The 68th Annual Emmy Awards, hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel, pulled together some of television’s greatest minds and talent on Sep. 18.
Kimmel began the night by poking fun at the new hit series “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” asking audience member Marcia Clark, the lead prosecutor in the real trial against O. J. Simpson, “Are you rooting for O. J. to win this time?”
After quick jibes at “Game of Thrones” and “Baskets,” Kimmel talked about how the 68th Emmys were the most diverse ever, emphasizing the importance of diversity in Hollywood but continuing to tease that, “Here in Hollywood, the only thing we value more than diversity is congratulating ourselves on how much we value diversity.”
Kimmel went on to joke about presidential candidate Donald Trump, saying that Trump would not be running for president if it were not for audience member Mark Burnett, who produced “The Celebrity Apprentice,” on which Trump starred. Kimmel concluded his monologue by introducing a new faux rule that says you must be present at the Emmys to win the award, declaring it the Maggie Smith Rule after British actress Maggie Smith. Nominated for an Emmy nine times and winning on four of those occasions, including this year’s Emmys
Kimmel and Matt Damon continued their playful feud when Damon teased Kimmel about losing to John Oliver for Outstanding Variety Talk Series. Later on, Kimmel took Maggie Smith’s Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series from her representatives, saying that if Smith wanted it she would have to come get it in person from the lost and found.
All in all, this year’s Emmys were a night of star-studded glamour, honoring some of our favorite stars from the small screen. But though the Emmys are supposed to highlight some of Hollywood’s finest celebrities, it was Kimmel’s hilarious jokes and lively antics that truly made the Emmys stand out amongst Hollywood’s other generic award shows.
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Star Snippets
HBO dominated the Emmys with 22 total wins.
“Game of Thrones” won 12 Emmys, gaining the title for most Emmy wins of a scripted television show with 38 total Emmys and surpassing the previous record of 37 held by the mid-90s to early 2000s show “Frasier.”
Egyptian-American actor Rami Malek become the first man of color to win Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 18 years and the first Egyptian-American to win an Emmy.
“Veep” wins the award for Outstanding Comedy Series.
Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin and Millie Bobby Brown, young cast members of Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” rode around the theater on bikes passing out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apples and juice boxes, which stirred up controversy among food allergy communities.
