Inside the 2024 Emmy Awards and Official After Party
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“This is insane,” said a voice on the Emmys red carpet.
“This isn’t insane,” said another. “It’s a madhouse.”
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Bodies were packed like sardines as the stars made their way inside the ceremony at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Monday. Showtime was in 30 minutes.
“Harry Potter’s over there,” whispered more than one guest at the carpet entrance. It was actor Daniel Radcliffe, now 34, but forever recognized for his boy wizard role. He was waiting for a chat with E!, where Laverne Cox was on the platform interviewing Katherine Heigl.
“Little known fact, Katherine and I did a show many years ago called ‘Doubt.’ We shot 13 episodes, and it was canceled after two,” said Cox, with sass and a hand on the hip, wearing vintage 1989 Thierry Mugler couture.
“Yay!” Heigl exclaimed, sarcastically. She wore a fire red Reem Acra dress.
“Yay!” Cox echoed.
“A real, rousing success,” Heigl smiled.
Elizabeth Debicki, in burgundy-velvet Dior haute couture, was nearby with “Entertainment Tonight.”
“Everything is Dior,” said “The Crown” actress, showing off her jewels. “And it’s velvet which is just very nice for me.”
Next door Alexander Skarsgård, in a black peak-lapel Boss tuxedo, was with People and just a little further down was Rachel Brosnahan, in Versace, chatting with “Access Hollywood.”
Brosnahan had been discussing life post “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
“We just feel so lucky that we got to end it,” she told reporters of the series finale.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the Emmys looked back this year, honoring the television shows of the past — from “All in the Family” (with a special tribute to the late screenwriter-producer Norman Lear) to “The Sopranos.”
“I’m taking you to your seats,” a handler told Martin Short, who was standing to the side with Steve Martin. They had just been posing with their “Only Murders in the Building” costar Selena Gomez, also in burgundy, a sheer and sequin Oscar de la Renta gown.
“Look who it is,” a woman pointed to Gomez.
“If it ain’t Brad Pitt it might as well be anyone,” her friend chuckled back.
Inside, the lobby lights were flickering — a 10-minute warning.
“Keep speeches short,” announced Doris Hancox, the first to take the stage. Mom of host Anthony Anderson, she was the MVP of the night, successfully keeping the telecast to three hours. Everyone had strictly 45 seconds each to accept their trophies.
“This year I’ve got something that nobody can ignore, my momma,” said the actor and comedian. “The playoff momma,” he said of his mother, telling the audience to “thank Jesus and your family and wrap it up,” if they see her coming.
“Time’s up, baby! Cut to the chase!” Hancox interjected to laughs.
Her constant presence throughout the show — popping up when speeches were going too long — earned mixed reviews online for TV viewers. “Funny as a bit, but should have stopped there,” said one user on X, previously known as Twitter. “The bit with Anthony Anderson’s mom is gonna get old really quick,” wrote another.
But in person, it landed. The audience was amused all night, charmed by Hancox.
The ceremony went on without any major bombshells or revelations. Elton John became an EGOT (for “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium”) as an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award winner. “Beef” stole the show taking home eight awards, as did “The Bear,” with six Emmys. And “Succession” took the top prize in drama, with six wins total.
As usual, when the commercial breaks hit, everyone stood up to mingle or head back to the lobby for Champagne or a snack.
Keri Russell was munching on Sour Patch Kids, offered by a seatmate.
“Thank you so much!” she said, grabbing a couple. She was hard to miss, with her voluminous Alexandre Vauthier couture gown taking over the aisle.
The official after party — Governors Gala — was a short walk away. Show and party sponsor Fiji Water kept everyone hydrated as guests enjoyed cocktails and bites by the likes of chef Rachel Haggstrom with a Dungeness crab salad and chef Jet Lita with a spicy tuna hand roll.
The winners were escorted to the very center of the bash where trophies were being engraved. Trevor Noah received praise, making history as the first African and Black TV host to win for outstanding talk series for “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah,” ending his run on a high. Eyes were also on Jeremy Allen White, who received lead actor in a comedy for “The Bear.”
RuPaul, surrounded by his “RuPaul’s Drag Race” cast, celebrated 29 Emmys total, with his eighth consecutive win as host. It makes him the most awarded host and person of color (in non-acting) in history.
How does it feel?
“Lovely,” he said simply, gleaming.
Launch Gallery: Inside The 2024 Emmy Show Official After Party
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