70th Primetime Emmy Awards

Welcome to DigitalHit.com's coverage of the 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, which took place on Monday, September 17th, 2018. The ceremony was hosted by SNL's Michael Che and Colin Jost.

8:00 PM

Kate McKinnon and Kenan Thompson, two of tonight's nominees, sing about solving the diversity issue in an opening number called "We Solved It!". They're joined by Kristen Bell, Titus Burgess, Sterling K. Brown, Ricky Martin, RuPaul, John Legend, Andy Samberg and "The One of Each Kind Dancers".

8:06 PM

Tonight's hosts Michael Che and Colin Jost stroll out to welcome us to tonight's ceremony. Their monologue is the first Emmys opening since the start of #MeToo and just days after CBS honcho Les Moonves resigned over sexual assualt allegations.

"This year the audience is allowed to drink in their seats. Hope you’re excited about that. Because the one thing Hollywood needs right now is people losing their inhibitions at a work function."

"We just want to say a quick hello to the thousands of you here in the audience tonight and to the hundreds watching at home. Hi, Silver Lining Senior Center."

"The first Emmys were held back in 1949. Things were very different back then. Gas was 17 cents a gallon. A new home cost $7,000. And we all agreed that Nazis were bad."

"Our network, NBC, has the most nominations of any broadcast network, which is kind of like being the sexiest person on life support."

"Netflix, of course has the most nominations tonight. That’s right. And if you’re a network executive, that’s the scariest thing you can possibly hear except maybe, ‘Sir, Ronan Farrow is on line one.’"

"Speaking of sad, The Handmaid’s Tale is nominated, yes, for best drama. I don’t know if you’ve seen it, but The Handmaid’s Tale takes place in an imaginary future where an entire group of people are violently forced to work and make babies against their will. It’s what black people call “History.” It’s Roots for white women, that’s what it is. It’s Roots with bonnets."

"I heard Roseanne is actually moving to Israel. I mean, damn. How messed up is your life when you have to go to the Middle East just to get peace of mind? By the way, congratulations to Laurie Metcalf. Please. I mean, wow. That’s incredible. You know how great an actress you have to be to get nominated for Roseanne now? That’s like nominating a cop for a B.E.T. award. Doesn’t happen. It would be weird."

"This year, Netflix will spend $8 billion on programming. They now have 700 original series, which makes me realize that the show I pitched them must have really sucked. I mean, it’s like being turned down for a CVS rewards card."

"TV has always had a diversity problem. Can you believe they did 15 seasons of E.R. without one Filipino nurse?"

8:13 PM

Che and Jost introduce the nominees for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series. Claire Foy and Matt Smith then present the award, which goes to the legendary Henry Winkler for Barry. He gets a standing ovation. It's his first Emmy win in a decades long career.

“I wrote this 43 years ago. Can I just say Skip Brittenham said to me a long time ago if you stay at it long enough, the chips come to you. Tonight I got to clear the table.” - Henry Winkler

8:21 PM

Che and Jost then intro the nominees for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series. Tracy Morgan and Jimmy Kimmel then present the award. And the Emmy goes to Alex Bornstein for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

“What a platform. Ladies, when you use a public restroom, sit down. If you sit, we can all sit. stop peeing on the seat.” - Alex Bornstein

8:25 PM

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series is presented by Millie Bobby Brown and Emilia Clarke. And the Emmy goes to Amy Sherman-Palladino for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

“And my cast, my cast. Your graciousness, your hard work, your brilliance and your endurance. And the fact that you graciously accepted sometimes it matters when you drop a 'the.' I thank you. I love you.” - Amy Sherman-Palladino

8:28 PM

Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg are tasked with presenting Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series. Their schtick involves Oh impulsively ripping the envelope and announcing the winner is La La Land. And the Emmy again goes to Amy Sherman-Palladino for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

“It takes a giant village full of union crew members to make sure that Maisel goes out on the streets of New York and takes your parking spaces away from you. To my crew, my crew, my crew, you are my everything. I worship you.” - Amy Sherman-Palladino

8:34 PM

The voiceover guy announces the nominees for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series. Angela Bassett and Tiffany Haddish present the award together. And the Emmy goes to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Rachel Brosnahan. The show's doing great tonight. During her speech, Brosnahan also urged people to use their voices and vote in the midterms.

“Thank you to our brilliant writers and creators, Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino, I'll be thanking you for the rest of my life for trusting me with your Midge.” - Rachel Brosnahan

8:38 PM

We hear the nominees for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series. The hardware is presented by Michael Douglas. And the Emmy goes to Bill Hader for HBO's Barry.

“I was taught there that you should always make the other people look good. Sso what I did was I hired a bunch of really great actors that made me look really good. So I share this with the cast. Henry Winkler, Steven Root, Sarah Goldberg, Anthony Carrigan, Paula Newsom. All of you, thank you so, so much.” - Bill Hader

8:45 PM

Che and Jost are back out to announce we've moved to the Limited Series categories, which is where movie actors go when they've maxed out their credit cards. Fred Armisen and Maya Rudolph come out as Emmy experts, who apparently didn't study. Colin and Michael then announce the nominees for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series or Movie. John Legend and Chrissy Teigen are here to present. And the Emmy goes to Merritt Wever for Godless.

