Tonight, September 18, it’s the 68th annual Primetime Emmy Awards. If you can’t catch the live broadcast on ABC starting at 8 PM ET and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, never fear. Playbill.com is live-blogging the show right here.
Continue to check back for updates.
Among the 2016 contenders are a host of stage stars, including All The Way Tony winner Bryan Cranston, multiple Tony winners Audra McDonald and Viola Davis, Special Tony winner Lily Tomlin, and stage and screen stars Sarah Paulson and Benedict Cumberbatch.
It wasn’t the best showing for stage stars, but the theatre did pull away with a couple of big wins, most notably Outstanding Directing of a Variety Special to Grease: Live’s Thomas Kail and Alex Rudzinkski. Sarah Paulson and Maggie Smith each won in acting categories as did Courtney B. Vance.
10:55 PM
Jimmy Smits and Dennis Franz presented the final award for:
Outstanding Drama Series
Winner: Game of Thrones
The Americans
Downton Abbey
Homeland
House Of Cards
Mr. Robot
10:49 PM
Two-time Emmy winner Larry David presented the award for:
Outstanding Comedy Series
Winner: Veep
black-ish
Master Of None
Modern Family
Silicon Valley
Transparent
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus accepted an Emmy earlier in the evening for her work on the show.
10:42 PM
Kiefer Sutherland presented the award for:
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Winner: Tatiana Maslany as Sarah, Alison, Cosima, Helena, Rachel, M.K., Krystal, Orphan Black
Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings, The Americans
Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon, Empire
Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison, Homeland
Robin Wright as Claire Underwood, House Of Cards
Viola Davis as Annalise Keating, How To Get Away With Murder
Maslany praised being part of a show that puts women at the center.
10:37 PM
Allison Janney presented the award for:
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Winner: Rami Malek as Elliot, Mr. Robot
Matthew Rhys as Philip Jennings, The Americans
Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill, Better Call Saul
Kyle Chandler as John Rayburn, Bloodline
Kevin Spacey as Francis Underwood, House Of Cards
Liev Schreiber as Ray Donovan, Ray Donovan
“Please tell me you’re seeing this, too,” said Malek upon reaching the mic. “I’m not sure how many of us would want to hang out with a guy like Elliot, but I want to honor the Elliots.”
10:27 PM
Henry Winkler introduced the In Memoriam tribute. He began by speaking of director-producer-writer Garry Marshall. “Garry would say, ‘Other people make important television, I make recess.‘ So on behalf of everybody, thank you for inviting us to your schoolyard,” said Winkler.
Among those mentioned were Doris Roberts, Fyvush Finkel, David Bowie, Gene Wilder and Prince.
10:25 PM
Taraji P. Henson presented the award for:
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Winner: Ben Mendelsohn as Danny Rayburn, Bloodline
Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut, Better Call Saul
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Game Of Thrones
Kit Harington as Jon Snow, Game Of Thrones
Michael Kelly as Doug Stamper, House Of Cards
Jon Voight as Mickey Donovan, Ray Donovan
10:18 PM
The pair also introduced:
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
Winner: Miguel Sapochnik, Game of Thrones
Michael Engler, Downton Abbey
Jack Bender, Game of Thrones
Lesli Linka Glatter, Homeland
David Hollander, Ray Donovan
Steven Soderbergh, The Knick
10:17 PM
Michael Weatherly and Minnie Driver presented the award for
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Winner: Maggie Smith as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, Downton Abbey
Maura Tierney as Helen Solloway, The Affair
Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister, Game Of Thrones
Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, Game Of Thrones
Maisie Williams as Arya Stark, Game Of Thrones
Constance Zimmer as Quinn King, UnREAL
10:15 PM
In a salute to the behind-the-scenes workers in television, Kat Smith and Joe Earl, winners of Creative Arts Emmys this year were recognized onstage.
10:07 PM
Winners Hank Azaria and Margo Martindale presnted the award for:
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Winner: David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, Game of Thrones
10:06 PM
Rami Malek and Abigail Spencer annoucned the award for:
Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series
Winner: Hank Azaria as Ed Cochran, Ray Donovan
Max von Sydow as The Three-Eyed Raven, Game Of Thrones
Michael J. Fox as Louis Canning, The Good Wife
Reg E. Cathey as Freddy, House Of Cards
Mahershala Ali as Remy Danton, House Of Cards
Paul Sparks as Thomas Yates, House Of Cards
Azaria last appeared on Broadway in The Farnsworth Invention. He earned a Tony nomination in 2005 for his performance in Spamalot.
