Emmy Awards wraps up with surprises, records

The 2019 Emmy awards was about wrapping up old affairs with the fantasy sensation Game of Thrones saying final goodbyes, creating histories, starting new flings with surprise winners like Fleabag and Ozark, and sparking conversation for change in Hollywood.

The final season Game of Thrones, which broke records by earning 32 nominations, took home 12 trophies, including Best Drama series and Best Supporting Actor for Peter Dinklage for the role of Tyrion Lannister. Dinklage, who created Emmy Awards history after winning Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the fourth time, got emotional when he got on stage to accept final Emmy for the show. The Game of Thrones cast, also got a standing ovation when they got on the stage to say goodbye. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel won eight awards, including Supporting Actress accolade for Alex Borstein and Supporting Actor for Tony Shalhoub. Chernobyl was another big winner, taking home 10 awards, including Limited Series honour. Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag was a surprise package as the show dominated the comedy categories, sweeping in honours for best comedy, best directing and best writing for a comedy series.

There were many historical moments in the show. Pose star Billy Porter created history by being the first openly gay black man to win the trophy in the Lead Actor in a Drama category. When They See Us star Jharrel Jerome became the youngest person to win an Emmy in Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie category, and the first Afro-Latino to win for acting in the series.

Saturday Night Live broke its own record by winning its 77th Emmy for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series and 78th Emmy for Outstanding Variety Series Directing. Late icons including Stan Lee, Luke Perry and Valerie Harper were also honoured at the gala with a moving tribute in the “In Memoriam” segment. —IANS