The annual Emmy Awards ceremony has come and gone for the second time this year. The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards took place recently, just months after Sarah Snook made headlines with her spectacular performance at the 75th ceremony.
This year, Australia continued to make its mark with Elizabeth Debicki securing her first Emmy win for her portrayal of Princess Diana in The Crown. Additionally, Billy Crudup made waves with an enthusiastic shoutout to his wife, Naomi Watts, during his acceptance speech.
For a recap of the most unforgettable moments from the 2024 Emmys, which came to play in Los Angeles on Sunday night (Monday morning in Australia), keep reading.
Catherine O’Hara’s comedic gag during the award presentation was spoiled by a visible card on her gown
An Unexpected Detail Spoiled Catherine O’Hara’s Presentation
Fans of Schitt’s Creek might have sensed something was off when Dan Levy and Eugene Levy reunited with former co-star Annie Murphy to present the final award of the night, without Catherine O’Hara.
O’Hara eventually joined the trio on stage to present the award for Outstanding Comedy Series, but not before delivering her own humorous performance.
She teased the audience by pretending to deliberate on choosing a winner, dramatically ripping up the winner’s card before pulling out a new one to announce Hacks as the recipient.
Eagle-eyed viewers spotted a detail that gave away the joke: a card was visible on the back of O’Hara’s gown as she made her entrance, revealing the gag before it was performed.
Anna Sawai makes history with her Emmys win
When Anna Sawai accepted her award for Outstanding Lead Actress, she was overcome with emotion, admitting, “I was crying before my name was announced; I’m a mess today.” Sawai’s victory was historic as she became the first woman of Asian descent to win in this category, beating other prominent nominees like Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.
In her heartfelt speech, Sawai, 32, expressed her gratitude, particularly to her mother, saying, “Mum, I love you. You are the reason I’m here. You showed me stoicism, which helped me portray Mariko.”
The debate continues: Is The Bear truly a comedy?
The Bear continued its streak of being nominated and winning in the comedy category, a point that Eugene and Dan Levy highlighted in their opening monologue. Eugene Levy noted, “Tonight, The Bear is nominated for 23 Emmys, making it the most-nominated comedy in history,” which drew applause from the audience.
He then addressed the ongoing debate about the show’s classification, saying, “While some might expect a joke about whether The Bear is really a comedy, we’ll refrain from making one, staying true to the show’s spirit.”
The audience responded with laughter, and the camera captured the approving nods of the series’ stars, Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
John Leguizamo’s emotional call for diversity leaves Selena Gomez in tears
John Leguizamo, known for his comedy, used his platform to emphasize the progress in diversity in television. He referenced the lack of Latinx representation on screen when he was growing up, making a poignant appeal for inclusivity.
As he celebrated the transgender, First Nations, and Latinx nominees, cameras captured a tearful Selena Gomez, who was nominated for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Only Murders in the Building. Gomez, visibly moved, smiled and nodded at the camera, while fellow nominee Sofía Vergara celebrated the mention with raised arms.
John Oliver’s defiant response to being played off
During his acceptance speech for Best Scripted Variety Series, John Oliver was interrupted by the wrap-up music as he emotionally thanked his beloved dog, who had recently passed away.
Oliver initially joked about the timing, saying, “That’s perfect timing; she was an amazing dog. This is for all dogs; you’re very good girls and boys.” However, as he wrapped up, he was caught on camera saying, “F–k you! I feel like Sarah McLachlan right now!” as he pointed to the audience.
Elizabeth Debicki’s milestone Emmy win
Elizabeth Debicki won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Princess Diana in The Crown. With tears in her eyes, Debicki, 34, quickly delivered her acceptance speech, noting, “I didn’t write anything down because I am very superstitious. Now I’m in a real pickle, so I’m gonna do this quickly.”
Earlier this year, Debicki won a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for the same role. This was her second Emmy nomination, but her first win.
Billy Crudup celebrates his win and honors Naomi Watts
Billy Crudup won Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for The Morning Show and made a memorable acceptance speech. He began by giving his wife, Naomi Watts, a heartfelt shoutout, saying, “I’m happy to be here with my piece of eye candy, my wife,” as he pointed to Watts, who was visibly elated.
Crudup also acknowledged their children and concluded his speech with gratitude, highlighting his wife’s achievements and their family.
Jennifer Aniston breaks her own fashion rule
Jennifer Aniston, renowned for her classic red carpet style, surprised everyone by breaking her usual fashion rule.
Instead of her traditional Little Black Dress, Aniston appeared in a stunning floor-length silver gown at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards. Nominated for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series for The Morning Show, Aniston lost to Anna Sawai.
Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup’s red carpet milestone
Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup made a unique appearance on the Emmys red carpet, marking their first joint appearance since their wedding in 2023. This event was special not only because it was their first red carpet together as a married couple but also because both were nominated for Emmys.
Watts was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series for her role in Feud: Capote vs The Swans, while Crudup won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Morning Wars.
Why were there two Emmy Awards ceremonies in 2024?
Typically, the Emmys are held once a year, with September marking the occasion when television’s elite gather to celebrate the best in the industry. However, the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards were held unusually early on January 15, 2024, due to delays caused by the writers’ and actors’ strikes, leading to a four-month postponement.
The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards has returned to the traditional schedule, reinstating the regular annual programming.
