The 74th Emmy Awards are happening later this evening, and there is already a buzz in the air about what to expect.
Stars from the very best TV shows that have graced the screen this year will gather together for a night of celebration in Los Angeles on Monday, and a few surprises are expected in the mix.
With some of the familiar contenders like Prime Video's The Boys and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Netflix's hit series Stranger Things, and Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso returning for another shot at the crown, a few new titles—like Squid Game, Succession, and Only Murders in the Building—may sweep in and toss out the incumbents.
The competition is sure to be fierce, and the night will be riveting for TV fans. Newsweek is rounding up the most headline-making moments to look out for on Monday night.
'Squid Game' Could Pave the Way for Foreign-Language TV
Netflix's Squid Game became a global phenomenon after making its debut in September of 2021, as down-and-out adults in South Korea compete in deadly, dystopian children's games for cash.
The fictional show became Netflix's biggest hit and now has the chance to make history as the first foreign language television show to win an Emmy for best drama series.
Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae is also up for Best Actor, giving him the opportunity to become the first winner for a non-English performance. Jung Ho-yeon is also nominated for the first time as Outstanding Supporting Actress.
Quinta Brunson is Making History
Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson has already made history, regardless of the outcome tonight, as she has become the first Black woman to receive three nominations in comedy categories in the same year.
The three nominations, one for outstanding comedy series, one for lead actress in a comedy, and one for writing for a comedy series (for the "Pilot"), has put her in the history books. And at 32, Brunson is also the youngest Black woman ever nominated in the comedy acting category.
Crying shaking and throwing up has new meaning to me because I real life did all three.
— quinta brunson (@quintabrunson) July 12, 2022
Still speechless. Congrats to the entire staff and cast of Abbott Elementary. And I want to share this moment with all of the people who watch and love the show. Emmy nominated, baby!
Some believe that the mockumentary about an underfunded public school in Philadelphia may have just enough momentum to dethrone Ted Lasso for Best Comedy series.
SNL Alum Take Over Lead Actor in A Comedy Series Category
Four of the six actors nominated for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series have at least one other thing in common: their roots lead back to Saturday Night Live.
Bill Hader, who is nominated for the show Barry, and Jason Sudeikis, who is nominated for playing the titular role in Ted Lasso, were both on the sketch comedy show from 2005 to 2013.
Martin Short and Steve Martin, both in the running for the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building, were both on SNL as well, Short only on the show for one season, in 1984 and Martin, despite being on the show on and off for more than 45 years and hosting 15 times, was never actually a bonafide cast member.
The other two actors up for this award are Donald Glover for Atlanta and Nicholas Hault for The Great.
Best Guest Actor/ess
Some results are in prior to the show on Monday night, including the winner for Best Guest Actress in a comedy series, which went to Laurie Metcalf for her role in Hacks. The show itself dominated the category though, as Metcalf won over three of her other co-stars.
And for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, while three nominees came from the show Succession (Adrien Brody, James Cromwell, and Arian Moayed), Colman Domingo took home the Emmy for his role as Ali in Euphoria.
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie
HBO's comedy-drama series The White Lotus is also dominating a category as five of the six actors nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie come from the show. Co-stars Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge, Alexandra Daddario, Natasha Rothwell, and Sydney Sweeney are all contesting for the Emmy Award against each other.
Additionally, people are on the lookout for any impending drama to surface, as the Emmy Awards will be the first televised awards show since the infamous moment that Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars, and another SNL alum Kenan Thompson will be hosting tonight.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Emma Mayer is a Newsweek Culture Writer based in Wyoming. Her focus is reporting on celebrities, books, movies, and music. ... Read more
