- TV's biggest night celebrated television
by giving out half the Emmys to streaming series
you probably watched on your phone.
- Television has never been bigger.
- On this IMDbrief,
we break down the big winners
of the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards.
- I find writing really, really hard,
and really painful.
But I'd like to say, just honestly from the bottom
of my heart, that the reason that I do it is this.
- First off, the night belonged
to Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who took home
the 2019 Emmy awards for Best Comedy Actress,
Best Comedy Writing, and Best Comedy Series
for her filthy-mouthed dramedy "Fleabag."
- I find acting really hard, and really painful.
(audience laughing)
- Okay, it's her first Emmys acceptance speech.
She'll be more prepared next year.
- Phoebe, I love you.
- Actress Jodie Comer mirrored
our appreciation for Waller-Bridge who, in all of her
spare time, from creating, starring in,
and winning awards for "Fleabag," also created
BBC America's killer thriller "Killing Eve."
And Comer wasn't the only one who was shocked
that she took home Best Actress in a drama series.
- My mum and dad who are in Liverpool
who I didn't invite because I didn't think
this was gonna be my time.
(audience laughing)
- Speaking of the UK, the 2019 Emmys
were all but overrun by those blokes and blokettes
from across the pond.
Cheerio.
- Quite a lot of British winners.
Maybe too many.
Maybe you should have a think about those
immigration restrictions for (beeping) hole countries.
- From "A Very English Scandal"
to "Black Mirror: Bandersnatch"
to "Last Week Tonight," and back to "Fleabag"
for a fourth Emmy for comedy directing,
the Brits were cleaning up and showing their love
for Phoebe Waller-Bridge, of course.
- I have to thank Phoebe who, thank you for coming
into my life like some kind of glorious grenade.
- In non-Phoebe news,
"Saturday Night Live" was the sole network show
to win Primetime Emmys in 2019.
This platinum age of TV seems to favor
cablers and streamers, but "SNL" still holds the record
for most Emmy noms over its 45 seasons.
- I'll take it. Thank you.
- Winning for Variety Directing
and Variety Sketch, categories that the Emmys
decided to hype with their own song and dance number ...
♪ But there's only one category for singing and dancing ♪
♪ In depth define acrobats ♪
"SNL" proved that network TV can still hold its own
at the awards.
- And that sort of thing is what keeps us there.
That and the politics.
- If something felt different about 2019,
it might be that the Emmys followed in the Oscars' footsteps
and went host-free.
- What a dumb idea. - What a joke.
- So stupid.
You know what has a host?
Applebee's has a host.
(audience laughing)
- Yeah. They have food, too.
- Instead, funnyman Tom Lennon
added running commentary as the winners
took the often long hike up to the stage,
because someone gave Tom a microphone
and no one turned it off.
- [Thomas] Chernobyl was filmed in Studio City, California
in front of a live audience.
A fourth degree yoga master, he can sleep folded up
in a carryon suitcase.
My apologies to whoever is sitting right behind him
to the left.
- [Announcer] Lastly, let's also wrap on a happy note.
Game of Thrones finally got that good ending
we had all hoped for.
The eighth and final season won Outstanding Drama Series
even though it drew the ire of everyone
from east to Westeros.
- I can't believe we finished it.
I can't believe we did it.
We did it all together, and it's over.
- [Announcer] Despite a record-busting 32 nominations,
including nine just for acting in 2019,
Peter Dinklage was once again the only cast member
on "Game of Thrones" to take home the statuette.
That's what you get for drinking wine and knowing things.
- It's easy to confuse what is with what ought to be.
Especially when what is has worked out in your favor.
- [Announcer] For more Emmys, including our interviews
with the winners, and from the purple carpet,
check out imdb.com/emmys.