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:
Jesse Armstrong wins for ‘Succession’
There’s been no clean sweep for Succession tonight, but creator Jesse Armstong does win Best Writing for a Drama Series. He uses his speech to send a message of encouragement to his fellow writers: “It didn’t necessarily feel good when I was writing it.” “
Lee Jung-jae wins Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series
The brutal and brilliant Squid Game has produced another Emmy winner: Lee Jung-jae will take hom Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
Fans shocked by Norm Macdonald and Olivia Newton-John’s absence from In Memoriam segment
Emmys fans have been left surprised by Olivia Newton-John and Norm Macdonald’s absence from the Emmys 2022’s In Memoriam segment. Read more here:
Fans shocked Emmys 2022 In Memorian left out Norm Macdonald and Olivia Newton-John
Macdonald died in 2021 and was actually recognised during last year’s Emmys
‘The White Lotus’ is cleaning up
Mike White is back on stage to collect the Emmy for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series for The White Lotus. The show has emerged as the night’s biggest winner.
‘Ted Lasso’ wins Outstanding Comedy Series
Pete Davidson jokes that his presenting gig is just like Saturday Night Live: “Kenan is doing all the work and I’m refusing to say what the writers want.” He presents the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series to Ted Lasso, and Jason Sudeikis delivers a rapid, passionate speech that concludes with a promise to “See you for Season 3, at some point!”
‘Succession’ wins Outstanding Drama
The final award of the night goes to Succession. Creator Jesse Armstong has to tread carefully after pointing out it’s been a “big week for successions” but that this award involved more voting than Prince Charles required. Behind him, Brian Cox suggests he: “Keep it Royalist.”
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