The 66th Primetime Emmy Awards aired last night on NBC, and, as always, there were many memorable moments that stood out. In case you forgot to tune in, here are the top 10 moments to catch you up!
1. Seth Meyers’s opening monologue
Our favorite new Late Night host, Seth Meyers, successfully hosted the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards. He did a great job, using the strange timing of the awards show to his advantage by cracking jokes about the show being on a Monday night. He had clever bits and spot-on jokes, and he didn’t even roast anybody (unlike the attack on Matthew McConaughey by Jimmy Kimmel). Meyers brought up his fellow SNL alums to help bring the audience a good laugh.
2. Amy Poehler is now Beyoncé
Not only was the hilarious Amy Poehler introduced by Meyers as “Beyoncé,” but she also stole the show by writing her own material, telling True Detective jokes and wearing a gorgeous disco-ball-like gown. Unfortunately, after being nominated five times in this category, Poehler still didn’t take home the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. How can the Academy not be an Amy Poehler fan? Then again, how can ANYONE not be an Amy Poehler fan?! Since Parks and Rec is going to be in its last season, hopefully next year Amy will snag the Emmy.
3. Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Bryan Cranston rekindled their love
It was Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus who took home the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, but not before she shared a heated make-out session with the star of Breaking Bad. When the two presented together earlier in the night, Cranston joked about their kissing scene in a past episode of Seinfeld. Julia, who then brushed him off, made sure to announce that she did in fact remember kissing Bryan Cranston. These stars may both be happily married, but if they were in fact still single, we wouldn’t mind these two actually getting together. Vice President Selina Meyer and drug dealer Walter White? Talk about an unconventional power couple!
4. Billy on the Street, Emmys edition
One of the best bits was a special Emmys version of “Billy on the Street,” where Billy Eichner and Seth ran around New York asking people questions for a dollar reward. Some people weren’t exactly feeling it, while others actually didn’t even recognize Seth MacFar-Meyers. Eichner, who is well known for hilariously harassing New Yorkers with questions about pop culture, did not disappoint in this special rendition of Funny or Die’s show. This video scored major laughter for Meyers, who earlier stated that, “like jokes, not all nominees are winners.” Well, this one definitely was.
5. Breaking Bad won all
The night’s big winner was Breaking Bad, taking home five Emmys. With the end of Breaking Bad still fresh, it was the last year for the show to take home the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series. Aaron Paul’s emotional speech made us feel for Jesse Pinkman all over again. Bryan Cranston took home his last Emmy for the show while sporting a very interesting mustache. Walter White might approve of the new facial hair, though.
6. Modern Family wins Outstanding Comedy Series yet again
Modern Family may be a great show, but it seems the Academy only watches one comedy series. The stars of Modern Family have taken home the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series five years in a row. It’s no secret that the show has lost some of its comic relief since the start, which is why everyone is shocked it keeps winning year after year. Um, hello, what about Parks and Rec, The Mindy Project and New Girl? Get it together, Academy!
7. A tribute to Robin Williams
Billy Crystal took the stage to pay tribute to his friend Robin Williams. He shared some of his favorite memories and called Williams “the brightest star in the comedy galaxy.” The tribute concluded with a powerful moment of silence. “Robin Williams, what a concept” – we couldn’t agree more.
8. Sofia Vergara was put on a pedestal – literally
Talented actress Sofia Vergara stood on a rotating pedestal as Bruce Rosenblum, CEO and chairman of the Television Academy, talked about “giving the viewer something compelling to watch.” The joke outraged many who called it sexist and even a step back from Beyonce’s pro-feminism performance at the VMAs Sunday night. Vergara claims that haters of the joke should lighten up, but maybe when women stop feeling objectified in the entertainment industry, we can all “lighten up.”
9. Gwen Stefani butchers Stephen Colbert’s name
What was that, Gwen Stefani? While annoucing the winner of the Outstanding Variety Series category, the pop star pronounced The Colbert Report wrong, and Adam Levine not only tried to correct Gwen, but laughed at her as well. Jimmy Fallon took advantage of this mistake to run on stage and try to accept the award for The Tonight Show. Someone had to be the next John Travolta of awards shows… sorry, Gwen. Maybe Adele Dazeem and The Colbort Report should team up?
10. Lena Dunham wore a, um, dress?
Lena may be a very talented actress, writer and director, but dressing for award shows is not her forte. The Girls star showed up to the red carpet wearing what looked like a button-down shirt attached to a tutu. Her newly bleached hair was totally forgotten, as her Emmy gown had everyone distracted – but not for the right reasons. Good luck on Fashion Police, Lena!