HBO and FX lead pack at Emmys

The Emmys are known for being a rather predictable awards show, but this year’s ceremony brought about some refreshing twists and first-time award winners. There were plenty of repeat winners, including “Game of Thrones” and “Veep” winning in the major categories of best drama and comedy. Second-time Emmy host Jimmy Kimmel offered up plenty of laughs. Whether watching from your couch, or streaming the show from your laptop in bed, there was plenty to see at the 2016 Emmy Awards. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest winners and losers at this year’s Emmys.

 Big Nights for HBO and FX

HBO and FX were both big winners on Sunday night, with each network pulling in six awards throughout the course of the evening. HBO was crowned the biggest Emmy winner this year, collecting 22 total awards, while FX was right behind at an impressive number of 18.

 Several HBO victories came as no surprise with fan-favorite shows like Game of Thrones and Veep earning repeat honors in their respective best show categories, but HBO had a few surprising winners as well. John Oliver won the Emmy for best variety show with his Last Week Tonight program, dethroning Comedy Central who was the sole winner in the category for the past 13 years. 

FX created a huge buzz with a myriad of nominations for their very successful limited series, The People v. O.J. Simpson. The show managed to take top honors in the limited series category, and three of the show’s actors brought in Emmy awards of their own. It seemed as though nearly the entire cast was nominated for an Emmy this year, with six actors receiving nominations. FX had success in other areas as well with their limited series, Fargo, and critically acclaimed show, The Americans, finally received recognition and earning three major nominations.

 First Time Emmy Winners

Every year at the Emmys, there are plenty of actors and actresses who continue to add to their collections of Emmy statues, but this year there were quite a few who walked onto the Emmys stage for the first time. The FX series, The People v. O.J. Simpson, introduced six actors and actresses whose performances were Emmy worthy. Three out of the six actually took home awards on Sunday night. All three winners, Sarah Paulson, Courtney B. Vance and Sterling K. Brown, were first-time Emmy award recipients.

 The best actor and actress in a drama category brought in two first-time Emmy winners, as well. Rami Malek claimed the top spot for his performance as a hacker in USA’s Mr. Robot. Tatiana Maslany won best actress in a drama for her performances on BBC America’s Orphan Black. Maslany beat out last year’s winner, Viola Davis, as well as Robin Wright and Claire Danes — three small screen legends..

  As far as comedies go, Kate McKinnon of Saturday Night Live managed to upset Allison Janney, a seven-time Emmy award winning actress; and Louie Anderson received his first Emmy for his role as the best supporting actor in the FX comedy Baskets.

 Stars and Social Media

Following an ever-growing trend, this year we saw many celebrities taking to Twitter to show support and offer praise to the Emmy award winners of the evening. Many actors and actresses received their first ever Emmy on Sunday, and fellow stars in the industry were quick to post their affirmations. When Kate McKinnon, who frequently impersonates Hillary Clinton on Saturday Night Live, won her Emmy, she thanked Clinton in her acceptance speech. Shortly after Hillary responded on Twitter by saying, “Congratulations on your Emmy Kate! Big fan of yours, too!”

 Social media has provided us with increasingly better ways of getting an inside scoop of big events like the Emmys. Through the social media accounts of those famous enough to attend the event we are able to see what the celebrities see, and live vicariously through them! Check out some of the best Instagram and Twitter pics from the stars here.

 Despite hitting an all-time low in ratings for the Emmys, bringing in 11.3 million viewers compared to last year’s 11.9, this year’s show brought about more exciting surprises and new winners. While we saw a decrease in ratings, tweets about the Emmys shows that people everywhere were engaged and invested in the awards show.

 What was your favorite moment of the 2016 Emmy Awards?