2021 Emmy Awards
Cedric the Entertainer hosted the 2021 Emmy Awards live on CBS from the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles. Unlike the Pandemic Emmys, the 73rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards was held in front of a live audience and the nominees came ready to accept their awards on stage instead of through a virtual window.
The ceremonies opened with full stage performance courtesy of Cedric the Entertainer. Cedric started in a lounge chair watching tv and told the audience why he wanted to host the Emmys. He then broke out in song to Just A Friend by Biz Markie and was joined by LL Cool J. The entire audience broke out in song, “You got what I need, but you say he’s just a friend.” Lil Dicky, Rita Wilson, Billy Porter, and more.
“Welcome to the Emmys”
Seth Rogen was the first presenter and he said he was told the ceremony would be held outside and if he knew it was going to be in a tent, he wouldn’t have come. “We’re in a tent right now. Why do we have a roof?”
He announced the nominees for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, and the Emmy went to Hannah Waddingham for Ted Lasso. “Oh my God, I’m not responsible for anything that falls out of my face for the next 30 seconds.” She screamed at the top of her lungs she was so excited. She thanked her friends and parents. “Thank you so, so much, thank you!”
The next category was Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. The 2021 Emmy went to Brett Goldstein for Ted Lasso. He thanked his team, mom, and dad, and thanked the show creators for allowing him to be a part of it.
Cedric returned “Welcome to the 73 Emmy Awards.” “We all vaxxed. You had to get vaxxed to come here.” “A lot of Black people have been nominated tonight. Big up.” “Wanda Vision has 23 nominations.” “The Bridgerton … The Crown, 24 nominations.”
The next category was Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, and the 2021 Emmy went to Julianne Nicholson for Mare of Easttown. She thanked her cast and crew by name and was the first to have music try to play her off stage during her acceptance speech.
Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie was next, and the 2021 Emmy Award went to Evan Peters for Mare of Easttown. He thanked the Academy, the cast, his parents, and “Kate Winslet for being Kate Winslet.”
The next category was Best Writer in a Drama Series, and the 2021 Emmy went to Peter Morgan for The Crown.
The 2021 Emmy Award for Directing for a Drama Series went to Jessica Hobbs for The Crown. She ended her acceptance speech by paying tribute to her mother. “Who at 77 is still directing.”
Cedric returned and brought out Steven Colbert to announce the nominees for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. The 2021 Emmy went to Gillian Anderson for The Crown.
Kerry Washington was the next presenter for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and honored Michael K. Williams in her speech. The 2021 Emmy Award went to Tobias Menzies for The Crown. Kerry accepted the award on his behalf.
The 2021 Emmy Award for Writing for a Variety Series went to the team from Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
The 2021 Emmy Award for Variety Talk Series also went to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. He thanked HBO, his wife, Conan O’Brian, and Norm McDonald.
And the 2021 Emmy Award for Variety Sketch Series went to Saturday Night Live. Lorne Michaels ended his acceptance speech by paying tribute to Norm McDonald.
Best Writing in a Comedy Series was the next category, and the 2021 Emmy Award went to the team from Hacks.
The cast from Schitt’s Creek also announced the nominees for Directing of a Comedy Series, and the Emmy Award went to Lucia Aniello for Hacks.
Cedric held an Emmy support group with Jason Alexander and other actors who have never won an Emmy. He also called in Dr. Phil to help him give advice to the group.
The nominees for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series were next. The 2021 Emmy Award went to Jean Smart for Hacks. She received resounding applause and tears in some of the audience’s eyes. He honored her husband who has passed away and her two children. She also thanked HBO, her team, agent, publicist, and cast before the music played to end her speech.
The nominees for Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series followed, and the 2021 Emmy Award went to Jason Sudeikis for Ted Lasso. Jason thanked his family, children, SNL, Lorne Michaels, “Who went to go take a dump.” He thanked the writers, his manager, and the Academy.
Outstanding Competition Program was next, and the Emmy went to Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Ru Paul and a few castmates came to accept the award. He thanked “All our children from around the world.” He mentioned how difficult it is for the drag community, “You have a tribe that is waiting for you. Come to Mama.” Debby Allen was honored with this year’s 2021 Television Academy Governors Award. Gayle King narrated the video of her incredible career. Nominated for 20 Emmys the legendary Debbie Allen took the stage to a standing ovation as she fought back tears. “Oh my God, thank you!” “I am trembling with gratitude.” “Thank you for this glorious moment in the sun.” She thanked many people, her husband, students, and fellow entertainers.
The 2021 Emmy Award for Best Direction for a Limited or Anthology Series went to Scott Frank for The Queen’s Gambit.
The 2021 Emmy Award for Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series went to Michaela Coel for The Queens’s Gambit.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series went to Kate Winslet for Mare of Easttown. “Mom, mom they’re standing up.” She called out for the stand ovation. He thanked the cast, crew, and her husband.
Taraji P. Henson announced the nominees for Best Actor in a Limited Anthology Series or Movie, and the 2021 Emmy Award went to Ewan McGregor for Halston.
Anthony Anderson and Trace Ellis Ross were the next presenters, and the category was Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and the Emmy went to Olivia Colman for The Crown.
And the 2021 Emmy Award for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series went to Josh O’Connor for The Crown.
SNL’s Amy Bryant presented the nominees for Variety Special Live, and the Emmy went to Stephen Colbert Election Night 2020. Stephen thanked CBS, the writers, cast, and crew, and the music played twice to get him to end his speech.
The 2021 Emmy Award for Variety Special Pre-Recorded went to Hamilton.
The In Memoriam segment reminded us of how many spirits and how much talent the world lost last year.
Awkwafina presented the nominees for the Outstanding Comedy Series. The 2021 Emmy went to Ted Lasso.
The Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series went to The Crown.
Angela Bassett announced the nominees for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and the Emmy Award went to The Queen’s Gambit.
The Crown, Ted Lasso, and Hacks had a great night and a lot of reasons to party all night. Congratulations to all the 2021 Emmy Award winners.
Tanya Hart
AURN.Com Hollywood Live
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