Critic's Notebook: A Flat Nate Bargatze and a Lame Time-Saving Gag Upstage Worthy Winners at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 26 - The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, held on Sunday night at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles, were marked by a lackluster hosting performance from Nate Bargatze and a cringe-worthy time-saving gag that overshadowed the deserving winners.
Bargatze's humor was met with lukewarm applause from the audience, with many critics panning his set as flat and unfunny. "I was expecting a more biting commentary on the industry, but instead we got a series of tired jokes about streaming services," said Emily Nussbaum, TV critic for The New Yorker.
The time-saving gag, which involved presenting multiple awards at once to save time, was widely panned by viewers and critics alike. "It was like they were trying to cram as many awards as possible into the broadcast without actually acknowledging the winners' achievements," said David Fear, TV editor for Rolling Stone.
Despite the missteps, there were some worthy winners on the night. "The Crown" took home a record-breaking 11 awards, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Olivia Colman. "Succession" also won big, taking home four awards including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.
The Emmy Awards have long been seen as a celebration of the best in television, but they have also been criticized for being out of touch with the broader cultural landscape. "The industry is often accused of living in a liberal bubble, and events like this only reinforce that perception," said Sarah Jones, a writer and director who has spoken out about the industry's lack of diversity.
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards were broadcast live on ABC and streamed online. The ceremony was also available to stream on various platforms, including Hulu and Amazon Prime Video.
In related news, the Emmys have faced criticism in recent years for their handling of diversity and inclusion issues. In response to these criticisms, the Academy has implemented several initiatives aimed at increasing diversity among nominees and winners.
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards are scheduled to take place next year, with a new host and format expected to be announced soon.
*Reporting by Hollywoodreporter.*
