‘Succession’ succeeds, ‘The Bear’ eats it up, show wraps on time

AP:

Succession had a fittingly successful sendoff at the Emmys, the addictive saga of the roiling Roy family dynasty winning best drama for a third time and five more awards, including three top acting prizes.

But Succession was not the only show to make a ludicrously capacious haul. The Bear had a bearish night indeed, fully dominating the comedy category in its first season, winning the top prize and three acting awards.

And the chaotic, darkly humorous Beef was the other big victor, winning best limited series, with leads Steven Yeun and Ali Wong becoming the first Asian Americans to win in their categories. Also making history: star Quinta Brunson of Abbott Elementary, the first black winner in her category since 1981.

For details, and other notable moments of the night, read on:

A SMOOTH HOST... AND HIS MAMA!

It was not a night of upsets, with most predictions holding. Host Anderson had said before the show that the pressure was off. He meant because he wasn’t nominated this year, but he could also have meant that his hosting gig had to go more smoothly than that of Jo Koy at the Golden Globes. Plugging into the nostalgia theme of the show’s 75th anniversary, Anderson began with his own version of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, hanging up his coat, sitting at a piano and singing themes for TV classics, like Good Times and The Facts of Life.

Anderson then asked winners to keep their speeches tight, and introduced his secret weapon.

“When you see my Mama coming, just thank Jesus and your family and wrap it up,” he said.

And indeed, Doris Bowman made appearances throughout the night. Bowman illustrated her power early, interrupting her own son’s opening monologue by telling him. “Time’s up, baby.” Then she certainly seemed to keep winner Jennifer Coolidge in check. Oliver tried to test the new system after winning best scripted variety show: “I’m not leaving without being played off by Anthony Anderson’s mom. So I’m going to start reading off the names of the Liverpool football team.” When she popped up, he quickly said: “I’d like to thank Jesus and my family. Thank you.”

A BIG BEAR HUG, ER, KISS

Could The Bear replicate its success from the Golden Globes? Yes, chef, with Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri winning for best actor and best supporting actress in a comedy, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach winning a supporting actor award. Onstage, Moss-Bachrach gave costar Matty Matheson a comically long kiss before Matheson saluted the show, which dramatises the sacrifices people in the restaurant business make: “I just love restaurants so much. The good, the bad. It’s rough. We’re all broken inside and every single day we gotta show up and cook and make people feel good by eating something and sitting at a table. It’s really beautiful.”

BURNETT HAILS ‘PROGRESS’

Big-name actors became fanboys and fangirls in the presence of Carol Burnett, 90, the first woman to host a variety show. A standing ovation greeted the veteran comedienne, who had an immediate zinger: “A lot has changed in the last 46 years. For the better. Progress has been made and it truly warms my heart to see how men are doing in comedy,” the seven-time Emmy-winner said. Christina Applegate introduced Burnett by saying she has only one picture of herself framed – with Burnett. “She is more important to me than any of you,” Applegate said.

BRUNSON’S HISTORIC WIN

Another star awed by Burnett was the woman who received her prize from her: Brunson, the Abbott Elementary star and writer who won best actress in a comedy series, the first black winner in the category since Isabel Sanford won in Norman Lear’s classic The Jeffersons in 1981. “I am so happy to be able to live my dream and act out comedy,” said Brunson, a previous winner for writing the show.