The 75th Annual Emmy Awards: A Night of Nostalgia, Diversity, and Record-Breaking Wins

A Night of Nostalgia and Near-Sweeps

After a four-month delay prompted by Hollywood's twin actors and writers strikes, the 75th annual Emmy Awards finally got around to a night teeming with nostalgia and near-sweeps, with 'Succession,' 'The Bear,' and 'Beef' dominating their respective categories.

Kieran Culkin accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama for "Succession."

'Succession' and 'The Bear' each took home six awards Sunday, with 'Beef' right behind them at five. The HBO drama received its third Emmy in four seasons for its swan-song year, having been deprived a win only opposite the last season of another HBO heavyweight, 'Game of Thrones.'

'Succession' filled out its total with wins for Kieran Culkin and Sarah Snook - each of whom stepped up into the lead category this year after previously submitting themselves as supporting players. They delivered teary-eyed acceptance speeches (Culkins after a kiss from fellow nominee Brian Cox), and were joined by two-time winner Mathew Macfadyen, with additional nods for writing and directing.

'The Bear,' meanwhile, ranked as this year's most-honored program with 10 awards in all, including four previous wins at the Creative Arts Emmys, primarily devoted to technical areas, like cinematography and sound.

Streaming Services Battle and Diversity

With 'Succession' and 'The Last of Us' as anchors, HBO easily topped the battle for bragging rights among individual programming services - a feat the network has achieved all but once for more than 20 years, interrupted by Netflix's record-tying 44 Emmys in 2021. (The two also tied in 2018.)

Overall, HBO Max amassed 31 statuettes this awards cycle, followed by Netflix with 22, and 16 for FX. Streaming services Apple TV+ and Disney+ followed with 10 and nine, respectively. Yet the evening stood out in several ways, including its diversity, with a number of Black and Asian winners, the latter thanks to the Netflix limited series 'Beef,' honored with five awards on Monday, including stars Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, writing and directing.

Ali Wong embraces "Beef" co-star Steven Yeun after he wins the award for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie at Monday's Emmy Awards. Wong also won for her performance in the series.

Celebrating History and Industry Impact

Emmy producers sought to tap into nostalgia tied to the 75th anniversary, sprinkling mini-show reunions in the form of presenter pairings and nods to the medium's history throughout the telecast. The show got off to an emotional start, with standing ovations for Christina Applegate (who has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis) and TV legend Carol Burnett, and moving acceptance speeches by Quinta Brunson and Ayo Edebiri for 'Abbott Elementary' - a rare broadcast series still able to compete for awards attention - and 'The Bear,' respectively.

Quinta Brunson accepting the award for lead actress in a comedy at Monday's Emmy Awards.

In a history-making moment, Elton John also joined the elite ranks of EGOTs - those who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony - for his Disney+ farewell-concert special.

John Oliver, winner of outstanding scripted variety series with "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," speaks onstage at Monday's Emmy Awards.