Jean Smart earns fifth Emmy for “Hacks,” becoming the first to win lead comedy actress for every show season.
Emergency room drama “The Pitt” and comedy-horror “Widow’s Bay” have won television’s highest honours, the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, presented in Los Angeles.
Set in a cursed New England town, “Widow’s Bay” won the best comedy series prize on Monday, overcoming last season’s winner, “Hacks”.
Matthew Rhys, starring in “Widow’s Bay”, made history by becoming the first person to win two lead acting honours at the same ceremony. Fellow actor in the TV series, Stephen Root, won best supporting actor in a comedy, beating favourite Harrison Ford of “Shrinking”.
“Thank you, sir, for all your many years of great, great, great acting,” Root told Ford during his acceptance speech.
“Hacks” actress Jean Smart won her fifth Emmy for portraying stand-up comic Deborah Vance, making her the first actress to win the award for best lead comedy actress for every season of a show’s run. Smart has won eight Emmys overall in her acting career.
“What a ride this has been,” Smart said after receiving a standing ovation.
Noah Wyle, who starred as Dr “Robby” Robinavitch on “The Pitt”, told the Emmy audience it felt overwhelming to win his second straight Emmy for best lead drama actor.
“The Pitt”, set in a Pittsburgh emergency department, won its second consecutive Emmy award for best drama series, beating fellow nominees including “Pluribus”, “Paradise” and “The Diplomat”.
“This is the only club I’ve ever wanted to join. Thank you for accepting me,” Wyle said while accepting the award.
Vince Gilligan, who created “Breaking Bad” and its spin-off “Better Call Saul”, won best drama writing for “Pluribus”.
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” won for best variety series, concluding its farewell season with six total Emmys after CBS cancelled the programme, citing financial pressures.
Colbert rejected that explanation, accusing network executives of succumbing to pressure from President Donald Trump over his frequent mockery of the administration.
Trump administration has frequently sought to pressure companies over coverage critical of the president and his allies.
The Federal Communications Commission under Trump has tried to target news outlets for spreading ‘fake’ news.
The decision follows a year of surging regulatory hurdles over candidate appearances on the Disney-owned network.
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