Hollywood Shines at 2024 Emmys: Historic Wins, Laughter, and Technical Glitches
The 2024 Emmy Awards, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, marked the end of summer with a mix of triumph, nostalgia, and a few surprises. Stars from across television gathered to celebrate the year’s best programming, looking sun-kissed but slightly weary after a long summer.
Canadian Humor Takes Center Stage
Dan and Eugene Levy, the father-and-son duo from Schitt’s Creek, brought their signature dry Canadian humor to the ceremony, providing some much-needed fun. Joking about categorizing The Bear—which has sparked debates over whether it’s genuinely a comedy—Eugene remarked, “In the true spirit of The Bear, we will not be making any jokes.”
Despite their laid-back demeanor, the duo kept the energy alive, even if the best jokes arrived early in the night.
Jean Smart Triumphs, ‘Shōgun’ Makes History
The evening was full of standout moments, but Jean Smart shone brightly, securing her third Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy for her role in Hacks. The HBO series also surprised audiences by winning Best Comedy Series, beating out strong contenders like The Bear and Abbott Elementary.
Meanwhile, FX’s historical epic Shōgun became the first non-English language series to win Best Drama. Stars Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai took home the Best Actor and Best Actress in a Drama awards, marking a historic first for Japanese actors at the Emmys. In his acceptance speech, Sanada emphasized the power of collaboration: “When people work together, we can create miracles and a better future.”
The wins for Shōgun came after the show dominated the Creative Arts Emmys, where it snagged an impressive 18 awards, setting a new record for a single series in one year.
‘The Bear’ and ‘Baby Reindeer’ Dominate Comedy and Limited Series Categories
While Shōgun owned the drama categories, The Bear took the spotlight in comedy. Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Liza Colón-Zayas all walked away with acting trophies, making the show the most awarded comedy of the night. Colón-Zayas, in an emotional speech, urged Latinas to “keep believing and vote for your rights.”
In the limited series category, Netflix’s Baby Reindeer captured four awards, including Best Limited Series and acting awards for Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning. Gadd’s acceptance speech was particularly moving as he reflected on his journey: “No matter how bad it gets, it always gets better. If you keep struggling, keep going, and I promise things will be okay.”
Nostalgic Reunions and Technical Hiccups
On a night full of emotion, several cast reunions were held, including for Happy Days, Saturday Night Live (celebrating its 50th anniversary), and The West Wing. However, many of these gatherings felt awkward, with actors appearing more like hostages than happy participants.
The ceremony had technical glitches, with loud mechanical screeches interrupting speeches and microphones failing presenters multiple times. These missteps left many wondering if the 2024 Emmys would earn any nominations next year—certainly not for Best Broadcast.
A Night to Remember, But Not Without Critique
Despite the celebration, the evening also brought critiques of the entertainment industry’s progress. John Leguizamo spoke out about the ongoing lack of diversity in Hollywood, referencing a full-page ad he took out in The New York Times to call for more inclusivity. While he praised this year’s diverse nominees, Leguizamo stressed that there’s still a long way to go.
As the night drew to a close, the Emmys left viewers with mixed emotions—laughter, nostalgia, technical frustrations, and hope for a more inclusive future in television. The 2024 Emmys may have ended the summer, but the awards season drama is heating up.