The 2018 Primetime Emmy Awards have arrived! I was able to tune in briefly to see the arrivals and red carpet looks before the main programming. Tiffany Haddish was seen commenting on her colorful dress after having won her Emmy award last night, mentioning that she’s always just having fun. Dynamic Duo Chrissy Teigen and John Legend walked hand-in-hand, making jokes about pronouncing their names. And Taraj P. Hensen, among many others, were seen looking beautiful and entering the venue.

The evening started out with a musical number attempting to celebrate our efforts with diversity and the social movements, which included all our favorite icons, from RuPaul, to John Legend, Kristen Bell, and many SNL cast members. Collin Jost and Michael Che then were introduced and began delivering their comedy and hellos to the “thousands of people watching in the audience and the hundreds watching at home.” They noted that Netflix received the most nominations of the night, which they joked probably made networks nervous… probably not a joke.  Netflix currently has over 700 original shows, clearly reshaping what is considered “primetime television”.

Michael Che then highlights the issues with diversity on TV that were discussed in the opening number. Many reboots of our favorite shows will include a more diverse cast in the upcoming TV season, including a Latino Magnum PI and Latina cast of Charmed. After some quick laughs, the awards were then given for the Comedy nominations!

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Henry Winkler (Barry)
Nominations: Louie Anderson (Baskets), Alec Baldwin (Saturday Night Live), Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta), Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Nominations: Zazie Beetz (Atlanta), Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live), Betty Gilpin (GLOW), Leslie Jones (Saturday Night Live), Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live), Laurie Metcalf (Roseanne), Megan Mullally (Will & Grace)

Outstanding Leading Actress in a Comedy Series: Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Nominations: Pamela Adlon (Better Things),  Allison Janney (Mom), Issa Rae (Insecure), Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish), Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie)

Outstanding Leading Actor in a Comedy Series: Bill Hader (Barry)
Nominations: Anthony Anderson (Black-ish), Ted Danson (The Good Place), Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Donald Glover (Atlanta), William H. Macy (Shameless)

Other awards that were given in the Comedy category:
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: Amy Sherman Paladino (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series: Amy Sherman Paladino (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

An important message was quickly thrown in at the end of Rachel Brosnahan’s thank you – a reminder to VOTE this November! However, the irony became apparent at this point in the program that although the cast sang of diversity on television in the opening song and dance, all of the award winners at this point so far have been white. This was of course highlighted by Michael Che, who also called everyone out for not thanking Jesus in their speech. (Isn’t like, half of Hollywood Jewish? Just saying.) Next up, Limited Series or Movie nominations!

Outstanding Supporting Actress in Limited Series or Movie:  Merritt Wever (Godless)
Nominations: Sara Bareilles (Jesus Christ Superstar), Penelope Cruz (The Assassination of Gianni Versace), Judith Light (The Assassination of Gianni Versac), Adina Porter (American Horror Story: Cult), Letitia Wright (“Black Museum”, Black Mirror)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in Limited Series or Movie: Jeff Daniels (Godless)
Nominations: Brandon Victor Dixon (Jesus Christ Superstar), John Leguizamo (Waco), Ricky Martin (The Assassination of Gianni Versace), Edgar Ramirez (The Assassination of Gianni Versace), Michael Stuhlbarg (The Looming Tower), Finn Wittrock (The Assassination of Gianni Versace)

Outstanding Leading Actress in Limited Series or Movie: Regina King (Seven Seconds)
Nominations: Jessica Biel (The Sinner), Laura Dern (The Tale), Michelle Dockery (Godless), Edie Falco (Law & Order: Menendez Murders), Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story: Cult)

Outstanding Leading Actor in Limited Series or Movie: Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace)
Nominations: Antonio Banderas (Genius), Benedict Cumberbatch (Patrick Melrose), Jeff Daniels (The Looming Tower), John Legend (Jesus Christ Superstar), Jesse Plemons (Black Mirror: USS Callister)

Other awards that were given in the Limited Series or Movie category:
Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie: William Bridges and Charlie Brooker (USS Callister)
Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Movie: Ryan Murphy (The Assassination of Gianni Versace)

