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.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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:
Sheryl Lee Ralph wins Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler are here to award the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series to Sheryl Lee Ralph for her role as kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard on sitcom Abbott Elementary. She celebrates in spectacular fashion by singing Dianne Reeves’“Endangered Species” before delivering an impassioned speech.
Brett Goldstein wins Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (again)
Ted Lasso star (and Marvel’s Hercules) Brett Goldstein becomes the second British winner of the night as he retains his crown as Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Just like last time, the feed is cut when he swears... but we think he did that on purpose!
‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ wins Outstanding Variety Talk Series
After perennial favourite Saturday Night Live wins Outstanding Variety Sketch Series, Only Murders In The Building stars Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are on hand to award the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Talk Series to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver . Oliver thanks HBO show for letting his team make “exactly the show we want to.”
Hannah Waddingham praised as ‘iconic’ after revealing she is wearing sneakers under Emmys gown
The Ted Lasso star says she made fashion choice because she didn’t ‘want to wear heels’. Read more here:
Hannah Waddingham praised after revealing she is wearing sneakers under Emmys gown
Actor says she made fashion choice because she didn’t ‘want to wear heels’
Jennifer Coolidge wins!
Jennifer Coolidge wins Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for The White Lotus. Her speech is joyous. “Wow! Thank you! Gosh! What a night!” she gushes, before adding: “I just want to say, I took a lavender bath tonight and it made me swell up inside my dress. I’m having a hard time speaking.” When the music arrives to play her off, she responds by dancing.
Amanda Seyfried is a winner for ‘The Dropout'
Amanda Seyfried takes home Best Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her role in The Dropout. She barrels through a speech which thanks the whole family - including her dog.
Emmys host Kenan Thompson shocks audience with joke about Leonardo DiCaprio and Zendaya
Leo has been mocked for his relationship history at many awards shows over the years, and this year’s Emmys are no different. Here’s more on a joke that was foreseeable - but still stunned the audience:
Emmys host Kenan Thompson shocks audience with Leonardo DiCaprio and Zendaya joke
DiCaprio has been mocked for his relationship history at many awards shows over the years
Lizzo is an Emmy winner!
Not content with dominating modern pop, Lizzo can now add an Emmy to her heaving awards shelf. She wins Outstanding Competition Program for reality show Watch Out for the Big Grrrls. In an emotional speech she says it was her childhood dream to see someone “fat like me, black like me, beautiful like me” on screen.
Who is Emmys 2022 announcer and DJ Sam Jay?
How did Sam Jay land the role of annoucing this year’s Emmys? Here’s some background on the actor and comedian:
Geena Davis receives standing ovation as she collects the Governors Award
Thelma & Louise star Geena Davis isn’t just a groundbreaking actor - she’s also the founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, the leading organization on gender equality in popular culture. They receive the 2022 Governors Award Emmy in recognition of their work to encourage gender balance and inclusion throughout the entertainment industry.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments