If you had “historical night” on your Emmy prediction list, you were spot on.
Indeed, the 76th Emmy Awards marked a memorable evening filled with emotional acceptance speeches and clever, scripted jokes.
Highlights of the night included a groundbreaking win for the period drama “Shōgun,” which not only celebrated its best drama victory but also made history with its cast and production team. When Hiroyuki Sanada, an Emmy winner for his role, began his acceptance speech in Japanese, he thanked the longstanding supporters of Samurai period dramas, highlighting the global impact and cross-cultural appreciation of the genre. “Shōgun” stood out as the first non-English language series to win best drama, a milestone first approached by “Squid Game” in 2022.
In total, “Shōgun” secured four Emmys, with both Sanada and Anna Sawai earning acting accolades, making Sawai the first actress of Asian descent to win best actress in a drama. On stage, Sawai dedicated her award to women worldwide who lead by example.
Richard Gadd also made a deep impression with his heartfelt speeches, particularly when accepting the award for outstanding writing for a limited series, reflecting on his journey from personal struggles to professional acclaim.
Lisa Colón-Zayas stirred the audience with her emotional acceptance for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy for her role in “The Bear.” She expressed profound gratitude to her peers and encouraged Latina viewers to remain engaged and vote for their rights.
Candice Bergen, known for her role as Murphy Brown, didn’t shy away from political commentary during her presentation, delivering a sharp and humorous critique on past political controversies involving her character.
Selena Gomez humorously addressed the “childless cat ladies” trope during her presentation with “Only Murders in the Building” co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short, reflecting a lighthearted take on societal expectations.
John Oliver brought a mix of humor and sentiment as he remembered his late dog during his acceptance speech for outstanding scripted variety series, a moment that blended laughter with a touch of poignancy.
John Leguizamo emphasized the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in Hollywood, highlighting the diverse array of this year’s Emmy nominees and urging continued support for stories from traditionally excluded groups.
The night was also filled with memorable one-liners, with Kathy Bates, Will Smith, Steve Martin, and Dan Levy delivering some of the best zingers, each reflecting their unique style of humor and perspective on the industry.
Overall, the 76th Emmy Awards celebrated a rich diversity of talent and storytelling, marking a significant evening in television history.