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series
Winner: Margo Martindale as Claudia, The Americans
Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni, The Good Wife
Laurie Metcalf as Sarah, Horace And Pete
Ellen Burstyn as Elizabeth Hale, House Of Cards
Molly Parker as Jackie Sharp, House Of Cards
Allison Janney as Margaret Scully, Masters Of Sex
The awards were previously presented during the Creative Arts Awards ceremonies.
Martindale played Big Mama in the 2003 Broadway production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, for which she earned a Tony nomination. She also played Mattie Fae in the film version of August: Osage County, originally a play by Tracy Letts. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award in 2008.
10:04 PM
Damon Wayans presented the award for:
Outstanding Variety Sketch Series
Winner: Key & Peele
Documentary Now!
Drunk History
Inside Amy Schumer
Portlandia
Saturday Night LIve
Key & Peele received seven nominations this year.
10:00 PM
Laverne Cox, who will star in FOX’s upcoming made-for-television musical Rocky Horror Picture Show, presented the award for:
Outstanding Directing of a Variety Special
Winner: Thomas Kail and Alex Rudzinski, Grease: Live
Louis J.Horvitz, The 58th Grammy Awards
Beth McCarthy-Miller, Adele Live in New York City
Chris Rock, Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo
Kahlil Joseph and Beyonce Knowles Carter, Lemonade
Glenn Weiss, The Kennedy Center Honors
Kail is enjoying a dynamite year, having won a Tony in June for his direction of Hamilton. He is halfway to the EGOT.
9:53 PM
In one of the best schticks of the night, actor Matt Damon continued the long-running joke of the rivalry between him and host Kimmel.
9:49 PM
Andy Samberg and Kit Harrington presented the award for:
Oustanding Variety Talk Series
Winner: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Real Time With Bill Maher
The Late Late Show With James Corden
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Oliver’s speech was brief and to the point and so he said to the band, “Please play me off, I’ve never done this before.”
9:45 PM
Aziz Ansari presented the award for:
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special
Winner: Patton Oswalt, Talking for Clapping
Amy Achumer, Amy Schumer Live at the Apollo
John Mulaney, John Mulaney: The Comback Kid
Tig Notaro, Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted
Triumph’s Election Special
9:38 PM
Liev Schrieber, who will play in the upcoming Les Liaisons dangereuses and Keri Russell presented the award for:
Outstanding Limited Series:
Winner: The People vs. O.J.Simpson: American Crime Story
The show received 22 nominations this year.
9:37 PM
Michelle Dockery and Kyle Chandler presented the award for:
Outstanding Television Movie
Winner: Sherlock: The Abominable Bride
The series beat out All The Way, which began as a Broadway play in 2013 and earned the 2014 Tony Award for Best Play as well as Best Actor in a Play for Bryan Cranston.
9:32 PM
After the commercial break, Kimmel welcomed back the audience and delivered one of his better jokes of the night: What a night for O.J. I wonder if he’s having a viewing party.”
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie
Winner: Courtney B. Vance as Johnnie Cochran, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Bryan Cranston as Lyndon B. Johnson, All The Way
Idris Elba as DCI John Luther, Luther
Tom Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine, The Night Manager
Cuba Gooding, Jr. as O.J. Simpson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock: The Abominable Bride
Vance won a Tony in 210 for his performance in Lucky Guy. Among many, he thanked his wife, actress Angela Bassett.
The Emmy winner left the stage with this thought: Obama out, Hillary in!
9:25 PM
Stars Claire Danes and Bryan Cranston, who have also made names for themselves on the stage, presented the award for:
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie
Winner: Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Felicity Huffman as Leslie Graham, American Crime
Lili Taylor as Anne Blaine, American Crime
Kerry Washington as Anita Hill, Confirmation
Kirsten Dunst as Peggy Blumquist, Fargo
Audra McDonald as Billie Holiday, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
This was Paulson’s sixth nomination and first win. “The responsibility of playing a real person is an enormous one,” said Paulson during her acceptance speech. “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.”
