Emmys 2021 Reactions

In a battle royale of award courting budgets it was clear that HBO came to play. Netflix and The Crown dominated many of the televised categories. The much deserving Ted Lasso reigned mostly supreme for comedy (and rightfully so). Here is our Emmys 2021 reactions:

Unfortunately though the stage was once again awash in white winners. In spite of Hollywood’s continued verbalizing of a commitment to Diversity and Inclusion, the majority of it came in the form of presenters. Only RuPaul, Michaela Coel, and the cast of Hamilton represented for the non-white winners. We’d also like to point out that diversity and inclusion does not just mean “black and white” and that it needs to include Hispanic, Latinx, Asian, and Indigenous winners or hell even nominees. 

THE WINNERS

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”) – A well deserved win and likely a sign of many more awards to come. A simultaneously funny and emotional speech, just like the show. 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Brett Goldstein (“Ted Lasso”) – Ch-ch-ch that’s the sound of an impending sweep. While most of the speech was bleeped out for the network telecast we’re delighted Goldstein defied the vote split odds. We have early money on him to take home this award again next year as this nomination was for season 1 and Goldstein’s performance in season 2 was even more brilliant.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Julianne Nicholson (“Mare Of Easttown”) – REALLY? I mean, she was fine, the show was fine, but this feels like studio money at work. 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Evan Peters (“Mare Of Easttown”) – It was pretty clear that the Television Academy wasn’t interested in actually honoring Hamilton, and that they made up the majority of the category, Peters had a pretty clear path to victory. 

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series

Peter Morgan, (“The Crown”) – Oh boy you know it’s an indicator of how well a show is going to do when there’s an entire satellite party / location in another country that is basically just a party for one show.

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series

Jessica Hobbs, (“The Crown”) – I mean they have to make the cost of that London Emmy party site worth it, right? At least it was a female director who won?

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Gillian Anderson (“The Crown”) – The only thing that was in question here was if Gillian Anderson was going to use a British accent when she accepted. 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Tobias Menzies (“The Crown”) – Well this is about as milquetoast a choice as there could have been, but the category as a whole was underwhelming.

Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series

“Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” – It’s hard to argue with the sharp wit of the show. 

Variety Talk Series

“Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” – Again, it’s hard to pick between this and Trevor Noah but we don’t begrudge the win. While Conan is an excellent performer and interviewer his last few seasons of his television show have been somewhat phoned in. You can hear him be actually enthused if you listen to his podcast where he’s much more lively.

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series

“Saturday Night Live” – I mean sure, do your thing.

Outstanding Writing for A Comedy Series

There Is No Line (Pilot), (“Hacks”) – As much as I love Ted Lasso, Hacks is HILARIOUS and is also perfectly suited for the folks voting in this category. 

Outstanding Directing for A Comedy Series

Lucia Aniello, (“Hacks”) – I mean if you’re going to give an episode writing, you’re probably going to honor the director too. Still well deserved.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Jean Smart (“Hacks”) – Considering the writing and directing awards already went to this show so it’s no surprise that Smart’s amazing performance took this home. The woman played her own wax figure on the show. If you haven’t watched it yet please do yourself a favor and watch it immediately. 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”) – Well the man finally figured out he was gonna win and wore a real suit jacket. 

Competition Program

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” – What a well dressed and affirming acceptance speech. 

Outstanding Directing For A Limited Or Anthology Series or Movie

Scott Frank, (“The Queen’s Gambit”) – This feels like it will bode well for the Anya Taylor-Joy v Kate Winslet showdown in acting. Also how dare they let this man ignore the walk off music but try to cut off Debbie Allen for a non-competitive honor. 

Outstanding Writing For A Limited Or Anthology Series or Movie

Michaela Coel, (“I May Destroy You”) – We were really wondering if they would honor this well deserving series. It can be a tough show to watch because of the content, but it’s nice to see something original and brutally honest rewarded. 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Kate Winslet (“Mare of Easttown”) – Welp, I guess when you have an Oscar and decide to do television AND have HBO money behind you, you get an Emmy? Mare was fine but nothing revelatory. It would have been nice to see Coel, Olsen, or even Taylor-Joy win?

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Ewan McGregor, (“Halston”) – Did we watch the same show? I guess it was a pretty weak field but it shows how much they really didn’t want Hamilton to win anything. 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Olivia Colman (“The Crown”) – Olivia looked about as surprised as we were at winning but then again awards stick to her like flies stick to flypaper. Perhaps because Corrin has more seasons ahead of her Colman snuck ahead?

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Josh O’Connor (“The Crown”) – Welp not surprising but not at all the most deserving in the category.

Outstanding Variety Special (Live)

Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020: Democracy’s Last Stand Building Back America Great Again Better 2020 – We assume that they knew this was going to win and that’s why it was included in the telecast. 

Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)

“Hamilton” – Guess we have to take everything back about them not wanting to honor Hamilton. If any of the categories DID make sense to give it it would be this one. Wouldn’t have been surprised if Dave Chapelle or Bo Burnham had taken this home. 

Outstanding Comedy Series

“Ted Lasso” – There was a moment earlier in the telecast where we thought there was a small chance Hacks could sneak a win in but who can argue with the Ted Lasso win?

Outstanding Drama Series

“The Crown” – And thus the London party was more than justified with 0 surprises at The Crown taking home the win (at this point we’re assuming that Netflix paid for the London location and not CBS).

Outstanding Limited Series or Anthology Series

“The Queen’s Gambit” – As much as we enjoyed the series, at this point in the telecast we are actually loathe to hear Scott Frank drone on and on again. While someone else gave the speech it was a very droll end to the evening.