The highlight of this stretch was of course, the wonderful and beautiful legend that is Betty White. 24 Emmy nominations, 8 of which she won the award, and at 96 years old looks amazing to tell the tales. Betty steals the hearts of viewers everywhere with her charm and her humor delivered in the sweet, high pitched shaky voice. Don’t ever leave us, Betty – we love you! Other note here that made me laugh is the lack of voice that Leslie Jones will have tomorrow after screaming for Regina King while announcing her win. Finally, some of that diversity you all were talking about. Michael Che was again quick to point this out, followed by rolling a digital short where he hands out Emmy trophies to black actors and actresses from shows such as Family Matters, The Jeffersons, and the Wayans Bros. There is a clear and present theme to tonight’s program.

Awards given in the Variety Special category:
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special: John Mulaney (Kid Gorgeous at Radio City)
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special: Glenn Weiss (The Oscars)

Stop everything! Glenn Weiss used his time for his acceptance speech to let his lovely lady know that the reason that he doesn’t like to call her his girlfriend, is because he wants to call her his wife! She then was ushered onto the stage and Glenn gave a very relatable speech before sliding a family heirloom on her finger as she excitedly nodded yes. Cute another hilarious reaction from Leslie Jones and all the tears in the audience and probably across America. Next was a beautiful ode to all the souls we lost this year from the entertainment industry, as the voice of Aretha Franklin played. And up next, the Drama nominations!

Outstanding Supporting Actor in Drama Series: Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)
Nominations: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones), Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale), David Harbour (Stranger Things), Mandy Patinkin (Homeland) Matt Smith (The Crown)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in Drama Series: Thandie Newton (Westworld)
Nominations: Alexis Bledel (The Handmaid’s Tale), Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things), Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Tale), Lena Headey (Game of Thrones), Vanessa Kirby (The Crown), Yvonne Strahovski (The Handmaid’s Tale)

Outstanding Leading Actor in Drama Series: Matthew Rhys (The Americans)
Nominations: Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us), Jason Bateman (Ozark), Ed Harris (Westworld), Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us), Jeffrey Wright (Westworld)

Outstanding Leading Actress in Drama Series: Claire Foy (The Crown)
Nominations: Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale), Sandra Oh (Killing Eve), Keri Russell (The Americans), Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld)

Other awards that were given in the Drama category:
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg (The Americans)
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: Stephen Daldry (The Crown)

Alright, we’re getting to the end here. Before wrapping up with the last of the awards, there is a quick look back at how far the Emmy Awards has come, presented by the Chairman of the Academy, Hayma Washington. And finally, the big winners!

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program: RuPaul’s Drag Race
Nominations: The Amazing Race, American Ninja Warrior, Project Runway, Top Chef, The Voice

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: Saturday Night Live
Nominations: At Home With Amy Sedaris, Drunk History, I Love You America With Sarah Silverman, Portlandia, Tracey Ullman’s Show

Outstanding Variety Talk Series: Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
Nominations: The Daily Show With Trevor Noah, Full Frontal With Samantha Bee, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Late Late Show With James Corden, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

Outstanding Limited Series: The Assassination of Gianni Versace
Nominations: The Alienist, Godless, Genius, Patrick Melrose

Outstanding Comedy Series: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Nominations: Atlanta, Barry, Black-ish, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Glow, Silicon Valley, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Outstanding Drama Series: Game of Thrones
Nominations:  The Americans, The Crown, The Handmaid’s Tale, Stranger Things, This Is Us, Westworld

I think the overall message from tonight is to celebrate the strides that we have made in diversity and representation, but recognize that there is a long way to go. You have to look back to go forward. But hey – here’s to some truly great television!

For a full list of nominees and award winners from the 2018 Emmy Awards, visit www.emmys.com. To read my highlighted list of award winners from over the weekend, click here! And make sure to visit kellyoharadesign.com every week for lots of recommendations, reviews, and ideas regarding TV and movies from an expert in the industry.

There were many programs both nominated and awarded that I have not yet seen, so I guess I have plenty of TV to watch. On a personal note, GO RUPAUL!!!!!!! “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love someone else – can I get an ‘Amen’ up in here?! Now, let the music play!”

Thanks for reading!