‘The Bear’ and ‘Baby Reindeer’ Score Big Early Wins

As the Emmy Awards return for a second time in the same year, one has to wonder if they can truly be called “TV’s biggest night.” Yet, the glitz and glamour of the event undoubtedly provide a compelling allure, so we’ll allow it. The stars are, after all, dressed to the nines once again.

Just eight months have passed since the last ceremony aired on Fox, a schedule shift necessitated by last year’s writers’ and actors’ strikes. Now, it’s time to celebrate the standout TV series of the past year once more.

This year’s ceremony shone brightly with wins for the FX dramedy “The Bear,” Peacock’s reality hit “The Traitors,” and the Netflix sensation “Baby Reindeer,” making for a lively night dedicated to the world of television. Hosts Eugene and Dan Levy worked their magic to keep the audience engaged and entertained throughout the event.

Throughout the evening, attendees celebrated the ups and downs of television, hoping for concise acceptance speeches and, thankfully, no musical performances.

Among the highlights was John Oliver’s ongoing success with HBO’s “Last Week Tonight,” as he picked up yet another Emmy Award. In his heartfelt acceptance speech, Oliver expressed gratitude to his staff, family, and most notably, his dog. As he became emotional discussing the support he received from his late pet during difficult times, the orchestra began to cue him off. In true Oliver fashion, he shared a few choice words, even as staff bleeped the broadcast. Once allowed to continue, he dedicated part of his speech to all the good dogs, evoking genuine emotions from the audience.

Candice Bergen, a five-time Emmy winner known for her roles in “Murphy Brown” and “Miss Congeniality,” presented the award for outstanding actress in a comedy to Jean Smart, who won for her role in “Hacks” for the third time. In her speech, Bergen mixed humor with political commentary, recalling an incident when former Vice President Dan Quayle criticized “Murphy” for its storyline involving an unmarried pregnant character. Her insightful jab at current GOP VP nominee JD Vance, without naming him outright, earned her laughter and applause.

The television community was electrified by the multiple wins for “The Bear.” Just half an hour into the ceremony, the FX comedy had already won three awards, including outstanding supporting actor in a comedy for Ebon Moss-Bacharach and outstanding actor in a comedy for Jeremy Allen White. The night was made even more historic with Liza Colón-Zayas’s win for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy, marking her as the first Latina woman to achieve this honor. Her emotional acceptance speech resonated with many, leaving competitors such as Meryl Streep and Carol Burnett visibly moved.

When the Levy father-son duo stepped onto the stage for the opening monologue, they quickly acknowledged that they were not seasoned stand-up comedians. Regardless, their charming and dry humor won over the audience, delivering laughter without offending anyone. Their brief but delightful seven-minute set was precisely what the ceremony needed to start off on the right note.

Their opening set balanced lighthearted jests with pointed commentary, poking fun at one another and even the TV Academy. Promising not to make jokes about the tension-filled series “The Bear” being nominated as a comedy, Eugene playfully added that in keeping with the spirit of the show, they would “not be making any jokes.”

Before the ceremony even began, the emotional moments started to surface. Laverne Cox, known for her vibrant personality, was brought to tears on the red carpet while embracing “Baby Reindeer” star Nava Mau. Their emotional exchange highlighted the significance of representation, as both women made history as trans actresses in the Emmy nominations. Cox reflected on her journey since being the first openly transgender person nominated for an acting Emmy in 2014.

The star-studded red carpet was alive with bold fashion choices, showcasing stars like Selena Gomez and Eiza González, celebrated for their stunning looks.

Additionally, the Creative Arts Emmys had taken place the previous weekend, with stars like Angela Bassett and Jamie Lee Curtis walking away with awards in notable categories. Bassett earned her first Emmy for narrating a National Geographic documentary series, while Curtis received her first Emmy for guest acting in “The Bear.”

FX’s “Shogun” came into the main event with significant momentum, having earned 14 Emmys in the previous weekend’s ceremonies—setting a new record for the most drama wins in a single year, surpassing “Game of Thrones.”

As the night went on, excitement buzzed around speculation about the major awards. “Shogun” is predicted to claim outstanding drama series with standout performances from Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai. Meanwhile, “The Bear” is expected to continue its winning streak in various comedy categories, while “Baby Reindeer” is a favorite in the limited series categories.

This year’s awards ceremony was hosted by Eugene and Dan Levy, marking the first time a father-son duo led the event. They expressed their excitement about celebrating the season of television, promising a memorable evening ahead.

The Emmy Awards aired live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, bringing together a blend of honorary moments and heartfelt recognition for the television achievements of the year.

Source: USA Today