With a healthy mix of surprise victors and politically charged speeches, this year’s Emmy Awards ceremony was an eye-catcher for any fan. The 77th annual show displayed growth in terms of women represented in the direction-focused categories. The limited series “Adolescence” broke records. Actors from all generations were represented in nominations and the audience, and the ceremony itself was more than worth a watch.
One of the most impactful parts of the award show was seeing comedy represented in a way that truly shows off the genre in all of its complexities. “Hacks” received a whopping 14 nominations, cementing itself as a breath of fresh air in a genre that has been relatively worn out in terms of new comics or humor. “The Studio” provided a good time and fun atmosphere that caught the academy’s interest. “Abbott Elementary” had another great showing. This is huge for the creator Quinta Brunson, who deserves every bit of attention she’s gotten as of late.
“Hacks” is by far one of my favorite shows of all time, not just within the comedy genre, but it is overall one of the most well-balanced and witty shows on the air at the moment. Hannah Einbinder’s Emmy win was long overdue and a step in a great direction for an extremely promising career — she’s a great pairing to Jean Smart, who cannot receive enough awards for her consistently brilliant performances.
On the other hand, the Emmys have had an issue with genre confusion in recent years. “The Bear,” while well-made and consistently gut-wrenching, should not be classified as a comedy. No matter how many jokes it slips in, the core purpose of the show is not to make someone laugh. Its purpose is to explore characters in mental distress. So how is it that it’s shoved into the comedy category for all assorted award shows? Putting “The Bear” among shows like “Shrinking” and “What We Do in the Shadows” feels unfair, as if one is comparing a horror movie and a romantic comedy.
Despite the many nominations of “The Bear,” the short series “Adolescence” came out on top this year. Based on a true story, the show focuses on a 13-year-old boy who murdered a classmate and explores his state of mind as well as the impact his actions had on those around him. The Netflix exclusive walked away with eight wins, making it the most awarded single program to come out of the 2025 ceremony. Having admittedly never watched the show, the praise for “Adolescence” stems from a concern about the recent digital age.
Standing out from the other nominations in its category was the new medical drama “The Pitt.” Known for its dedication to accurately showing the experience of an emergency room, “The Pitt” garnered a reputation for its lack of budget compared to its competition. Despite this lack of money, it was the second most nominated drama, second only to “The Last of Us,” and it deserves every last award it’s up for. As someone who hates medical dramas, I cannot get enough of its high-paced environment and quick camera movements.
In terms of speeches, the biggest standout by far was Einbinder’s. The “Hacks” star balanced acknowledgement of her achievements while also using her time very briefly to speak out against the recent uptick in ICE raids, as well as a shout to free Palestine. Einbender’s time on stage went semi-viral on social media for its outspoken political themes and well-spoken activism in a time when speaking out can result in massive amounts of backlash.
In its entirety, the 2025 Emmys established new benchmarks for already popular shows and put underdogs into the spotlight for their own moment to shine. Filled with a good portion of returning winners as well as relatively new actors, this year’s ceremony was well-rounded and enjoyable for viewers, no matter the amount of television they’ve watched.
