LOS ANGELES-
“Succession” and “Ted Lasso” topped the Emmys on Monday, in a ceremony that touted the power of television and honored “Squid Game” and winners who delivered empowering messages.
The uplifting tone of the evening, as expressed in particular by Zendaya, Lizzo and Sheryl Lee Ralph, contrasted with the darkness that pervaded the narration of the winner of the best drama series “Succession” and even the winner of the comedy series ” Ted Lasso”.
‘Thank you for creating such a safe space to do this very difficult show,’ said Best Drama Actress winner Zendaya, claiming her runner-up award for ‘Euphoria,’ which chronicles teenagers and their difficult coming of age. adult.
“My biggest wish for ‘Euphoria’ was that it could help heal people. Thank you to everyone who shared your story with me. I carry them with me and carry them with me,” also said Zendaya, her character, Street.
“Succession,” about a media empire run by a greedy and ruthless family, shared drama series honors with “Squid Game,” the series about the idle rich turning the poor into entertainment fodder.
“Squid Game’s” Lee Jung-jae, who played the show’s moral center, became the first Asian actor to win the Emmy for Best Actor in a Drama Series.
Jason Sudeikis and Jean Smart won back-to-back acting trophies, while Zendaya nabbed her second drama actress award for “Euphoria.”
Several new Emmy winners were hit, with Lizzo and Quinta Brunson and “Abbott Elementary’s” Sheryl Lee Ralph picking up trophies.
Sudeikis won his second straight trophy for football comedy “Ted Lasso,” with Smart matching that haul for stand-up-centric comedy “Hacks.” Sudeikis presented a rare TV consumer awards ceremony.
“Thank you to the people who watch this show and dig it as much as we make it,” he said.
Ralph shut down the Emmy Awards show by accepting the Best Supporting Actress award for “Abbott Elementary” with a brief but catchy affirmation song.
“I’m an endangered species, but I don’t sing any victim songs. I am a woman, I am an artist and I know where my voice belongs,” she said. She then encouraged anyone doubting her dream “I’m here to tell you what belief is like.”
The audience, including Lizzo and many TV stars, stood up to cheer on Ralph.
When Lizzo herself accepted the Best Competition Series trophy award for “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls,” she offered another emotional pep talk.
“When I was little, all I wanted to see was me in the media. Someone fat like me, black like me, beautiful like me,” the musical artist said.
“Ted Lasso” co-star Brett Goldstein won comedy supporting actor honors, while “Succession”‘s Matthew Macfadyen and “Ozark”‘s Julia Garner won supporting actor honors.
“It’s such a pleasure and privilege for me to play this crazy gift of a role on this wonderful show,” Macfadyen said as he accepted the trophy for his role as an intriguing member of a media empire family.
Garner was among the winners who enjoyed covering all the bases by thanking her husband and others in an on-screen message.
“The White Lotus” garnered several accolades, including Best Limited or Anthology Series.
Host Kenan Thompson kicked off the Emmys with a tribute to TV, calling Tik-Tok “a little vertical TV” and a musical number hailing the show’s theme songs, from “Friends” to “The Brady Bunch” and on. by “Game of Thrones”.
After the music stopped, Thompson provided a drop-off moment from the mic – announcing Oprah Winfrey as the first presenter. Winfrey strutted onstage holding an Emmy statuette, declaring the night “a party!” The first prize of the evening was awarded to Michael Keaton for his role in “Dopesick”. Winfrey and Keaton hugged before she presented him with her trophy.
“It means something,” Keaton said of the award for playing a caring doctor trapped by addiction to his patients. He then recalled the “magic” of being featured on TV when his father won a set in a raffle and thanked his parents for not making fun of his young acting attempts.
Amanda Seyfried won the limited series lead actress trophy for “The Dropout,” in which she played Elizabeth Holmes, the hapless Silicon Valley prodigy. She thanked a list of family members and co-workers and even her dog, Finn.
Murray Bartlett won Best Supporting Actor for the limited series of “The White Lotus,” a tragicomedy set in a Hawaiian resort. Jennifer Coolidge, who won Best Supporting Actress honors for the show, thrilled the audience as she jiggled to the music meant to interrupt her acceptance speech.
The award for best variety talk show went to “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” with the stand-up special “Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel” winning for best writing for a comedy special.
“Good night everyone. I’m going home. I’m not like a bad winner, but I’m going to go home because I can’t do better right now,” a defeated Carmichael said at the audience.
The glamor was back with a metallic sheen and plenty of bright color as an otherworldly Britt Lower, Old Hollywood Elle Fanning and fellow stars posed for the photographers.
AP Writer Beth Harris contributed to this report.