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Though the night ultimately belonged (mostly) to HBO’s The White Lotus, supporting actress in a comedy series winner Sheryl Lee Ralph set the stage alight with a rousing acceptance speech. It was the first Emmy win for the 65-year-old actress from Abbott Elementary and a moment that felt super-charged from the moment she stormed the stage.
“I am an endangered species, but I sing no victim song,” Ralph declared. “If you had a dream and thought your dream wouldn’t, couldn’t, happen, I am here to tell you this is what believing looks like, this is what striving looks like, and don’t you ever give up on yourself.”
Ralph began her speech with a verse from the 1994 Diane Reeves song, Endangered Species. “I have been singing that song for years, because I think of myself as an artist, a woman, and a woman of colour, as an endangered species,” Ralph said backstage. “The fact that I am here, after all this time, being recognised. Oh my god, I have got the golden ticket.“
In many respects, it was a typical Emmys: some gentle surprises but few shocks. Ted Lasso was a deserving winner. But to skip Steve Martin and Martin Short from Only Murders in the Building seemed to contradict expectations. And while Michael Keaton (Dopesick) was a deserving winner, overlooking Colin Firth (The Staircase) in the same category felt rough.
The White Lotus overcame a particular obstacle to secure its Emmy win: the series aired back in July 2021. It was still an eligible entry at this year’s Emmys, but Emmy voters have notoriously short memories. It is a testament to the show’s excellence that as other shows came and went, including The Dropout and Inventing Anna, voters hung onto The White Lotus.
Murray Bartlett poses in the press room with the award for outstanding supporting actor in a limited anthology series or movie for The White Lotus.Credit:AP
Australian actor Murray Bartlett said he felt “shocked and happy” when his name was called out as the winner of the outstanding supporting actor category. “This ride I have been on with this beautiful group in White Lotus has been wonderful,” he said backstage.
Jennifer Coolidge accepts the Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a limited series for The White Lotus.Credit:AP
”It’s a beautiful feeling to be here all together,” Bartlett added. “It has been a lovely reunion for us. Obviously, I was nervous. It’s this weird, surreal experience, but I just felt incredibly thankful and thrilled to be up on that stage. It takes your breath away.“
The “In Memoriam” segment acknowledged performers, industry personalities and executives who passed away in the last year. They included Bob Saget, Vin Scully, Willie Garson and Estelle Harris; during the video package, John Legend performed Pieces. Curiously, comedian Norm Mcdonald, who died last year, was left out of the package, despite being nominated for his last comedy special. Some online commentators also noted that the package did not include Queen Elizabeth II.
The Governors Award was given to the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media “in recognition of their efforts to promote gender balance and foster inclusion throughout the entertainment industry”. Accepting the award, actress Geena Davis said, “we have made a great deal of progress, but there is still work to do.”
Full list of winners at the 74th annual Emmys:
Best drama: Succession
Lead actor, drama: Lee Jung-Jae, Squid Game
Lead actress, drama: Zendaya, Euphoria
Supporting actor, drama: Matthew Macfadyen, Succession
Supporting actress, drama: Julia Garner, Ozark
Best comedy: Ted Lasso
Lead actor, comedy: Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso
Lead actress, comedy: Jean Smart, Hacks
Supporting actor, comedy: Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso
Supporting actress, comedy: Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary
Best limited series: The White Lotus
Lead actor, limited series/movie: Michael Keaton, Dopesick
Lead actress, limited series/movie: Amanda Seyfried, The Dropout
Supporting actor, limited series/movie: Murray Bartlett, The White Lotus
Supporting actress, limited series/movie: Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus
Directing, drama: Hwang Dong-hyuk, Squid Game
Directing, comedy: MJ Delaney, Ted Lasso
Directing, limited series or movie: Mike White, The White Lotus
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Writing, drama: Jesse Armstrong, Succession
Writing, comedy: Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Writing, limited series or movie: Mike White, The White Lotus
Writing, variety special: Jerrod Carmichael, Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel
Variety talk series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Variety sketch series: Saturday Night Live
Competition program: Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls