Emmys 2016: Tatiana Maslany, Rami Malek, ‘Game of Thrones' and Jimmy Kimmel lead a gala that reflects TV's bold new age - Los Angeles Times
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Emmys 2016: Tatiana Maslany, Rami Malek, ‘Game of Thrones’ and Jimmy Kimmel lead a gala that reflects TV’s bold new age

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What will Sunday’s 68th Primetime Emmy Awards be remembered for? “Game of Thrones” won best drama series, while “Veep” took home the top comedy award.“The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” also earned five awards (plus four of last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys), while Julia Louis-Dreyfus made history with her fifth consecutive Emmy win in the lead comedy actress category. But what are people talking about most? Stirring speeches, such as Jill Soloway’s call to “topple the patriarchy,” Kate McKinnon setting Twitter on fire, Sandwich-gate and Tatiana Maslany getting a win for the clone-club.

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Emmys party pics: See who came out to play at the Governors Ball

First party stop after the Emmy Awards? That would be the Governors Ball -- especially for the winners, because that’s where they go to get their statues engraved.

Sarah Paulson engraves Marcia Clark’s name on her Emmy >>

After heading next door to the Los Angeles Convention Center for the lavish event, the stars not only celebrated their honors, they also found time to photo bomb each other, pose with fans or just be themselves.

Click on the image above to see more photos from the most official of the Emmys after-parties.

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The best acceptance speeches of the 2016 Emmys

Sarah Paulson accepts the award for lead actress in a limited series or movie for "The People v. O.J. Simpson."
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The 2016 Primetime Emmys have come and gone, but its acceptance speeches will live on as endearing and memorable moments in awards show history.

The best speeches resonated in part because they seemed as though they embodied a ceremony that was marked with intense emotions and shot through with indications that the increasingly inclusive landscape of “Peak TV” is here to stay.

CALLS FOR CHANGE

“Asian parents out there — if you could do me a favor — just a couple of you get your kids cameras instead of violins, we’ll be all good.” — Alan Yang, writer for a comedy, “Master of None”

Accepting with “Master of None” co-creator Aziz Ansari, Yang delivered an early speech that set the tone for the night to come, talking about the importance of Asian American representation in pop culture and his hope that his show was just the beginning.

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Sophie Turner’s Emmy reveals: A ‘crazy’ season on ‘Game of Thrones’ and why she and Maisie Williams got matching tattoos

Sophie Turner arrives at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards.
(Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images)

“Who are you wearing?” It’s is the perennial red carpet question. And during this year’s Emmys arrivals “Game of Thrones’” Sophie Turner answered in typical fashion, telling E! News’ Giuliana Rancic that her black lace gown was Valentino, her jewelry was Forevermark and her shoes were Louboutin.

But it was what Turner had on her arm that made news on the Emmys red carpet.

“We got matching tattoos!” said Turner about the skin engravings she and fellow “Game of Thrones” actress Maisie Williams had done a few days before the Emmys.

“I got it in peach,” Turner said, “because my mum was like, ‘Make sure it doesn’t show up!’”

The tattoos read “07.08.09” for the date Turner and Williams got their “Game of Thrones” parts as sisters Sansa and Arya Stark.

The two are hoping these aren’t the last matching tattoos they’ll have done.

“We were always planning from Season 1, if we make it all the way through, hopefully we can all get a matching wolf or something. But we don’t know if we’re going to make it, so Maisie and I were like, ‘OK, let’s get these ones before anyone kills us.’ Which is so possible.”

And what does she know about what’s possible in the coming season?

“I was actually speechless,” Turner said about what she read in the scripts for Season 7. “This season is unbelievable. I think fans are going to be really satisfied. It’s crazy.”

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The Emmys red carpet was a jewel box of color and sparkle — with a slice of lemon yellow

From left, Padma Lakshmi, Sarah Paulson and Angela Bassett.
(Left and center, Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images; right, Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)

The 68th Primetime Emmy Awards red carpet may have physically taken place in downtown Los Angeles, but for several hours Sunday, it felt as if the red carpet ran through the middle of a Rodeo Drive gem vault thanks to an abundance of sparkle-embellished gowns, jewel-toned dresses and rich, velvet fabrics.

Emmys 2016 best and worst dressed >>

Among the standouts of the sparkle squad were Shiri Appleby in a bright-blue body-hugging sequin number from Diane von Furstenberg and America Ferrera’s midnight blue sequin embellished strappy gown from the pre-spring/summer 2017 Jenny Packham collection.

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Jimmy Kimmel, Julia Louis-Dreyfus acknowledge a divisive election year as the Emmys get political

Julia Louis-Dreyfus said during her acceptance speech for lead actress in a comedy: “I think that 'Veep' has torn down the wall between comedy and politics."
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

This year’s Emmys were much more than just glamour, statues and self-congratulations. The impact of this year’s national election, with all its divisiveness and acrimony, received more than its share of attention.

Host Jimmy Kimmel got the political ball rolling right away in the ceremony’s pre-taped opening. Hitching a ride to the show, Kimmel bounced among rides including the white Bronco from “The People v. O.J. Simpson” and James Corden’s “Carpool Karaoke” vehicle before winding up in the passenger seat beside a “between jobs” Jeb Bush, playing a chauffeur.

“Here’s what I know: If you run a positive campaign, the voters will make the right choice,” the former Republican presidential candidate told Kimmel. When the host exited the car, Bush proclaimed “Jeb, exclamation point!” and pumped his fist as he peeled away with a shot of his familiar “Jeb!” bumper sticker in view.

Kimmel later jokingly chastised reality show producer Mark Burnett, contending that Burnett was responsible for the creation of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump due to Trump’s role on NBC’s “The Apprentice,” which Burnett created.

“Thanks to Mark Burnett, we don’t have to watch reality shows anymore — we’re living one,” Kimmel said. “If it wasn’t for television, would Donald Trump be running for president?”

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Jimmy Kimmel and the Emmys tout — and pat themselves on the back for — their diversity

Emmy host Jimmy Kimmel.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Though the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday celebrated television’s best moments, the ceremony gave near equal time to celebrating its own newfound diversity — and joking about the Oscars’ lack of it.

“This year’s nominees are the most diverse ever,” host Jimmy Kimmel said in his opening monologue of a field that included 18 nominees of color for acting awards and several women in directing categories.

“And here in Hollywood, the only thing that we value more than diversity is congratulating ourselves on how much we value diversity. I’ll tell you, the Emmys are so diverse this year, the Oscars are now telling people we’re one of their closest friends.”

The night’s big winners reflected television’s move toward a more realistic and representative mix of shows, and away from the industry’s very male, very white traditions. Top winners included “Mr. Robot’s” Rami Malek for lead actor in a drama, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story’s” Courtney B. Vance for lead actor in a limited series or movie and “The Night Manager’s” Susanne Bier for directing a limited series, movie or dramatic special.

Where the Oscars almost felt uncomfortable joking about race — there were no acting nominees of color, thus the #OscarsSoWhite movement — during its telecast this year, the Emmys reveled in it — and also patted itself on the back.

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A stunned Rami Malek, a teary Julia Louis-Dreyfus and other memorable Emmys moments

Alan Yang, left, accepts the Emmy for comedy writing with Aziz Ansari.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

There were some inevitabilities going in to the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday night: “The People v. O.J. Simpson” would win big, Maggie Smith wouldn’t show up even if she won, and we’d hear lots of Donald Trump jokes.

But the telecast, hosted for the second time by Jimmy Kimmel, proved to be a night marked by unexpected wins and funny, heartfelt speeches. Here’s a look at some of the evening’s most memorable moments.

Another low-speed car chase

Two of this year’s most-discussed series focused on the 2-decade-old O.J. Simpson trial, so it was hardly surprising that the Emmys telecast kicked off with a montage inspired by Simpson’s infamous low-speed car chase.

Kimmel’s attempt to reach the Microsoft Theater in downtown L.A. began in a white Bronco driven by Malcolm-Jamal Warner and continued in vehicles with the “Modern Family” Dunphy family, “Late Late Show” host James Corden, “Veep” President Selina Meyer (who made a fantastically off-color joke about LBJ, Lyndon Baines Johnson) and presidential candidate-turned-Uber-driver Jeb Bush. (“If you run a positive campaign, the voters will ultimately make the right choice,” he told Emmy nominee Kimmel.) The host’s arduous commute culminated in a ride on the back of one of Daenerys Targaryen’s “Game of Thrones” dragons — which set Ryan Seacrest ablaze.

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How Jimmy Kimmel’s Emmy jabs — and Jeb’s exclamation point — was in sync with TV’s new bold age

Host Jimmy Kimmel hands out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches during the 68th Emmy Awards show in Los Angeles.
(Valerie Macon / AFP / Getty Images)

“Please tell me you are seeing this too.”

That was Rami Malek’s first comment after winning the award for lead actor in a drama at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday night.

It was a sly reference to the narration his alienated and occasionally hallucinating character provides USA’s “Mr. Robot,” but it was also a fine summary of Sunday night’s telecast in its ability to reflect the changing nature of television.

In less than 10 years, television has gone from self-loathing despair to giddy disbelief over its elevated status, and now it appears to be entering an age of acceptance.

Television is now confident enough to make fun of even its sacred cows.

— Mary McNamara

From the moment Jimmy Kimmel allowed his initially disappointing “I have to get to the Emmys” opening to be carjacked by Jeb Bush as the Uber driver piloting the limo of “Veep’s” President Selina Meyer, he was a host on fire. At times literally. The opening bit ended with Kimmel hitching a ride on Daenerys Targaryen’s dragon from “Game of Thrones” and roasting Ryan Seacrest as he wound up the red carpet coverage for E!

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How Patton Oswalt celebrates his Emmy win

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Emmys inspire a mini-’Friday Night Lights’ reunion

“Friday Night Lights” may be gone, but at least the Emmys brought Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler together again.

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Trading spaces: Emmy stars are asked to place a favorite character on another show

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Watch Emmy stars on the red carpet discuss their inspiration

Actors at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards discuss what inspired them to get into the entertainment industry.

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‘People v. O.J. Simpson’ at the Emmy Awards: A new verdict on the case

Sarah Paulson, center, hugs Marcia Clark after winning the Emmy for lead actress in a limited series or movie at the Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

It was Sarah Paulson’s moment — but it belonged just as much to Marcia Clark.

Paulson had just won the Emmy for lead actress in a limited series or movie for her portrayal of the former L.A. County prosecutor in FX’s “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” and she used her time onstage to both thank and apologize to Clark, who failed to win a conviction in the case.

More than two decades ago, the Simpson trial in Los Angeles provided a flashpoint on race, criminal justice, domestic violence and celebrity while offering punch lines galore. On Sunday night at the Emmys, all those elements were again on display — along with a rare moment of public vindication.

“The more I learned about the real Marcia Clark‎ — not the two-dimensional cardboard cutout I saw on the news but the complicated, whip-smart giant-hearted mother of two who woke up every day, put both feet on the floor and dedicated herself to ‎righting an unconscionable wrong,” Paulson said. She noted that “I, along with the rest of the world, had been superficial and careless in my judgment.”

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Tatiana Maslany on the representation of women on ‘Orphan Black’

Backstage after her Emmy win for lead actress in a drama, “Orphan Black” anchor Tatiana Maslany expanded on her Grammy speech, noting the importance of portraying diverse characters on television.

“It’s a real point of pride for all of us on the show — there’s so much positivity in terms of representation and the way young girls were seeing themselves portrayed on the screen,” she said.

“The LGBT community reached out to us as well — there is an immense joy in getting to tell women’s stories that we don’t normally see.”

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Tatiana Maslany finally wins an Emmy; Clone Club celebrates

Tatiana Maslany holds up her Emmy Award for lead actress in a drama series.
Tatiana Maslany holds up her Emmy Award for lead actress in a drama series.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

For the first time since “Orphan Black’s” premiere in 2013, fans of the show have a reason to celebrate on Emmys night.

Tatiana Maslany won the 2016 Emmy Award for lead actress in a drama series on Sunday, an accolade that members of the show’s Clone Club feel has been long overdue.

Maslany has portrayed more than 10 characters so far during the course of the series and was, in fact, credited for more roles in her nomination than the rest of the lead drama actress nominees combined.

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Stars and their Emmys: A love story

After walking off the stage as a newly brandished Emmy winner, some of TV’s biggest stars take time to pose with their Emmys -- many with a kiss, and some with wide-eyed astonishment.

Here’s some looks at that celebratory moment.

John Travolta of "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story."
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus of "Veep."
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele of "Key & Peele"
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Patton Oswald of "Patton Oswalt: Talking For Clapping."
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Tatiana Maslany of "Orphan Black."
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Sarah Paulson of "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story."
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Susanne Bier of "The Night Manager."
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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HBO and FX reign over the Emmys with ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson’

Ryan Murphy, left, and John Travolta accept the award for limited series for "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story."
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Thanks to O.J. Simpson, the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards partied like it was 1995.

“The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” the FX limited series that dramatized the sensational murder case and trial that divided a nation more than two decades ago, became the most celebrated program of the year at Sunday’s ceremony held at the Microsoft Theater and telecast on ABC.

The series won five trophies, including the award for limited series, movie or special. It was also honored for limited series actor (Courtney B. Vance), actress (Sarah Paulson), supporting actor (Sterling K. Brown) and writing (D.V. DeVincentis).

On the series side, HBO’s “Game of Thrones” marched into Emmy history with three wins, including drama series, for the second consecutive year. The series now has the most Emmy wins of any drama or comedy in history, with 38, surpassing the previous record of 37 held by “Frasier.”

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Tatiana Maslany and Rami Malek — you probably didn’t have them in your Emmy pool

It was more revenge for the nerds Sunday night as, one year after “Game of Thrones” took its first drama series Emmy, the night’s top drama acting prizes went to a pair of young performers — Tatiana Maslany and Rami Malek — from genre shows very much beloved by the Comic-Con crowd.

Maslany won the lead actress in a drama Emmy for “Orphan Black,” a trippy sci-fi thriller that has the 30-year-old Canadian-born actress playing multiple clones. It was her second nomination and first victory.

“I feel so lucky to be on a show that puts women at the center,” Maslany said from the stage.

Malek, 35, meanwhile, won the lead actor in a drama Emmy on his first try for the debut season of “Mr. Robot,” in which he plays Elliot, a lonely, delusional cyber-vigilante aiming to bring down the world’s biggest corporation and, in the process, eliminate debt and right income inequality.

“Please tell me you’re seeing this too,” a surprised Malek said, playing off the character’s paranoia. (Earlier, he had told E! he was practicing his losing face.)

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Watch Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue in 360

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Julia Louis-Dreyfus makes Emmy history

Julia Louis-Dreyfus made Emmy history Sunday night, winning her sixth award for comedy lead actress.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus made Emmy history Sunday night, winning her sixth award for comedy lead actress.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

If Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Emmy win had a familiar ring, it was because the 55-year-old actress made history Sunday night.

Louis-Dreyfus won her sixth lead actress in a comedy Emmy — and fifth in a row — for her turn as career politician Selina Meyer on HBO’s “Veep,” giving her the most wins ever in that category. She had shared the record with Mary Tyler Moore and Candice Bergen.

Louis-Dreyfus’ five-year run in the category is another record, eclipsing the four consecutive years Helen Hunt won for “Mad About You” from 1996-99.

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So what was on the menu at the Emmy after-party?

Winner John Oliver at the Governor's Ball.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were far from the only item on the menu at the Emmy Awards. Those who attended the Governors Ball at the L.A. Convention Center were treated to a far more elegant meal.

After-party guests were welcomed with a fabulous three-course dinner prepared by Patina Restaurant Group master chef and founder Joachim Splichal, executive chef of culinary Gregg Wiele and executive pastry chef Frania Mendivi.

So what was on the menu? The main course consisted of thyme-roasted tenderloin and slow-braised short rib, wild mushroom pithivier, rapini, rainbow carrots and caramelized shallot jus.

Dessert was a tropical coconut mousse, torched meringue and exotic fruit.

Unknown if juice boxes were available.

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A strange twist in the tale of the Emmy sandwiches

Caleb McLaughlin distributes sandwiches at the Emmy Awards.
( (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press))

The sandwich plot thickens.

One of the most talked about and surprisingly controversial moments of this year’s Emmys was the delivery of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the crowd, a number of which were gifted to the audience by the young stars of “Stranger Things.”

But guess who didn’t have a sandwich? Uh, the kids from “Stranger Things.”

“They didn’t offer us any! I guess because we were the offer-ers,” said Caleb McLaughlin.

“Yeah, we were just the delivery guys!” Gaten Matarazzo said in agreement from their table at the Governors Ball, the official Grammy after-party at the L.A. Convention Center.

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Marcia Clark watches as her name is engraved on Sarah Paulson’s Emmy

Inside the Emmy Awards “winners circle,” flanked by large Emmy statues, the victors gathered to have their golden ladies engraved with their names and category honors.

The trophies are placed on a plexiglass stand and the engravers, wearing white gloves, get to work on placing the info on the trophy.

Patton Oswalt grabbed a glass of Champagne before having his Emmy engraved. As he waited, he tapped his fingers and leaned in to watch the process. As if the statue wasn’t enough, each award-winner was also gifted with a box of Sterling wine that looked to outweigh the awards themselves.

Aziz Ansari checked his phone as he waited for his personalization to be done. Meanwhile, “Master of None” co-creator Alan Yang pulled out his phone to take a photo of the engravers getting to work on his trophy.

“One guest and one Emmy,” security told those who were trying to sneak into the elite area.

As Paulson headed to the winners circle to have her trophy engraved, it became clear she was no longer stag. She asked security to allow Marcia Clark, who trailed behind her, to come through with her. Voila, Clark got the nod.

The women laughed and giggled as they watched the process, then Paulson showed some onlookers her statuette: Clark’s name had been etched onto it as well.

It’s customary for winner’s trophies to engrave the name of the actor and the character they played at the bottom, but it’s a special treat to witness this happen directly in front of their real life counterpart.

“It was an amazing night,” the former prosecutor said. “I’m so glad I could share it with her.”

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The Governors Ball transforms the L.A. Convention Center with over 700 floral arrangements

The entrance to the Emmy Awards' Governors Ball, themed Nature's Elegance, photographed on a media preview day.
(Rich Fury / Associated Press)

Those freebie juice boxes were a distant memory once guests got to the Governors Ball at the Los Angeles Convention Center: They were greeted with water and bubbly as they walked into the Nature’s Elegance-themed party.

Christian Slater of USA’s “Mr. Robot” stopped to pose for photographers even though there wasn’t a red carpet. Ryan Murphy, clutching his “People v. O.J. Simpson” trophy, shook hands with Slater and got congratulations before making his way inside.

Leslie Jones strolled through bopping her head to Clean Bandit’s “Rather Be,” which played on the speakers outside.

Louie Anderson showed up clasping his trophy behind his back. Aziz Ansari’s parents still had their Emmys program booklet in hand when they made the scene.

Remember what Jill Soloway said about toppling the patriarchy? Well, a couple of men were already in service to their wives by the time the party started. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ husband, Brad Hall, was holding her Emmy, and Jimmy Kimmel was holding Molly McNearney’s train.

The couples exchanged handshakes, then Louis-Dreyfus photobombed Kimmel and McNearney as they posed for photos.

The space was dripping with greenery and flowers. The more than 700 floral arrangements incorporated roses, hydrangeas, succulents, even herbs.

Upon arrival, winners were yelled at by photographers who wanted them to pose with their statues.

“What do you want me to do?” Jeffery Tambor said with a puzzled look. He hesitated to come closer to the camera before relenting and giving the photographer what he was asking for by hamming it up with his award.

Regina King, however, had her eyes on a prize as she arrived. What would she do first?

“Get something to eat or drink ...,” she said. “One of the two!”

Tom Hiddleston stood feet away from Leslie Jones, who looked awestruck as she watched everything around her. Courtney B. Vance strolled over to the winners circle to have his statue engraved by a team of people wearing white gloves.

One unusual pairing: Dennis Haskins and Charo.

“She’s got to put her skirt on, it fell off,” the man best known as “Saved by the Bell’s” Mr. Belding told photographers as the “cuchi cuchi” entertainer tried to get a wayward section of her skirt clipped back into place.

For the record (Sept. 18, 11:32 p.m.): An earlier version of those post misidentified Dennis Haskins as Dennis Hastert.

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Henry Winkler pays tribute to ‘Happy Days’ creator Garry Marshall at the Emmys

Henry Winkler pays tribute to the late Garry Marshall at the Emmys on Sunday night.
(Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Henry Winkler introduced the Emmys’ “In Memoriam” segment and paid tribute to a dear friend: Garry Marshall, the creator of “Happy Days,” who died in July at age 81.

“He gave me my career,” Winkler said. “Anybody that was lucky enough to meet him changed their life.”

Winkler starred as Fonzie in “Happy Days” from 1974-1984, becoming something of a pop cultural icon of the time in the process.

“Garry would always say, ‘Other people make important television. I make recess,’ ” Winkler said. Then, as he gestured to the sky: “So, on behalf of all of us, thank you for inviting us into your schoolyard.”

Read the complete obituary for Garry Marshall.

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Why all the love for ‘People v. O.J.’? ‘The case touches on everything that America is obsessed about’

Ryan Murphy and John Travolta accept the Emmy for outstanding limited series for "The People v. O.J. Simpson."
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

The so-called trial of the century became one of the major stories of this year’s Emmys.

“In the wrong hands,” said writer-producer Ryan Murphy, “it could have been very tabloid-y.”

Murphy, speaking to reporters backstage, made sure to single out the “People v. O.J. Simpson” writers, including D.V. DeVincentis, Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski and Joe Robert Cole. The trial and its attendant media circus essentially gave birth to reality TV.

“The case touches on everything that America is obsessed about: race, gender, class and justice -- and the fact that justice is not blind, not nearly as it wants to be,” producer Nina Jacobson said. “This case was so divisive at the time. Our hope was giving people access to characters that had become caricatures, people would look at it with new eyes.”

John Travolta said he had “so much joy” portraying Robert Shapiro and “felt like I knew what he was about in the beginning.” Travolta, who left the small screen for the big screen early in his career, is of course one of many movie actors returning to TV.

“I think your important artists are attracted to the freedom of expression that is, believe it or not, more visible in TV than in the movies right now,” he said.

Said producer Brad Simpson, “We were driven by creative jealousy toward TV.”

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Awards for award shows: Can the Emmy Awards win an Emmy?

(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Can the Emmys win an Emmy?

Seriously, the Oscars have won Emmys. The Globes have won Emmys. The Grammys have won Emmys. And yes, back in the ‘70s, the Emmys won a couple of Emmys too.

WINNERS: ‘Game of Thrones’ crushes it at Creative Arts Emmys >>

It last happened in 1977, when “The 28th Annual Emmy Awards” took home a couple of statuettes. There were a couple of Emmys-related nominations in 1978 as well, but no wins.

Clearly, awards shows gushing over other awards shows isn’t going anywhere -- the Oscars and Tonys got Emmy nods this year, but no wins -- but giving an Emmy to the Emmys?

It feels disturbingly like feeding poultry to a chicken.

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Emmys, go for the free lipstick, stay for the sandwiches

Not everyone has to leave the Emmy Awards empty-handed. Losers can stuff their purses full of L’Oreal mascara, lipstick in “Blake” pink color and an under eye de-puffer.

It’s a win-win for those in need of free lipstick.

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Tatiana Maslany praises ‘Orphan Black’ in Emmys speech

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Complete list of 2016 Emmy nominations and winners

The cast and crew of "Veep" celebrate their win for comedy series.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

The show is over. So who went home with an Emmy trophy in hand, and who just went home? Here’s the full rundown of the 68th Primetime Emmy Award winners and nominations.

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It was a parade of Taylor Swift exes at the Emmy Awards

(Robyn Beck / AFP/ Getty Images)

We’re sure it’s just an accident but Tom Hiddleston was on hand to announce the winner for directing in a limited series (an award that went to his director for AMC’s “The Night Manager,” Susanne Bier) and after the award was presented, the transition to commercial was lead by none other than John Mayer, on guitar in the Emmy band.

We’re sure it’s just an accident that the awards featured two prominent Taylor Swift exes back to back but it’s much more fun to imagine that it wasn’t.

Definitely just an accident.

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The 2016 Emmy sandwich saga continues

Despite the rousing applause the “Stranger Things” youths received from the crowd, the great controversy over Jimmy Kimmel’s Mother’s sandwiches continues to grow.

En route to the Governor’s Ball, the official after party for the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards, a complaint about the peanut butter and jelly concoction was overheard.

One Emmy guest was particularly irate that something with nuts was passed out wide: “You never just hand out peanut butter. That’s such a liability.”

Follow our full coverage of the Emmys sandwich story here and here.

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John Oliver was pretty disappointed by a Beyonce-less Emmys

John Oliver and the crew of “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” accept the award for variety talk series.
(Chris Pizzello / Invision/Associated Press)

I thought Beyonce was gonna be here. I saw a seating chart and I was supposed to be sitting two rows behind her and I was going to stare at her head and experience happiness in a way I haven’t felt before … so this evening is a bit disappointing.

— John Oliver, despite winning multiple awards at the 2016 Emmys

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‘Game of Thrones’ wins drama series

The other nominees were:

“The Americans”

“Better Call Saul”

“Downton Abbey”

“Homeland”

“House of Cards”

“Mr. Robot”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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The Emmys band isn’t winning any friends with ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson’

Write-/producer Ryan Murphy, left, and actor John Travolta accept outstanding limited series for "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story."
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

The official Emmy Awards band isn’t making any friends with how promptly it is playing the winners off the stage. After interrupting “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” producer Nina Jacobson during her portion of the acceptance speech for limited series, the band garnered unhappy looks from Sarah Paulson and Sterling K. Brown.

The audience also registered their displeasure at the band by roundly booing.

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‘Veep’ wins comedy series

The other nominees were:

“black-ish”

“Master of None”

“Modern Family”

“Silicon Valley”

“Transparent”

“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Tatiana Maslany explains how she keeps the seven characters she plays separate on ‘Orphan Black’

Tatiana Maslany, the star of “Orphan Black,” talks about creating different body movements for the myrid of characters she plays — and not getting a moment to reset between gear shifts.

I really, really wish I had time to be still in a room by myself between characters. But I don’t. They just throw me into the next outfit; it’s very quick.

— Tatiana Maslany

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW >>

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Tatiana Maslany wins lead actress in a drama series for ‘Orphan Black’

The other nominees were:

Claire Danes, “Homeland”

Viola Davis, “How to Get Away With Murder”

Taraji P. Henson, “Empire”

Keri Russell, “The Americans”

Robin Wright, “House of Cards”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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2016 Emmys sandwich update

(Amy Kaufman / Los Angeles Times)

The peanut butter and jelly sandwiches handed out at the Emmys were carted out in the familiar blue bags of a certain retail furniture giant.

Meanwhile Times reporter Gerrick Kennedy has the details about the sandwiches.

Follow our full coverage of the Emmys sandwich story here.

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Rami Malek wins lead actor in a drama series for ‘Mr. Robot’

The other nominees were:

Kyle Chandler, “Bloodline”

Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”

Matthew Rhys, “The Americans”

Liev Schreiber, “Ray Donovan”

Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Holland Taylor tweets her praise from afar to partner and Emmy-winner Sarah Paulson

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The last thing Sarah Paulson did before thanking everyone at the end of her acceptance speech was to tell her partner, Holland Taylor, that she loves her. As for Taylor, who was unable to attend tonight’s ceremony because she’s currently in New York, she’s been busy on Twitter tweeting at Paulson with all her heart.

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In the Emmy lobby: People continue to be unhappy about a ‘dry’ Emmys

Every star under the sun seems to be inside the Microsoft Theater for the Emmys, but the one thing all of that star power can’t get inside the room is booze.

“The Voice” host Carson Daly walked out to the lobby, Emmy in hand, and yelled to the bartender, “You guys selling beer out here?” Daly turned, disappointed and walked away.

Apparently, those juice boxes are all you get.

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Emmys photos: See the show highlights

Jill Soloway accepts the award for directing in a comedy series for her work on "Transparent."
Jill Soloway accepts the award for directing in a comedy series for her work on “Transparent.”
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus accepts the award for lead actress in a comedy series for "Veep."
Julia Louis-Dreyfus accepts the award for lead actress in a comedy series for “Veep.”
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang accept the award for writing for a comedy series for "Master of None."
Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang accept the award for writing for a comedy series for “Master of None.”
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

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What’s the biggest Emmy upset so far?

So far, things have been pretty predictable at the Emmys. But there have been a few unexpected names called.

We’re asking on Twitter: What’s been the biggest upset of the night so far?

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Hillary Clinton congratulates Kate McKinnon on Emmy win

“Saturday Night Live” cast member Kate McKinnon’s impersonations of Democratic presidential Hillary Clinton nominee no doubt contributed to her taking home the Emmy for best supporting actress in a comedy.

But Clinton is doling out congratulations. She tweeted her support with a GIF of the comedian in character.

And Clinton is not alone in her love for McKinnon.

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Ben Mendelsohn wins supporting actor in a drama series for ‘Bloodline’

The other nominees were:

Jonathan Banks, “Better Call Saul”

Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones”

Kit Harington, “Game of Thrones”

Michael Kelly, “House of Cards”

Jon Voight, “Ray Donovan”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Miguel Sapochnik wins directing for a drama series for ‘Game of Thrones’

The other nominees were:

Michael Engler, “Downton Abbey”

Jack Bender, “Game of Thrones”

Lesli Linka Glatter, “Homeland”

Steven Soderbergh, “The Knick”

David Hollander, “Ray Donovan”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Maggie Smith wins supporting actress in a drama series for ‘Downton Abbey’

The other nominees were:

Maura Tierney, “The Affair”

Lena Headey, “Game of Thrones”

Emilia Clarke, “Game of Thrones”

Maisie Williams, “Game of Thrones”

Constance Zimmer, “UnREAL”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Remember when Donald Trump sang ‘Green Acres’ at the 2006 Emmy Awards?

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump appeared with Megan Mullally (who was channeling her Karen Walker character from “Will & Grace”) at the 2006 Emmy Awards. Together they sang the “Green Acres” theme song that run from 1965 to 1971. That happened.

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Jeffrey Tambor: I’d like to be the last cisgender man playing a transgender woman

Actor Jeffrey Tambor, winner of Best Actor in a Comedy Series for 'Transparent', poses in the press room during the 68th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater.
(Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)

When Jeffrey Tambor took the Emmys stage Sunday night, accepting the award for best actor in a comedy series for his role as a transgender woman in “Transparent,” he made a statement: that cisgender men playing transgender women must stop. He doubled down on that thought backstage.

“I just hope there are more opportunities for transgender talent,” he said. “I would very much like to be the last cisgender male playing a transgender female. I think we are there now.”

But change comes slowly, even in Hollywood. To wit: Matt Bomer will be playing a transgender sex worker in the upcoming film “Anything.” (It’s executive produced by Mark Ruffalo.)

Transgender people have experienced unprecedented visibility in the last two years, aided in part by the success of folks like actress Laverne Cox and author Janet Mock. All too often however, the trans characters in mainstream media are not played by transgender people. Cox, on “Orange Is the New Black” is one of the few exceptions, and in her presentation of the directing in a variety special award, she echoed Tambor’s statement.

With his speech, Tambor joins a growing list of advocates for transgender people playing transgender characters on film and television.

“It would be one thing if trans people had told their stories for hundreds of years,” said writer/director/producer Jill Soloway, “but they haven’t. It’s really a problem. It’s time to hand out the keys to the kingdom and open the gates.”

Tambor’s speech was well-received on social media and among the trans community, many of whom have been advocating the same idea for years. Of note was Jen Richards, of the Emmy-nominated Web series “Her Story,” who openly critiqued the casting of Bomer earlier this year. Richards was recently cast on CMT’s “Nashville.” She’ll play the network’s first transgender character and be the first out transgender actor on the network.

“I really cried,” she tweeted, after watching the speech. “We are making a difference. Our voices do have power.”

And why is having trans people play trans characters important? Because representation matters.

For the record (Sept. 19, 12:23 a.m.): An earlier version of this post wrongly attributed to Jill Soloway’s quote to Jeffrey Tambor.

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David Benioff and D.B. Weiss win writing for a drama series for ‘Game of Thrones’

The other nominees were:

Joel Fields, Joe Weisberg, “The Americans”

Julian Fellowes, “Downton Abbey”

Robert King, Michelle King, “The Good Wife”

Sam Esmail, “Mr. Robot”

Marti Noxon, Sarah Gertrude Shapiro, “UnReal”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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‘Game of Thrones’ episode ‘Battle of the Bastards’ win took 25 days, $10 million-plus -- and a giant

“Battle of the Bastards,” the most ambitious “Game of Thrones” episode to date, ran up some impressive numbers on its way to the 2016 Emmy Awards. A sampling:

Bastards: 2

Armies: 2

Horses: 70-80

Giants: 1

Horses punched by giants: 1

Punches Jon Snow threw at Ramsay Bolton: 23

Days since Ramsay Bolton last fed his attack dogs: 7

Second chances Sansa Stark gave Ramsay Bolton: 0

Boltons remaining at end of episode: 0

Seriously, staging a $10-million-plus episode that takes viewers’ breath away means lots of people and other moving parts. Click the link below for more statistics from “Battle of the Bastards” and other epic “Game of Thrones” installments.

The biggest ‘Game of Thrones’ battles, by the numbers >>

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‘Key & Peele’ wins variety sketch series

The other nominees were:

“Documentary Now!”

“Drunk History”

“Inside Amy Schumer”

“Portlandia”

“Saturday Night Live”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Thomas Kail and Alex Rudzinski win directing for a variety special for ‘Grease: Live’

The other nominees were:

Beth McCarthy-Miller, “Adele Live in New York City”

Chris Rock, “Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo”

Louis J. Horvitz, “58th Grammy Awards”

Glenn Weiss, “The Kennedy Center Honors”

Kahlil Joseph, Beyoncé Knowles Carter, “Lemonade”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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‘Last Week Tonight With John Oliver’ wins variety talk series

The other nominees were:

“Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee”

“Jimmy Kimmel Live”

“The Late Late Show With James Corden”

“Real Time With Bill Maher”

“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Sterling K. Brown on his intense moments playing Christopher Darden in ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson’

Sterling K. Brown won the Emmy for supporting actor in a limited series for his role as Christopher Darden in “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.”

Awards columnist Glenn Whipp pointed out that Sterling K. Brown was the first Emmy winner to bring the audience to its feet.

“He seemed shell-shocked by the reaction. But not so much that he didn’t kill it with his speech. ‘Thanks for giving a brother a chance.’ He took that opportunity and delivered,” Whipp said.

Earlier this year, Brown sat down with us to talk about what it was like to play the character in those pivotal scenes. Watch:

VIDEO: Watch Sterling K. Brown, who plays Christopher Darden, talk about converging with his character in the glove scene of “The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.”

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Patton Oswalt wins writing for a variety special for ‘Patton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping’

The other nominees were:

Amy Schumer, “Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo”

John Mulaney, “John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid”

Tig Notaro, “Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted”

“Triumph’s Election Special 2016”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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What life is like behind bars for O.J. Simpson: Prisoner 1027820

O.J. Simpson in court in 2013.
(Julie Jacobson / Associated Press)

Prisoner 1027820 is treated in many ways like any other inmate at the Lovelock Correctional Center in Nevada: He gets the same standard issue blue uniform. He shares a bunk, toilet and sink with a cellmate. He rises around 6:30 a.m., eats an early breakfast — he likes cold cereal, with a muffin and fruit — then heads to his work shift.

He toils in the prison gym, cleaning equipment and mopping floors, four days a week. Like many older inmates, he contends with age and ailments, including bad knees, and he works out on weight machines regularly to stay fit. He also coaches prison sports teams, umpires games and recently became prison softball league commissioner.

But prisoner 1027820 isn’t just another inmate. He is O.J. Simpson: football legend and convicted felon serving nine to 33 years for armed robbery and kidnapping committed in 2007.

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‘The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story’ wins for limited series

The other nominees were:

“American Crime”

“Fargo”

“The Night Manager”

“Roots”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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‘Sherlock: The Abominable Bride’ wins for TV movie

The other nominees were:

“All the Way”

“Confirmation”

“Luther”

“A Very Murray Christmas”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Courtney B. Vance wins lead actor in a limited series or movie for ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson’

The other nominees were:

Bryan Cranston, “All the Way”

Benedict Cumberbatch, “Sherlock: The Abominable Bride”

Idris Elba, “Luther”

Cuba Gooding Jr., “The People v. O.J. Simpson”

Tom Hiddleston, “The Night Manager”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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What was really inside the ‘Stranger Things’ kids’ sandwiches? And did anyone eat them?

The audience at the Emmy Awards -- well, the audience that wasn’t in the balcony -- was treated to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apples, cookies and juice boxes on Sunday night, along with a note from Jimmy Kimmel’s mom reminding them to have fun and “Don’t get drunk.”

As the bags were distributed, the people handing them out advised the recipients that the bags contained both peanut butter and gluten. In Hollywood.

“Raise your hand if you have a gluten allergy,” Jimmy Kimmel said. “I just wanted America to see which of their favorite celebrities are the most annoying.”

He continued: “If you’re allergic to peanuts, I guess this is goodbye, because we could only afford one EpiPen.”

Emily Ratajkowski nibbled her PB&J, but Dennis Haskins -- Mr. Belding of “Saved by the Bell” -- went straight for his juice box and cookie. Then he pulled the sandwich out of the bag, but tossed it right back in.

Apparently, they were kind of stale?

The balcony just cheered. We are being delivered sandwiches.

