Our post-Emmys group chat asks: Is Widow's Bay that good?
Our Emmys chat will leave you so well informed you'll practically be an Emmy. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage via Getty Images)
Did you miss the best bits of the Emmys? Don't worry, so did we.
That's why we've reached out to our Emmys devotees, Mawunyo Gbogbo and Beverley Wang, for the highlights from the ceremony and what to add to your watchlist.
Plus, see why Canada and double-sided tape are the night's real MVPs…
Veronica Apap
Hey, did any of you catch the Emmys yesterday? I missed it!
Lincoln Archer
The TLDR is Widow's Bay won everything, starting with Kate O'Flynn, who was absolutely undeniable on that show. I know you are immune to Widow's Bay's charms, but with all due respect, Von, you're on the wrong side of history there.
I have a slight issue with another Jean Smart win, in that the Emmys tend to lock in on some shows/performers and ride their waves to the shore, irrespective of what else is going on. But I can't say it's undeserved.
Kate O'Flynn accepts the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for "Widow's Bay". (Reuters: Mario Anzuoni)
Beverley Wang
I think it was going to take a lot to knock Jean Smart off a five-win streak. A lot of people wanted to see it happen.
I am sad we didn't see Meg Stalter accepting an Emmy, dressed as an Emmy.
Mawunyo Gbogbo
I thought Kate O'Flynn was brilliant in Widow's Bay. Easily my favourite character next to the mayor. She was hilarious and zany. She played the hell out of that role. And those classic one-liners! Like when, after an earlier interaction, the mayor said he offered a lift to an elderly woman, and she was deadpan in asking if the elderly woman was in her 40s.
Beverley Wang
The darkness of sunset cocktails will never leave my brain.
Yeah totally — Kate's win was deserved! Hacks can't and shouldn't win them all! Even though I REALLY WANTED TO SEE MEG STALTER UP THERE, just to see what would happen.
Also, she has played a beautifully unhinged Kayla for five seasons.
Megan Stalter and Paul W Downs in Hacks. (Supplied: Stan)
Beverley Wang
The set-up of Hannah Einbinder and Meg Stalter BOTH as supporting actresses has been bizarre. Hannah as Ava is definitely lead territory.
Really sorry I have nothing to say about Rhea Seahorn's win for Pluribus. I know nothing about this show!
Lincoln Archer
Rhea was excellent, but I feel like the main attraction of Pluribus is the concept of Pluribus and (cough) Apple's budget.
Beverley Wang
OK I'm putting Pluribus on my "to watch" list
Veronica Apap
I thought Pluribus was interesting. Maybe not edge-of-my-seat good. But definitely kept me watching to the end of season one … unlike Widow's Bay.
Mawunyo Gbogbo
It was honestly a difficult watch. I kinda feel like Seehorn got her props belatedly for Better Call Saul. A correction, if you will.
Rhea Seehorn called Pluribus "the role of a lifetime". (Getty Images: Kevin Winter)
Beverley Wang
OK, I'm moving it to the bottom half of my "to watch" list 😆
I think the comedy category through-line is something along the lines of a baton pass from Hacks to Widow's Bay.
The Bear — as much as I like watching it — doesn't get a lot of love as it finally departs the ill-fitting comedy category. The exception being for the late Rob Reiner.
And Abbott Elementary — it's just too bad for them. As for Nobody Wants This — it's true. I didn't.
And Von — I really want to know what you think of Widow's Bay's comedy wins. Does it make you rethink?
Mawunyo Gbogbo
Team Widow's Bay over Pluribus.
Lincoln Archer
It's definitely time for all to stand slack-jawed and put the antler crown on Widow's Bay's head.
Veronica Apap
Well, I feel that I should now go back and watch the rest of the season — give it a chance at least. But I stand by it not being COMEDY comedy.
Like, The Bear was also not comedy, but at least it made me feel something — even if that something was knot-in-the-gut anxiety.
Beverley Wang
Seems like COMEDY comedies — shows like Abbott Elementary — aren't getting much love in this era. They can't compete against the more genre-challenging comedies.
Lincoln Archer
And after multiple years of picking a Modern Family or Big Bang Theory, it feels like now there needs to be something else going on in order for a comedy to get a look-in.
Veronica Apap
So like, comedy + tension or comedy + weird?
