“Shōgun” made history at the 76th annual Primetime Emmys by becoming the first best drama winner with dialogue predominantly spoken in Japanese. This groundbreaking achievement marks a departure from the previous trend of English-language dramas dominating the category. While “Squid Games” came close to breaking this pattern in 2022 with its Korean dialogue, “Shōgun” emerged as the true trailblazer.
In a surprising turn of events, Max’s “Hacks” secured the best comedy award, triumphing over its competitors after three seasons. The 76th Annual Emmy Awards commenced with a resounding endorsement of “The Bear,” which garnered three major acting accolades. Jeremy Allen White was recognized as the best actor, while Liza Colón-Zayas and Ebon Moss-Bachrach won in the supporting actress and supporting actor categories, respectively.
Another standout of the evening was the popular Netflix miniseries “Baby Reindeer,” which captivated audiences with its gripping narrative centered around a London-based comic, portrayed by Richard Gadd, and the woman who stalked him, played by Jessica Gunning. Both Gadd and Gunning received awards for their exceptional performances in the anthology category. “Baby Reindeer” also secured the best anthology award, with Gadd earning additional recognition as the best writer.
Jean Smart, as expected, clinched her third win as outstanding actress in a comedy for her role in “Hacks.” Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai were also honored as best actor and best actress in a drama for their remarkable performances in “Shōgun.” This ten-part series, based on James Clavell’s novel set in 17th century Japan, previously yielded an Emmy win in 1980 when it aired on NBC.
The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards showcased a few twists, some more successful than others. The organizers attempted to infuse internationalism into the event, as evidenced by the announcement of the outstanding director for an anthology in Spanish. The ceremony also featured tributes to TV moms, dads, cops, and lawyers. Greg Berlanti, a prolific TV producer who received the Governors Award, delivered a stirring speech emphasizing the importance of diversity and acceptance, particularly in his own journey as a gay showrunner in an industry that has not always been welcoming.
However, not all moments hit the mark. The highly anticipated “Happy Days” reunion, featuring Ron Howard and Henry Winkler, lasted a mere minute and awkwardly transitioned to the announcement of the outstanding director for comedy. Additionally, an in-show promotion for Johnny Walker, a sponsor of the Emmys, marked a potential first in the event’s 76-year history.
Billy Crystal, known primarily for his association with the Oscars, made a surprise appearance to present the outstanding talk series award. He entertained the audience with a novel bit, pulling out a tattered diary in which he claimed to have recorded his recollections of appearances on various talk shows. The punchline revealed that each host had stood him up for dinner.
The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards nominees reflected the prevailing mood of the past year, characterized by division, anxiety, and despair. These neuroses were on full display, set against the backdrop of impending strikes, concerns over artificial intelligence, and a rapidly evolving streaming landscape.