‘SNL’ and ‘Stranger Things’ take early Emmys lead
“Saturday Night Live,” “Westworld” and “Stranger Things” have an early lead at this year’s Emmy Awards after a batch of technical and guest acting awards were handed out this past weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Television Academy unveiled the winners of the Creative Arts Emmys, the first set of awards leading up to the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards, which will be handed out Sunday.
“SNL,” coming off one of its most successful seasons in years, got wins in both the best guest actor and actress in a comedy series awards for two hosts. Best actress went to Melissa McCarthy for her hosting duties (and her indelible portrait of former White House press secretary Sean Spicer) on “SNL,” and Dave Chappelle won best guest actor for his hosting turn on NBC’s late night show.
On the drama side, Alexis Bledel won best guest actress for Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and Gerald McRaney won best guest actor for “This Is Us” on NBC.
More than 80 Emmy winners were announced this weekend, including for categories like best casting, lighting and makeup. The Creative Arts Emmys are also seen as a bellwether for which shows might stand out at the major Emmys ceremony, which could be promising for Netflix’s “Stranger Things.”
The retro thriller took home five awards, including best casting in a drama (“Veep,” which won best comedy in each of the past two years, won best casting in a comedy). HBO’s “Westworld” nabbed five awards, including wins for sound mixing, makeup and visual effects.