The Diamond Edition of the Primetime Emmy Awards faced a major hiccup late last year when the Hollywood Double Strike marred the ceremonies initially slated for September 2023. The delay moved this edition to January 15, 2024, coinciding with the start of this year’s Awards Season. So, despite its chronological proximity to both the Golden Globes and the Critics’ Choice Awards held within a week prior, the eligibility periods varied. While the aforementioned bodies largely honored releases from the previous year, this Emmy edition still honored 2022 releases. In other words, don’t fret if you feel Elizabeth Debicki was robbed. She still has one more year of eligibility, granted they still cast votes her way.

75 years meant the celebration had to level up. So, aptly enough, the nearly-three-hour telecast was awash with tributes to everything television. This included visual nods to Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood and The Twilight Zone, usage of The X-Files and Will and Grace themes as filler music, and icons like Carol Burnett, Arsenio Hall, Jon Hamm, Dylan McDermott, and Peter Dinklage taking on presenter duties. It was more nostalgia than any “75th Most Impactful TV Moments” montage could contain.

But the most notable were the set recreations and cast reunions from several celebrated programs, that even included the never-nominated likes of Martin and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. We had Lorraine Bracco and Michael Imperioli celebrating the 25^th anniversary of The Sopranos, the Greys Anatomy OGs teasing the show’s 20^th season, and the Ally McBeal firm performing another dance routine in that common restroom. Some were heartwarming like the Cheers cast reuniting to welcome Norm once again, while others felt overstretched like Natasha Lyonne and Tracee Ellis Ross’ ode to I Love Lucy’s chocolate factory scene. But even though not all jokes landed, it was a colossal effort befitting of the show’s landmark year. And clutching the hosting reins through it all was comedian Anthony Anderson.

If there’s one thing Jo Koy’s recent Golden Globes stint affirmed, it’s that hosting awards is a thankless undertaking. It’s probably even among the most dreaded gigs in Hollywood. One flat gag and you’re pilloried by the scrutinizing public. Yet, the Blackish star took everything in stride with his on-point energy and well-calculated wisecracks. He proved to be the consummate host, from sampling Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight to participating in sight gags.  And he delivered without joking at anyone’s expense.

And, perhaps attribute it to it being held on Martin Luther King (MLK) Day, but this year saw a record number of winners of color, particularly in the acting categories. It was enough for Anderson to endearingly call this edition “The Chocolate Emmys” at some point. Here are the rest of the highlights:

IN HIGH SPIRITS. It’s not all the time we’re treated to a standing ovation 15 minutes in. But when Comedy Lead Actress nominee Christina Applegate took the stage, cane on hand, it felt more than warranted. It was her first live TV appearance since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021, but there she stood, ably, as the evening’s first presenter.

While visibly moved, the teary-eyed actress responded in the most charmingly self-deprecating manner. “Oh my God, you’re totally shaming me with disability by standing up. It’s fine”, the Dead to Me star quipped. After which, she continued by recounting her iconic roles. “You know, we don’t have to applaud every time I do something”, she said, addressing the cheers.

Such sass, considering the sentimentality of it all. Not only was it her final nod for the recently concluded dark comedy. It will also be her last on-camera role for a while, given her condition. Though she perfectly made it clear: she wasn’t singing any swan songs.

QUINTA’S MOVING UP DAY. Abbott Elementary may have only scored one trophy, but it was more than enough to usher in Season Three in high spirits and, more significantly, make history. With Quinta Brunson’s win, she’s now the second black woman to win Best Lead Actress in a Comedy since The Jeffersons’ Isabel Sanford in 1981. The fact it was announced by the legendary Carol Burnett, who’s celebrated for opening doors for women in comedy, added to her tongue-tied euphoria.

EVIL GAYS BROUGHT HER HERE. Technically, it wasn’t a back-to-back victory for The White Lotus’ Jennifer Coolidge, since the erstwhile mini-series was reassigned to Drama. Either way, the actress still managed to drop one of the evening’s funniest quote bombs when she dedicated her Supporting Actress win to “all the evil gays”. No homophobia there, it was more a tongue-in-cheek reference to her character’s fate. Too bad Anthony Anderson’s mom stole the thunder. That recurring gag, sadly, never really took off.

I THANK ME. Say what you want about Netflix’s polarizing Dahmer and its gauchely structured full title, but its performances can’t be censured. Take Niecy Nash-Batts, in particular, who encapsulated the paranoia as suspecting neighbor Glenda Cleveland. Already a Daytime Emmy winner for Clean House in 2010, the comedian-actress deservingly scored her first Primetime win and made a bold statement by thanking herself. Uplifting her race was already a given, but, it’s her daring speech that reminded us of something often taken for granted, or worse, even misconstrued as selfishness: Self-belief. Because, really, we’re the first to make things happen for ourselves.

