick.
See a constantly updated list of winners here:
Emmys 2022: Full list of winners updated during Hollywood ceremony
All the winners from the Los Angeles ceremony
Murray Bartlett wins Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for ‘The White Lotus'
The second winner of the night is Australian actor Murray Bartlett, who takes home Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his stand-out role in Mike White’s social satire The White Lotus.
Matthew Macfadyen wins Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Matthew Macfadyen thanks Succession creator Jesse Armstrong and his “remarkable writing team” for the “bonkers gift of a role” that is Tom Wambsgans. He’s the first British winner of the night - and perhaps the first of many winners from Succession.
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