The Emmy Awards: A Night of Surprises, Laughter & Historic Moments

As the Primetime Emmy Awards return for their 76th year, fans are gearing up for another evening filled with glamour, surprises, and unforgettable moments.

Taking place at Los Angeles’s Peacock Theater, this year’s ceremony will be hosted by the dynamic father-son duo, Eugene and Dan Levy, ensuring plenty of laughs.

With shows like Shogun leading the pack with a whopping 25 nominations and The Bear making history in the comedy category with 23 nods, this promises to be a night to remember.

While we wait for this year’s winners, let’s take a stroll down memory lane, revisiting some of the most shocking, heartfelt, and hilarious moments from past Emmy Awards.

Lucille Ball’s Hilarious Glasses Mishap (1975)

Lucille Ball, a legend in the comedy world, left audiences in stitches when she tried to announce the winner for Outstanding Comedy in 1975.

Unfortunately, Lucille forgot her glasses backstage and couldn’t read the cue card.

Lucky for her (and everyone watching), fellow comedian Milton Berle stepped in to assist, adding to the fun of the moment and creating an iconic Emmy blooper.

Ellen DeGeneres Rocks the Swan Dress (2001)

Who could forget when Björk wore that unforgettable swan dress to the 73rd Academy Awards?

In 2001, during the Emmys, Ellen DeGeneres paid homage by donning her own swan-inspired gown, leaving the audience in shock and laughter.

The host‘s cheeky quip, “Everyone knows that it’s fine to wear swan in September, but is it okay to wear it after?” was just the cherry on top of the comedic moment.

Donald Trump’s “Green Acres” Performance (2006)

Before his political career, Donald Trump was known for some surprising entertainment cameos, and none were more memorable than his appearance at the 58th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2006.

Clad in dungarees and wielding a pitchfork, Trump took the stage alongside Will & Grace star Megan Mullally to sing the theme from Green Acres.

Years later, Trump himself would share the throwback video during his presidency, showing he could laugh at the unexpected moment just as much as we did.

A Pageant-Style Fake Out (2011)

The nominees for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy usually keep things professional, but in 2011, Melissa McCarthy, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and the other nominees decided to have a little fun.

Instead of the usual polite smiles, the women pretended they were contestants in a beauty pageant, holding hands and pulling exaggerated nervous faces.

When McCarthy won, the group went all out with a faux pageant celebration, complete with a crown and bouquet.

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Robin Williams’ Heartbreaking Tribute (2014)

The 2014 Emmy Awards were a somber occasion for many as they paid tribute to comedy legend Robin Williams, who had passed away just a month earlier.

Billy Crystal led an emotional tribute, sharing fond memories of his dear friend and showing a montage of Williams’ greatest moments, leaving the audience and viewers at home in tears.

Viola Davis Breaks Barriers (2015)

In 2015, Viola Davis made history as the first African-American woman to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in How To Get Away With Murder.

In her powerful acceptance speech, Davis pointed out the lack of opportunities for women of color in Hollywood, saying, “The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.”

It was a moment that resonated deeply and sparked important conversations about representation in the industry.

Glenn Weiss’ On-Stage Proposal (2018)

The 2018 Emmys took an unexpectedly romantic turn when Glenn Weiss, who won the award for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special, proposed to his girlfriend, Jan Svendsen, on stage.

As he accepted his award, Weiss surprised the audience (and Jan!) by popping the question in front of millions of viewers, leading to one of the most heartwarming and talked-about moments in Emmy history.

The “Pand-Emmys” (2020)

The 2020 Emmy Awards, held during the height of the pandemic, were anything but ordinary.

With no audience and winners accepting their awards remotely, Jimmy Kimmel coined the event as the “Pand-Emmys.”

Despite the unusual circumstances, the night had its share of history-making moments.

Zendaya, at just 24 years old, became the youngest person to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work in Euphoria.

The ceremony also took time to honor frontline workers like nurses and delivery drivers, recognizing their tireless efforts throughout the pandemic.

Pedro Pascal’s Viral Roasting of Kieran Culkin (2023)

In a hilarious moment at the 2023 Emmys, Pedro Pascal couldn’t resist the opportunity to roast Succession star Kieran Culkin.

With his arm in a sling, Pascal joked that Culkin was the reason for his injury, saying, “Kieran beat the s**t out of me.”

The quip, bleeped for language, quickly went viral as fans erupted in laughter at the playful jab.

Elton John Achieves EGOT Status (2024)

The 2024 ceremony crowned a new member of the prestigious EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) club—Sir Elton John.

Winning his first-ever Emmy secured his place in this exclusive group. However, due to recent knee surgery, the legendary musician was unable to attend in person, but his monumental achievement will be remembered for years to come.

A Night of Glitz, Glamour, and Record-Breaking Nominations

The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Schitt’s Creek stars Eugene and Dan Levy, is set to be a night of fierce competition and Hollywood glamour at Los Angeles’s Peacock Theater.

Coming just nine months after the delayed 75th ceremony, which was pushed to January due to Hollywood strikes, this year’s event has some standout contenders.

FX’s historical epic Shogun leads the pack with an impressive 25 nominations, setting records, while The Bear is right behind with 23, making waves in the comedy category.

Other top shows include Only Murders in the Building (21 nominations), True Detective: Night Country (19), and the return of The Crown (19), which sees Imelda Staunton and Elizabeth Debicki nominated for their roles as Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana.

With Netflix leading the network tally at 107 nominations, closely followed by FX, HBO, and Apple TV+, this year is a showdown of the industry’s biggest players.

You can catch all the action live on ABC or stream it through platforms like Hulu+ Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV.

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2024 Emmy Awards: Top Nominations Table

Conclusion

• The Emmy Awards have always been more than just a celebration of television—they’re a platform for unforgettable moments, groundbreaking achievements, and heartfelt tributes.
• From hilarious mishaps to emotional speeches, surprise proposals, and record-setting wins, the Emmys consistently deliver surprises and showcase the best of what television has to offer.
• As we look forward to the 76th annual ceremony, we can only anticipate more history-making moments and dazzling performances.
• Whether it’s honoring long-standing legends or celebrating fresh talent, the Emmys remain a reflection of the ever-evolving entertainment industry and its power to captivate, inspire, and move us all.

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