2021 Primetime Emmys Live Blog

Come here for the latest updates, winners, and news from the 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards hosted by Cedric the Entertainer starting at 7:30 PM EST.

The show kicks off with Cedric the Entertainer giving an homage to recently deceased rapper Biz Markie. Following this, a short, comedic monologue from actor, writer, and director Seth Rogen (The Interview) ripping on the COVID-19 aesthetic of the show. Rogen gives out the nominations to the Supporting Actresses in a Comedy Series with eh winner being announced as Hannah Waddingham for Ted Lasso.

The next award is for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series with the winner being announced as actor Brett Goldstein for Ted Lasso.

Cedric the Entertainer comes back from the commercial break with some jokes directed towards the Met Gala and the COVID-19 vaccines, comparing the Moderna vaccine to Macy’s and Johnson and Johnson to TJ Maxx. He further goes on to explain his duty as a black actor and comedian using as a host for a major award show in addition to shouting out the black nominees this year while also cracking some other hosting candidates like Jimmy Kimmel.

Next up is the Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. Announced by nominees Billy Porter and Mj Rodriguez, this year’s winner has been announced to be Julianne Nicholson.

For Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, the winner has been revealed to be actor Evan Peters for his role in Mare of Easttown.

For the next award on the night’s lineup, actor and writer Mindy Kaling arrives to present the award for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series which is taken home by Peter Morgan for The Crown.

The following award is for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series where Netflix’s The Crown for Benjamin Carron’s work picks up the win for the second award garnered by the program tonight.

In another tightly contested crowd of nominees, the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama series is announced by CBS’ late-night show host Stephen Colbert. The award goes to actress Gillian Anderson for her work on The Crown, the third award for the series tonight, where she accepts via a London award ceremony.

Within the same frame, Emmy winner Kerry Washington arrives to mention the nominations for Outstanding Support Actor in a Drama Series in addition to offering a quick shoutout to the recently deceased nominee Michael K. Williams. The winner of the Emmy award goes to Tobias Menzies, who could not attend the ceremony tonight. This announcement gives Netflix’s The Crown a full sweep of awards for the Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress in a Drama Series this award season.

The award show continues with a quick skit between Kenan Thompson and Chris Redd for giving a brief acknowledgment of Cedric’s success while sitting in a living room. Daniel Dae Kim and Sophia Bush come out to deliver the nominees for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. The winner of this year’s award is Last Week Tonight with John Oliver for HBO’s weekly satirical talk show. Keeping in the same vein with the Variety series, the nominees are announced for the Outstanding Variety Talk Series by fellow Emmy nominee Kaley Cuoco. The winner is revealed to be once more, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, where Oliver gives a shoutout to fellow nominee Conan O’Brien who concluded his late-night talk show run as well as a Norm Macdonald memorial quip on his various appearances on Conan. Staying with Variety series once more, the nominees are revealed for the Outstanding Variety Sketch series by a late Ken Jeong after some COVID-19 vaccination passport troubles. Jeong reveals the winner to be NBC’s Saturday Night LiveCreator Lorne Michaels gives a shoutout to the recently deceased Weekend Update host Norm Macdonald, calling him the best to ever do it.

Following a lengthy commercial break, the cast of Pop TV’s Schitt’s Creek arrives to announce the nominees for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series. After some alleged teleprompter trouble, the cast remain on stage awkwardly before providing the winner of this year’s award to be Hacks writing crew of Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky, and Lucia Aniello. The cast of Schitt’s Creek continues to present for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series to see the winner being revealed to be Lucia Aniello for Hacks. The award ceremony continues on with another small sketch featuring Cedric orchestrate a fly that happens to be the fly that took over the VP debate when it landed on Mike Pence.

Next up on the evening, the presentation for Cedric the Entertainer that is receiving some recognition award for his work in the industry. This comes along with a short skit with some television legends that are Emmy-less such as Fred Savage, Dr. Phil, Zooey Deschanel, Jason Alexander, and Alyson Hannigan.

The following award is Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, presented by SNL cast member Bowen Yang. The winner of the award goes to the Hacks star Jean Smart, marking a big swing of success for the series that premiered in 2021. Smart dedicates the role to her late husband and her surviving children.

The 2021 Emmys continues on with Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series which witnesses the winner announced by The White Lotus‘ Jennifer Coolidge to be Jason Sudeikis for his titular role in Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso. The SNL alum is sporting a tux this time instead of his iconic hoodie before giving a speech giving love to his cast and crew as well as his family, teachers, and other mentors in his life.

