2016 Emmy Winners: 'Game Of Thrones' & 'The People V. O.J. Simpson' Win Big At The 68th Annual TV Awards
Last night, the 68th Annual Emmy Awards handed out trophies to some of the best talents working in television today. Broadcast live on ABC, the 2016 Emmys really showed off their diversity, not only with their large roster of presenters, but also with those who took home awards last night.
The show's host Jimmy Kimmel said at the top of the show that if your show didn't have a dragon or a white Bronco in it, you should just go home, and the winners pretty much made that true. American Crime Story: The People v O.J. Simpson took home some big awards along with Game of Thrones, but shows like Master of None, Transparent, Veep and Saturday Night Live got plenty of love too.
Find out all of the 2016 Emmy winners after the jump.
The winners appear in bold below.
Outstanding Drama Series:The AmericansBetter Call SaulDownton AbbeyGame of ThronesHomelandHouse of CardsMr. RobotCommentary: The show may not have taken home any of the acting awards, but it landed both the writing and directing awards, which was a good indication it would take the big prize. Personally, I think the first part of the season was a little rough, but the second half arrived with a bang, and we can't really get mad for it beating these other shows, except maybe The Americans.Outstanding Comedy Series:Black-ishMaster of NoneModern FamilySilicon ValleyTransparentUnbreakable Kimmy SchmidtVeepCommentary: A second consecutive win for Veep isn't bad at all, but it would have been great for Master of None to take this one home. Still, Veep is one of the best comedies on television and has some incredible political satire, so it deserves all sorts of love.Outstanding Limited Series:American CrimeFargoNight ManagerThe People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime StoryRootsCommentary: This was a no-brainer, especially after the show took home so many acting awards. It's just a shame there couldn't be separate categories so the actors who were up against each other could have gotten some love too.Outstanding Television Movie:A Very Murray ChristmasAll the WayConfirmationLutherSherlock: The Abominable BrideCommentary: Sherlock is amazing, sure. But how do we now live in a world where a Bill Murray Christmas special didn't get an Emmy?Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series:
Kyle Chandler, Bloodline
Rami Malek, Mr. Robot
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Matthew Rhys, The Americans
Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
Commentary: Not bad for his first Emmy nomination. It's tough to say that Malek should have won over Matthew Rhys in The Americans, but it's not completely wrong. Bonus points for the Mr. Robot reference in his speech.Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:
Claire Danes, Homeland
Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder
Taraji P. Henson, Empire
Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
Keri Russell, The Americans
Robin Wright, House of Cards
Commentary: Again, here's an award that I think should have gone to The Americans for Keri Russell's performance. That show is criminally underrated and it really needs some more love. But Tatiana Maslany is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with.Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie:
Bryan Cranston, All the Way
Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock: The Abominable Bride
Idris Elba, Luther
Cuba Gooding Jr., The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Tom Hiddleston, The Night Manager
Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime StoryCommentary: Before Courtney B. Vance won this award, The People vs O.J. Simpson had already won the supporting actor awards, and this one felt like a forgone conclusion. Vance was astounding as attorney Johnnie Cochran.Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie:
Kirsten Dunst, Fargo
Felicity Huffman, American Crime
Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Lili Taylor, American Crime
Kerry Washington, Confirmation
Commentary: Sarah Paulson was also nominated for American Horror Story in another category, but this was undoubtedly the award that she deserved to win for, and it's just one of many victories that the show rightfully earned.Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:
Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
Aziz Ansari, Master of None
Will Forte, The Last Man on Earth
William H. Macy, Shameless
Thomas Middleditch, Silicon Valley
Jeffrey Tambor, TransparentCommentary: Jeffrey Tambor takes home this award yet again for his sterling performance in the Amazon show, but his speech was even more important as he called for Hollywood to start giving transgender talent a chance on-screen. He said, "I would not be unhappy were I the last cisgender male to play a female transgender on television." Amen to that, Mr. Tambor.Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:
