Winners and Losers: Game of Thrones Emmys Round Up
By Ani Bundel
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: The cast and crew of ‘Game of Thrones’, winners of Outstanding Drama Series, pose in the press room at the68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 18, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AXN)
Game of Thrones had a good night, but not a knock-out one, at the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2015, fans went in with low expectations and came away dazed and amazed to see the show not only win more Emmys than any program had in a single year, but also tie two of the biggest shows in television history (Hill Street Blues and The West Wing) for all-time Emmy wins by a drama. This year, the situation was semi-reversed. Fans went in with high hopes that Game of Thrones could sweep, but then came away with only three televised wins to show for it.
Part of the issue was that there were multiple nominations in the Outstanding Supporting Actress and Outstanding Supporting Actor categories, so the vote was split. That meant that Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke and Maisie Williams all lost out to Downton Abbey’s Maggie Smith, while Kit Harington and Peter Dinklage lost out to Bloodline’s Ben Mendelsohn.
Although it’d be hard to argue that the show did badly. They’d already crushed the record for Emmys wins for a drama with nine awards at the Creative Arts Emmys the weekend before, so anything taken home tonight was just gravy. In the end, the show earned an additional three statues, bringing its grand total from 35 to 38.
David Benioff and Dan Weiss took home the award for Outstanding Writing for penning “Battle of the Bastards.” That’s ironic, because that episode’s most memorable moment (Jon Snow getting crushed by his own men) was pretty much improvised. That episode also won Miguel Sapochnik an award for Outstanding Directing, which was fully deserved. (Jack Bender was also nominated for directing “The Door.”) And Game of Thrones took home the final prize of the night: Outstanding Drama. The Emmys even had members of the cast of Hill Street Blues on hand to announce that award, giving the impression that the previous record-holder was handing the record off to the next.
On the red carpet, the three main actresses who showed all acquitted themselves admirably. We have a full rundown here, but quick highlights include:
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Actress Sophie Turner attends the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 18, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images)
Totally a safe color, shape and look from Valentino. But safe works at the Emmys—Turner’s been gracing everyone’s Top Ten lists this morning.
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Actress Maisie Williams attends the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 18, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images)
It’s a cute dress. Look, ignore the head, which is either a tribute to Strictly Come Dancing‘s Claudia Winkleman or a complete disaster, you pick. But neck to knees, this is a cute cocktail number.
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Actress Emilia Clarke attends the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 18, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images)
Her press person insisted it was Atelier Versace, but we all know that Daenerys Targaryen arrived wearing the skin of Cersei Lannister, and that’s why Lena Headey was not in attendance. (It’s only fitting, as we learned in the opening monologue that the reason Ryan Seacrest wasn’t in attendance was due to Drogon burning him to a crisp. Targaryens are a bloodthirsty lot.)
Congrats to all the winners last night.