Beverley Wang
Yeah, no more looking at the camera to break the fourth wall — no longer innovative
Veronica Apap
So I missed the ceremony but caught glimpses of the red carpet. I definitely saw Meg Stalter. What an icon. 🤩
I reckon she gave Kylie a run for her money in those gold hotpants.
Beverley Wang
LOVE. Stunning. Where is the line between Meg/Kayla? They are one.
Megan Stalter, a true icon on the Emmy's red carpet with Paul Downs.
Lincoln Archer
So she goes to all that effort, and he can't even put on a tie? Or borrow some cufflinks?
Beverley Wang
He didn't want to OUTSHINE HER. Now google image searching celebrities in gold body paint.
Mawunyo Gbogbo
Is it just me or did everyone else look same same but different on the red carpet?
Beverley Wang
I want to give a shout-out to the hardest-working supporting actors of the night — double-sided tape.
Veronica Apap
😆
Veronica Apap
Did Michael J Fox win an award? I saw a pic of him on stage.
Michael J Fox at the 78th Emmy Awards. (Getty: Rich Polk)
Beverley Wang
He got the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his work on Parkinson's.
Veronica Apap
🥲
Beverley Wang
Yeah, it felt emotional seeing him up there.
I feel like Canada is a supporting actor in yesterday's Emmys. As the resident Canadian, I can hold forth.
Veronica Apap
Canada??
Beverley Wang
Michael J Fox is from Canada.
The in memoriam for Catherine O'Hara — another Canada moment.
The absence of Heated Rivalry — arguably the biggest show of the last year!
And Sally Field said "Canada, blessed Canada, our neighbours, our friends" in her acceptance speech for Remarkably Bright Creatures. I think that was a reference to the trade war, tbh, and the breakdown of the Canada-USA relationship, because everything is political!
Sally Field accepts the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for "Remarkably Bright Creatures".
Veronica Apap
Wait. What? There's no Heated Rivalry? How is that possible?
Beverley Wang
It's a Canadian show, therefore ineligible, made by Crave in Canada, and picked up by HBO.
TBH I don't think a show that spicy could have been made in the States!
Heated Rivalry cleaned up at the Canadian Screen Awards earlier this year, with 16 wins, including for best drama and best lead actor for Hudson Williams. Poor Connor Storrie, though — ineligible for Canadian awards because he's American!
Veronica Apap
😲
Veronica Apap
Did Sarah Snook or Nicole Kidman win anything?
Sarah Snook.
Beverley Wang
Sarah won best lead actress in a limited anthology series or movie for All Her Fault — but that was given out at the Creative Arts Emmys earlier this month.
Can you count The Pitt's wins in the Aussie column because of Shabana Azeez? 😉
Mawunyo Gbogbo
No, you can't! 😅
Beverley Wang
Well, the real win for Australia was John Mulaney's shout-out to Bluey's dad then.
Beverley Wang
What are our favourite made-up categories of the night?
Lincoln Archer
I'm A Movie Star, Where's My Emmy??
Nominees: Zendaya, Michelle Pfeiffer, Oscar Issac, Carey Mulligan, Nicole Kidman.
Beverley Wang
This is a shame, if only because we didn't get to see Oscar much on screen.
Mawunyo Gbogbo
Nicole Kidman won "Best Interruption" for her part in the opening monologue.
Veronica Apap
The category she has been HANGING to win. 😆
Lincoln Archer
Are there any shows (aside from WB) that anyone hasn't seen that we now feel we must? I feel like I should check out The Comedown. Lisa Kudrow has been repeatedly nominated for it, and I've not seen a single second. What are our other viewing recs?
Beverley Wang
I am def more motivated to check out Slow Horses now. Also Traitors. I have been really late to this and catch heat from friends for not having watched it yet.
Veronica Apap
I really wanted Pfeiffer to win. I loved her in Margo's Got Money Troubles. That show was great, and if you've not watched it, you should.
Beverley Wang
I will take that on board. There is frankly too much TV in the world, and that is my final take.
Veronica Apap
K. Have a good one 👋
Beverley Wang
No wait! I surprisingly have more to add!
Lincoln Archer
I think Von is cueing up the orchestra to play you off, Bev
Beverley Wang
There is no mountain of nominations that will compel me to watch any more GOT spin-offs.
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