“Umm, oh, I'm so sorry, I really appreciate this, and I really hope that you don't mistake my fear right now for a lack of gratitude.” - Merritt Wever

8:50 PM

Che and Jost ask Fred and Maya about the history of the Emmy statuette. They know nothing about it. This is beginning to feel like one of those bits that's going to keep bombing.

8:52 PM

Time for the Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series or Movie nominees. The award is presented by Constance Wu and Kit Harrington. And the Emmy goes to Jeff Daniels for Godless.

“Little tip for you young actors. When they call and say can you ride a horse, don't lie. You will find on day one you're in the Kentucky Derby. I would also finally like to thank my horse, Apollo. He was Jeff Bridges' horse on True Hrit and I felt he was making unfair comparisons.” - Jeff Daniels

8:55 PM

After hearing the nominees for Outstanding Writing For A Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special, Aidy Bryant and Bob Odenkirk present. And the Emmy goes to William Bridges and Charlie Brooker for USS Callister (Black Mirror).

“What a delightful but horrifying out of body experience this is.” - Charlie Brooker

9:03 PM

Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon pay tribute to the legendary Betty White, 96, who is one of the few in the industry who was around for the first Emmys. White comes out to say a few words and gets a standing ovation.

9:08 PM

After hearing the nominees for Outstanding Directing For A Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special, James Corden is to present. Before he does so, he pays tribute to Betty White, adding that they should get #EmmysSoWhite trending on Twitter, which is of course also a dig at the lack of diversity in the winners so far. And the Emmy goes to Ryan Murphy for The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.

“I want to thank my beautiful cast, Darren Criss, and most of all I just want to thank all the women in my life who have supported me from day one. Julia and Gwyneth and Sarah Paulson. I love you. and Angela Bassett and Kathy Bates. I do not deserve you.” - Ryan Murphy

9:11 PM

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series or Movie is up next and the presenting task goes to RuPaul and Leslie Jones. And the Emmy goes to Regina King for Seven Seconds.

“But I am so grateful, Television Academy. Y'all my friends, my peers, thank you, thank you, thank you. Fox 21, Netflix, oh, my god, thank you for creating an opportunity to tell a story and hold a mirror up to what's going on today.” - Regina King

9:15 PM

Mr. Voiceover gives us the nominees for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series or Movie. Rachel Brosnahan and Larry David present. Larry complains he can't banter. And the Emmy goes to Darren Criss for The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.

“Oh, my god, you guys are witnessing the most extraordinary moment of my life thus far. So this is pretty cool. I am so very privileged to be in this room among so many people that inspire the living crap out of me. And I am so honored to be nominated. A lot of you guys I have been a fan of for such a long time. Actors are only as good as the moments they're given and granted. I'm so profoundly indebted to my friend Ryan Murphy for entrusting me with this opportunity of a lifetime and for believing in me.” - Darren Criss

9:22 PM

Che is out solo. He's presenting the Reparations Emmys to black actors that inspired him in a pre-taped comedy bit.

9:25 PM

The next category is Outstanding Writing For A Variety Special. The presenters are Broad City's Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer. And the Emmy goes to John Mulaney for John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous At Radio City.

“I share this award with Michelle Wolf, with Patton Oswalt, with Samantha Bee and her wonderful staff, and with Steve Martin and Martin Steve. You've all made me laugh and many other people laugh so many times, and there's no better feeling than just laughing uncontrollably, so thank you.” - John Mulaney

9:29 PM

We hear the nominees for Outstanding Directing For A Variety Special. It's presented by Sterling K. Brown and Ron Cephas Jones. And the Emmy goes to Glenn Weiss for The Oscars. He proposes to his girlfirend from the stage. She says yes!

“I'm really grateful to be here. But it's bittersweet. The person most proud at this moment would be my mom and she passed away just two weeks ago. Part of my heart is broken. I don't think it will ever be repaired. But she's in me and she always will be. Mom always believed in finding the sunshine in things and she adored my girlfriend Jan. Jan, you are the sunshine in my life. And mom was right, don't ever let go of your sunshine. You wonder why I don't like to call you my girlfriend? Because I want to call you my wife.” - Glenn Weiss

9:37 PM

Tina Fey is out next. She talks about how people on TV may seem like friends because we invite them into our homes and then introduces the In Memoriam segment.

9:47 PM

Michael and Colin check in with their Emmy experts Maya and Fred, who are busy eating salads. This recurring bit is bombing big time. And we're off to the drama categories. The first category is Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series. The presenters are Samantha Bee and Tariji P. Henson. And the Emmy goes to Peter Dinklage for Game of Thrones.

