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:
Mike White wins twice for ‘The White Lotus’
The White Lotus is rapidly turning into the night’s biggest success story. Creator Mike White is personally taking home two Emmys: One for directing and another for writing a limited or anthology series or movie. In his first speech he emotionally pays tribute to his parents, while in his second he makes reference to his appearance on reality survival show Survivor and jokingly pleads: “Don’t vote me off the island!”
Kenan reunites with Kel
A fun moment: host Kenan Thompson reunites with Kel Mitchell, his Kenan & Kel and Good Burger co-star.
Jerrod Carmichael wins for ‘Rothaniel'
Stand-up Jerrod Carmichael - shirtless and wearing Puff Daddy’s old fur coat - wins the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for his acclaimed HBO special Rothaniel, filmed at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City.
Sheryl Lee Ralph stuns viewers by singing ‘Endangered Species’
They’re already calling it the ‘Greatest Emmy speech of all time’. Check out video of Sheryl Lee Ralph’s stunning rendition of jazz singer Dianne Reeves’ “Endangered Species”:
Sheryl Lee Ralph stuns Emmys crowd by singing ‘Endangered Species’ in winning speech
Ralph won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Barbara Howard on ‘Abbott Elementary’
Jason Sudeikis wins for ‘Ted Lasso’
A moustachioed Jason Sudeikis says he’s “surprised and flattered” after winning Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for the titular role in much-loved football sitcom Ted Lasso.
Quinta Brunson wins Outstanding Writing for ‘Abbot Elementary'
Quinta Brunson takes home Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for her school sitcom Abbot Elementary.
Hwang Dong-hyuk is a ‘Squid Game’ victor
Hwang Dong-hyuk wins Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for Squid Game. The director says that he hopes it’s not the last time a non-English language series wins at the Emmys - and that it’s not the last time he wins either.
Zendaya makes history!
We told you earlier that Zendaya broke a record when she won Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Euphoria at the age of 24. She’s just won a second time, setting another record for youngest two-time winner at 26.
Jean Smart makes it a double
Jean Smart wins her second Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy in a row for her starring role as a legendary Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance in Hacks. She concludes her tongue-in-cheek speech by thanking the person who did her botox.
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