Most "wow" moment of the night
TV's biggest night is back! That's right, folks, the Emmys are here! There were so many questions heading into the show thanks, in part, to hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che of "Saturday Night Live" and "Weekend Update" segment fame. How political would they get? Would Colin's girlfriend, Scarlett Johansson, make an appearance to support her man? (Yes, she would — but more on that in a minute.) Would people wear, say and do outrageous things? Wonderwall.com has the rundown on what's buzzing at the 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 17, 2018, starting with… Wow. Wow. Wow. An Emmy and a wife all in one night! Glenn Weiss had the best night ever. First, he won the Emmy for best directing for a variety special for his work on the 2018 Oscars. But the award played second fiddle to what was about to happen. During his speech, he got emotional while speaking about his mother, who passed away two weeks ago. He then turned his attention to his girlfriend who was sitting in the audience and spoke about how his mother had loved her. "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 of your sunshine," Glenn said. "You wonder why I don't like to call you my girlfriend? Because I want to call you my wife." The audience went berserk with applause. His lady love was stunned and crying. The crowd was on its feet screaming. As she made her way to the stage, Glenn said, "I haven't asked yet," making it clear a proper proposal was coming. Once Jan joined him on stage, Glenn pulled out a ring. "This is the ring that my dad put on my mother's finger 67 years ago," he said. He then got on his knee and proposed. She said yes.
A long time coming
Good things come to those who wait. "Barry" star Henry Winkler won his first Emmy on Sept. 17. He's received six nominations over the past 42 years but finally claimed the trophy for outstanding actor in a comedy series this year. While accepting his award, the actor — who famously played Fonzie on "Happy Days" at the start of his career — repeated advice he got from a friend years ago. "If you stay at the table long enough, the chips come to you. Tonight I got to clear the table." As he ended his speech, Henry adorably told his adult children, "You can go to bed now… Daddy won!" The audience's goodwill for his win was palpable.
RELATED: Get to know 2018 Emmys hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che
"Happy Days" reunion
Reunited and it feels so good! Henry Winkler didn't just win his first Emmy (for his work on "Barry") on Sept. 17 — he delighted fans when he reunited with his old "Happy Days" co-star Ron Howard for a joy-filled selfie. "Pals at the Emmys," the man who played Arthur Fonzarelli captioned the snapshot with the erstwhile Richie Cunningham. Actor-turned-director Ron then retweeted the pic, praising his old pal in the caption: "my friend's win is so deserved and great. ! Bravo."
A great start
The Emmys kicked off with two "Saturday Night Live" stars: Kenan Thompson and Kate McKinnon. You were expecting someone else? The comedians joked that Hollywood had solved its diversity problem, and they even sang a song to jokingly detail this "triumph." Other stars joined in the song, including Andy Samberg, Tituss Burgess, Ricky Martin, Sterling K. Brown and Kristen Bell. Finally, Kenan took a phone call — the phone was given to him by RuPaul — and found out that they hadn't solved it. After the fun (and funny) skit, "SNL" stars and writers Colin and Michael took the stage to host the show. They immediately addressed the elephant in the room — the sexual misconduct scandals that still haunt the entertainment industry. "It is an honor to be here tonight and share the stage with all the people in Hollywood who haven't been caught yet," Michael said. Both went on to take subtle shots at Donald Trump — "we all agreed Nazis are bad," Colin said — but neither addressed the president by name. As expected, the duo made jokes about current events in the industry hitting on everything from Roseanne Barr to "This Is Us" to Netflix. "How does Netflix make money? It's like $9 a month and everyone I know shares one account," Michael said. "Netflix is like that Instagram model that's always in Dubai and it's like, What do you really do?" The jokes were funny and often dark, but the crowd loved it!
A living legend
And… enter the coolest celebrity of the night, Betty White! The 96-year-old actress came out and got a standing ovation after being introduced by Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon, who were talking about the history of the Emmys during the segment and took the opportunity to point out that Betty's been working since television's early days. "Thank you, I'm just going to quit while I'm ahead," she said. At one point, Alec and Kate kissed Betty on the hand to her delight. "Uh huh," she said. "You think I'm gonna pass that up?" Betty had trouble speaking at times, but as she talked about her career, she thanked the crowd for "putting up with me." "I wish they did that at home," she quipped. No matter what else happens at the Emmys, Betty White wins.
Double meaning
Twitter heard you, James Corden! While presenting the Emmy for best directing for a limited series, movie or dramatic special ("Ryan Murphy won for "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story"), which came right after Betty White was honored onstage, comedian James Corden cracked a couple jokes — and many viewers found one in particular to be all too true. "What about that Betty White! Last night she broke up a fight between Tom Arnold and Mark Burnett! She never stops," James said, adding, "Let's get it trending, #EmmysSoWhite…" The reference was clearly not only about the actress' last name but also many viewers' unhappiness that all the big winners at that point were, well, white.