To producer and creator Ryan Murphy, Paulson said, “It was because you thought I could that I even dared. You changed my life.”
Paulson ended with a message to her partner, fellow actress Holland Taylor: “Holland Taylor I love you.” Paulson previously appeared on Broadway in 2010’s Collected Stories and 2004’s The Glass Menagerie.
9:21 PM
Terrence Howard presented the award for:
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie
Winner: Sterling K. Brown as Christopher Darden, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Jesse Plemons as Ed Blumquist, Fargo
Bokeem Woodbine as Mike Milligan, Fargo
Hugh Laurie as Richard Roper, The Night Manager
David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
John Travolta as Robert Shapiro, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
“A lot of you may not have known who I was but you checked the box anyway,” joked Brown as he thanked the Academy. Brown thanked “all my journeymen actors and friends in New York City.”
“Sarah Catherine Paulson: I love you, where you live I just go to support," said Brown to his co-star.
9:13 PM
Priyanka Chopra and Tom Hiddleston presented the award for:
Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special
Winner: Susanne Bier, The Night Manager
Jay Roach, All The Way
Noah Hawley, Fargo
Ryan Murphy, The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
John Singleton, The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Anthony Hemingway, The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
The win was a bit of a surprise based on the pre-Awards commentary which heavily favored The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
9:12 PM
Kimmel circulated the audience a bit, saying hello to David Schwimmer and Cuba Gooding, Jr. Gooding, Jr.’s PB&J came with a note from Kimmel’s mom:
“Dear Cuba, Loved you in Snowdogs. Hugs and Kisses.”
9:10 PM
The Scandal duet also introduced:
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie
Winner: Regina King as Terri Lacroix, American Crime
Melissa Leo as Lady Bird Johnson, All The Way
Sarah Paulson as Hypodermic Sally / Billie Dean Howard, American Horror Story: Hotel
Kathy Bates as Iris, American Horror Story: Hotel
Jean Smart as Floyd Gerhardt, Fargo
Olivia Colman as Angela Burr, The Night Manager
“I am so proud to tell stories that provoke conversation, necessary conversation,” said King, who won her second Emmy with the show.
9:07 PM
Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn presented the award for:
Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, MOvie or Dramatic Special
Winner: D.V. DeVincentis for The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
9:05 PM
The executives from Ernst and Young, you know the guys who keep the results of tonight’s show locked up stepped onstage. Comedian Leslie Jones came onstage to ask if they might keep something of hers locked up. (
8:58 PM
In what has become an awards show tradition, Kimmel passed out food to the audience members. His mother made 7,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. (This after Ellen Degeneres had pizza delivered to the Oscars she hosted and Chris Rock had Girl Scout Cookies delivered to the Oscars he hosted.)
8:55 PM
American Ferrera and Mandy Moore presented the award for:
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
Winner: The Voice NBC
American Ninja Warrior NBC
Dancing With the Stars ABC
Project Runway Lifetime
The Amazing Race CBS
Top Chef Bravo
8:50 PM
Kimmel welcomed Tony winner James Corden who presented:
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Winner: Jeffrey Tambor as Maura Pfefferman, Transparent
Anthony Anderson as Andre Johnson, black-ish
Will Forte as Phil Miller, The Last Man On Earth
Aziz Ansari as Dev, Master Of None
William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher, Shameless
Thomas Middleditch as Richard, Silicon Valley
“There is no Best Actor,” said Tambor. “I am so honored to be in this category with these artistic killers. Thank you guys, thank you for your lessons.”
He continued: “Please give transgender talent a chance. I would not be unhappy if I wer ethe last cis-male to play a transgender woman on tv.”
8:44 PM
Jeffrey Tambor, star of Transparent, introduced a tribute to comedian Gary Shandling who passed away in March of this year.