The contents of the PB&J bags.
(Amy Kaufman / Los Angeles Times)
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Sarah Paulson wins lead actress in a limited series or movie for ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson’

The other nominees were:

Kirsten Dunst, “Fargo”

Felicity Huffman, “American Crime”

Audra McDonald, “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grille”

Lili Taylor, “American Crime”

Kerry Washington, “Confirmation”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Sterling K. Brown wins supporting actor in a limited series or movie for ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson’

The other nominees were:

Jesse Plemons, “Fargo”

Bokeem Woodbine, “Fargo”

Hugh Laurie, “The Night Manager”

David Schwimmer, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”

John Travolta, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Susanne Bier wins directing for a limited series, movie or special for ‘The Night Manager’

The other nominees were:

Jay Roach, “All the Way”

Noah Hawley, “Fargo”

Ryan Murphy, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”

Anthony Hemingway, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”

John Singleton, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Louie Anderson hopes ‘Baskets’ will help people embrace different families instead of labeling them ‘those weirdos’

Louie Anderson on the red carpet
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Backstage after his Emmy win for supporting actor in a comedy series, veteran stand-up comic Louie Anderson talked about his award and his show. “These are so much heavier than you think. But then again, so am I,” he quipped.

“Mostly I had this family who propelled me into this business because of the chaos I was raised in, and this was the outlet,” he continued. “I was lucky enough to find comedy. This is for my mother. I’m playing her, this is her award.”

This show is all about not fitting in and then fitting in perfectly. We live in a society of exclusion. When I was a kid we lined up in two lines—the projects line, which I was in, and then the rich kids line.    I hope Season 2 of ‘Baskets’ will help people see… different kinds of families and embrace those families instead of calling them ‘those weirdos’.  

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Regina King wins supporting actress in a limited series or movie for ‘American Crime’

The other nominees were:

Melissa Leo, “All the Way”

Sarah Paulson, “American Horror Story: Hotel”

Kathy Bates, “American Horror Story: Hotel”

Jean Smart, “Fargo”

Olivia Colman, “The Night Manager”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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D.V. DeVincentis wins for writing for a limited series, movie or special for ’The People v. O.J. Simpson’

The other nominees were:

Bob DeLaurentis, “Fargo”

Noah Hawley, “Fargo”

David Farr, “The Night Manager”

Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”

Joe Robert Cole, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Jill Soloway’s challenge for Hollywood...

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Julia Child explains how the Emmys work on stage in 1978

Famous chef, cookbook author and TV personality Julia Child took the tedious task of explaining how the Emmy Awards work and turned it into a recipe of sorts.

“Tonight we’re going to learn how to make, and serve, an Emmy,” she crooned from her makeshift Emmy kitchen on stage at the 1978 Emmy Awards.

What would today’s chefs look like up on that stage? Welcome to flavor town Emmys.

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Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Emmy win breaks the record

Julia Louis-Dreyfus made Emmy history Sunday night, winning her sixth award for comedy lead actress.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Our awards columnist Glenn Whipp called tonight’s win for Julia Louis-Dreyfus in his predictions.

By winning the Emmy -- her sixth for lead actress in a comedy, and her eighth Emmy overall -- the “Veep” star broke the record for most lead actress wins, breaking the three-way tie she held with Candice Bergen and Mary Tyler Moore.

Over on Twitter, you voted on which actress you thought should have been nominated in this category. 35% of respondents said they wished Gina Rodriguez of “Jane the Virgin” had been among the nominees.

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Kate McKinnon win sets Twitter fans on fire

Kate McKinnon’s Emmy win for outstanding supporting actress for a comedy had the Internet hot for Holtzmann.

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‘The Voice’ wins for reality competition program

The other nominees were:

“The Amazing Race”

“American Ninja Warrior”

“Dancing With the Stars”

“Project Runway”

“Top Chef”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Jeffrey Tambor wins lead actor in a comedy series for ‘Transparent’

The other nominees were:

Anthony Anderson, “black-ish”

Aziz Ansari, “Master of None”

Will Forte, “Last Man on Earth”

William H. Macy, “Shameless”

Thomas Middleditch, “Silicon Valley”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Emmys 2016 fashion: Best and worst looks

Best: Niecy Nash's curve-hugging old-school glam.
(Jay L. Clendenin, Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times )
Best: Priyanka Chopra's gown from Jason Wu.
(Jordan Strauss / AP)
Best: Rami Malek in Christian Dior.
(Jordan Strauss / AP (left); Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)
Worst: Anna Chlumsky's dress is reminiscent of a pink chenille bedspread from the Best Western on La Cienega Boulevard.
(Jordan Strauss / Associated Press)

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Wait, why didn’t Aziz Ansari give an acceptance speech?

Aziz Ansari.
(Jesse Dittmar / For The Times)

Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang won the Emmy tonight for writing in a comedy series for “Master of None,” but only Yang gave an acceptance speech. Why?

As host Jimmy Kimmel made vague reference to, boos broke out in the Microsoft Theater when Yang and Ansari were played offstage and the microphone was turned off before Ansari was able to deliver his remarks.

Here’s hoping that Ansari is able to share thoughts on his big win in the press room later.

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Julia Louis-Dreyfus wins lead actress in a comedy series for ‘Veep’

The other nominees were:

Ellie Kemper, “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”

Tracee Ellis Ross, “black-ish”

Laurie Metcalf, “Getting On”

Amy Schumer, “Inside Amy Schumer”

Lily Tomlin, “Grace and Frankie”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Tracee Ellis Ross is the first black lead comedy actress nominee in 30 years

Tracee Ellis Ross takes you inside “black-ish.”

First-time nominee Tracee Ellis Ross has already made Emmys history. She is the first African American nominee for lead actress in a comedy series in 30 years.

Ross is nominated for her portrayal of “black-ish” matriarch Dr. Rainbow “Bow” Johnson. Her costar Anthony Anderson is up for lead actor in a comedy series.

The last black actress nominated in this category was Phylicia Rashad, for playing Clair Huxtable on “The Cosby Show” in 1986.

The first and only black actress to win the lead comedy actress Emmy was Isabel Sanford of “The Jeffersons,” who won the award in 1981.

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Jill Soloway wins directing for a comedy series for ‘Transparent’

The other nominees were:

Aziz Ansari, “Master of None”

Alec Berg, “Silicon Valley”

Mike Judge, “Silicon Valley”

Dave Mandel, “Veep”

Chris Addison, “Veep”

Dale Stern, “Veep”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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In the Emmy lobby: Booze, no; bare feet, yes

What you didn’t see on TV: Audience members rushing out after the first commercial break, only to be disappointed to find they’re selling no alcohol in the venue after 4:30 p.m. Tatiana Maslany is wandering around barefoot, hiking up the skirt of her gown.

Unlike at the Golden Globes, where the bar is in the same room as the ceremony, leaving your seat at the Emmys is a commitment. Once you go into the lobby, you can’t return until after the commercial break, meaning you miss a ton of the show. You have to finish any food and non-alcoholic drink outside, too, which is so far causing a few fits. “Not even water?”

“Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris is biding his time, eating a turkey bacon wrap.

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Jimmy Kimmel’s opening Emmy monologue goes hard into the ‘O.J.’ cast

(Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

The Emmys kicked off with vintage footage of the notorious O.J. Simpson White Bronco chase, and host Jimmy Kimmel didnt’ waste time diving into the many nominations of “The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story,” urging anyone who didn’t have a Bronco (or a dragon) in their show to go home immediately.

The host quickly dubbed lead actress in a limited series nominee Sarah Paulson “the winner of tonight’s plus-one contest” for bringing Marcia Clark as her date.

“Because as everyone in L.A. knows,” he said, with the camera cutting to Clark and Paulson in the audience, “if you want to win, sit next to Marcia Clark.”

Yes, they laughed.

“Marcia, this must be very strange for you,” Kimmel said. “Are you rooting for O.J. to win this time?”

Kimmel also singled out star Cuba Gooding, Jr. for a zinger saying the lead actor nominee was so good he was starting to think that Gooding was actually guilty. Gooding got the bigger laugh with his reaction shot.

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Kate McKinnon wins supporting actress in a comedy for ‘Saturday Night Live’

The other nominees were:

Niecy Nash, “Getting On”

Allison Janney, “Mom”

Judith Light, “Transparent”

Gaby Hoffmann, “Transparent”

Anna Chlumsky, “Veep”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang win writing for a comedy series for ‘Master of None’

The other nominees were:

Rob Delaney, Sharon Horgan, “Catastrophe”

Dan O’Keefe, “Silicon Valley”

Alec Berg, “Silicon Valley”

David Mandel, “Veep”

Alex Gregory, Peter Huyck, “Veep”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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Louie Anderson wins for supporting actor in a comedy for ‘Baskets’

The other nominees were:

Andre Braugher, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”

Keegan-Michael Key, “Key & Peele”

Ty Burrell, “Modern Family”

Tituss Burgess, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”

Tony Hale, “Veep”

Matt Walsh, “Veep”

See the full list of winners and nominees here.

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‘Carpool Karaoke’ has an Emmy and it had to beat out only Beyonce, Adele and Amy Schumer to get it

James Corden.
(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

“The Late Late Show With James Corden” has created a viral video hit machine with the recurring feature “Carpool Karaoke,” which pairs Corden with the hottest musical celebrities (and First Lady Michelle Obama) and sends them bombing around town while participating in infectiously entertaining sing-alongs.

And now “Carpool Karaoke” has an Emmy of its very own.

But how?

“Carpool Karaoke” won the Emmy for variety special, thanks to a special prime-time edition that aired March 29. It repackaged some of the segment’s greatest hits, including appearances by Adele and Elton John, along with new video from Corden’s karaoke session with Jennifer Lopez.

What’s interesting about the “Carpool Karaoke” win is that although material that often amounts to a clip show will often score a nomination in variety special, as the “Best of Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Primetime Special” did in 2014, it rarely takes home the prize.

Maybe it was a particularly weak year for the category?

Maybe. But let’s look at the other nominees.

