The cast and crew of "Game of Thrones" accept the Outstanding Drama Series award onstage during the 71st Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on Sunday in Los Angeles, California. The drama series, which premiered on HBO in April 2011 and concluded after 73 episodes in May 2019, received a total of 58 Emmy awards including 4 Outstanding Drama series in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019.
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LOS ANGELES - "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston opened the Emmy Awards on Sunday with a tribute to television's so-called golden era, as "Game of Thrones" and "Veep" take their final tilts at glory.
Cranston appeared on stage after a comedy skit which saw a cartoon Homer Simpson introduced as "host" -- and quickly crushed by a falling piano.
"Television has never been bigger. Television has never mattered more. And television has never been this damn good," said Cranston, stepping in to "rescue" the ceremony, which copied the Oscars this year by not appointing a host.
The long-running HBO smash hits helped the premium cable network raise the game for the small screen -- with 74 Emmys between them, they are among the most decorated shows ever at television's answer to the Oscars.
Both hope to add to their record hauls before they bow out at the glittering gala in downtown LA's Microsoft Theater.
While the divisive final season of "Thrones" enraged many fans, it is the Television Academy's 24,000-plus voters who get to choose the winners.
There is an "overwhelming" chance the blood-soaked fantasy epic will land the top drama series statuette, according to Pete Hammond, awards editor at entertainment news outlet Deadline.
"There was controversy over how it ended ... but that just shows the impact of this piece of television," he told AFP.
"I don't see anything in the category that can compare ... it's appointment television."
"Thrones" already bagged 10 Emmys in lesser categories at last week's Creative Arts Emmys, including for the show's special effects and elaborate costumes.
It needs three more statuettes to top its own record for most Emmys in a single season.
Nine of its stars -- including Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Kit Harington (Jon Snow) and Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) -- are in the running for acting prizes. They will all take to the stage as presenters too.
'DAGGER IN THE HEART'
Also on the star-studded list of presenters are Gwyneth Paltrow, Michael Douglas and Julia Louis-Dreyfus -- who won six straight Emmys as foul-mouthed vice-president-turned-president Selina Meyer in political satire "Veep" but lost out this year to "Fleabag" creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
"Veep" won best comedy in 2015, 2016 and 2017, but took a forced hiatus last year as its star battled breast cancer.
It's back this year with a critically acclaimed final season.
If it can overcome stiff competition including "The Marvelous Mrs Maisel" -- Amazon's story of a 1950s housewife-turned-stand up comic -- HBO could achieve a rare clean sweep of all three major program categories.
"Chernobyl" -- HBO's drama about the 1986 nuclear catastrophe -- is a hot favorite for the limited series prize.
It faces off against Netflix's "When They See Us," the searing true story of five New York teenagers wrongly accused of raping a Central Park jogger.
If "Chernobyl" prevails, said Hammond, it will be "a dagger in the heart of Netflix," which despite hundreds of nominations has yet to win any of the top three program awards at the Emmys.
"The dominance of HBO this year -- they really could be setting a precedent," he said.
FINAL BOW
Another long-running popular show taking its final Emmys bow is "The Big Bang Theory," the throwback CBS sitcom about a group of geeky, young California scientists.
It only competes in one category, for directing, but its creators are unlikely to mind after all 12 seasons were purchased by HBO Max streaming service this week for a reported $500 million.
In the comedy categories, "Fleabag" has its first -- and apparently last -- stab at springing an Emmys surprise.
And it did.
Waller-Bridge won one of the first prizes handed out Sunday, for best comedy writing -- and then scooped the best actress award.
The British dark comedy acquired by Amazon was totally shunned by voters last year, failing to bag a single nomination, but its second season has grown into a phenomenon on both sides of the Atlantic.
Waller-Bridge has ruled out a third season, saying the irreverent BBC series about a self-absorbed young Londoner has come "to a natural end."
Other early winners in comedy acting categories were Tony Shalhoub and Alex Borstein, both for "The Marvelous Mrs Maisel," and Bill Hader for "Barry."
Television's A-listers hit the red carpet under sunny skies -- and in oppressive heat.
Transgender actress Laverne Cox, nominated this year for Netflix series "Orange Is the New Black," carried a rainbow-colored clutch bag with the words "Oct 8. Title VII. Supreme Court."
