‘Crown,’ ‘Lasso,’ ‘Queen’s Gambit’ triumph

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Netflix’s “The Crown” and “The Queen’s Gambit” combined with Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso” to sweep top series honors at the Sunday’s Emmy Awards, a first for streaming services that cemented their rise to prominence in the television industry. “I’m at a loss for words,” said Peter Morgan, the creator and writer of the British royal saga “The Crown,” which collected acting, writing and directing awards in addition to four acting honors. His comment may also apply to the premium cable channels that once ruled the Emmy Awards and to the broadcast networks — including Sunday’s ceremony host, CBS — that have long grown accustomed to being largely also-rans. Netflix won a leading total of 44 awards, equaling the broadcast network record set back in 1974, by CBS. The streaming service, which fielded the first drama series nominee, “House of Cards” in 2007, finally won the category. Newcomer Apple TV+’s first top series came less than two years after it launched.

Brett Goldstein, Hannah Waddingham, Jason Sudeikis, Juno Temple and the cast and crew from ‘Ted Lasso’ pose with their awards for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series, outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series, outstanding lead actor in a comedy series and outstanding comedy series at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 19, at LA Live in Los Angeles. (AP)

“The Crown” and “The Queen’s Gambit” tied as leaders with 11 awards each, with “Ted Lasso” topping the comedy side with seven trophies. “The Queen’s Gambit” made Anya Taylor-Joy a star and Emmy nominee for her portrayal of a troubled chess prodigy. Executive producer William Horberg singled her out in his acceptance speech. “You brought the sexy back to chess, and you inspired a whole generation of girls and young women to realize that patriarchy has no defense against our queens.” he said. There was a bright spot for HBO with its limited series “Mare of Easttown,” the crime drama that earned four Emmys, including a lead acting award for star Kate Winslet. For broadcaster NBC, “Saturday Night Live” again came through with variety honors. The ceremony proved disappointing as well to those scrutinizing diversity in Hollywood. The record number of nominees of color yielded only two Black winners, including RuPaul for “Ru- Paul’s Drag Race” and star-creator Michaela Coel’s writing award for “I May Destroy You.” Cedric the Entertainer proved a game host, moving from a hip-hop opening number to gags and sketches, but the relatively small crowd — a result of pandemic precautions — was fairly muted in their response to him and others’ one-liners

Personal
There was a feeling of personal sadness that pervaded the night, with a number of winners recounting the loss of loved ones. “The Crown” stars Olivia Colman and Josh O’Connor won the top drama acting honors Sunday, with Jason Sudeikis, star of the warm-hearted “Ted Lasso,” and Jean Smart of the generation gap story “Hacks,” winners on the comedy side. Colman and O’Connor were a winning fictional mother-son duo: She plays Queen Elizabeth II, with O’Connor as Prince Charles in the British royal family saga that combines gravitas and soap opera. “I’d have put money on that not happening,” Colman said of the award, calling it “a lovely end to the most extraordinary journey” with the show’s cast and creators. She cut her remarks short, explaining why she was growing tearful.

“I lost my daddy during COVID, and he would have loved all of this.” she said. O’Connor gave a shoutout to Emma Corwin, who played opposite him as Princess Diana and was also a nominee Sunday, as a “force of nature.” He also offered thanks to his grandmother, who died a few months ago, and his grandfather, Peter O’Connor, for the “greatest gifts” of kindness and loyalty. Sudeikis co-created “Ted Lasso,” which many viewers found a balm for tough pandemic times. He gave a speech that evoked the chipper, upbeat title character he plays in the series about a UK soccer team and its unlikely American coach. “This show’s about families and mentors and teammates, and I wouldn’t be here without those things in my life,” said Sudeikis. He also thanked his fellow castmates, saying, “I’m only as good as you guys make me look.” Smart, who received a standing ovation, began her acceptance speech on a somber note: Her husband actor, Richard Gilliland, died six months ago. “I would not be here without him” and his willingness to put her career first, said Smart. She also praised their two children as “courageous individuals in their own right.” Earlier in the evening, ebullient “Ted Lasso” cast member Hannah Waddingham, winner of the best supporting actress award for a comedy, said Sudeikis “changed my life with this, and more importantly my baby girl’s.”

Brett Goldstein, who won the counterpart award for supporting actor for playing a retired soccer star, said he had promised not to swear and either mimed or was muted for a few seconds, then called the show the “privilege and pleasure” of his life. Gillian Anderson and Tobias Menzies were honored for their supporting performances on “The Crown.” Anderson, who played British political leader Margaret Thatcher, was one of numerous cast members to accept from a “Crown” gathering in London. Menzies who plays Prince Philip, didn’t attend either ceremony.

Main winners at Emmy Awards LOS ANGELES, Sept 20, (AP): List of main winners at the Emmy Awards:
■ Comedy Series: ‘Ted Lasso’
■ Drama series: ‘The Crown’
■ Limited Series: ‘The Queen’s Gambit’
■ Actress, Drama Series: Olivia Colman, ‘The Crown’
■ Actor, Drama Series: Josh O’Connor, ‘The Crown’
■ Actress, Comedy Series: Jean Smart, ‘Hacks’
■ Actor, Comedy Series: Jason Sudeikis, ‘Ted Lasso’
■ Actress, Limited Series or TV movie: Kate Winslet, ‘Mare of Easttown’
■ Actor, Limited Series or TV movie: Ewan McGregor, ‘Halston’
■ Reality-competition program: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’
■ Writing, Variety Series: ‘Last Week Tonight With John Oliver’
■ Variety Talk Series: ‘Last Week Tonight With John Oliver’
■ Variety Sketch Series: ‘Saturday Night Live’
■ Writing, Comedy Series: ‘Hacks’
■ Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded): ‘Hamilton’
■ Outstanding Variety Special (Live): ‘Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020: Democracy’s Last Stand Building Back America Great Again Better 2020’
■ Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Gillian Anderson, ‘The Crown’
■ Supporting Actor, Drama Series: Tobias Menzies, ‘The Crown’
■ Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: Hannah Waddingham, ‘Ted Lasso’
■ Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: Brett Goldstein, ‘Ted Lasso’
■ Supporting Actress, Limited Series or TV Movie: Julianne Nicholson, ‘Mare of Easttown’
■ Supporting Actor, Limited Series or TV Movie: Evan Peters, ‘Mare of Easttown’ Previously announced winners:
■ Guest Actor, Drama Series: Courtney B. Vance, ‘Lovecraft County’
■ Guest Actress, Drama Series: Claire Foy, ‘The Crown’
■ Television Movie: ‘Dolly Parton’s Christmas On the Square’
■ Guest Actor, Comedy Series: Dave Chappelle, ‘Saturday Night Live’
■ Guest Actress, Comedy Series: Maya Rudolph, ‘Saturday Night Live’
■ Structured Reality Program: ‘Queer Eye’
■ Unstructured Reality Program: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked’

By Lynn Elber

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