The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, held Sept. 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, was a night filled with celebration and controversy. The ceremony recognized some of television’s most acclaimed shows while also sparking debate over censorship, political speech and the evolving nature of award shows.
Comedy and drama saw big winners, with “The Studio” taking home Outstanding Comedy Series and “The Pitt” winning Outstanding Drama Series. Netflix’s “Adolescence” led all shows with six awards, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. Veteran comedian and actress Jean Smart won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for “Hacks,” and joked about her knee injury. She said, “I’m walking John Wayne style tonight,” before she thanked her cast and crew and urged the audience to “be good to each other.”
The night’s most talked about moment came from Hannah Einbinder, who won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for “Hacks”. Her closing words, “Go Birds, f— ICE, and free Palestine,” were partially censored on the live broadcast, though the uncensored version circulated online almost immediately. Backstage, Einbinder elaborated on her advocacy for Palestinian rights, making a distinction between criticizing government policies and Jewish identity.
John Oliver, accepting for “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”, also had parts of his speech censored. He took aim at the show’s unusual new “speech-timer” rule, which meant that overlong speeches meant less money going to charity. “F— you, Nate Bargatze, that is a lot of money for you,” Oliver joked, referencing the evening’s host. His sharp tone sparked both laughter and criticism, fueling debate over whether the Emmys were more interested in control than authentic expression.
One of the evening’s most emotional speeches came from Stephen Colbert, who accepted an Emmy for his now-canceled “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Reflecting on nearly a decade of late-night television, he told the audience the show began “as a comedy about love” but had often felt like “a show about loss.” His final words drew a standing ovation: “I have never loved my country more desperately. God bless America. Stay strong, be brave, and if the elevator tries to bring you down, punch a higher floor!”
Not all reactions to the ceremony were positive. The new speech rules were criticized as stifling and corporate, while the network’s heavy-handed censorship of political statements drew swift backlash online. Critics argued that the Emmys, once a platform for unfiltered voices, now seemed hesitant to allow objections to play out on live television.
Emmy-winning filmmaker and actor Yuval David criticized “Hacks” star Hannah Einbinder’s Emmy acceptance speech, and said it was a “performance of ignorance.” David also condemned other celebrities for using the platform to spread what he called “propaganda” against Israel.
The Department of Homeland Security labeled Einbinder’s politically charged Emmy speech as “ugly” and potentially harmful to law enforcement.
Still, the night marked historic wins, including Tramell Tillman becoming the first Black actor to win Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama for his performance in “Severance”. Rising star Owen Cooper made history as the youngest ever Emmy winner, at age 15, for his role in “Adolescence”, delivering a heartfelt acceptance speech that celebrated authentic storytelling and the experiences of young people.
These moments, combined with heartfelt speeches and overdue recognition, reminded viewers of the power of television to both reflect and challenge society.
