Behind the Scenes: Jennifer Aniston’s Ticket Troubles You Missed on TV

LOS ANGELES — The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards showcased groundbreaking achievements as FX’s “Shogun” made history with wins for the first two Japanese actors ever—Hiroyuki Sanada for best actor in a drama and Anna Sawai for best actress. The series, set in 17th-century feudal Japan, also clinched the best drama award, accumulating an impressive total of 18 Emmy wins, including 14 awards at last week’s Creative Arts Emmys.

Among the most memorable moments from behind the scenes was Richard Gadd, star and creator of “Baby Reindeer.” Gadd found himself hilariously juggling three large trophies—best limited series, best actor, and best writer—while attempting to keep his kilt in place for a photo opportunity with co-star Jessica Gunning, who won best supporting actress. The situation became so demanding that Gadd needed outside help to manage both his outfit and his accolades before finally posing for the cameras.

Aside from the significant wins, the Emmy Awards were filled with delightful interactions and unexpected occurrences unseen on television.

Jennifer Aniston’s presence on the red carpet was nothing short of iconic. Dressed in an exquisite Oscar de la Renta gown, her arrival was so prominent it felt worthy of an announcement. However, Aniston faced a minor setback when her tickets wouldn’t scan for an eternity of two minutes. She maintained her composure as onlookers watched, until one person shouted, “Why are you not letting her in? You know who this is!” This prompted security to promptly allow her entry, where she then mingled inside the theater, even embracing Robert Downey Jr. for a photo.

Meanwhile, Dakota Fanning, star of “Ripley,” embraced a more laid-back approach by enduring a 50-person line at the concession stand. Dressed in an elegant champagne gown, she purchased nachos for $8.50, enjoying them among friends. Kiwi actor and director Taika Waititi demonstrated a similar down-to-earth spirit as he navigated through fans while buying $17.50 cocktails for himself and girlfriend Rita Ora, all while managing various requests for selfies.

Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup seemed to steal the spotlight as the cutest couple of the night. Crudup took home the award for best supporting actor in a drama series for “The Morning Show.” During his acceptance speech, he fondly referred to Watts as his “piece of eye candy.” While Watts was nominated, she did not win for her role in “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans.” The couple, who wed last year, shared backstage mutual admiration, joking about their competitive nature, likening it to playing Scrabble.

At the afterparty, their camaraderie was further illustrated when Watts took care of Crudup’s Emmy trophy as it was engraved, while Crudup chatted with fellow winner Ebon Moss-Bachrach. When the band played “Hold On, I’m Coming,” Watts playfully guided Crudup into a joyful dance, leaving him with a smile, an Emmy in one hand, and a beer in the other.

John Oliver provided comic relief during his award speech for “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” As he thanked the recently deceased family dog, the orchestra began to play him off, leading him to humorously tell them to stop—using a more colorful expression. Later, he expressed appreciation for the music’s interruption, as it provided him with a chance to make light of a somber topic. “I’m very grateful they gave me a parachute so I can avoid my feelings once more,” Oliver remarked backstage.

Even without a win this year, Ayo Edebiri of “The Bear” appeared to soak up the excitement of the event. She had a memorable moment on the red carpet, overcome with joy at meeting Reba McEntire. Inside the theater, she encountered Selena Gomez, leading to a delightful traffic jam as they exchanged compliments and fun conversation during a commercial break. “Oh, this old thing!” Edebiri laughed at Gomez’s praise of her gown, ending their interaction with a playful, “Keep it up dude.”

The night was filled with remarkable achievements, heartwarming moments, and plenty of laughs, creating an unforgettable Emmy experience for all in attendance.