The long-awaited Emmy Awards for the 2022-2023 TV season faced the challenge of living up to expectations, but they managed to deliver a memorable evening. Let’s dive into the highlights, surprises, and snubs that marked this prestigious event.
“Better Call Saul” Ends Disappointingly
“Better Call Saul,” the highly acclaimed prequel to “Breaking Bad,” unfortunately ended its journey at the Emmys without a single win. Despite critical acclaim and multiple nominations, the show failed to secure any awards. Not even the brilliant performances of Bob Odenkirk or Rhea Seehorn, or the exceptional writing and directing, could sway the judges. It’s a snub that fans and critics are finding hard to swallow.
“Ted Lasso” Fails to Impress
For its first two seasons, “Ted Lasso” was a favorite at the Emmys, raking in awards for best comedy series, lead actor, and supporting actor, among others. However, the show’s third season didn’t receive the same level of acclaim. Critics, audiences, and Emmy voters were less impressed, leading to “Ted Lasso” being completely shut out this year. Nevertheless, the show did manage to secure a couple of Creative Arts Emmys.
“The Bear” Takes Center Stage
FX’s restaurant dramedy, “The Bear,” emerged as the unexpected winner, snatching the award for best comedy series in its debut season. The show also garnered accolades for its lead actor, supporting actress, supporting actor, directing, and writing. This remarkable achievement is all the more impressive considering the first season premiered on Hulu back in June 2022. With recent wins at the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Awards, it seems like “The Bear” is just getting started.
“Last Week Tonight” Prevails in New Category
In a surprising twist, John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight” triumphed over “Saturday Night Live” in their first head-to-head matchup in the Scripted Variety Series category. This rule change introduced a new dynamic to the competition, and “Last Week Tonight” emerged as the winner. However, given the ever-evolving landscape of award shows, it wouldn’t be surprising if the rules were adjusted again in the future.
Trevor Noah Bids Farewell with an Emmy
With the variety talk category open for new contenders, Trevor Noah’s “The Daily Show” seized the opportunity and won for his final season as host. Although Stephen Colbert was a strong contender, Noah’s departure from the series earned him the prestigious award. It’s worth noting that when Jon Stewart hosted “The Daily Show,” it dominated the category, and this victory solidifies the show’s legacy.
Thank-You Crawl: A Welcome Innovation
One of the standout features of this year’s Emmy Awards was the introduction of the Thank-You Crawl. After winners took the stage, their pre-submitted thank-yous appeared as unobtrusive graphics, alleviating the pressure of forgetting important acknowledgments. This innovation, originally seen at the 2016 Academy Awards, allowed winners to deliver more meaningful speeches. It’s a simple yet effective addition that other award shows could learn from.
These were just a few of the surprises and snubs that unfolded at the Emmy Awards 2022-2023. As always, the ceremony celebrated the best of television, honoring outstanding talent and remarkable shows. To stay updated with all things entertainment, visit F5mag.com.