Actor Jeffrey Tambor, victor of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for “Transparent”.
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As Americans prepare to vote in November for a new president, “Veep” is also expected to win the coveted comedy series category, which is announced at the end of Sunday’s three-hour ceremony.
The night solidified the industry’s prevailing view that cable and streaming services are at the vanguard of creativity in television. Online streaming services Netflix and Amazon collectively earned more honors than ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox on the night – and received major exposure on the ABC telecast.
But the top drama acting trophies were far from predictable: Rami Malek of “Mr. Robot” and Tatiana Maslany of “Orphan Black” were the winners, both overcoming heavyweight competition. HBO’s tally was boosted by “Last Week Tonight” (Outstanding Variety Series) and “Veep” (Best Comedy Series). The streaming service was also recognized for “Patton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping”, which won for writing for a variety special, and Mendelsohn for “Bloodline”.
Jeffrey Tambor, the star of the comedy “Transparent”, said in his speech that there should be more transgender actors.
Paulson, who played losing Los Angeles trial prosecutor Marcia Clark in the show, brought Clark along with her to the Emmys.
HBO’s hit fantasy show has now won a total of 38 Emmys since 2011.
And when a White Ford Bronco, a minivan full of sitcom stars, and a “Carpool Karaoke” session with James Corden couldn’t get the host to the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, he flagged down a presidential motorcade for fictional Veep president Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) driven by none other than Jeb Bush, in one of the funniest moments of the night. It was her sixth lead actress win overall, a record for the category. Even the great Louis-Dreyfus, who would win what felt like her 100th Emmy Award later in the evening, blew tape on a simple limo window roll-up.
“The more I learned about the real Marcia Clark. the more I had to recognize that I along with the rest of the world had been superficial and careless in my judgment”, said Paulson, accepting her first Emmy.
John Oliver was a victor for his weekly comedic news commentary program “Last Week Tonight“, giving HBO its first Emmy in the variety talk series category since “Tracey Takes On.” was honored in 1997.
“Saturday Night Live” comedian Kate McKinnon, who plays Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, won supporting comedy actress, while Louie Anderson was named best supporting actor for playing the wholesome mother of Zach Galifianakis’ quirky clown in the FX comedy “Baskets”.
Regina King claimed the award for supporting actress in a limited series for “American Crime”, her second trophy for the program. Also among the British winners was “Sherlock”, for its special episode “The Abominable Bride”.
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From left, Michael Kelly, Keegan Michael-Key, victor of the award for outstanding variety sketch series for “Key & Peele,” Angela Bassett, and Leslie Jones.
