Emmy ratings pick up with historic 'Shogun' wins

Television's Emmy Awards enjoyed a sizeable audience boost, with viewership rising by more than half from the previous edition's all-time low, network ABC said Monday.

Some 6.87 million tuned in on Sunday night to watch Japan-set historical epic "Shogun" smash the record for most Emmy wins in a single season, picking up 18 awards at the small-screen version of the Oscars.

The show about warring rivals in feudal Japan also became the first non-English-language show to claim the highly coveted best drama series prize.

The audience jump is a welcome boost for a show that -- like many award ceremonies -- has struggled to retain viewers in recent years.

"The '76th Emmy Awards' telecast on ABC posted the award show's largest overall audience in 3 years, since the show's airing on CBS (in 2021), which enjoyed an NFL football game lead-in," said an ABC statement.

Eugene Levy, Annie Murphy, and Dan Levy speak onstage at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 15, 2024. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Father-and-son duo Eugene and Dan Levy were broadly praised for their co-hosting of Sunday night's event, which channeled nostalgia with multiple segments honoring television's past, including a "West Wing" cast reunion.

Still, the ratings are historically low. As recently as 2018, the Emmys telecast regularly topped 10 million.

Since then the Emmys have had to contend with the Covid-19 pandemic, which required a socially distanced ceremony.

And last summer's Hollywood strikes meant pushing back the 2023 edition into the following January for a ceremony watched by only 4.46 million -- meaning this year enjoyed a 54 percent rise.

Awards shows generally have struggled to attract viewers over the past decade or so, as audiences fragment and younger demographics skip linear television in favor of streaming and social media.

But several shows including the Oscars have enjoyed a small uptick in their most recent editions. In Sunday night's biggest surprise, "Hacks" was named best comedy, besting previous winner "The Bear." "Baby Reindeer" triumphed in the limited series section.

In addition to winning best drama, "Shogun" earned best actor and best actress awards for Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai.

Steve Martin and Martin Short react on stage at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 15, 2024. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Five key moments from Emmys night

Here are a few other memorable moments from the ceremony:

'It always gets better'

Netflix's smash word-of-mouth hit "Baby Reindeer" has been controversial because of the streamer's claim that it is a "true story."
Comedian Richard Gadd, whose dark story is the basis of the series, won a writing award for his efforts -- one of three statuettes for him overall -- and used his acceptance speech to encourage others going through difficulty.

"Ten years ago, I was down and out, right? I never ever thought I'd get my life together. I never ever thought I'd be able to rectify myself for what had happened to me, and get myself back on my feet again.

"And then here I am, just over a decade later, picking up one of the biggest writing awards in television.

"I don't know much about this life... but I do know that nothing lasts forever, and no matter how bad it gets, it always gets better."

Richard Gadd, winner of the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie and the Outstanding Writing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie for "Baby Reindeer" attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards Governors Gala in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 15, 2024. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

No rest for the winners

When "Hacks" scored a surprise win as best comedy, beating out "The Bear," showrunner Lucia Aniello revealed the cast and crew did not have much time to luxuriate in their victory.

"Please support comedy. It speaks truth to power. It really does," she said, as the music began to play her off the stage.
"So support your local comedian, and we have to go because we start shooting the next season in five days."

The election

Just a few weeks out from a hotly contested presidential election pitting Democrat Kamala Harris against Republican former president Donald Trump, it's no surprise that a few of those present dived into politics.

Candice Bergen, who played a TV journalist in the long-running US sitcom "Murphy Brown," recalled how her character was attacked by former Republican vice president Dan Quayle for raising a child as a single mother.

Presenter Candice Bergen speaks on stage at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 15, 2024. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

"Oh, how far we've come. Today, a Republican candidate for vice president would never attack a woman for having kids," she quipped, a reference to Trump's running mate JD Vance, who has lashed out at "childless cat ladies.""So as they say: my work here is done. Meow!"

'I come in peace'

There have been few awards gala moments in recent years as memorable as when Will Smith barged on stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.

So when another Will Smith took to the stage on Sunday to receive his Emmy for best writing for a drama series with "Slow Horses," which stars Gary Oldman, he acknowledged the moment.

"First of all: relax," he told the audience.

"Despite my name, I come in peace."

Who's a good boy?

Comedian John Oliver, whose "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" scooped the Emmy for best scripted variety series, began his acceptance speech with the usual litany of thanks to cast and crew, but then took a sharp turn.

First, he bungled the name of his son -- calling the boy "husband" before correcting himself to "Hudson," noting: "That's going to come back to haunt me."

Then he veered into the topic of pets.

John Oliver accepts the Best Outstanding Scripted Variety Series award for "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 15, 2024. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

"I also want to thank... our dog. We had the most fantastic dog, and she was at our wedding, and she got us through a pandemic. She was with us for two pregnancies, and... perfect choice of music," he said as a funereal-sounding tune started up to encourage him to finish up.

"We had to say goodbye to her."

"This isn't just for her. This is for all dogs. All dogs, you're all very good girls. You're very good boys. You all deserve a treat."