On Monday night, the 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards unfolded in Los Angeles, following a postponement prompted by the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. Anthony Anderson, the actor and comedian, took on the role of host for the event, which featured noteworthy victories and impactful speeches. Here are the standout moments from the Emmys, encapsulating the essence of the evening.
Christina Applegate gets a standing ovation
Despite her MS, Applegate, presenting the first award of the night with a cane alongside Anthony Anderson, garnered a standing ovation. Humorously, she remarked, “You’re totally shaming my disability by standing up.” With a career starting as an infant on “Days of Our Lives,” she boasts eight Emmy nominations, winning in 2003 for “Friends.” In 2021, Applegate disclosed her MS diagnosis, a condition impacting the central nervous system with symptoms ranging from fatigue to blindness or paralysis.
Quinta Brunson lives her comedic dream
“Abbot Elementary” star, Quinta Brunson, made history by winning outstanding actress in a comedy series, becoming the first Black woman in over 40 years to achieve this feat. Isabel Sanford last accomplished this in 1981 for her role in “The Jeffersons.” Tearfully, Brunson, who created the show, expressed how “Abbott Elementary” allows her to live her comedy acting dream. In her unprepared speech, she thanked her family, husband, and cast. Additionally, Brunson won the 2022 Emmy for outstanding writing for a comedy series.
Elton John earns EGOT status
The singer achieved EGOT status by winning the Emmy for outstanding variety special (live) with “Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium.” Joining the exclusive group of 19 who have earned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, he shares the distinction with icons like Viola Davis, Mel Brooks, and Audrey Hepburn. Despite being absent due to a knee operation, the 76-year-old star learned about his win from his partner David Furnish, who mentioned that John “screamed” in excitement.
Anthony Anderson’s mom wraps up acceptance speeches
Hosted by actor Anthony Anderson, the awards show took a unique approach to acceptance speeches. Instead of the usual play-off music signaling speakers to conclude, Anderson’s mom, Doris, was assigned the task of ushering them off stage. In a humorous bit during the opening monologue, Doris playfully told her son to “shut up” and joked, “That’s enough, I want to go to the after-party.”
Adding to the comedic touch, Doris held up cue cards throughout the ceremony, subtly signaling to stars when their speeches were becoming too lengthy.
Ali Wong makes history
Ali Wong, of “Beef,” expressed shock winning outstanding lead actress in a limited series or movie. Sharing a kiss with boyfriend Bill Hader, Wong made history as the first Asian woman to secure a lead acting Emmy. She previously achieved this milestone at the Golden Globes. During her acceptance, Wong thanked her parents, especially her late father, for teaching her the value of failure. Expressing gratitude to her daughters for inspiration, she acknowledged the Netflix show’s success, which earned 13 nominations and clinched five awards, including outstanding limited or anthology series.
Jennifer Coolidge thanks “all the evil gays”
Jennifer Coolidge, aged 62, won outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for her eccentric role as Tanya McQuoid in “The White Lotus.” In her acceptance speech, she humorously referenced her character’s paranoia about her gay friends trying to harm her on a yacht, exclaiming, “These gays, they’re trying to murder me.” Playfully thanking “all the evil gays” on stage, Coolidge, an audience favorite, also won an Emmy for the same role in 2022. During her speech, Doris Anderson reminded her to wrap up as time was running out.
Niecy Nash-Betts gives powerful speech
Nash-Betts clinched the outstanding supporting actress award for her role in “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” In her acceptance, she thanked a list of people, including Ryan Murphy and co-star Evan Peters.
Amidst laughter and cheers, Nash-Betts playfully credited herself, stating, “And you know who I want to thank? I want to thank me. For believing in me and doing what they said I could not do. ‘Go on, girl, with your bad self. You did that.'”
She dedicated the award to every unheard Black and brown woman, highlighting names like Glenda Cleveland, Sandra Bland, and Breonna Taylor, who faced over-policing. Nash-Betts portrayed Cleveland in the series, who unsuccessfully tried to alert the police about the notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.
“As an artist, my job is to speak truth to power, and baby, I’mma do it till the day I die. Mama, I won,” she concluded.
“The Bear” actors share a kiss on stage
When “The Bear” snagged the outstanding comedy series award, the entire cast gathered on stage for the acceptance. Matty Matheson, a chef and restaurateur featured in the show centered around a Chicago restaurant staff, began expressing gratitude to the restaurant industry. Co-star Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who won the Emmy for outstanding supporting actor, playfully interrupted Matheson’s speech with a kiss.
After the affectionate interruption, Matheson continued, emphasizing his love for the restaurant world, acknowledging its challenges, and celebrating the beauty of creating something meaningful for people. He reflected on the collective effort of making the show and the diverse range of emotions it elicits from viewers.
Moss-Bachrach joined Matheson in acknowledging people to thank, while Anthony Anderson’s mom signaled to wrap up the speech with a sign that read: “Wrap it up now. Love, Mama.”
Kieran Culkin asks wife for another baby
Culkin, known for his role as Roman Roy in “Succession,” secured the lead actor in a drama series Emmy, surpassing co-stars Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong. Tearfully expressing gratitude to his cast, writers, mom, and manager, Culkin turned to his wife, Jazz, thanking her for sharing life and giving him two amazing kids. Playfully, he declared, “I love you so many and so much. And Jazz, I want more,” prompting laughter from the crowd, and he added, “You said maybe if I win.”
“Grey’s Anatomy” reunion
The stars of “Grey’s Anatomy” – Justin Chambers, Katherine Heigl, Ellen Pompeo, James Pickens Jr., and Chandra Wilson – honored the show’s cast, crew, and fans in a tribute. Premiering in 2005, “Grey’s Anatomy” boasts over 400 episodes across 19 seasons, making it the longest-running primetime medical drama in TV history.
The cast of “Cheers” also gathered for a reunion at a replica of the iconic sitcom’s bar, while “Sopranos” actors Michael Imperioli and Lorraine Bracco celebrated the 25th anniversary of the hit drama.
