Show of hands, people: Who knew beforehand that the Emmys was today?
Logging on to Twitter this morning, I found that many didn’t. Just search “didn’t know emmys was today” and you’ll find tweet after tweet saying that exact thing.
These prestige ceremonies are increasingly becoming more and more inconsequential. This was true before the pandemic, but it accelerated when the pandemic hit. According to Forbes, last year’s Emmys ceremony logged a 6.1 million viewership—the lowest it’s been in its history.
While some ceremonies are still managing to remain relevant—last week’s MTV VMAs still got its buzz—it’s more thanks to the celebrity of its guests than the event itself. While many people were talking about it online (according to the Hollywood Reporter, it drummed up 38 million social traffic), the actual number of people watching it was drastically low at an average of 900,000. No, not even a million.
In previous years, the VMAs was the ceremony that kicked off the first circuit of the awards season. A week after it is the Emmys, and the week after that is the Tony Awards. But this year it felt more like a separate disparate event, more linked to the Met Gala than to the other award ceremonies.
Still, notable fashion ‘fits
That’s not to say that there wasn’t anything good that happened at this year’s Emmys ceremony.
On the fashion front, Anya Taylor Joy looked like a dream in a backless Christian Dior gown. With a yellow shawl in tow and her hair in an elegant bun, Joy’s look echoed back to classic Hollywood. It’s extremely befitting considering she was up for a nomination for “The Queen’s Gambit,” a period piece. (Also? She would’ve fit right in at last week’s Met Gala. Since they’ll be doing part two of the American fashion theme next year, Anna Wintour definitely needs to send her an invite.)
Nicole Byer’s look was also a welcome surprise this year. Draped in a purple tulle Christian Siriano off-shoulder gown, Byer was giving us a moment™️. She’s now officially a fashion queen in my book.
Other notable looks this year: Michaela Coel showing off her midriff in a stunning lime yellow gown by Christopher John Rogers, Emma Corrin channeling a woodlands monster look in her custom Miu Miu piece and her long, black nails, Jason Sudeikis swapping his Golden Globes hoodie for a velvet suit, and Billy Porter slaying as always in an Ashi jumpsuit.
As for the ceremony itself, well…
While big contenders “Ted Lasso,” “Hacks,” and “Mare of Easttown” got their fair share of wins, “The Crown” swept up the night, winning best drama series and a slew of acting awards. It was a big night for Netflix: Aside from “The Crown” wins, “The Queen’s Gambit” won best limited series.
I’m gonna be honest, not sure how to feel about that! I love me some Olivia Coleman and both “The Crown” and “The Queen’s Gambit” were fine. But I can’t say they were the best TV had to offer this year. The latter was competing against the criminally underrated “I May Destroy You” and “Mare of Easttown;” I’m not sure how the revisionist girlboss feminist chess show won.
Some things I do unquestionably love: Michaela Coel did end up winning outstanding writing for “I May Destroy You” (it deserved more but I’ll take what I can get), and Kate Winslet deservedly won outstanding lead actress. And thank GOD “Ted Lasso” won best comedy this year instead of “Emily in Paris,” even though I still think “Pen15” should’ve gotten the recognition.
Overall, though, not a great ceremony. Maybe it’s only fitting that a bad year got a bad, forgettable Emmys.
Photo screengrabbed from Michaela Cole’s winning speech
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