Adele.
(Sascha Steinbach / Getty Images)

“Adele Live in New York City”

Adele, one of the most popular performers in the world (so much so that her “Carpool Karaoke” segment with Corden has scored over 127 million views on YouTube), aired a concert on NBC in December that was recorded from a November performance at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Amy Schumer.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

“Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo”

Amy Schumer has an Emmy-winning TV series with “Inside Amy Schumer,” a bestselling book with “The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo” and an October HBO comedy special directed by Chris Rock and recorded at the Apollo Theater.

“Lemonade”

“Lemonade” was a visually audacious one-hour film aired by HBO and served as an accompaniment to global superstar Beyoncé’s album of the same name. The film was a mystery until it aired on April 23, at which point it launched the album and Beyoncé’s subsequent world tour.

Aretha Franklin.
(Molly Riley/AFP/Getty Images)

“The Kennedy Center Honors”

“The Kennedy Center Honors” which s regularly nominated for variety special, and often wins, was particularly notable this year, due in large part to a incandescent performance by living legend Aretha Franklin, who performed the soul classic “(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman” to honor songwriter Carole King, one of the night’s nominees.

So what gave “Carpool Karaoke” the edge it needed to defeat such a formidable list of foes? It’s impossible to say. Maybe it was just the right feel-good hit at the right time. Either way, check out Corden crooning with Lopez below and marvel at the Emmy goodness.

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Sarah Paulson and Marcia Clark are the cutest couple on the carpet

(Jordan Strauss / Associated Press)

“Marcia Clark” and Marcia Clark hit the red carpet together Sunday, “The People v. O.J. Simpson” actress Sarah Paulson and the woman who inspired her Emmy-nominated performance.

(Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
(Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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Has ‘Silicon Valley’ made Thomas Middleditch afraid of the Internet?

Starring on HBO’s tech-centric “Silicon Valley” hasn’t ruined the Internet for Thomas Middleditch. However, he’s definitely skeptical about that Snapchat.

Thomas Middleditch talks about the internet.

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Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan of ‘Catastrophe,’ Tatiana Maslany of ‘Orphan Black’ beat the heat on the Emmys red carpet

In case you haven’t noticed while watching the red carpet at the Emmys, it’s hot.

Braving the heat on Sunday, the Emmy-nominated Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney of the Amazon series “Catastrophe” were asked if the couple they play would watch the Emmys. “They’d definitely watch it if they were awake,” Horgan said after a moment, cooling herself with a fan provided by The Times. Delaney interjected: “I think they’d watch clips. Maybe on latimes.com.”

Not a bad idea, frankly. Watch Horgan’s fan skills in the clip below followed by a similar moment with the Emmy-nominated “Orphan Black” star Tatiana Maslany, who also took us up on our offer of a fan while making her way inside the Microsoft Theater.

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Emmy nominees are just as obsessed with TV as we are

Courtney B. Vance.
(Christina House / For The Times)

Obsessed with television? So are some of the Emmy nominees. At the Emmy Performers Nominee Reception held Friday night, Courtney B. Vance (“The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”) and Carrie Preston (“The Good Wife”) shared some of the shows they’re currently obsessed with.

‘Homeland.’ Claire Danes. That’s my show. 

— Courtney B. Vance, supporting actor nominee, limited series, ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story’

I think two of the greatest shows that I’m into right now are ‘The Americans’ and ‘Mr. Robot.’ I think this might be ‘The Americans’’ year.

— Carrie Preston, guest actress nominee, drama series, ‘The Good Wife’

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Cream colors steal the Emmys fashion spotlight from the traditional jewel-tone gowns

Felicity Huffman, Jessica Seinfeld, Tracee Ellis Ross and Rachel Smith stop on the red carpet at Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
(Los Angeles Times / Getty Images / Associated Press / EPA)

At any awards show, jewel tones are often staples of the red carpet. That’s the case at the Emmys, but lighter colors including cream and white gowns and dresses should be given their due.

And more important, they are smart sartorial approaches given the temperatures in Los Angeles today, and these light colors also up the elegance factor.

Standout lighter-color looks are being worn this evening by Heidi Klum in Michael Kors, Niecy Nash, Emily Robinson, Rachel Smith and Judith Light.

There also were soft rose gowns worn by a number of stars and TV personalities including Giuliana Rancic and Debbie Matenopoulos.

Judith Light, Heidi Klum, Niecy Nash, Felicity Huffman and Emily Robinson opt for lighter colors to wear to the Emmys.
(Los Angeles Times / Associated Press / Getty )
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Emilia Clarke’s sinister promise for ‘Game of Thrones’’ new season: ‘Expect less people’

(Yvonne Villarreal / Los Angeles Times)

Emilia Clarke of “Game of Thrones” said Sunday that it doesn’t feel like the epic fantasy drama -- which has two seasons to go -- is winding down.

“I’m doing the show now,” she said. “I’m not thinking about that. It’s winding down, but I’m working.”

So what can fans expect in the seventh and eighth seasons? “It’s insane...,” the queen of dragons said.

“You can expect less people.”

Clarke is up tonight for supporting actress in a drama.

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How to watch the Emmys online

68th Emmy Awards host Jimmy Kimmel.
(Rich Fury / Invision/AP)

Can’t get to a TV tonight to watch the Emmys? ABC’s got you covered.

The 68th Primetime Emmy Awards show kicks off live starting at 5 p.m. Pacific Time for West Coast viewers and ABC will be streaming the ceremony online. Just head over to its streaming page and be ready to log in. AT&T U-Verse, Cox, DirecTV, Dish Network and Verizon are among the TV providers whose credentials will give you access.

If you’re on mobile, you can also download the ABC app from the appropriate app store.

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‘American Ninja Warrior’s’ Jessie Graff vs. the Emmys red carpet -- Graff wins!

"American Ninja Warrior" contestant and "Supergirl" stuntwoman Jessie Graff.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams fan Ty Burrell will be changing into a tux in a car from the Coliseum

Ty Burrell gives his acceptance speech after winning a SAG award for outstanding male actor in a comedy series.
Ty Burrell gives his acceptance speech after winning a SAG award for outstanding male actor in a comedy series.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Ty Burrell, the actor who plays Phil Dunphy on ABC’s “Modern Family,” has an unusual doubleheader today.

The lifelong Rams fan will go from watching the team once known as “The Greatest Show on Turf” to a ceremony honoring the greatest shows on television.

Burrell is going to the first half of the Rams’ historic home opener, then scrambling to the Emmy Awards.

“I don’t think I’ve ever changed into a tuxedo in a car before,” said Burrell, 49. “Though if you’d asked me before ‘Modern Family,’ I would have answered that I’d never changed into a tuxedo anywhere before.”

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Red carpet photos: See all of the glam

Katherine Hahn
Katherine Hahn
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Nancy O'Dell and Mario Lopez.
Nancy O’Dell and Mario Lopez.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Despite the stifling heat, stars hit the Emmys red carpet wearing velvet

Despite a sweltering day in Los Angeles, velvet -- yes, velvet -- was one of the fashion staples on the Emmys red carpet.

Kathryn Hahn, Trevor Jackson, Tori Kelly and Brad Goreski each wore the fabric in several striking if not eye-catching looks that oozed style. As you can see, Jackson wore velvet from head to toe.

With L.A.’s sometimes unpredictable weather, velvet might be best saved for the Golden Globes.

Kathryn Hahn, left, Brad Goreski, Trevor Jackson and Tori Kelly arrive at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Associated Press / Getty Images)

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‘Orphan Black’ cast rolls to the Emmys in an Uber and other ‘Emmys, here we come’ moments

Wonder how TV’s biggest stars get to the Emmys? Don’t worry, many of the stars took to social media to share their journey to TV’s biggest night.

Casts that carpool together stay together

Some of the “Orphan Black” cast members shared an Uber to the Emmys.

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Emmy nominee Jonathan Banks of ‘Better Call Saul’ is excited for two things: dinner and for alcohol

Jonathan Banks of "Better Call Saul"
(Yvonne Villareal / Los Angeles Times)

Heading to the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards, veteran character actor Jonathan Banks of “Better Call Saul” knows how to manage expectations.

A four-time nominee for his work as a supporting actor on the ‘80s drama “Wiseguy” as well as his recent work on “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” Banks is only excited about two things tonight.

“I’ve lost three times,” Banks said on the Emmys red carpet. “What am I going to look forward to? I’m in this thing for the dinner and for alcohol.”

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Amy Schumer is getting ready for the Emmys ‘Secret of the Nimh’ style

By the time they hit the red carpet, Hollywood’s hottest are gorgeous. Beforehand? Not so much.

Eyepatches appear to be a necessity, because just about everyone on their way to the hot, hot red carpet prepped with patches. A style that comedian Amy Schumer points out makes her look like the Great Owl from “Secret of the Nimh.”

Check out more not-ready-for-primetime beauty regimen looks here.

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Despite the ‘Unreal’ connection, Shiri Appleby doesn’t watch ‘Bachelor’

(Yvonne Villarreal / Los Angeles Times)

Playing a reality TV producer on Lifetime’s “Unreal” has made Shiri Appleby acutely aware of what it takes to run a show. So what would she do if she were running the Emmys red carpet?

“I would get the misters out,” to cool people down, she said. “There would be lots of misters.”

And here’s a twist, although Appleby’s “Unreal” character is also all about managing the “suitor,” the actress said she doesn’t actually watch “The Bachelor,” the dating competition that looms large in her series. But, she added, that’s “no reflection on the show.”

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Emmys snubs: Who got overlooked for tonight’s awards?

Many deserving shows and actors will take home trophies tonight. But plenty more weren’t nominated.

Before the broadcast starts, we’re doing polls from our Twitter account (@latimes) where you can weigh in on which stars and shows you think were overlooked. Here are the first two:

See our full list of the Emmys snubs and surprises here.