For the next award, Olympians Jessia Long and Allyson Felix provide their presentation skills for the Outstanding Competition Program which goes to VH1’s RuPaul’s Drag Race. Next up, Conan gives his best heckler impression from the crowd while the presentation for the Governor’s Award for Debbie Allen, her win being accompanied by a video package.

The 2021 Emmy Awards continues with the cast of Reservation Dogs revealing the nominations of Outstanding Directing in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. The winner is announced to be Scott Frank for his work on Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit. Following up a lengthy and touching speech by Frank, the award nominees for Outstanding Writing in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie are read off and the winner is presented by Sir Patrick Stewart. The winner is HBO’s I May Destroy You and its creator and star Michaela Coel, who dedicates the award to all survivors of sexual assault.

Bernie Feldstein and Sarah Paulson come on to present Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie where Kate Winslet takes home the award for Mare of Easttown. The following award is Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, presented by Taraji P. Henson, goes to Ewan McGregor for his role in Netflix’s original miniseries Halston.

Cedric arrives back to the front stage for a quick word with the audience to a shoutout to the DJ for the night MC Lyte. Cedric introduces Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson for the award of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Actress Olivia Colman takes home yet another major award, this time for her role in Netflix’s The Crown. Colman accepts the award via the London award ceremony. The next award during the ceremony is the Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series where Catherine Zeta-Jones hands out the award to the victor in Josh O’Connor in Netflix’s The Crown.

SNL star Aidy Bryant takes the stage to present the award for Outstanding Variety Special Live. The award is claimed by late-night host Stephen Colbert for his hour live show Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020. Following up this win, the ceremony brought out the award for Outstanding Variety Special Recorded which was presented by Amy Poehler to the winner, Hamilton. The show will wrap up with the reveal and announcement of the winners for Best Comedy, Drama, and Limited Series for the 2020-2021 television year.

Uzo Aduba comes out to present the introduction to the memorial section of the award ceremony with Leon Bridges and Jon Batiste for a musical performance coinciding with the slide show.

Awkwafina arrives on the stage to present the award for the Outstanding Comedy Series. The 2021 Emmy awards the Apple TV+ original series, Ted Lasso, with the prestigious award. Next up, the Outstanding Drama Series is presented by Adrien Brody. The Drama Series award goes to the big winner of the night in Netflix’s The Crownwhere the cast and crew accept virtually in London. The final award of the night goes to Outstanding Limited Series which is presented by Angela Bassett. Bassett announces the nominees for the final award of the night with the final winner of the night being named as Netflix’s smash hit in The Queen’s Gambit.

List of Nominees and Winners (Underlined):

Outstanding Comedy Series

Black-ish (ABC)

Emily in Paris (Netflix)

The Flight Attendant (HBO Max)

Hacks (HBO Max)

Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

PEN15 (Hulu)

The Kominsky Method (Netflix)

Cobra Kai (Netflix)

Outstanding Drama Series

This Is Us (NBC)

The Boys (Prime Video)

Bridgerton (Netflix)

Lovecraft Country (HBO)

The Mandalorian (Disney+)

Pose (FX)

The Crown (Netflix)

The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series 

I May Destroy You – HBO

Mare of Easttown – HBO

The Underground Railroad – Prime Video

WandaVision – Disney+

The Queen’s Gambit – Netflix

Outstanding Competition Program

The Amazing Race (CBS)

Nailed It! (Netflix)

The Voice (NBC)

Top Chef (Bravo)

RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1)

Outstanding Variety Talk Series

Conan (TBS)

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC)

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series 

Saturday Night Live (NBC)

A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO)

Outstanding Variety Special

Bo Burham: Inside (Netflix)

8:46 – Dave Chappelle (Netflix)

David Byrne’s American Utopia (HBO)

Hamilton (Disney+)

Friends: The Reunion (HBO Max)

A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote (HBO Max)

Outstanding Variety Special (Live)

The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards (CBS)

The Oscars (ABC)

The Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show Starring The Weekend (CBS)

Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020: Democracy’s Last Stand Building Back America Great Again Better 2020 (Showtime)

Celebrating America – An Inauguration Night Special (Multiple Platforms)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series 

Anthony Anderson – black-ish

William H. Macy – Shameless

Jason Sudeikis – Ted Lasso

Kenan Thompson – Kenan

Michael Douglas – The Kominsky Method

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Allison Janney – Mom

Tracee Ellis Ross – black-ish

Jean Smart – Hacks

Kaley Cuoco – The Flight Attendant

Aidy Bryant – Shrill

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Sterling K. Brown – This is Us

