‘Widow’s Bay’ and ‘The Pitt’ Sweep the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards with Historic Wins

Emergency room drama “The Pitt” and comedy-horror “Widow’s Bay” dominated television’s highest honours at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

Set in a cursed New England town, “Widow’s Bay” claimed the best comedy series prize on Monday, defeating last season’s winner, “Hacks”. Matthew Rhys made history by becoming the first person to win two lead acting honours at the same ceremony for his role in the series. Co-star Stephen Root won best supporting actor in a comedy, prevailing over favourite Harrison Ford of “Shrinking”. “Thank you, sir, for all your many years of great, great, great acting,” Root said to Ford during his acceptance speech.

Meanwhile, “Hacks” actress Jean Smart secured her fifth Emmy for portraying stand-up comic Deborah Vance, making her the first actress to win the award for best lead comedy actress for every season of a show’s run. Smart has accumulated eight Emmys overall in her acting career. “What a ride this has been,” Smart remarked after receiving a standing ovation.

In the drama categories, Noah Wyle, starring as Dr “Robby” Robinavitch on “The Pitt”, expressed being overwhelmed after winning his second straight Emmy for best lead drama actor. Set in a Pittsburgh emergency department, “The Pitt” also captured its second consecutive Emmy award for best drama series, beating nominees such as “Pluribus”, “Paradise”, and “The Diplomat”. “This is the only club I’ve ever wanted to join. Thank you for accepting me,” Wyle stated during his acceptance.

Rhea Seehorn won best actress in a drama for her role on “Pluribus”, following prior nominations without honours for her breakthrough work on “Better Call Saul”. Vince Gilligan, creator of “Breaking Bad” and its spin-off “Better Call Saul”, earned the award for best drama writing for “Pluribus”. Additionally, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” won for best variety series, finishing its farewell season with six total Emmys after CBS cancelled the programme, citing financial pressures. Colbert disputed that reasoning, accusing network executives of yielding to pressure from President Donald Trump over his frequent mockery of the administration.