Ellie Kemper, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Laurie Metcalf, Getting On
Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish
Amy Schumer, Inside Amy Schumer
Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie
Commentary: A repeat win for the actress, but this one was particularly heartfelt, because Julia Louis-Dreyfus revealed in her speech that her father had just passed away two days prior, and she was so proud that he was a fan of the show and her work on it.Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:
Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Michael Kelly, House of Cards
Ben Mendelsohn, BloodlineKit Harington, Game of Thrones
Jon Voight, Ray Donovan
Commentary: Sorry, Game of Thrones fans. The cast didn't sweep the acting awards as well as The People v. O.J. Simpson. But you can't really get mad about Ben Mendelsohn getting this award.Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Lena Headey, Game of Thrones
Maura Tierney, The Affair
Maisie Williams, Game of Thrones
Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones
Constance Zimmer, UnREAL
Commentary: Maggie Smith is never at these shows, and Jimmy Kimmel made sure everyone knew she wasn't getting her award this time. I'm not a Downton Abbey viewer so I can't say whether this win is justified, so I'll just say well doneOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie:
Jesse Plemons, Fargo
Hugh Laurie, The Night Manager
Sterling K. Brown, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Bokeem Woodbine, Fargo
John Travolta, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
David Schwimmer, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Commentary: This was just one of several key wins for the hit FX legal drama, and it was a much-deserved victory.Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie:
Melissa Leo, All the Way
Sarah Paulson, American Horror Story: Hotel
Jean Smart, Fargo
Regina King, American Crime
Kathy Bates, American Horror Story: Hotel
Olivia Colman, The Night Manager
Commentary: Don't really have anything to say about this one.Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:Louie Anderson, Baskets
Keegan-Michael Key, Key & Peele
Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Tony Hale, Veep
Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Matt Walsh, Veep
Commentary: Casting Louie Anderson in the role of Zach Galifianakis' character's mother in Baskets was inspired, but the fact that he won an Emmy for this role is just incredible. Easily one of the best awards of the night.Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:
Niecy Nash, Getting On
Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live
Gaby Hoffmann, Transparent
Allison Janney, Mom
Judith Light, Transparent
Anna Chlumsky, Veep
Commentary: I could not be happier with this outcome. This win is even more impressive when you consider the fact that Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner and Dana Carvey are the only other SNL cast members to win this award.Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series:
Max von Sydow, Game of Thrones
Paul Sparks, House of Cards
Hank Azaria, Ray Donovan
Mahershala Ali, House of Cards
Reg E. Cathey, House of Cards
Michael J. Fox, The Good Wife
Commentary: It's always nice when Hank Azaria gets recognition for his work outside of The Simpsons. He really is a fantastic actor outside of his voiceover work.Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series:
Laurie Metcalf, Horace and Pete
Molly Parker, House of Cards
Margot Martindale, The Americans
Ellen Burstyn, House of Cards
Allison Janney, Masters of Sex
Carrie Preston, The Good Wife
Commentary: Sadly, this was the only award that The Americans received last night, but we're glad that Margo Martindale is getting some respect from the Emmys.Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series:
Tracy Morgan, Saturday Night Live
Larry David, Saturday Night Live
Bob Newhart, The Big Bang Theory
Bradley Whitford, Transparent
Martin Mull, Veep
Peter Scolari, GirlsCommentary: It seems odd that Peter Scolari won this award when he was just a replacement nominee when Peter MacNiccol's original nomination was proved to be ineligible. How does that happen?Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series:Tina Fey & Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live
Melissa McCarthy, Saturday Night Live
Amy Schumer, Saturday Night Live
Christine Baranski, The Big Bang Theory
Laurie Metcalf, The Big Bang Theory
Melora Hardin, Transparent
Commentary: This is the first time that two women won a single Emmy, and it couldn't have gone to a better duo.Directing for a Comedy Series
Aziz Ansari, Master Of None
Alec Berg, Silicon Valley
Mike Judge, Silicon Valley
Jill Soloway, Transparent
Dave Mandel, Veep
Chris Addison, Veep
Dale Stern, Veep
Commentary: Another win for Jill Soloway, paving the way for more women directors in television, and that's wonderful.Directing for a Drama Series
Michael Engler, Downton Abbey
