'Ted Lasso' and 'Hacks' accepting their Emmy Awards for World Television Day

Happy World Televison Day!* To celebrate, I'm resuming my coverage of this year's Emmy winners in comedy series, "Ted Lasso," "Hacks," and "The Flight Attendant."

Outstanding Comedy Series

Black-ish (ABC)
Cobra Kai (Netflix)
Emily in Paris (Netflix)
The Flight Attendant (HBO Max)
Hacks (HBO Max)
The Kominsky Method (Netflix)
PEN15 (Hulu)
Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

..."Ted Lasso" is the prohibitive favorite in this category. Like "The Queen's Gambit," it won all the major end-of-year awards last year as well as the Gold Derby TV Awards. Unlike the limited series about chess, its competitor from HBO hasn't been enough to seriously challenge it for the lead.

As I expected, "Ted Lasso" won. Watch Comedy Series: 73rd Emmys for its acceptance speech.



Ted Lasso wins the Emmy for Comedy Series at the 73rd Emmys.
Bill Lawrence got a second crack at the camera in Bill Lawrence: 73rd Emmys Winnerview.


Hearing his description of the show, it's almost enough to get my wife and I to buy an Apple product just so we can watch it — almost.

After producer Bill Lawrence had his turn, Brendan Hunt: 73rd Emmys Winnerview showcased another of the show's winning producers.

Brendan Hunt talks to Marc Istook backstage at the 73rd Emmy Awards after winning the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series for Ted Lasso.

Yes, this interview went off the rails, but that's what made it funny.

Follow over the jump for the rest of the comedy series winners at this year's Primetime Emmy Awards.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson as Andre "Dre" Johnson, Sr. on Black-ish (Episode: "What About Gary?") (ABC)
Michael Douglas as Sandy Kominsky on The Kominsky Method (Episode: "Chapter 20. The round toes, of the high shoes") (Netflix)
William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher on Shameless (Episode: "Father Frank, Full of Grace") (Showtime)
Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso on Ted Lasso (Episode: "Pilot") (Apple TV+)
Kenan Thompson as Kenan Williams on Kenan (Episode: "Flirting") (NBC)

This is a very impressive field of nominees, but like his series, this award is Jason Sudeikis's to lose.

Sudeikis won. Watch his acceptance speech.

Jason Sudeikis wins the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series at the 73rd Emmys.

Sudeikis was both warm and a bit unfocused, so it's a good thing he got a chance to comment on his victory again in Jason Sudeikis Monologue on "Saturday Night Live."

Returning to Saturday Night Live for his hosting debut, Jason Sudeikis talks about his show Ted Lasso and SNL's iconic history.

His line about "two things Americans hate, soccer and kindness" is funny because it's true. Let's see if we can change that, at least about kindness.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Aidy Bryant as Annie Easton on Shrill (Episode: "Ranchers") (Hulu)
Kaley Cuoco as Cassie Bowden on The Flight Attendant (Episode: "In Case of Emergency") (HBO Max)
Allison Janney as Bonnie Plunkett on Mom (Episode: "My Kinda People and the Big To-Do") (CBS)
Tracee Ellis Ross as Dr. Rainbow "Bow" