Even on television’s biggest night, the small screen can only show so much. While the vast majority of TV fans who tune in to watch the Emmys inevitably do it by way of the telecast, a few lucky folks are in the room (and the backstage press space!) where it happens, including our own publisher James Israel, awards editor Marcus Jones, and senior editor Christian Zilko.
So, what’s it like on the inside of the Emmys? Funny, well-produced, and all about honoring the art and craft of TV. (Of course.) Here’s what we spied backstage, in the room, and all around Sunday night’s ceremony.
Check out the full list of winners right here, along with our coverage of last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys.
1. The Opener Was Indeed Live
Host Nate Bargatze reunited with some of his “Saturday Night Live” pals — Bowen Yang, Mikey Day, and James Austin Johnson — for a live opening sketch. While it wasn’t quite as snappy and tight as the two-time “SNL” host’s beloved “Washington’s Dream” sketches, it went over very well in the room. Smartly built around the (very fake) creation of the TV, the sketch poked fun at everything from the price of streamers to the category designation of “The Bear.” Ah, we love history!
2. What Happens During the Commercial Breaks
Emmy attendees might not get treated to all the (many, many) commercials that play during the telecast (including plenty of new looks at upcoming TV series, naturally), but that doesn’t mean it’s all dead air in the room during those breaks. When commercials were playing at home, the crowd at the Peacock Theater was treated to clips of classic Emmys moments of yore (like Meryl Streep’s big win for “Angels in America,” Merritt Wever’s “I gotta go, bye” speech, Barbra Streisand’s very first Emmy win, and more) and TV themes (like “Good Times,” “Seinfeld,” “Full House,” “Family Matters,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “The O.C.,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “Gilligan’s Island,” and more).
3. What Did They Bleep from Hannah Einbinder’s Speech?
For her first win, the “Hacks” star kicked off her acceptance speech by joking about convincing herself it was more “punk rock” to not win. But a win? Pretty good, too! And Einbinder ended her speech with a three-part callout that spoke to that spirit, complete with a timely congrats to her Philadelphia Eagles, who had just won their Sunday afternoon game before the ceremony kicked off: “Go Birds, Fuck ICE, Free Palestine!” (Only the second sentiment was bleeped on the telecast.)
4. Nate Bargatze’s Overflowing Swear Jar
Host Bargtaze introduced an intriguing concept at the top of the show: He would donate $100,000 to the Boys & Girls Club. There was just one condition: Each winner must stay within their allocated 45 seconds for their “thank you speech.” For every second they went over? Bargatze (and a running tally!) would take away $1,000. (If someone went under their 45 seconds, any amount under would be given back to the fund.)
Soon enough, however, the fund got a new dimension. During Einbinder’s speech (the one with the bleep!), the actress noted that she’d be willing to pay any funds necessary to cover her overage time. After she departed the stage, Bargatze noted, “I will find her later. She also cursed, and, let me tell ya, I’ll start a swear jar real fast.”
That swear jar might have proven more popular as the night went on (at some point during Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne’s acceptance speech for Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for their “Adolescence,” at least one person in the ballroom booed the appearance of the on-screen tally). When John Oliver won Outstanding Scripted Variety Series for his “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” he zipped through his speech, only to cheekily add both a “Fuck you, Nate Bargatze!” and “That’s some money in the swear jar for you!”
As the tally ticked frighteningly downward over the course of the night, Seth Rogen joked during his acceptance speech for “The Studio” and its big Outstanding Comedy Series win, “We’re already in debt. We fucked over the Boys & Girls!” (No worries: Bargatze eventually bumped the total donation up to $350,000.)
Marcus Jones contributed reporting.