The text is a reference to a potentially landmark Supreme Court hearing about employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin -- and whether that covers sexual orientation.
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LOS ANGELES -- Both the looks and the temperature were red-hot Sunday on the Emmys red carpet, where Hollywood's top stars battled the heat and humidity to bring their fashion A-game.
The mercury soared past 32 Celsius, and US network Fox -- which broadcast television's answer to the Oscars -- deployed ceiling fans in the arrivals area to try to keep the glitterati from sweating through their gowns.
Metallics had a big moment -- from traditional gold and silver to blue and pastel pink. But so did white-hot glamor, and pops of color for the men.
The following is a look at the trends spotted at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles:
1. All that glitters is (fashion) gold
Phoebe Waller-Bridge ("Fleabag") defeated Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Veep") and Rachel Brosnahan ("The Marvelous Mrs Maisel") in the best actress in a comedy category, but all three were style winners in glittering gowns with metallic elements.
Waller-Bridge, one of the night's big winners, wore a pale Monique Lhuillier gown with a cluster of sparkles at the waist.
Louis-Dreyfus, who missed her chance at Emmys history, glimmered in gold Oscar de la Renta while Brosnahan, last year's winner, went for a sparkling blue Elie Saab number.
Others getting in on the metallics trend: Ava DuVernay, Natasha Lyonne, Niecy Nash, Chrissy Metz and Laura Linney.
2. White queens, red queens
On television, Jodie Comer plays an assassin with a killer fashion sense on "Killing Eve." As she accepted her award for best actress in a drama, she slayed in a white Tom Ford gown with a deep V neckline and a high slit.
Patricia Arquette, a double nominee who won for her work on "The Act," also adopted the all-white look, with long sleeves and a giant silver clutch.
But another big color of the night was red -- on its own, as worn by Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Bassett -- or in combination with pink, seen on Taraji P Henson, Marisa Tomei, and "This Is Us" stars Mandy Moore and Susan Kelechi Watson.
3. Quest for the Emmy throne
HBO's blood-soaked fantasy epic "Game of Thrones" had a big night Sunday, and its many stars made sure they were dressed for the moment.
Peter Dinklage, now a four-time winner for his portrayal of Tyrion Lannister, looked ready for his close-up in a sleek black tux with a long tie.
Gwendoline Christie, a nominee after she submitted her own tape, looked regal in a red and cream Gucci gown that looked Westeros-ready.
The mother of dragons, Emilia Clarke, got the memo about the weather -- her indigo Valentino gown was barely there with a daring plunging neckline and a bow sash.
4. Politics and fashion
Political messages on the red carpet are nothing new, and transgender actress/activist Laverne Cox, a nominee for her work on "Orange Is The New Black," did not miss her moment.
Her rainbow clutch said "Oct 8. Title VII. Supreme Court" -- a reference to an upcoming case on the high court's docket about whether Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to anti-LGBT discrimination.
On her arm was Chase Strangio, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union. Around Strangio's neck was a large necklace that read: "TRANS."
"We want everyone to tell their friends and families about this case," Cox said.
5. The boys of (late) summer
It's hard for the other men to best Billy Porter for straight-up swag. Porter, the star of FX's underground ballroom show "Pose" and the first openly gay black man to win an Emmy for best actor in a drama, stunned red carpet watchers at the Oscars earlier this year in a velvet tuxedo gown.
On Sunday, he went with a glittering black and silver pinstriped suit by Michael Kors, an outsized black hat with a decidedly "Old Town Road" vibe, and giant platform shoes.
"I have always loved fashion and I'm so happy to have the place to do it," he told E! network.
As for the rest of Hollywood's A-list men, they hit the red carpet with some game, eschewing basic black for a rainbow of color.
Sterling K Brown, a 2017 winner for best actor in a drama for "This Is Us" and a nominee again this year, rocked a Brioni red jacket and bowtie -- and sunglasses, while co-star and fellow nominee Milo Ventimiglia donned a gray velvet jacket with black lapels.
James van der Beek of "Dawson's Creek" fame went for a daring double-breasted salmon velvet jacket.
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LOS ANGELES—HBO and its medieval fantasy series "Game of Thrones" led nominations on Tuesday for the Emmy awards, the highest honors in television.