Miguel Sapochnik, Game Of Thrones
Jack Bender, Game Of Thrones
Lesli Linka Glatter, Homeland
Steven Soderbergh, The Knick
David Hollander, Ray Donovan
Commentary: Another big win for Game of Thrones, and since this win was for the episode "Battle of the Bastards," one of the best of the entire season, if not the series, I have no arguments here.Directing for a Limited Series, TV Movie or Dramatic Special
Jay Roach, All The Way
Noah Hawley, Fargo
Susanne Bier, The Night Manager
Ryan Murphy, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Anthony Hemingway, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
John Singleton, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Commentary: Sounds like I need to make time to see The Night Manager.Directing for a Variety Special
Beth McCarthy-Miller, Adele Live In New York City
Chris Rock, Amy Schumer: Live At The Apollo
Louis J. Horvitz, 58th Grammy Awards
Thomas Kail, Alex Rudzinski, Grease: Live
Glenn Weiss, The Kennedy Center Honors
Kahlil Joseph, Beyoncé Knowles Carter, Lemonade
Commentary: I wasn't a fan of Grease: Live really, and I would have much rather seen this go to Lemonade.Writing for a Comedy Series
Rob Delaney, Sharon Horgan, Catastrophe
Aziz Ansari, Alan Yang, Master Of None
Dan O'Keefe, Silicon Valley
Alec Berg, Silicon Valley
David Mandel, Veep
Alex Gregory, Peter Huyck, Veep
Commentary: Since Aziz Ansari didn't win Leading Actor in a Comedy Series, this was a nice consolation prize, especially since it was for the episode inspired by his real parents.Writing for a Drama Series
Joel Fields, Joe Weisberg, The Americans
Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey
David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Game Of Thrones
Robert King, Michelle King, The Good Wife
Sam Esmail, Mr. Robot
Marti Noxon, Sarah Gertrude Shapiro, UnREAL
Commentary: Not sure this particular season of Game of Thrones deserved to beat The Americans, but that show is an unstoppable giant on HBO, so I'm not surprised.Writing for a Limited Series, TV Movie or Dramatic Special
Bob DeLaurentis, Fargo
Noah Hawley, Fargo
David Farr, The Night Manager
Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
D.V. DeVincentis, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Joe Robert Cole, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Writing for a Variety SpecialAmy Schumer: Live At The ApolloJohn Mulaney: The Comeback KidPatton Oswalt: Talking For ClappingTig Notaro: Boyish Girl InterruptedTriumph's Election Special 2016Commentary: Patton Oswalt is one of the best comedians working today, but I'm not entirely sure that this particular special was truly the best in this category. My pick would go to John Mulaney, but I still love Oswalt's comedy, so congratulations to him.
Oustanding Variety Sketch Series
Documentary Now!Drunk HistoryInside Amy SchumerKey & PeelePortlandiaSaturday Night LiveCommentary: Honestly, I would have been happy with this going to any one of these shows, though Documentary Now! was the one I was rooting for. Still, you can't go wrong with Key & Peele, especially now that it's over.Outstanding Reality Competition Program:The Amazing RaceAmerican Ninja WarriorDancing With the StarsProject RunwayTop ChefThe VoiceCommentary: All right.Outstanding Variety Talk Series:Comedians in Cars Getting CoffeeJimmy Kimmel Live!Last Week Tonight With John OliverThe Late Late Show With James CordenReal Time With Bill MaherThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonCommentary: No surprise here. Since The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is no longer an option and HBO is now the best place to find the most biting political satire. I wouldn't be surprised if this show keeps winning for years to come.
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In addition, the 2016 Creative Arts Emmys were handed out over a two-day ceremony a week ago. You can find some key winners below, but the full list can be found at the official Emmys website.
Outstanding Main Title Theme Music - Marvel's Jessica Jones (Netflix)Outstanding Main Title Design - Man in the High Castle (Amazon)Outstanding Special Visual Effects - Game of Thrones (HBO)Outstanding Narrator - Keith David, Jackie Robinson (PBS)Outstanding Children's Program - It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown! (ABC)Outstanding Documentary Series - Making a Murderer (Netflix)Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special - What Happened, Miss Simone? (Netflix)Outstanding Writing – Variety Series - Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO)Outstanding Directing – Variety Series - Ryan McFaul, Inside Amy Schumer (Comedy Central)Outstanding Variety Special - The Late Late Show Carpool Karaoke Prime Time Special (CBS)Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance - Seth MacFarlane, Family Guy (Fox)Outstanding Short Form Animated Program - Robot Chicken (Adult Swim)Outstanding Animated Program - Archer (FX)Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series - Childrens Hospital (Adult Swim)