Leah Remini’s ‘cult’ speech and other interesting things from the early Emmys
THE CREATIVE Arts Emmys might not get the buzz and attention of the ceremony’s prime-time sister, airing Sept 17, but an Emmy is an Emmy, right?
During ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday nights, Emmys were awarded for the technical and behind-the- scenes aspects of TV production, as well as for some acting duties, such as guest appearances.
In the era of peak TV, it’s becoming a common feature for movie stars to win TV awards. Even movies with theatrical releases — and Oscar wins — are taking home Emmys.
— Movies that opened in theatres now winning Emmys
Ava DuVernay’s “13th,” a documentary about the historical roots of mass incarceration, won four Emmys ( best documentary, writing for nonfiction programme, outstanding music and lyrics, and a juried prize for motion design). The documentary premiered in October on Netfl ix and in select theatres.
“The Beatles: Eight Days a Week” opened in theatres in September 2016 before moving to Hulu a few days later. The Ron Howard documentary about the band’s touring years won two Emmys ( sound mixing and sound editing).
“O. J.: Made In America,” which won an Oscar earlier this year for best documentary feature, also won two Emmys this weekend: Outstanding directing and outstanding picture editing for a non-fiction programme. The fivepart series that aired on ESPN and ABC was eligible for an Oscar because it briefly aired in theatres, but the fi lm Academy has since made changes to its rules barring multipart or limited series.
— The stars who won their first Emmy
Me l issa McCarthy won an Emmy over the weekend for her star turn as Sean Spicer on “Saturday Night Live.” She already had one (for “Mike and Molly”), but some notable actors and personalities took home their fi rst Emmy:
Dave Chappelle won guest actor in a comedy for his Nov 12 “Saturday Night Live” hosting gig.
Alexis Bledel, who until recently was known mainly for “Gilmore Girls,” won in the drama series guest actress category for her dark and unnerving portrayal of Ofglen in “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
Gerald McRaney won his fi rst Emmy for his guest role as doctor Nathan Katowski in the NBC drama “This Is Us.”
Samantha Bee won her fi rst Emmy (outstanding writing for a variety special) for the special edition of her weekly show, “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee Presents Not The White House Correspondents’ Dinner.”
Leah Remini won for outstanding informational series for her A& E series, “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.”
— DuVernay’s and Remini’s speeches
DuVernay said making “13th” was “a beautiful process” and also “an emotional process to steep yourself in.” According to Deadline, she wanted to
speak in support of those who are “aggressively demoralised and devalued. It’s important that we stand up and be heard.” She continued:
“I want to thank — and think about — tonight the hundreds of thousands of families who are waiting for their loved ones to come home. Mothers, daughters, sisters, wives who don’t know where their loved one is. Unsung heroes of a struggle that has not a lot to do with them but has a lot to do with how they live each day.”
Remini, according to Deadline, was emotional when she stepped to the stage to accept her fi rst Emmy. Then she cracked a joke: “Mom, thank you. You are officially forgiven for getting us into a cult.” She dedicated the award to “our brave contributors who, despite ongoing risk and repercussion, spoke out and told their stories.” And while backstage, she said, “As an actress, you want to get an Emmy nom or win an Emmy” but she’s since realised what’s most important is “doing the right things.”
— The Oscars telecast won a directing Emmy
This year’s Academy Awards featured a flub so big, so unprecedented that it overshadowed the rest of the show, potentially took away from the big moment for “Moonlight” and even became fodder for a Jay-Z song.
Well, the awards show’s director, Glenn Weiss, still took home the prize for best directing for a variety special. — HBO reigns supreme — for now
The prime-time awards on Sunday will affect the network totals, but for now, HBO has won the most Emmys so far this year: 19. Netfl ix follows closely behind with 16, then NBC, which won nine creative Emmys. Hulu won five, thanks to “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week.”
Meanwhile, SNL and HBO’s “Westworld” have the most nominations ( 22) this year. — WPBloomberg