Emmys 2024: The Best And Worst Moments

Cast reunions! A weepy Christina Applegate! Alexis Colby!

Anthony Anderson‘s mom?

The postponed Emmys had far more great moments than bad, thank goodness — starting with the brisk, git’ ‘er done pace, which seemed particularly on brand for the scrappier-than-ever Fox. And though the night was packed with far too many anti-climactic moments (as if any show other than Succession would rack up all the trophies), the meet-cutes on stage made for fun TV (we see you, Joel McHale and Ken Jeong) and the sentimental interpretation of the title song from Friends during the In Memoriam segment was both appropriate and absolutely heartbreaking.

BEST MOMENTS

Anthony Anderson’s opening monologue, which began with him walking into his own “Mister Anderson’s Neighborhood.” After throwing off his fur coat, he then sat down at a piano and, joined by a chorus from Compton, sang a medley of title songs like “Good Times” and “The Facts of Life” with Travis Barker making a guest appearance at the drums for the tune from Miami Vice.

Christina Applegate, feeling effervescent after that standing ovation, told Ayo Edebiri to “get your ass up here” after the young star of The Bear won for Outstanding Supporting Actress.

The cast reunions and how they all took place in mini-set recreations from their shows. The Sopranos reunion of Lorraine Bracco and Michael Imperioli, for example, took place in Dr. Jennifer Melfi’s office, while the Cheers reunion of Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger and George Wendt took place in Sam’s bar and the All in the Family reunion of Sally Struthers and Rob Reiner took place in the Bunker living room. Fun!

John Oliver, who after winning his gazillionth Emmy, actually wanted to get booed off by Anderson’s mother Doris Hancox, so he began listing Liverpool FC’s starting 11. When the matriarch jumped to her feet to protest, Oliver quickly quipped, “I’d like to thank Jesus and my family.”

Niecy Nash-Betts thanking herself after winning the Emmy for her role in Monster – Dahmer. “I wanna thank me for believing in me and doing what they said I could not do,” she said. “Go on girl with your bad self. You did that!”

The unapologetic injection of social issues into the show. GLAAD receiving the Governor’s Award. Nash-Betts’ shout-out to “every black and brown woman who has gone unheard yet overpoliced.” RuPaul saying, “if a drag queen wants to read you a story, listen to her.” It’s an election year, people; some things simply can’t go without being said.

Did you know Jodie Foster was on The Courtship of Eddie’s Father? I sure didn’t. Nice decision to have the Nyad star present the category for Outstanding Actress in a Drama. (Yey, Shiv!)

Ebon Moss-Bachrach planting a big one on co-star Matty Matheson when The Bear won for Best Comedy. (Creator Christopher Storer was out with Covid).

Peter Dinklage giving away the prize for Best Drama!

The shot of Jack McBrayer sitting between Mathew MacFadyen and Alexander Skarsgard when Jesse Armstrong accepted the Emmy for writing Succession. I’d look that giddy, too, if I were sitting between those smoke stacks.

WORST MOMENTS

It was super cute when host Anderson employed his mama to chase off the long speakers — until she tried to cut off national treasure Jennifer Coolidge when the actress won for The White Lotus. I mean, let the ol’ girl thank the evil gays, for pete’s sake!

The cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia complaining about their lack of Emmys during their 18-season run before revealing the winner for Outstanding Talk Series. Though it’s super fun to hear Danny DeVito talk about his triumph on Taxi, this bit when on a bit too long. (But we do wonder if DeVito has it in his contract that he must stand at least a foot away from his fellow castmembers).

We get it, somebody was off-stage snapping his fingers to keep this show going, but the Weekend Update shtick featuring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler was way too short. It was also, surprisingly, light on delicious zingers — NOT THAT THERE WAS ANY TIME TO SHARE THEM.

The montage of memorable TV moments, and that was it?

Slap upside the head to the cameraman who decided to pan to the audience during Steven Yeun’s emotional speech. It’s well known that everyone takes a time out during the middle of the show to get an adult beverage in the lobby; no need to remind the audience that even Hollywood doesn’t care about awards shows.