One of the most talked-about couples of the night? "Saturday Night Live" writer-turned-Emmys host Colin Jost and his movie star girlfriend Scarlett Johansson, who had the look of love as they arrived for the show. The couple — they were first linked in May 2017 — walked the red carpet arm-in-arm before the telecast began. They cuddled, they gazed into each other's eyes and their smiles couldn't have been bigger. #CouplesGoals.
Three in a row!
If you only watched the first 30 minutes of the show, you saw that Amazon's "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" won three awards in a row — outstanding comedy series writing (Amy Sherman-Palladino), outstanding comedy series directing (Amy Sherman-Palladino again) and outstanding lead actress in a comedy series (Rachel Brosnahan). (The cherry on top? At the end of the night, the show won best comedy series too!) Both women thanked their cast and crew and their families when they took the stage. Rachel also used her platform to push a message. "What I love about this series is that it's about a woman finding her voice anew and that's happening around us today… and what you all need to do is find your voice, find your voice and vote," she said, encouraging people to register to vote on their mobile phones while they watched. "Vote, show up and bring a friend to the polls!"
Real talk
"The Americans" star Matthew Rhys surprised some of his fans on Twitter when he delivered a rousing acceptance speech in his natural Welsh accent after winning the outstanding lead actor in a drama series Emmy. But it was the way he concluded that really made an impression. After thanking the usuals, he turned his attention to his co-star and girlfriend Keri Russell, the mother of his son, Sam. "To the woman who truly got me this award, who stands in front of me every day and puts up with me," Matthew gushed before giving a wink to director Glenn Weiss's big engagement moment earlier in the evening. "She said, 'If you propose to me, I will punch you clean in the mouth!'" The camera then panned to Keri in the audience, who made it clear she meant it. As the speech clock ticked down, Matthew wrapped it up. "I don't have the words. I don't have the time, neither of which would do you justice, Keri Lynn, except thank you. More to come."
All grown up 15 years later
Fifteen years later! Dakota Fanning, 24 hit the 2018 Emmys red carpet for the second time ever on Sept. 17 to support her TNT period drama "The Alienist," which earned six nominations including outstanding limited series. She attended the Emmys for the first time back in 2003 when she was just 9 years old. "I remember it very clearly," she said during E!'s red carpet preshow. "I remember the dress I was wearing and I was in a miniseries called 'Taken' and it was nominated for best miniseries and it actually won. It was a fun experience and I'm happy to be here again."
In Memoriam segment
To all the stars we lost over the past year, thank you. The In Memoriam segment of the Emmys show is always one of the most bittersweet moments. This year was no different. After being introduced by comedian Tina Fey, the segment opened and closed with a tribute to Aretha Franklin. While her legendary voice carried through the segment, onscreen legends flashed across the screen. Stars including Burt Reynolds, Della Reese, Anthony Bourdain, Charlotte Rae, Harry Anderson and David Cassidy were remembered. Perhaps the most interesting person honored was the late Senator John McCain. He didn't exactly have a big TV career, but was on TV news shows often. Gone, but not forgotten.
Red carpet re-wear
Padma Lakshmi did something stars rarely if ever do — she re-wore a gown! The "Top Chef" host arrived at the 2018 Emmys on Sept. 17 wearing the same stunning red gown with cut-outs that she first wore on a red carpet in October 2017 at the Vogue India Women of the Year Awards in Mumbai. "I'm excited to wear this beautiful J. Mendel dress again," she told People magazine. "I think in this day and age we should stop sending the message to young women and girls that we all have these endless closets of clothes we never wear more than once, especially on a red carpet. The hours that it takes, the artisans' labor and the gorgeous fabrics all deserve to be worn again and treasured. It seems wasteful not to enjoy these dresses."
Baby gender reveal!
Break out the blue! Yvonne Strahovski and husband Tim Loden are having a boy. The "The Handmaid's Tale" star didn't plan to publicly announce the gender of her unborn child, but she let it slip during an interview with E! News on the Emmys red carpet before the show, calling her baby "him." While speaking about her pregnancy, the outstanding supporting actress in a drama series nominee said she's due "any day, hopefully not today." She then added, "I'm just gonna hold him in there and hope for the best." After E!'s Giuliana Rancic confirmed with the couple that they hadn't shared their child's gender yet, Tim quipped, "It's a boy. If anything changes, we'll let you know."
Back after baby
She's back! On Emmy night, Kirsten Dunst walked her first red carpet since becoming a mom. The actress, who gave birth to son Ennis on May 3, was there to support fiancé Jesse Plemons, who was up for two awards for his work on "Black Mirror" and "Fargo."
More baby news!
After Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter hit the Emmys red carpet, E! News reported that the theater director — who was on hand to support her husband, an outstanding lead actor in a limited series or movie nominee for "Patrick Melrose" — was sporting a "small but growing baby bump" under her bold yellow gown. According to E!, the couple, who have yet to confirm the pregnancy formally, are expecting their third child. They welcomed son Kit in 2015 and son Hal in 2017.
Romantic shout-out
Darren Criss won some serious brownie points with his fiancée, Mia Swier, while accepting the award for best lead actor in a limited series or movie for his work on "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story." During his speech, he thanked his family and creator Ryan Murphy. But he saved his most heartfelt words for Mia, telling her, "You roll the windows down and pump the music up in my life." In summing up his the win, he told the audience, "You guys are witnessing the most extraordinary moment of my life so far."
Take that, "The Handmaid's Tale"!
This could have been awkward. "The Handmaid's Tale" actresses Elisabeth Moss and Samira Wiley presented the award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series. Three of the women nominated in the category were on "The Handmaid's Tale." However, the winner was "Westworld" star Thandie Newton. All the women handled the potentially awkward moment with class and grace. "I don't even believe in God," Thandie said, "but I'm gonna thank her tonight."
Remind you of anything?
Comedian Tiffany Haddish was giving people some major elementary school memories with her Emmys dress. The actress, who won an Emmy for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for her performance hosting "Saturday Night Live" at last weekend's Creative Arts Emmy Awards, wore a technicolor dream dress in bold red, yellow, blue and green stripes. The garment — she said it was inspired by the colors of the Eritrean flag — reminded many people on Twitter of a popular P.E. class activity in which kids run underneath a colorful parachute. One person wrote, "Tiffany Haddish can pull off anything, including that tent we all used to run underneath in elementary school gym class." Another wrote, "I LOVE tiffany haddish and please don't come for me but she's giving me p.e. class parachute vibes." Yet another person said , "@tiffanyhaddish is giving me gym class flashbacks."
No horsin' around
Jeff Daniels saved his best line for last while accepting the Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a limited series for the critically acclaimed Western "Godless." The acting legend thanked several people individually, including his wife, director, driver and horse wrangler. "I'd like to thank my horse, Apollo," he added. "He was Jeff Bridges' horse on 'True Grit.' And I felt he was making unfair comparisons." Jeff then spoke about how during filming, the horse bucked him off so badly that he broke his wrist. While holding up the Emmy with his left hand, he said, "It was my left wrist. It's now officially healed."
Making a statement
The political and social statements started early! "Black-ish" star Jennifer Lewis eschewed a glamorous dress on the Emmys red carpet, opting for a Nike sweatshirt instead. The statement, of course, was not lost on TV fans. Nike has been a lightning rod in recent days after it publicly supported former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick by featuring him in its latest "Just Do It" campaign. Colin was the first NFL player to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality, although many critics argue that it's disrespectful to the flag and military. Jennifer is firmly on Colin's side. "I am wearing Nike to applaud them for supporting Colin Kaepernick and his protest against racial injustice and police brutality," she told Variety on the Emmys red carpet. "What can I do? What can I do that's meaningful? I'll wear Nike. I'll wear Nike to say thank you. Thank you for leading the resistance! We need more corporate America to stand up also."
Pants trend
Call it the comfort trend! Several stars donned pants instead of gowns on the Emmys red carpet but didn't sacrifice a stitch of style doing it. "Insecure" star Issa Rae wore a pale blue dress with pants underneath, all designed by Vera Wang. "There are 3,000 crystals on my dress right now," she marveled on E!'s red carpet preshow, adding that the garment "took 100 hours to make." "Orphan Black" star Tatiana Maslany wore a neon yellow and black two-piece pants look by Christian Siriano. And "Saturday Night Live" comedian Leslie Jones also wore a look designed by Siriano. Several Twitter users dubbed the shimmering pink and blue look the "best suit of the night."
Notable no-shows
Some of the biggest news of the Emmys wasn't who WAS there, but rather who WASN'T there. Former CBS chairman and CEO Les Moonves wasn't invited to the show by his network, which has 18 nominations, in the wake of his sexual misconduct scandal, TMZ reported the morning of the ceremony. That said, Les reportedly hasn't attended the Emmys in years anyway. He was forced out of the company on Sept. 9 after 12 women claimed he'd sexually assaulted or harassed them over the decades — claims he's vehemently denied. Also notably absent? "The Voice" producer Mark Burnett, who got into a physical altercation with Tom Arnold — who claimed Mark choked him — at the annual Evening Before the Primetime Emmy Awards party on Sept. 16. The Wrap, however, cited a source who said Mark's decision not to attend was unrelated to the previous night's drama and that Mark also didn't attend the Emmys in 2017.
Shocked to win
Yes yes yes yes yes! It was a big night for "Saturday Night Live" alums on the Emmys stage. When Bill Hader was named best lead actor in a comedy series for his portrayal of the titular hitman-turned-acting student on "Barry," he admitted he did not expect to win and quickly made the honor all about his co-stars. "I took classes at Second City L.A. but I was taught there that you should always make the other people look good so what I did was I hired a bunch of really great actors that make me look really good," he said. Bill wrapped it up with a shout-out to his three daughters — Hannah, Harper and Hayley — then looked at the camera and gave his little girls one of his classic, crazy "I can't believe this is happening" faces. Fun fact: Later in the night, the comedian who co-created Bill's classic "SNL" character Stefon, John Mulaney, won an Emmy too (for outstanding writing in a variety special for "Kid Gorgeous").
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