Jonathan Majors – Lovecraft Country

Josh O’Connor – The Crown

Regé-Jean Page – Bridgerton

Matthew Rhys – Perry Mason

Billy Porter – Pose

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series 

Olivia Colman – The Crown

Uzo Aduba – In Treatment

Mj Rodriguez – Pose

Emma Corrin – The Crown

Jurnee Smollett – Lovecraft Country

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Paul Bettany – WandaVision

Hugh Grant – The Undoing

Leslie Odom Jr. – Hamilton

Ewan McGregor – Halston

Lin-Manuel Miranda – Hamilton

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Anya Taylor-Joy – The Queen’s Gambit

Cynthia Erivo – Genius: Aretha

Michael Coel – I May Destroy You

Kate Winslet – Mare of Easttown

Elizabeth Olsen – WandaVision

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Brett Goldstein – Ted Lasso

Carl Clemons-Hopkins – Hacks

Paul Reiser – The Kominsky Method

Nick Mohammed – Ted Lasso

Brendan Hunt – Ted Lasso

Jeremy Swift – Ted Lasso

Kenan Thompson – Saturday Night Live

Bowen Yang – Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Aidy Bryant – Saturday Night Live

Cecily Strong – Saturday Night Live

Rosie Perez – The Flight Attendant

Juno Temple – Ted Lasso

Hannah Waddingham – Ted Lasso

Kate McKinnon – Saturday Night Live

Hannah Einbinder – Hacks

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Giancarlo Esposito – The Mandalorian

John Lithgow – Perry Mason

O-T Fagbenle – The Handmaid’s Tale

Chris Sullivan – This is Us

Bradley Whitford – The Handmaid’s Tale

Michael K. Williams – Lovecraft Country

Tobias Menzies – The Crown

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Madeline Brewer – The Handmaid’s Tale

Ann Dowd – The Handmaid’s Tale

Aunjaune Ellis – Lovecraft Country

Emerald Fennell – The Crown

Helena Bonham Carter – The Crown 

Gillian Anderson – The Crown

Yvonne Strahovski – The Handmaid’s Tale

Samira Wiley – The Handmaid’s Tale

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series

Jonathan Groff – Hamilton

Evan Peters – Mare of Easttown

Anthony Ramos – Hamilton

Paapa Essiedu – I May Destroy You

Daveed Diggs – Hamilton

Thomas Brodie-Sangster – The Queen’s Gambit

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series

Renée Elise Goldsberry – Hamilton

Julianne Nicholson – Mare of Easttown 

Jean Smart – Mare of Easttown

Phillipa Soo – Hamilton

Moses Ingram – The Queen’s Gambit

Kathryn Hahn – WandaVision

Outstanding Directing for Comedy Series

James Burrows – B Positive

James Widdoes – Mom

Zach Braff – Ted Lasso

Lucia Aniello – Hacks

Susanna Fogel – The Flight Attendant

Declan Lowney – Ted Lasso

MJ Deleaney – Ted Lasso

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series

Julia Anne Robinson – Bridgerton

Benjamin Caron – The Crown

Liz Garbus – The Handmaid’s Tale

Steven Canals – Pose

Jon Favreau – The Mandalorian 

Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Thomas Kail – Hamilton

Sam Miller and Michael Coel – I May Destroy You

Craig Zobel – Mare of Easttown

Scott Frank – The Queen’s Gambit

Barry Jenkins – The Underground Railroad

Matt Shakman – WandaVision

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

Steve Yockey – The Flight Attendant

Meredith Scardino – Girls5Eva

Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky, and Lucia Aniello – Hacks

Joe Kelly, Jason Sudeikis, and Brendan Hunt – Ted Lasso

Bill Lawrence, Jason Sudeikis, Joe Kelly, and Brendan Hunt – Ted Lasso

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series 

Rebecca Sonnenshine – The Boys

Misha Green – Lovecraft Country

Peter Morgan – The Crown

Jon Favreau – The Mandalorian

Dave Filoni – The Mandalorian

Steven Canals, Brad Falchuk, Out Lady J, Ryan Murphy, Janet Mock –  Pose

Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series

A Black Lady Sketch Show – HBO

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – HBO

Saturday Night Live – NBC

The Amber Ruffin Show – Peacock

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver – HBO

Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Michaela Coel – I May Destroy You

Scott Frank – The Queen’s Gambit

Chuck Hayward and Peter Cameron – WandaVision

Jac Schaeffer – WandaVision

Laura Donney – WandaVision

Brad Ingelsby – Mare of Easttown

Adam Lewis: TV enthusiast. mxdwn Television Editor/Writer. Graduated from Wake Forest University in 2021 with a Bachelor's degree in Politics & International Affairs and a minor in Film & Media Studies. E-mail: lewiaj17@alumni.wfu.edu
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