How the 2022 Emmys almost (almost!) gave acceptance speeches their due

The moment Sheryl Lee Ralph opened her mouth and dropped Dianne's breathtaking first note Reeves' "Endangered Species" was an Emmys speech for the ages. Shaking with emotion and obviously overwhelmed, Ralph's acceptance for her Best Supporting Actress trophy was as passionate as it was memorable — especially, perhaps, because she didn't have to recite a litany of names. before the time runs out. Instead, a simple ticker of people Ralph wanted to mention flashed by in a chyron as she raised her Emmy skyward in triumph.

Most of the nominees seem to submit names ahead of time in case they win, so the speeches most memorable of the night were freer to step out of the script and embrace their moment, in the moment. After Ralph's magnificent display of joy, Lizzo's surprise reality series victory was capped off with a tearful speech that didn't at all have to include the many names of the "Watch Out for the Big" producers. Grrrls". Instead, they sped below as she told the story of growing up wishing "to see someone big like me, black like me, beautiful like me."

John Oliver, accepting the seventh (!) consecutive Emmy for "Last Week Tonight", could change it a bit with a cheeky shout-out in the scroll to his absent staff ("thank you, and don't worry: we'll say hello to Oscar Isaac for you"). 'Succession' creator Jesse Armstrong was also able to deliver a few tongue-in-cheek jokes, including a final dig into England's latest 'Succession' not being as Democratic as the Emmys that was cheeky enough to skip over the head of most restless attendees. Given the same slight relief knowing that various agents, publicists, and executive names were passing by as they spoke, these nominees need not worry quite as much. having to get through their post-Emmys hangovers arranging a conciliatory fruit basket.

And yet: not all winners had the opportunity to balance their gut reactions with their due thanks, of course. In fact, the night felt more and more like sprinting towards the finish line, with the winners trying breathlessly to beat the clock, even though the production had ostensibly taken the preemptive step of asking for thanks long before. the start of the show itself. Amanda Seyfried, honored for a career-changing performance in 'The Dropout,' barely tried to keep up with the daunting countdown before running off stage; “Squid Game” director Hwang Dong-hyuk has openly given up hope of being able to deliver his speech through a translator given the time constraint staring him in the face; and Jennifer Coolidge, an iconoclast who finally earned her due after years of being fired by the industry, truly deserved to say more than she was savaged thanks to HBO. It seemed like the second winner stumbled, Emmys director Hamish Hamilton and DJ Zedd jumped at the chance to chase them.

Since the show had previously instructed the winners to shorten their speeches by asking for names before times , it was strange to see the ceremony turn so quickly into winners taking to the stage, already wincing at the impending sound of Zedd playing them. Contrary to what NBC might have hoped, no one tunes in to the Emmys hoping to see Peacock trailers and extended Kia commercials masquerading as comedy sketches. Although anyone tunes in to the Emmys these days, it's to see the people who make television spend their time in the spotlight and hear what they have to say. When the winners had the chance to be themselves and let the chyron do the industry rounds required for them, the Emmys came close as they have recently to strike the right balance.