8:39 PM
Keegan-Michael Key presented the award for:
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Winner: Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, Veep
Tracee Ellis Ross as Rainbow Johnson, black-ish
Laurie Metcalf as Dr. Jenna James, Getting On
Lily Tomlin as Frankie, Grace And Frankie
Amy Schumer as Amy, Inside Amy Schumer
Ellie Kemper as Kimmy Schmidt, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Louis-Dreyfus took the opportunity to personally apologize for the current political climate. “I think the Veep has torn down the wall between comedy and politics, our show started out as a political satire but now feels like a sobering documentary. So I promise to rebuild that wall and make Mexico pay for it.”
She also dedicated the award to her father who passed away on Friday.
8:35 PM
Peter Scolari presented the award for:
Outstanding Directing of a Comedy Series
Winner: Jill Soloway, “Man On The Land” Transparent
Aziz Ansari, “Parents” Master of None
Mike Judge, “Founder Friendly“ Silicon Valley
Alec Berg, “Daily Active Users” Silicon Valley
Chris Addison, “Morning After” Veep
David Mandel, “Kissing Your SIster” Veep
Dale Stern, “Mother” Veep
8:34 PM
Randall Park and Constance Wu of Fresh Off the Boat brought attention to the Creative Arts Awards before announcing the winners of the Guest Actor categories:
Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series
Bob Newhart as Arthur, The Big Bang Theory
Tracy Morgan as Host, Saturday Night Live
Larry David as Host, Saturday Night Live
Bradley Whitford as Magnus Hirschfeld, Transparent
Martin Mull as Bob Bradley, Veep
Peter MacNicol as Jeff Kane, Veep
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series
Winner: Tina Fey & Amy Poehler as Co-Hosts, Saturday Night Live
Laurie Metcalf as Mary, The Big Bang Theory
Christine Baranski as Dr. Beverly Hofstadter, The Big Bang Theory
Melissa McCarthy as Host, Saturday Night Live
Amy Schumer as Host, Saturday Night Live
Melora Hardin as Tammy Cashman, Transparent
8:25 PM
Joel McHale and Kristen Bell presented the award for
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
Winner: Kate McKinnon as Various characters, Saturday Night Live
Niecy Nash as Didi Ortley, Getting On
Allison Janney as Bonnie, Mom
Judith Light as Shelly Pfefferman,Transparent
Gaby Hoffmann as Ali Pfefferman, Transparent
Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer, Veep
McKinnon thanks Ellen Degeneres and Hillary Clinton, two public figures she’s parodied on the long-running sketh comedy show.
8:21 PM
Matt LeBlanc and Julie Bowen presented the award for
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
Winner: Aziz Ansari and Alan Yan for “Parents” Master of None
Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan, “Episdoe 1” Catastrophe
Dan O’Keefe, “Founder Friendly” Silicon Valley
Alec Berg, “The Uptick” Silicon Valley
David Manel, “Morning After” Veep
Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck, “Mother” Veep
Winner Yang urged for a few Asian parents to buy their kids cameras instead of violins to increase the representation of Asian stories on television.
8:13 PM
Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross of black-ish introduced the award for:
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Winner: Louie Anderson as Christine Baskets, Baskets
Andre Braugher as Captain Ray Holt, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Keegan-Michael Key as Various characters, Key & Peele
Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Modern Family
Tituss Burgess as Titus Andromedon, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Tony Hale as Gary Walsh, Veep
Matt Walsh as Mike McLintock, Veep
8:05 PM
Kimmel then took the stage to deliver the traditional monologue, poking fun at Transparent, Sarah Paulson, the real Marcia Clarke and John Travolta. Kimmel also recognized that this is the most diverse year of the Emmys.
Kimmel also established the “Maggie Smith rule,” saying that winners must be present to accept their award. Smith has never been present at the Primetime Emmys, though she has won three. Kimmel noted that she was present to accept her Tony Award, but not her Emmy. (She won her Tony in 1990 for Lettice and Lovage.)
8:00 PM
Jimmy Kimmel opens the show in a pre-taped segment. He is part of a “White Bronco chase” reenactment re-made famous by this year’s People vs. O.J. Simpson on FX. Kimmel is rushing to make it to the Emmys, of course. He ends up hopping out of the Bronco and snagging a ride in the Dunphy minivan, the cast of Modern Family inside. But, of course, it’s Tony Award host and Tony winner James Corden’s carpool karaoke that garners great applause from the live audience.