HBO got a leading 137 nominations, 32 of them for three-times best drama series winner "Game of Thrones," and recognition for lead actors Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke. The 32 nods for "Game of Thrones," which concluded its final season in May, marked a record high for a drama program in a single year.
Netflix followed with 117 nominations, led by its searing racial justice drama "When They See Us," and surreal time-loop comedy "Russian Doll."
Amazon Studio's bubbly "The Marvelous Mrs Maisel" got 20 nominations, making it a strong contender for a repeat win in the best-comedy series category, while HBO's limited series "Chernobyl," a recreation of the 1986 Russian nuclear power disaster, had 19.
Political satire "Veep" will compete for its fourth Emmy as best comedy series, along with star Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Other contenders in the comedy series category are "Barry," quirky British show "Fleabag," "The Good Place," "Russian Doll" and "Schitt's Creek."
Joining "Game of Thrones" in the top category of best drama series are "Better Call Saul," British thrillers "Bodyguard" and "Killing Eve," "Ozark," transgender show "Pose", family drama "This is Us" and media mogul dynasty series "Succession."
The Emmy awards will be handed out at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Sept. 22. (Reporting by Jill Serjeant and Lisa Richwine; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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LOS ANGELES - "Game of Thrones" and Netflix are tipped by TV industry watchers to dominate Tuesday's Emmy nominations as Hollywood gears up for awards season.
The Television Academy's 24,000 members sifted through a record number of entries for this year's Emmys, the small-screen equivalent of the Oscars.
After nominations are announced final-round voting will begin to pick winners who will be revealed at a glitzy Los Angeles show on September 22.
Here are five things to look out for:
'GAME OF THRONES'
"Game of Thrones" enraged fans with its final season, but experts still expect the HBO fantasy epic to reign over Emmy nominations one last time.
"Thrones" is the most decorated fictional show in the awards' seven-decade history, with 128 nominations and 47 wins.
The last six episodes dominated water-cooler chat and settled the question of who would sit on the Iron Throne -- sort of -- but the flood of social media anguish over its unsatisfying conclusion almost broke the internet.
Still, voters could pick the show out of "nostalgia" and because "they want to pay respect for the impact it's had on TV overall," said Indiewire TV critic Ben Travers.
"But it also could be a lack of options," he added.
MAJOR ABSENTEES
The Emmys only recognize shows that were on in the 12 months to May 31.
That means several big hitters are absent from main categories this year, including Hulu's former drama series winner "The Handmaid's Tale."
"Big Little Lies" and "Stranger Things" also just missed the cut-off -- something which may not be accidental.
"Some of the more prominent shows got out of the way fearing 'Game of Thrones' just dominating everything, and not wanting to go head to head with it," said Travers.
COMEDY REIGNS
Pundits say the comedy and limited series categories are vastly stronger this year.
In comedy, White House satire "Veep" -- another departing HBO awards juggernaut -- faces stiff competition from last year's winner "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," Amazon's story of a 1950s housewife-turned-stand up comic.
Dark hitman comedy "Barry" is also expected to challenge its HBO stablemate.
In limited series, Showtime has vigorously promoted Ben Stiller's "Escape at Dannemora," in which two real-life convicts escape a New York prison by seducing a female employee.
"When They See Us," Netflix's true story of five men wrongly accused of raping a Central Park jogger, is also likely to line up, alongside acclaimed HBO drama "Chernobyl."
NETFLIX VS HBO
The two giants are set to renew their battle for overall Emmy supremacy, after Netflix overtook HBO last year in the nomination count to end its rival's 17-year reign.
Web streamer Netflix secured a whopping 112 nods last time around, edging out HBO's 108.
"The sheer amount of programming that Netflix submits at the Emmys is daunting," said Travers. "They have so much more than anybody else to put on the ballot."
While Netflix also benefits from the exposure that comes with its huge subscriber base, HBO has vast experience mounting campaigns for its prestige offerings -- and could ultimately garner more wins.
STAR QUALITY
As movie stars continue to switch to TV, A-listers will be plentiful.
Amazon is eyeing a strong year with its Julia Roberts-powered thriller "Homecoming," in addition to "Maisel" and irreverent British comedy "Fleabag."
"Catch-22" leads Hulu's charge thanks to George Clooney, while in comedy Jim Carrey ("Kidding") and Michael Douglas ("The Kominsky Method") are tipped for acting nods.
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