The Best and Worst Moments

It’s time to review the best and worst moments from the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards!

TV’s top talent gathered at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles Sunday to once again hand out Emmy gold. Comedian Nate Bargatze presided over the CBS telecast, incorporating a new — and rather strange! — method for enforcing a time limit on winners’ speeches. (More on that later.)

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In the list below, we’ve distilled the three-hour ceremony (read Dave Nemetz’s review of the show here) down to eight best and worst moments, from a Gilmore Girls cast reunion to a Golden Girls celebration. Aside from that aforementioned speech countdown, Sunday’s Emmys were surprisingly light on “worsts” — but that doesn’t mean there were no cringeworthy moments. (Jennifer Coolidge, we’re sorry.)

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Our list also includes heartwarming acceptance speeches from Cristin Milioti, Tramell Tillman and Jeff Hiller, plus a comedy sketch many of us have already seen before.

Keep scrolling to see all of the highs and lows from the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, then drop a comment with your own picks.

BEST: Tramell Tillman Salutes His Mama

The Severance actor shared some impassioned and very wise words taught to him by his “first acting coach” — his mom. “You remember what you want to remember. You make time for what you want to make time for. Do the work. Show up. And most importantly, for the love of God, don’t embarrass me in public!” he said on stage. The first-time Emmy winner then dedicated his trophy to his mother, who was in attendance as his plus-one. All together now: Awww! — Nick Caruso

WORST: Déjà Vu?

The “Washington’s Dream” sketch from when Nate Bargatze hosted Saturday Night Live was one of Season 49’s highlights. This year’s Emmys opening — same bit, except this time around, the comedian played the inventor of television opposite SNL’s Bowen Yang, Mikey Day and James Austin Johnson — was a pale imitation. Though we suppose if you hadn’t seen the original, it might’ve been more impressive? Maybe? — Kimberly Roots

BEST: Golden Girls Gets the Audience Grooving

If the Emmys proved anything, it’s this: Nothing brings together a crowd like the Golden Girls. During a musical tribute performed by Reba McEntire and Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman, our favorite stars couldn’t help but groove to the sitcom’s iconic theme song. The number had Quinta Brunson and Janelle James bobbing their heads to the beat, while a subdued but nevertheless enthusiastic Colin Farrell was seen snapping his fingers. Elsewhere, Sarah Paulson, Michael Urie and Jessica Williams delivered rousing sing-alongs from their seats. The only thing missing was a slice of cheesecake! — Claire Franken

BEST: Jeff Hiller Sparkles on Stage

The category underdog bested heavy hitters like Harrison Ford, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Bowen Yang and more, and delivered a speech that was short, sweet and seriously funny, even despite his emotional spotlight moment. “For the past 25 years, I’ve been like, ‘World, I want to be an actor,’ and the world’s like, ‘Maybe computers?’” the Somebody Somewhere star joked on stage while accepting the trophy for Supporting Actor in a Comedy. He even thanked HBO for airing their show about “sweaty, middle-aged people” on the same network as the “sexy teens of Euphoria.” And that shiny, pink ‘fit? No notes. — N.C.

WORST: Jennifer Coolidge’s Meandering Monologue

These speeches, they’re trying to kill us! Jennifer Coolidge was meant to present the award for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, but instead hijacked the stage for a minutes-long monologue on group chats, Ozempic and how winning an Emmy ruined her life. The lengthy, meandering bit felt especially out of place during a program that was constantly reminding the audience of a charitable gift losing funds as time ticked. — C.F.

BEST: The Gilmore Girls Still Got It

While standing on a recreation of their characters’ Stars Hollow porch, Gilmore Girls stars Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham delivered a fun, funny, banter-y bit about how tiny their 25-year-old drama’s production budget was. Prime example: “We saved up all year long to have one snow episode,” Bledel said. “And then ER would wet down their street and wash it all away!” Graham said. When Bledel urged her co-star/co-presenter to let it go, Graham couldn’t. “They had Clooney,” she cried. “Could’ve let us have the damn snow!” — K.R.

WORST: Countdown Cringe

Bargatze’s bit about trying to keep acceptance speeches under 45 seconds was mildly amusing to start, but quickly overstayed its welcome throughout the broadcast. At the top of the show, the host said he would donate $100,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, but that number would shrink for every speech that went over the allotted time. Not only were the fluttering numbers distracting on screen, but it was rude to the winners who were racing the clock. And a bunch of rich Hollywood types making light of money (not a large sum for many in the room) that the charity and its beneficiaries could actually use? Pretty distasteful. (OK, OK, it all worked out in the end when the emcee announced that he and CBS were donating $350,000 to the charity. But our points above still stand!) — N.C.

BEST: Cristin Milioti Loves Acting (and We Love Cristin Milioti)

The Penguin star started by sharing that she wrote her speech on the back of therapy notes, which told us right away that her remarks were sure to fly off the rails in the best possible way. The actress, overcome with gratitude, said that playing her character Sofia “felt like flying,” before she thanked her family for showing her movies that were “very inappropriate for my age.” She got teary while praising her friends, said she wanted to “freebase” showrunner Lauren LeFranc’s brain, and shouted “I love acting so much!” along with a big ol’ “WOOO!” as she closed. Her words felt honest and her emotions real, making us feel like we were riding shotgun on her Emmys night rollercoaster ride. — N.C.

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