Most Memorable Emmy Moments, From History-Making Wins and Political Jokes to Heartfelt Reunions

As a lifelong admirer of the arts and someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the captivating world of television, I find it incredibly inspiring to see these groundbreaking moments unfold at this year’s Emmy Awards. The victories of Anna Sawai, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Hiroyuki Sanada represent not just a triumph for their respective series, but a significant milestone in the diversity and inclusivity of our industry.

The 2024 Emmy Awards were brimming with numerous striking instances throughout Sunday evening, showcasing historical victories, impassioned speeches, touching cast reunions, and political humor. Among these memorable events were Anna Sawai, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Hiroyuki Sanada breaking new ground with their wins; Candice Bergen poking fun at J.D. Vance in a witty jibe; and onstage gatherings of the casts from The West Wing, Happy Days, and Saturday Night Live. Below, The Hollywood Reporter spotlights some of the night’s most indelible moments.

John Leguizamo Celebrates Diverse Emmy Nominees in Powerful Speech

John Leguizamo appears to be quite content, if not completely joyful, and noticeably less agitated about the nominees for the 2024 Emmys. During his appearance on Sunday night’s show, the Emmy-winning actor emphasized that he is one of Hollywood’s DEI hires, stating, “Indeed, I am a ‘DEI’ hire, which stands for diligence, excellence, and imagination. And tonight, everyone in this room has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to these qualities, making us all DEI hires. What a wonderfully diverse gathering we have here tonight.” – Lexy Perez

Candice Bergen Makes Catty J.D. Vance Joke

On the 2024 Emmys stage on Sunday evening, Candice Bergen reappeared and took a jab at J.D. Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee. The actress, who was once criticized by conservative politicians in the ’90s for her role in CBS’ “Murphy Brown,” drew parallels between the sitcom’s notable plotline and current political events. Bergen reminisced about her 11-year tenure playing the lead in “Murphy Brown,” where she was joined by talented actors, had excellent scripts, and faced criticism from Vice President Dan Quayle when her character became pregnant and decided to raise the baby alone. Bergen then sarcastically commented, “Oh, how much progress we’ve made… Nowadays, a Republican vice presidential candidate wouldn’t criticize a woman for having children.” (Source: James Hibberd)

The West Wing, Happy Days and SNL Casts Reunite for Heartfelt Moments

At the 2024 Emmys, several beloved TV shows such as “The West Wing,” “Happy Days,” “Saturday Night Live,” “Reba,” and “Schitt’s Creek” brought back their cast members for a special reunion. Notably, “The West Wing” was commemorating the 25th anniversary of its debut on September 22, 1999. The show’s lead actors, Martin Sheen, Dulé Hill, Janel Maloney, Richard Schiff, and Allison Janney, appeared before a re-created Oval Office set. Created by Aaron Sorkin, the series ran for seven seasons and focused on the administration of President Josiah Bartlet, played by Sheen. For further details, read on… — Ryan Gajewski

Slow Horses Writer Will Smith Drops Sly Joke About Actor Who Shares His Name

On Sunday evening at the Emmy Awards, Will Smith, not the well-known actor but the creator of the Apple TV+ hit series “Slow Horses,” stepped onto the stage. Any unease linked to that name and the awards platform soon dissipated as he began his acceptance speech for the outstanding writing for a drama series award. “Let’s all calm down,” Smith joked, referencing a famous incident from recent awards show history. “Despite my name, I mean no harm,” he added, causing the audience at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to chuckle. The humor was a nod to a well-known moment in recent awards show history. Kevin Dolak reported more details.

Shogun Star Anna Sawai Makes History With Emmy Win

On Sunday evening during the 2024 Emmys, Anna Sawai made history by clinching the award for Best Drama Actress for her role in ‘Shogun’. As the first actress of Asian descent to win in the Lead Actress in a Drama Series category at the Emmys, Sawai’s victory marked a significant milestone. In a highly competitive field that included Jennifer Aniston, Carrie Coon, Maya Erskine, Imelda Staunton, and Reese Witherspoon, Sawai’s triumph was indeed remarkable. Upon accepting her award, a teary-eyed Sawai humbly remarked, “I was crying even before my name was called. I’m an emotional wreck today.” – Lexy Perez

The Bear Star Liza Colón-Zayas Becomes First Latina to Win in Her Category

2024 saw me, a humble gamer, being blessed with an Emmy for best supporting actress in a comedy series, making me the first Latina to win in that category. As I stood on stage, receiving my award from the legendary duo Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” I couldn’t help but feel like I was dreaming. My husband, David Zayas, had urged me to prepare a speech, but honestly, I didn’t think it would ever be possible.

Hiroyuki Sanada Becomes First Japanese Actor to Win Best Lead in a Drama Series

Hiroyuki Sanada claimed the title of best lead actor in a drama series at the 2024 Emmys, making history as the first Japanese actor and second Asian actor ever to win in this category. In his acceptance speech, presented by Steven Yeun, Sanada expressed his deep gratitude for being surrounded by exceptional nominees. He thanked FX, Disney, and Hulu for their faith in him, praised his team for their unwavering support, and commended the cast and crew of “Shogun” for their collaborative efforts. He was particularly proud of this East meets West project, which he felt underscored the power of unity in achieving miracles and creating a brighter future together. Sanada’s win came as the FX series “Shogun” continued its impressive streak, having already amassed 14 awards at last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys. For more information, check out Brande Victorian’s article.

***

On a Sunday evening, the 2024 Emmy Awards, shared as hosts by Eugene Levy and Dan Levy, took place at the Peacock Theater within L.A. LIVE, situated in downtown Los Angeles.

2024-09-16 07:55