The 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards took place in Los Angeles on Monday night after being postponed due to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. The awards show, hosted by actor and comedian Anthony Anderson, included historic wins and powerful speeches. Here are the top 10 memorable moments from the Emmys.
Christina Applegate gets a standing ovation
Applegate, who has MS, presented the first award of the night for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series. She walked out with a cane alongside host Anthony Anderson and another escort, who helped her to the microphone. As the audience gave her a standing ovation, Applegate joked: "You're totally shaming my disability by standing up."
Applegate, who began acting as an infant when she appeared as a baby on "Days of Our Lives," has been nominated for eight Emmys, winning outstanding guest actress in a comedy series in 2003 for her role on "Friends."
Applegate revealed in 2021 that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The disease affects the central nervous system and can cause symptoms like fatigue, numbness, pain, memory problems and even blindness or paralysis.
Quinta Brunson lives her comedic dream
The talented actress, Quinta Brunson, has achieved a major milestone in her career. She recently won the Emmy for outstanding actress in a comedy series for her role in "Abbot Elementary." This remarkable achievement makes her the first Black woman in over 40 years to receive this prestigious award. The last Black woman to win in this category was Isabel Sanford in 1981, for her portrayal of Louise Jefferson in "The Jeffersons."
During her emotional acceptance speech, Brunson expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to live her dream of acting in a comedy series. "Abbott Elementary," a show that she created, has allowed her to showcase her comedic talent and bring joy to audiences. Despite not preparing a speech, she took the time to thank her family, husband, and the entire cast of the show for their support.
In addition to her outstanding acting, Brunson also won the Emmy for outstanding writing for a comedy series for "Abbott Elementary" in 2022.
Elton John earns EGOT status
The legendary singer, Elton John, has achieved a remarkable feat in his illustrious career. He recently won the Emmy for outstanding variety special (live) for his show "Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium." This prestigious award has now made him one of the esteemed EGOT winners, joining a select group of individuals who have received all four major entertainment awards.
Joining the ranks of EGOT winners such as Viola Davis, Mel Brooks, and Audrey Hepburn, Elton John's Emmy win solidifies his status as one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
Unfortunately, the 76-year-old star was unable to attend the ceremony to accept his Emmy. He is currently recovering from a knee operation. However, his partner, David Furnish, was present and shared that John was ecstatic upon learning about his win.
Anthony Anderson's mom takes charge of acceptance speeches
Actor Anthony Anderson hosted the awards show and announced a unique twist for acceptance speeches. Instead of the usual play-off music, Anderson's mom, Doris, would be the one to kick off recipients from the stage.
In a humorous bit during his opening monologue, Anderson's mom jokingly told him to "shut up" and expressed her desire to go to the after-party. Throughout the ceremony, she held up cue cards to let stars know when their speeches were becoming too long-winded.
Ali Wong creates history
Ali Wong, known for her role in "Beef," was visibly surprised when she won the outstanding lead actress award in a limited series or movie. Before going up on stage to accept the award, she shared a kiss with her boyfriend Bill Hader.
With this win, Wong became the first Asian woman to receive a lead acting award at the Emmys. She had also made history earlier this month by winning the same award at the Golden Globes.
In her acceptance speech, Wong expressed gratitude towards her parents and daughters. She mentioned her late father, who taught her the value of failure, and thanked her daughters for being a source of inspiration.
The Netflix show "Beef" received a total of 13 nominations and won five awards at the Emmys, including outstanding limited or anthology series.
Jennifer Coolidge acknowledges "all the evil gays"
Jennifer Coolidge was honored with the outstanding supporting actress award in a drama series for her brilliant portrayal of the eccentric and affluent Tanya McQuoid in the hit show "The White Lotus."
During her acceptance speech, Coolidge, aged 62, expressed her gratitude towards the character she played, who in the series has a shocking realization that her gay friends are plotting to murder her on a yacht. She humorously exclaimed, "These gays, they're trying to murder me."
On stage, she playfully thanked "all the evil gays," eliciting laughter from the audience. This recognition adds to her previous Emmy win for her beloved role in 2022.
While delivering her speech, Coolidge was reminded by Doris Anderson that time was running out, prompting her to conclude her remarks.
Niecy Nash-Betts delivers an empowering speech
Nash-Betts was awarded outstanding supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie for her exceptional performance in the Ryan Murphy drama "Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story." She expressed her gratitude towards a long list of individuals, including Murphy and co-star Evan Peters.
"And you know who I want to thank? I want to thank me," she declared, receiving both laughter and cheers. "For believing in me and accomplishing what they said I couldn't. And I want to say to myself in front of all you wonderful people, 'Go on girl with your bad self. You did that.'"
"Finally, I accept this award on behalf of every Black and brown woman who has gone unheard, yet over-policed. Like Glenda Cleveland, like Sandra Bland, like Breonna Taylor," she continued. In the anthology series, Nash played Cleveland, who tried to alert police about Jeffery Dahmer – a serial killer and sex offender – but was ignored.
"As an artist, my job is to speak truth to power, and baby I'mma do it till the day I die. Mama, I won," she said.
"The Bear" actors share a kiss on stage
When "The Bear" won the outstanding comedy series, the entire cast went up on stage to accept the award. Matty Matheson, a chef and restauranteur who acted on the show about the staff at a Chicago restaurant, began to thank the restaurant industry when co-star Ebon Moss-Bachrach interrupted his speech with a kiss.
After Moss-Bachrach, who won the Emmy for outstanding supporting actor, let Matheson out of the long lip-lock, the actor continued his speech. "I just love restaurants so much – the good, the bad. It's rough—we're all broken inside, and every single day we've got to show up and cook and make people feel good by eating something and sitting at a table, and it's really beautiful," he said. "And all of us here get to make a show together, and we get to make people feel good—or filled with anxiety or triggered, it seems. But this is really amazing, it's beautiful."
Moss-Bachrach also joined Matheson to throw out the names of people to thank and Anderson's mom held up a sign that read: "Wrap it up now. Love, Mama."
Kieran Culkin asks wife for another baby
Culkin, who played Roman Roy on "Succession" won for lead actor in a drama series, beating out co-stars Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong.
After tearfully thanking his cast members, writers, mom and manager, Culkin addressed his wife. "Jazz, thank you for sharing your life with me and for giving me two amazing kids," he said. "I love you so many and so much. And Jazz, I want more."
The crowd erupted in laughter and Culkin added: "You said maybe if I win."
"Grey's Anatomy" reunion
Justin Chambers, Katherine Heigl, Ellen Pompeo, James Pickens Jr. and Chandra Wilson, the stars of the hit medical drama "Grey's Anatomy," paid tribute to the cast, crew – and fans – of the long-running show. "Grey's Anatomy," which premiered in 2005, has had more than 400 episodes over 19 seasons and is the longest-running primetime medical drama in TV history.
The cast of "Cheers," also reunited at a replica of the bar the sitcom was based on. And "Sopranos" stars Michael Imperioli and Lorraine Bracco paid tribute to the hit drama 25 years after it first aired.
