This past Sunday’s Primetime Emmys was a culmination of a groundswell of people desperate for the feel good pillow that is Ted Lasso and the razzle dazzle, truest encapsulation of stand-up comedy in Hacks. Both series racked up more than impressive numbers for nominations and made good with multiple wins each. It’s good to know that there has been a very emphatic changing of the guard, for the most part, when it comes to these Primetime Emmys wins.
That said, SNL, Last Week Tonight, and Stephen Colbert nabbed the variety series/specials categories leaving Conan O’Brien without a send-off Emmy after ending his late night run this year. John Oliver even commented that he was rooting for Conan. Good thing that Conan has been very clear that he isn’t done with his comedy empire yet.
Also, Bo Burnham’s acclaimed comedy special Inside was up for an Emmy, but, unfortunately lost to the already highly decorated and celebrated Hamilton (as a taped special version of streamed on Disney Plus this past year).
Also, the Emmys are going through a round of what the Oscars went through with #OscarsSoWhite. Maybe Desus & Mero ought to get more awards love (as it deserves)?
While Ted Lasso is dealing with predictable criticism in its second season (as it was just so beloved in its first season and contrarians always spring eternal), Hacks has yet to embark on its second go around. No matter how any of that goes, both series will have to deal with What We Do In The Shadows next year.
Here’s the full list of comedy winners for this year’s Primetime Emmys:
Best Comedy Series-Ted Lasso
Best Variety Special-Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020: Democracy’s Last Stand Building Back America Great Again Better 2020
Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series-Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso
Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series-Jean Smart, Hacks
Best Comedy Series Directing-Lucia Aniello, Hacks
Best Comedy Series Writing-Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky, Hacks
Best Variety Sketch Series-SNL
Best Variety Talk Series-Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Best Variety Series Writing-Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series-Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series-Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso
If you want the full list of 2021 Primetime Emmys Winners, go here.