It was an eventful night for the best on TV.
The 2025 Emmy Awards was hosted by first-time host Nate Bargatze, and unlike in the past few years, the TV Academy spread love across multiple shows.
“Studio”, “Retirement”, “Pit”, “Hacking”, “Someone”, “Slow Horse”, “Adol”, “Andru”, and “Penguin” all took home the trophies at a star-studded ceremony.
“The Pitt” won the outstanding drama series, “The Studio” won the excellent comedy series, and “Adolescence” won the excellent limited series.
The acting victory went to Seth Rogen, Tramel Tillman, Britt Lower, Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Jeff Hiller, Owen Cooper, Erin Doherty, Stephen Graham, Christine Miliotie, Katherine Lanatha and Noah Weil.
However, the show also featured several whimsical moments, including the opening of Bargatze. With a new twist on his famous “SNL” sketch, Bargatze played television inventor Philo T. Farnsworth, who chuckled the TV status along with Bowen Yang, James Austin Johnson and Mikey Day.
Here are the best and worst moments of the 2025 Emmy Awards:
Best: “Golden Girls” homage
Reba McEntire led the famous homage to the “Golden Girls” celebrating the show’s 45th anniversary. The country icon was joined by little big town singers Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman to sing the series’ theme song, “Thank you for being friends.” And the entire audience sang and danced!
Worst: Nate Bargazze’s opening segment
That was one way to start Emmy. The opening bit of Bargatze was a play from his famous “Dream of Washington” sketch from “SNL.” Set for 100 years in the past, comedians have been enjoying the current landscape of television and streaming with amazement. He is joined by three “SNL” stars who actually survived the brutal cast shakeup. When Bargatze took the stage, he informed the audience that he had donated $100,000 to the Boys and Girls Club.
Best: Owen Cooper and Trameltilman make history
Owen Cooper was a breakout star in Netflix’s “Adolescents.” His performance as a 13-year-old male student accused of murdering a classmate won Emmy for a limited or outstanding support actor in anthology series or films. The victory was historic as Cooper is now the youngest winner in the Emmy acting category.
Tramel Tillman’s role as Seth Milchick in “Retirement” has earned Emmy, a standout supporter of heavyweight drama series like Walton Goggins and Sam Rockwell. He became the first black actor to win in that category.
Worst: “White Lotus” Season 3 Actors are locked out
“The White Lotus” was the beloved of the Emmies in its first two seasons, but Season 3 didn’t beat voters. Seven actors on the show were nominated in the Drama Support category, but none of them won. The biggest shocks were Carrie Coon and Walton Goggins.
Best: “Gilmore Girls” reunion
Emmy quickly detoured to Stars Hollow. Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledell were reunited with “Gilmore Girls” while standing in front of the recreated set of Lorelai’s front pouches. Gilmore Girls has been a happy 25-year anniversary.
Worst: Elizabeth Banks makes it about herself
When Elizabeth Banks went on stage and introduced the outstanding directors of limited or anthology series and films, she talked a lot about herself. “If you’re new to my work, I’m an actress, director, producer, spokeswoman, Lego heroine and host of the game show “Press Your Luck,” Banks told the crowd. “So, if you’re new to my job, why are you here and how did you get in?” the audience groaned in response legitimately.
Best: “The Pitt” wins the Best Drama Series
“The Pitt” is a fan-favorite program during this Emmys Cycle, bringing out the night’s biggest award, the Best Drama Series. Noah Weil also won a lead actor in the drama series. In nearly 30 years since he lost five times in “ER,” Katherine Lanatha won the drama series with a great support actress.
Best: TV Academy spreads love
You get Emmy! And you get Emmy! The TV Academy decided to reward the full show all night long. Of course, “studio”, “adolescents”, and “retirement” won majors as expected. But other shows like “Andor,” “Slow Horses,” and “Someone is somewhere” also got their deadlines.
