Kyle Arsenault
Connector Contributor
The 69th Primetime Emmy Awards took place on Sunday, Sept. 17 in the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Calif. The event was hosted by American comedian Stephen Colbert, host of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” which is the second most popular late night show on television.
The award show began with Colbert making the famed “golden Emmys” in his workshop. He converses with actress Allison Janney and actor Anthony Anderson, who express deep concern over the current state of political affairs in the United States and express the emergence of a great era of television.
Colbert breaks into song about how “[e]verything is better on TV.” That is, everything that does not include the news. He sings alongside a scene of Selina Meyer behind the podium of the White House press secretary, with lyrics such as: “Even treason is better on TV.” Chance the Rapper makes an appearance in the opening, rapping: “ I love television. It’s a pleasant distraction, but just imagine taking action.”
Stephen Colbert’s monologue made light of some of the most popular TV shows in the industry, from “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” to “Stranger Things.” However, viewers could not overlook the heavy undertone of politics throughout the speech.
Perhaps the most shocking moment of the night was the cameo made by former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer when he rolled a mock podium from back to center stage and said: “This will be the largest audience to witness an Emmys period, both in person and around the world.” Faces in the audience were shocked, particularly Melissa McCarthy, who is well-known for her performances on the hit show “Saturday Night Live” for playing Spicer.
Furthering the political tone, Colbert makes reference to Trump’s former reality TV show called “Celebrity Apprentice,” which failed to win an Emmy. He said : “If he had won an Emmy, I bet he wouldn’t have run for president.”
Although President Trump may not have taken home an Emmy, “Saturday Night Live” presidential impersonator Alec Baldwin received an award for his impersonation of the commander-in-chief.
In his acceptance speech he said: “I should say, at long last Mr. President, here is your Emmy.” In total, “Saturday Night Live” had 22 nominations, including a win for Kate McKinnon for Outstanding Support Actress in a Comedy Series.
Some of the big winners include “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Big Little Lies,” both winning eight Emmy awards. The Emmy Awards made history by awarding Donald Glover of “Atlanta” an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, making him the first black director to ever win the award. In addition, Sterling K. Brown was the first black actor in two decades to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for “This is Us.”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the star of “Veep,” made history by winning six Emmy Awards for the same role as Selina Meyer, and said it was: “[a] role of a lifetime and an adventure of utter joy.”
One memorable moment from the show was the In Memoriam. Tribute was paid to Nelsan Ellis, John Heard, Gwen Ifill, Adam West, Mary Tyler Moore and many other television icons who died over the past year, complete with a stunning performance by Chris Jackson from “Hamilton.”
The Emmy Awards were viewed by approximately 11.4 million viewers, skewing from Sean Spicer’s estimate, but ultimately the night was truly unforgettable.