“Thank you, Dave and Dan for changing my life. I cannot walk down the street anymore. But you are honestly the most talented, amazing people I know besides my wife Erica, who I think I forgot to thank a couple of years ago, so thank you, Erica, for putting up with me. I'm very temperamental. I love you very much. Thank you to my brother from another mother, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. I love you and I share this with you, because you are an amazing handsome brother. And George Martin, for creating this darn thing. Thank you.” - Peter Dinklage

9:51 PM

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series is up next and the presenters are Elisabeth Moss and Samira Wiley. And the Emmy goes to Thandie Newton for Westworld.

“I don’t believe in God, but I’m going to thank her tonight.” - Thandie Newton

9:57 PM

Che and Jost intro the nominees for Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series. Gina Rodriguez and Lil Rel Howery present. And the Emmy goes to Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg for The Americans.

“Every day for six seasons we got to work with Keri, Matthew, Noah, actors, writers, directors, an amazing crew who put everything they had into the show. It's the kind of team you wait your whole life to be on.” - Joe Weisberg

10:01 PM

Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series is presented by comedian Hannah Gadsby. And the Emmy goes to Stephen Daldry for The Crown. Stephen is not there to accept.

10:07 PM

Mr. Voiceover announces the nominees for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series. The award is present by the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. And the Emmy goes to Matthew Rhys for The Americans. He mentioned his co-star and girlfriend, Keri Russell, in his speech.

“And to the woman who truly got me to this award who stands in front of me every day and puts up with me, she said if you propose to me, I'll punch you clean in the mouth. I don't have the words. I don't have the time. Neither of which would do you justice, except thank you, more to come.” - Matthew Rhys

10:11 PM

Moving right along Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series is presented by Sarah Paulson. And the Emmy goes to Claire Foy for The Crown.

“I had the most extraordinary two and a half years of my life. I'm not going to cry on this program. I was given a role that I never thought I would ever get a chance to play. And I met people who I will love forever and ever and ever. And the show goes on, which makes me so, so proud. So I dedicate this to the next cast, the next generation. I also dedicate this to Matt Smith.” - Claire Foy

10:13 PM

Colin Jost asks if the audience can support the Red Cross to help with the victims of Hurricane Florence.

10:19 PM

The chairman of the Television Academy, Hayma Washington, talks about the early days of television and talks about the diversity now represented on TV.

10:21 PM

Fred and Maya talk to the accountants from Ernst & Young who tabulate the votes. Once again, they know nothing about their topic and this recurring bit needs to end.

10:26 PM

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program is the next category. The animated Rick and Morty present. And the Emmy goes to RuPaul's Drag Race.

“We are so happy to present this show. I would like to thank, on behalf of the 140 drag queens we have released into the wild, I would love to thank Dick Richards for introducing me to Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, and Pam Post, and Steven Coriff, Joel Hocks, and all of the dreamers out there. Listen, if you can't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else? Can I get an amen in here?” - RuPaul

10:30 PM

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series is being awarded next and the presenters are Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan. And the Emmy goes to Saturday Night Live. Lorne Michaels accepts the award.

“Let me just say, I love my job, and I love the people I work with, and that in 1975 when we started, there were a lot of articles for most of that decade about how the networks wouldn't be here much longer. And here we are, it's 2018, and we're the Emmys, and we're on NBC. thanks.” - Lorne Michaels

10:37 PM

After hearing the nominees for Outstanding Variety Talk Series, Eric Bana and Connie Britton stroll out to present. And the Emmy goes to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

“All the shows every year, we fly our staff here and we put them in the worst seats in the building to send a mixed message. So thank you to our staff. We're incredibly proud of you. thank you, on behalf of everyone in this room, I would like to thank Glenn Weiss' fiance for saying yes. This could have been a very different evening. You really came through.” - John Oliver

10:39 PM

Outstanding Limited Series is being presented by Patricia Arquette, Benicio del Toro and Ben Stiller. And the Emmy goes to The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.

“The Assassination of Gianni Versace is about a lot of things. It's about homophobia, internalized and externalized. One of out of every four LGBTQ people in this country will be the victim of a hate crime. We dedicate this award to them, to awareness, to stricter hate crime laws, and mostly this is for the memory of Jeff and David and Gianni and for all of those taken too soon.” - person

10:47 PM

As we head into the final awards, they present Outstanding Comedy Series. The task is handled by Will Ferrell. From the pacing the show is running a bit short, so Ferrell does some slow-mo walking schtick before he gets to the microphone. And the Emmy goes to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

“To our cast, who bite into our 80-page scripts every week. We just wrapped a day and a half ago, we miss working you guys, we look forward to season 3. Thank you to the viewers.” - Daniel Palladino

10:56 PM

It's time for tonight's final award, Outstanding Drama Series. It's being presented by Kenan Thompson. And the Emmy goes to Game of Thrones.

“Behind us is the honor of a lifetime. but we didn't invent these characters. That was George R.R. Martin. The show could not be, without the mad genius of George. Thank you for letting us take care of your people.” - D.B. Weiss

11:00 PM

Colin and Michael say good night.