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Live from the Emmys red carpet: All the hot, hot award show details

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

Can’t get enough of the Primetime Emmy Awards? We’re reporting to you live from the smoldering red carpet. And things are coming in hot, because it’s sweltering at the Microsoft Theater.

Los Angeles Times reporters are on the carpet, in the Microsoft Theater, backstage at the show, at parties, on social media and elsewhere covering the evening’s events as they happen. Click here to follow the L.A. Times Emmys team on Twitter.

Follow our crew inside the action and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at all the glamour and drama behind the winged lady of gold.

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When will the Emmys join the TV revolution?

It’s time for the Emmys to enter the brave new world that it celebrates.

For years, the Television Academy has waged a battle against the opposing forces of space and time. While the number and types of television have multiplied at a near-laughable rate (Starbucks is now streaming its own original series, for heaven’s sake), the Emmys telecast has doggedly attempted to shoehorn a rapidly expanding universe into the same format it has used since the days of rabbit ears and three networks.

Why?

Why, in this great age of exploration, when the walls have come down and the ceiling shot through, do the Emmys continue to insist that all it needs is a little paint and a few throw pillows to spruce up this three-hour anachronism?

If television can support anthology series, limited series, television events, television movies, docudramas, docuseries, two versions of Sherlock Holmes and eight ways of looking at O.J. Simpson, it can certainly withstand a creative revamp of its three-hour-long awards ceremony.

Which, despite television’s increasing domination of popular culture, and the intense opinions it inspires, last year drew its smallest audience ever (11 million viewers).

Clearly something has to be done.

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This is what happened when Tituss Burgess met RuPaul

(Libby Hill/Los Angeles Times)

“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” star Tituss Burgess met RuPaul for the first time on Friday night’s red carpet for the Emmy Performers Nominee Reception and felt compelled to honor the event with total supplication.

Perhaps he was inspired by Rupaul’s amazing acceptance speech?

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Who will host Jimmy Kimmel thank if he wins the variety talk series Emmy?

(Rich Fury / Invision)

When late-night favorite Jimmy Kimmel takes the stage at tonight’s Emmy Awards, it’ll be his second time hosting the ceremony for television’s biggest night. Recalling the first gig in 2012, he’s armed with lessons to make this year’s show the best it can be.

“[They’re] mostly little things you learn about what works and how to approach the show and how prepared you need to be going in,” he said. “The last time, we shot a big chunk of the show the day of. I decided that was a bad idea and we should never do that again.”

Kimmel is also a nominee for best variety talk series. He hopes to take home the statue, but “we probably won’t,” he said.

“But if we do win, unlike the other nominees, I’m going to give my Emmy to the poor, the people who don’t have Emmys. That’s what separates me apart from the other [nominees].”

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‘Game of Thrones’ has already won 9 Emmys this year and the night hasn’t even started yet

“Game of Thrones” led the pack in Emmy nominations this year by earning 23 nods overall, ahead of “The People v. O.J. Simpson” and “Fargo” (which earned 22 and 18 nominations, respectively).

HBO’s fantasy epic also has an early lead in total wins going into the night having scored nine wins in the Creative Arts Emmy categories that were awarded earlier. “The People v. O.J. Simpson” also already has four awards.

This brings “Game of Thrones’” Emmy haul to 35 overall wins, officially crowning the gang from Westeros with the title of most overall Emmy wins for a drama series.

And tonight their reign may stretch even further. The show only trails “Frasier” and “Saturday Night Live” in overall wins. The Seattle-set sitcom earned 37 Emmys during its run, and “SNL” has racked up 44 wins so far in its 41 seasons and has a couple of chances to add to its collection tonight as well.

But first, the cast mates must battle each other for gold.

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The variety series was split in two so “Real Time with Bill Maher” didn’t have to compete with “Drunk History”

"The Daily Show's" Jon Stewart at the 2015 Emmy Awards.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

This year marks the second year that Emmy Awards will be given out for two separate variety series categories: variety talk series and variety sketch series. Yes, until 2015 “Saturday Night Live” and “The Daily Show” were competing for the same award. And “The Daily Show” won. A lot.

“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” in fact, won 10 consecutive variety series awards from 2003-2012, only to be dethroned by its sibling show, “The Colbert Report,” in 2013. “Colbert” won again in 2014, right before the category was split in two.

Late-night talk shows had dominated the variety series nominations, leaving no room for shows such as “Inside Amy Schumer,” “Key and Peele” and “Portlandia” to be recognized, no matter how popular or critically acclaimed.

Thankfully, the Television Academy realized trying to compare “Real Time with Bill Maher” to “Drunk History” didn’t quite make sense.

In 2015, “Inside Amy Schumer” won the very first variety sketch series Emmy and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” returned to the top one last time by winning the first variety talk series award for its final season.

With neither “The Daily Show” nor “The Colbert Report” in the running for 2016’s variety talk series award (the latter also having ended its run last year), can former “Daily Show” correspondent John Oliver keep it in the family by winning for “Last Week Tonight,” or is it the dawning of a new era?

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Allison Janney and Julia Louis-Dreyfus can make Emmys history tonight

Allison Janney and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
(Kirk McKoy, Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Allison Janney and Julia Louis-Dreyfus are seven-time Emmy winners up for awards tonight, and each of their wins would mark different historical milestones.

Janney is up for supporting actress in a comedy series — a category she has won the last two years — for her role in “Mom.” She previously won four Emmys for playing C.J. Cregg in “The West Wing,” as well as an one for guest acting in a drama series for “Masters of Sex” (a category in which she was nominated again this year, but the award went to Margo Martindale for her work in “The Americans”).

If Janney pulls off the (expected) three-peat for her eighth overall win, she would match the record held by Cloris Leachman for the most Primetime Emmy acting awards.

Louis-Dreyfus, on the other hand, is up for lead actress in a comedy series for the fifth time in a row for “Veep.” Having won the previous four awards, she is also considered a front-runner.

Though an award for Louis-Dreyfus would also be her eighth, one of the previous seven was “Veep’s” best comedy series award from 2015 (she is a producer on the show).

If Louis-Dreyfus does win for lead comedy actress, however, she would break the record she shares with Candice Bergen and Mary Tyler Moore for the most wins in that category. The current record is five (in addition to her “Veep” wins, Louis-Dreyfus has won for her role in “The New Adventures of Old Christine”).

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After 17 nominations, Amy Poehler won her first Emmy this year (but there’s a twist)

It took 17 nominations, but Amy Poehler finally has an Emmy. And she’s not alone.

Poehler’s nominations have all come in the last eight years, beginning with a nod for supporting actress in a comedy for her work on “Saturday Night Live” in 2008, and continuing with nominations for her work as an actor, writer and producer on “Parks and Recreation,” as well as her contributions while hosting the Golden Globe Awards presentation with Tina Fey.

But it wasn’t until last week’s Creative Arts Emmys that Poehler received an Emmy to call her own. Nominated for hosting an episode of “Saturday Night Live” last December, Poehler took home the award for guest actress in a comedy series. And so did Fey.

Fey and Poehler cohosted that episode of “SNL” and, for the first time in Emmy history, they were named joint winners in a performance category, after submitting together and sharing a nomination slot.

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Which awards will actually be handed out tonight?

Though all the nominations for the Primetime Emmy Awards are announced on the same day, the awards themselves are handed out at separate ceremonies. This year, the Creative Arts Emmys were handed out Sept. 10 and 11.

These are all the categories for awards that will be handed out tonight:

Drama series

Comedy series

Limited series

TV movie

Variety talk series

Variety sketch series

Reality competition series

Lead actress in a drama

Lead actor in a drama

Lead actress in a comedy

Lead actor in a comedy

Lead actress in a limited series or TV movie

Lead actor in a limited series or TV movie

Supporting actress in a drama

Supporting actor in a drama

Supporting actress in a comedy

Supporting actor in a comedy

Supporting actress in a limited series or TV movie

Supporting actor in a limited series or TV movie

Writing for a drama series

Writing for a comedy series

Writing for a limited series or TV movie

Writing for a variety special

Directing for a drama series

Directing for a comedy series

Directing for a limited series or TV movie

Directing for a variety special

You can check out the full list of nominees (as well as who’s won so far) here.

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There’s still a chance for ‘Lemonade’ to take home an Emmy

Seat cards await the stars who will attend the Emmy Awards.
Seat cards await the stars who will attend the Emmy Awards.
(Callaghan O’Hare / Los Angeles Times)

Viewers hoping to see Beyoncé sweeping on stage to accept awards for her HBO special “Lemonade” will have single opportunity for that to happen at Sunday night’s festivities, as most of the categories in which “Lemonade” scored recognition were awarded at last week’s Creative Arts Emmy ceremonies.

How many awards has the film taken home?

Well, none yet.

Though “Lemonade” earned four nominations, for variety special, directing, editing and production, it went home empty-handed from the Creative Arts ceremonies.

If fans are hoping to see Queen Bey reign, they’ll have to hope she triumphs in the category of directing a variety special, in which she’s nominated with director Kahlil Joseph.

For the Record: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that “Lemonade” was no longer eligible for additional Emmys.

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‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’s’ writing team is quite self-aware; their acceptance speech proves it

Last week tonight, ahem, “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” won an Emmy for writing in a variety series, extending the influence of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” into the post-Stewart era.

“We wrote a speech, but we’re ‘Last Week Tonight,’ so it’s 20 minutes long and has the f-word in it 52 times,” said show writer Jeff Maurer last Sunday as he accepted the award with the HBO show’s writing team on the second night of the Creative Arts Emmys.

