When AFC Richmond legend Roy Kent returns to the pitch in Season 2 of “Ted Lasso,” he is enveloped by a raucous cheer. The experience is perhaps not unlike the Microsoft Theater audience celebrating a 2022 Emmy win, multiplied by the many viewers watching at home. That re-entry onto the field was Brett Goldstein’s favorite to film in Season 2. And the most challenging? “Dealing with Phoebe’s breath because she’s a method actor,” Goldstein shared with The Knockturnal in the Emmy Press Room.
Chuckles sprinkled among the outlets. It was a light moment in the curious hybrid environment; a moment of humanity, humor, and levity. The sincerity and honesty of Uncle Roy and Phoebe’s relationship helps make Roy Kent, well, Roy Kent. An unexpected depth and large amount of gratitude operates underneath a gruff and expletive laden exterior.
With the Emmys, what do we get after we sift through the red carpet chatter, the best dressed lists, the jokes, and the Jimmy Kimmel stunt? When does the golden statue that Oprah dubbed “the most coveted television accolade on the planet” really shine?
The 2022 Emmys were at their best when moments of humanity and connection prevailed. And like Roy Kent, they were revealed after pauses or inquiry.
The red carpet provided a microcosm of this in action. Photographer after photographer calling instructions, or swearing at each other, peppered the red carpet feed: “Eyes right here.” “Show us that beautiful smile!” “We need that here too!” “Right here please, one more time.” But if you looked beyond the lens, it was the moments of humanity that truly light up in gold: Vanessa Bayer and Diego Luna greeting each other in between photographs. Everyone going wild for the pairing of Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay, the joyful duo providing a respite from the chatter. Paul Walter Hauser introducing his wife to the red carpet press as “The better half.” Short snippets of humanity popping up among the pageantry.
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The stage too provided moments of gratitude and impact. Sheryl Lee Ralph gracing the world with the best Emmy speech in history by opening with a rousing version of “I am an Endangered Species.” Lizzo acknowledging that “All I wanted to see was me in the media” when she was young, and if she could address herself then, she would tell herself ‘You’re going to see that person, but (expletive) it’s going to have to be you.’”
Near the end of the evening, with only one award left, the show curiously cut to another commercial; a slight break in the concluding action. It might have been to prepare us for the final presenter: Selma Blair. As she gracefully took the stage, stellar cane in hand, ready to award Succession the Best Drama Award, she noted, that”this is amazing,” summarizing how viewers felt about her surprise appearance and progress.
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During her presentation, Oprah stated that the Emmy was “almost impossible” to win (well, “almost impossible,” considering she has about 90 herself, as Michael Keaton joked). And with repeat successes, it could feel that way for new content, with Succession, SNL, John Oliver, Ted Lasso, Jason Sudeikis, Jean Smart, and Zendaya all gracing the stage again in 2022. But those wins did not overshadow historic moments for Squid Game and Abbott Elementary.
Later, in the press room, as the entire “Ted Lasso” cast and creative executives gathered on the press stage to answer questions after their Best Comedy win, Jason Sudeikis realized that the countdown was on again in the room. “I get played off here too?” he quipped with both humor and surprise.
The conversation centered around the possibility of future seasons, even though season three is believed to be the last. In the virtual queue, journalists played the waiting game, not unlike fans eagerly waiting for Lasso’s next season, Zoom hands raised in hope of being picked. The final question belonged to KSHB, the NBC affiliate in Kansas City, a nod to both Jason Sudeikis’ hometown and that of Ted Lasso.
It was a fitting final moment of connection to conclude an evening that highlighted them.
For a full list of winners, photos and more, head to: https://www.emmys.com/
Cover image from Inivision/AP and https://www.emmys.com/