The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2024 celebrated the crème de la crème of television, with “Shōgun,” “Hacks,” “Baby Reindeer” and “The Bear” stealing the spotlight.
This year’s ceremony was a rollercoaster of expected wins and shocking surprises.
From Hiroyuki Sanada’s triumphant lead in “Shōgun” to Richard Gadd’s standout performance in “Baby Reindeer,” the Emmys didn’t disappoint, except maybe for the losers.
Shōgun: The Epic Drama Dominates
“Shōgun” takes viewers on a wild ride through feudal Japan, featuring a clash of cultures, epic battles, and enough palace intrigue to make Machiavelli turn a delicate shade of tomato red.
The show follows an English navigator stranded in Japan, who ends up serving a powerful samurai. As worlds collide, viewers are treated to breathtaking visuals and a plot thick enough to slice with a katana. The characters struggle to forge alliances in a land where honor is more valuable than gold.
This show didn’t just dip its toes in the Emmy pool; it cannonballed, winning Best Drama Series and snagging 18 awards.
Hiroyuki Sanada’s performance sliced through the competition as he took home the Lead Actor award. Meanwhile, Anna Sawai stole the show and the Lead Actress accolade.
Hacks: Comedy’s Unexpected Champion
“Hacks” assembles the oddest of odd couples—a fading Las Vegas comedy diva and a young comedy writer who could slide into a TikTok feud without breaking a sweat. It’s like watching a mismatched buddy cop movie, but with fewer explosions and more existential crises.
The laughs come hard and fast as they begrudgingly learn from each other while navigating the ever-perilous world of stand-up comedy. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to blend generational trauma with punchlines, this show’s got you covered.
In a plot twist even the writers of Hacks couldn’t script, it snatched Best Comedy Series. The show left everyone buzzing, proving once again that Jean Smart’s comedic timing could halt a meteor.
This victory was extra salty for “The Bear” fans, who watched their favorite lose the crown despite a record number of wins for a comedy in a single year.
Baby Reindeer: A Limited Series Triumph
“Baby Reindeer” is like that one weird dream you can’t shake. It follows Richard Gadd’s real-life chilling and darkly comedic experiences with an obsessed stalker. The series manages to walk the tightrope between spine-tingling horror and laugh-out-loud moments without missing a beat. Audiences will find themselves both hiding behind their pillows and clutching their sides in laughter.
Richard Gadd wasn’t just the creator; he was the show. His compelling writing and acting nabbed awards in both categories, proving that sometimes, reality truly is stranger (and award-winning) than fiction.
It’s as if he made winning Emmys part of his daily routine, followed by basking in critical acclaim.
The Bear: Sizzling Drama in a Culinary Jungle
“The Bear” serves up an intense and gritty peek behind the kitchen doors of a struggling Chicago restaurant. Enter Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, a high-flying chef who swaps his Michelin-starred lifestyle for the greasy apron of his family’s floundering sandwich shop. Why, you ask? Oh, you know, just the typical dream of escaping fine dining for the thrill of wrangling Chicago beef sandwiches and a rowdy kitchen crew.
Jeremy Allen White snagged the Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series award, his portrayal of Carmy making everyone believe that a chef’s life is actually that dramatic. “The Bear” also won awards for Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, proving that humor in a kitchen isn’t just about slipping on a banana peel.