Since 2001, the category (which until 2012 was defined as writing for a variety, music or comedy series) has been dominated by Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with John Stewart” and its spawn “The Colbert Report,” with nine wins for the former and four for the latter. Both of those shows are now off the air.

This year’s “Last Week” win makes it four Emmys on Oliver’s mantle. The other three writing awards were for his work on -- you guessed it -- “The Daily Show.” And representing “Colbert”? Fellow “Last Week” writer Scott Sherman.

For the record: An earlier version of this story attributed the quote to John Oliver, who wasn’t at the Creative Arts Emmys.

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Tom Hiddleston, already a winner, discusses his ‘Rear of the Year’ award for ‘The Night Manager’

Tom Hiddleston wasn’t sure if he’d win an Emmy for “The Night Manager,” but he’s been honored with a ‘Rear of the Year’ award for his sex scene in it.

I’m just happy it happened ... Sometimes the universe hands you something on a plate which you didn’t expect and, for me, it was the Rear of the Year award.

— Tom Hiddleston

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW >>

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‘Grease: Live’ cast caught their Emmy-winning moment on camera

“Grease: Live” was greased lightning at the Creative Arts Emmys last weekend, taking home four Emmys out of the 10 total nominations for the live-action musical.

Actor Carlos PenaVega, who played Kenickie to Vanessa Hudgens’ Rizzo, got the celebration on video. Secretly recording on his phone, PenaVega posted the video of Morgan Freeman announcing the big win for outstanding special class program.

For one night, at least, “Grease” truly was the word.

But how did the cast and crew pull off a multi-stage, live musical in the rain? The LA. Times was behind-the-scenes at the re-creation of Rydell High.

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RuPaul’s Emmy acceptance speech served Hollywood with hilarious realness

(Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)

RuPaul’s Emmy acceptance speech has already set a pretty high bar for all other primetime winners.

“Earlier this year, I was quoted as saying I’d rather have an enema than an Emmy,” the star of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” said Sept. 11 in accepting the statue for outstanding host of a reality or reality-competition show at the Creative Arts Emmys, “but thanks to the Television Academy, I can have both!”

Creative Arts Emmys: Amy Poehler finally wins >>

The Logo host, who joins the ranks of mainstream Emmy winners including Jeff Probst of “Survivor” and Tom Bergeron of “Dancing with the Stars,” got a bit more emotional backstage after the win started to sink in.

“I think about all the kids who watch this show all over the world who finally have an emotional navigation system ... ,” the 35-year veteran of the biz told “Entertainment Tonight,” barely holding back tears as his voice cracked. “I think I’m the most proud of that.”

Here’s a clip of the acceptance speech, shot by “Drag Race” fixture Michelle Visage, below.

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How ‘Jessica Jones’ gave Marvel TV its first Emmy in 2016

“Jessica Jones” made some history at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony on Sept. 10 when it became Marvel’s first “Emmy Award-winning” TV series.

The show’s composer, Sean Callery, was awarded the Emmy for original main title theme music, beating out the themes for fellow Netflix series “Narcos” and “Sense 8” as well as “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “The Night Manager” and “The Whispers.”

It’s good to see that the Television Academy recognized the Hugo and Peabody-winning show — acclaimed for tackling the complexities of power, consent and everyday sexism — for something.

“Jessica Jones” was also nominated for main title design, and “Daredevil” got nods for sound editing and stunt coordination for a drama series, limited series or TV movie, giving Marvel shows a total of four Emmy nominations this year.

Marvel shows, including “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,” have tallied nine overall Emmy nominations, but “Jessica Jones” brought home the first win.

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Emmy-winning director of ‘What Happened, Miss Simone?’ keeps her award travel on brand

Liz Garbus, who helmed “What Happened, Miss Simone?” for Netflix and was among the doc’s producers, took home a Creative Arts Emmy Award for outstanding documentary or nonfiction special.

So here’s what happened Sunday when she documented said Emmy’s flight home: Going through a checkpoint at LAX, she snapped a picture of her shiny new trinket in a TSA bin advertising the new season of “Narcos,” which is also on Netflix.

Complete list of 2016 nominees and winners >>

Nice product placement, Ms. Garbus. It’s not as if she could’ve slipped it past the metal detector, and it certainly didn’t slip past Twitter.

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Emmy predictions: Look for ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Veep’ to repeat as winners

Yes, yes, television has never been better. I know. I know! But while figuring out a way to binge-watch shows while I’m asleep, a stray thought keeps popping into my brain. Why, if there is so much great TV, do the Emmys often reward the same shows and performances over and over again?

The reruns are probably going to happen anew on Sunday, with “Game of Thrones” and “Veep” repeating as series winners. Who else will be hoisting gold trophies? Here are my final predictions in the key categories.

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Complete list of 2016 Emmy nominations and winners

Here is the complete rundown of all the nominations, wins, losses and surprises surrounding the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards.

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Know your ‘American’ TV: A quick guide to the four Emmy-nominated shows with ‘American’ in the title

There are a lot of roads you can take to earning an Emmy nomination, but one of the easiest in 2016 seems to be slapping the word “American” in the title.

Though there are plenty of nonfiction shows that have found success with their “American” branding, like reality shows “American Ninja Warrior” and “American Idol,” as well as historical explorations like “American Masters” and “American Experience,” they really can’t compare to the sheer dominance displayed by 2016’s crop of scripted dramas, all of which look to capture a singularly American experience.

Here’s a quick primer to help explain these “American” tales, which have amassed an astounding 49 Emmy nominations between them:

“The Americans”

What’s it about?

Two married Russian spies attempt to raise a family and protect the Motherland while posing as an all-American family during the heart of the Cold War.

Was it nominated for an Emmy?

Yes, five.

Is it on FX?

It is!

Does it involve murder?

Often, yes. Spycraft is a messy business.

Is it an ongoing series or anthology series?

It’s ongoing and has been renewed for two final seasons.

Does it involve the fundamental decay of American society as we know it?

Absolutely. The 1980s were a difficult time for everyone involved.

“American Horror Story: Hotel”

What’s it about?

It’s complicated. Suffice it to say, it involves a mysterious Los Angeles hotel owned by a fabulous bloodsucking (literally) owner and populated with weirdos and serial killers.

Was it nominated for an Emmy?

Yes, eight.

Is it on FX?

Indeed.

Does it involve murder?

So much murder.

Is it an ongoing series or anthology series?

It’s an anthology series featuring recurring cast members, including the often Emmy-nominated Sarah Paulson and Kathy Bates. Previous iterations include “AHS: Murder House” (about a murder house); “AHS: Asylum” (about an asylum); “AHS: Coven” (about witches); and “AHS: Freak Show” (you get it). Last week, “American Horror Story: My Roanoke Nightmare” premiered. It’s about Roanoke.

Does it involve the fundamental decay of American society as we know it?

It’s a Ryan Murphy show so... yes.

“The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”

What’s it about?

The slayings of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman and the pursuant murder trial of former NFL great and commercial pitchman O.J. Simpson

Was it nominated for an Emmy?

Yes, all of them. OK, not quite, but it did collect 22 nominations.

Is it on FX?

And how!

Does it involve murder?

The double killing at its center serves as the catalyst not only for the show, but for the country watching the aftermath play out.

Is it an ongoing series or anthology series?

It’s an anthology series with intentions, like “American Horror Story” to explore new stories with a repertory of actors. Season 2 will focus on Hurricane Katrina.

Does it involve the fundamental decay of American society as we know it?

It depends how you classify the rise of the 24-hour news cycle and the reign of the Kardashians, but probably yes.

“American Crime”

What’s it about?

The latest season focused on a sexual assault and the repercussions that developed throughout the school and community where it took place.

Was it nominated for an Emmy?

Yes, a whopping 14.

Is it on FX?

Surprisingly, no. It airs on ABC.

Does it involve murder?

This season did not, though the first season did.

Is it an ongoing series or anthology series?

It’s an anthology series that features a recurring cast of players, including Timothy Hutton, Regina King and Felicity Huffman.

Does it involve the fundamental decay of American society as we know it?

Sort of. More accurately, it depicts the common miscommunications that take place when society lets preconceived notions about gender, race and class dictate actions.

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Watch the eerie title sequence that landed ‘The Man in the High Castle’ its Emmy for main title design

It’s not easy to create television opening credits that both capture the tenor of your show while also being engrossing in their own right, but Amazon’s “The Man in the High Castle” pulled it off with aplomb. The effort took home the Emmy for main title design at last week’s Creative Arts Emmy ceremony.

Creative director Patrick Clair, designer Paul Kim, CG artist Jose Limon and animator Raoul Marks were all awarded for their work on the main title, which features a borderline sinister, almost otherworldly version of “Edelweiss” by Swedish singer Jeanette Olsson over imagery of a United States that lost World War II.

Check out the sequence below.

“The Man in the High Castle” returns Dec. 16 for a second season.

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What time are the Emmys? All you need to know about TV’s biggest night

2016 Emmy Awards host Jimmy Kimmel (center) rolls out the red carpet with Television Academy Chairman/CEO Bruce Rosenblum (left), executive producer Don Mischer (right) and Guillermo Rodriguez.
2016 Emmy Awards host Jimmy Kimmel (center) rolls out the red carpet with Television Academy Chairman/CEO Bruce Rosenblum (left), executive producer Don Mischer (right) and Guillermo Rodriguez.
(Callaghan O’Hare / Los Angeles Times)

The who, what, where, why and when of the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards. Everything you need to know about the show which will air live today on ABC at 8 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Pacific.

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Emmys 2016 | Play-at-home ballot

Will your favorites go home Emmy winners? Make your picks here for 2016 Emmy winners, then save and share on Facebook and Twitter. Once the winners are announced, check back and see how you did.

Full Ballot Here

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