LISTEN TO A DRAG QUEEN. RuPaul’s Drag Race regained its stronghold after losing its Outstanding Reality Competition Program streak to Lizzo in2022. As the motley crew took the stage, RuPaul reiterated the show’s thrust. “We have released into the wild hundreds of drag queens and they’re beautiful”, the eight-time Emmy-winning host began, pointing to the droves of alumni who joined the victory lap. After which, he hit home with this emboldened plea. “Listen, if a drag queen wants you to read a story at a library, listen to her because knowledge is power and if someone tries to restrict your access to power, they are trying to scare you!” It was a timely message, given the trials drag communities continue to face across the globe. And the Rainbow Flag continued waving high throughout, when the Governor’s Award was presented to GLAAD.

PARTING GIFT. Trevor Noah may have ended his tenure as Daily Show host in 2022,but it wasn’t too late to earn him his due. In his victory speech for Outstanding Talk Series, the South African comedian drolly began with “I told you we’d beat John Oliver if he wasn’t in our category!” Not that Oliver had to be elbowed out of contention, mind you. He was simply reassigned to Scripted Variety Series, which he still won with ease. Whatever the case, it was the fitting curtain call for Noah, who aptly proceeded to thank his predecessor and fellow nominee Jon Stewart and showrunner Jen Flanz.

HAUSER THE RAPPER. It’s established that Paul Walter Hauser’s creepy turn as a serial killer in Apple TV+’s Blackbird is now his best break yet. Yet the Richard Jewell (2019) actor stole the show when he collected his Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries trophy while snacking on a dried mango and delivered his speech entirely in rhyming verse. The impromptu poem also had a tender moment to spare. It concluded with a shoutout to his co-star and fellow nominee, Ray Liotta, who passed away before the show’s release.  

MOST WELCOME THROWBACK. Whenever Tina Fey and Amy Poehler show up as presenters, we wish they were hosting instead. This year was no exception. In an homage to their iconic Weekend Update stint from Saturday Night Live, the zany duo introduced the Outstanding Variety Special nominees in the best way they know how: through hilarious headlines. Little did we all know we’re being set up for a milestone. Welcome to the EGOT Club, Sir Elton John!  

BEEF, WELL-DONE. No other mini-series took last year by storm more vigorously than Netflix’s Beef, the ten-part cautionary tale about feuding folks from downtown L.A. Predominant Asian cast aside, the show transcended ethnicity. In fact, it was never even about race. Instead, it was a biting study of warring social classes, familial trauma, and inner demons and how all that can be triggered by a single petty incident. To no surprise, it ruled the first quarter last year.

Now, with the momentum it set in the Golden Globes and the Critics’ Choice Awards just this month, its odds just became stronger. True enough, the show won eight of its 13 nominations across the board, including wins for Writing, Directing, Lead Actor (Steven Yuen) and Lead Actress (Ali Wong, now the first Asian to win that category). Never has the race for Outstanding Limited/Anthology Series been this clear-cut.      

‘COZ YOU’RE THERE FOR ME TOO. Well-intentioned as they always are, In Memoriam segments never truly satisfy and will always commit its share of omissions.  Although, some may point out: Jerry Springer was more of a Daytime figure.

Now, Charlie Puth and country duo The War and Treaty seemed like a random pairing for this serenade, but “See You Again” still tugs heartstrings nine years on. And as they segued to a few bits from The Rembrandts’ once-inescapable Friends ditty, we knew we were up for an emotional wallop. It’s still hard to fathom seeing Matthew Perry close that tribute, or for that matter, even earn a spot this soon.

MAULING THE COMPETITION. While its Comedy classification still puzzles, there’s no discounting The Bear’s sheer brilliance. Truth be told, it’s bound to dominate, regardless of which genre it’s placed under. And dominate it did. Having won 10 out of its 13 nominations, both major and minor, the show finished this race with the highest victory percentage. This includes trophies for Writing and Directing and well-earned acting wins for Supporting Actress (Ayo Edebiri, who was up for Lead in Golden Globes), Supporting Actor (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Lead Actor (Jeremy Allen White). And with its Best Comedy Series win, the show effectively dethroned defending champ Ted Lasso, which purportedly ended its run. This could very well be the start of a new streak.

SUCCESSFUL SWAN SONG. Having concluded its five-year run with an explosive finale last year, the clamor for Succession felt like a no-brainer. And as projected, the HBO drama entered its final Emmy race with the highest number of total nominations (27) and wound up winning more than half (14).

Adding to the tally were well-deserved trophies for Writing and Directing for a Drama Series, and a consecutive Supporting Actor win for Matthew McFadyen. Elevating Kieran Culkin and Sarah Snook to the Lead categories also proved auspicious, as both secured trophies for their respective amped up roles. It marked the first Emmy victory for both former supporting players, who referenced parenthood in their overdue winning speeches. Snook credited her performance to her pregnancy during filming, while Culkin grabbed the opportunity to ask his wife for a third child.

As the show made its final bow with an inevitable Outstanding Drama Series win, the question now stands: Will The Crown reclaim its stronghold after wrapping up its seven-year run, or will it pull a Ted Lasso in favor of a new contender? That will likely be answered in eight months, granted the ceremony doesn’t get pushed back anew.