Sunday night’s 77th Primetime Emmy Awards featured many notable highlights, including Hannah Einbinder’s passionate speech advocating for Palestine and Tramell Tillman’s historic win as the first Black actor to be honored with Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
However, some of the most captivating interactions unfolded away from the cameras. Deadline had a front-row seat to the evening’s events, capturing the behind-the-scenes moments that became highlights of the night.
Stephen Colbert Shines in the Spotlight
When The Late Show host Stephen Colbert took the stage to present the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, he was met with a thunderous applause and an impressive 30-second standing ovation. As he received the accolade for Outstanding Talk Series later, the excitement only grew, with chants of “Stephen! Stephen!” echoing from the crowd.
Heartfelt Moments Between Stars
After performing a skit in Nate Bargatze’s opening, SNL‘s Bowen Yang rushed to hug Somebody Somewhere‘s Jeff Hiller, who later celebrated winning his first Emmy. Additionally, Sterling K. Brown, despite an Achilles injury, was a trooper, receiving visits from fellow stars who offered their support.
A Bustling Lobby Scene
The lobby of Downtown L.A.’s Peacock Theater buzzed with excitement, featuring a mix of stars grabbing refreshments. Celebrity sightings included Taika Waititi, Rita Ora, and cast members from The White Lotus, enjoying snacks during commercial breaks.
Pedro Pascal’s Popularity
One of the biggest draws of the evening was The Last of Us nominee Pedro Pascal, who spent the night mingling with stars like Martin Short and Cate Blanchett, making the rounds among the elite of television.
Applause and Acknowledgments
The audience’s reactions were telling, with booing during a mention of Congress’ defunding of public broadcasting, contrasted by cheers for Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen’s advocacy for the LGBTQ community. Notably, Hannah Einbinder’s call for attention to ICE and Palestine also resonated strongly with attendees, despite the backdrop of controversy involving Paramount’s stances on the issues.
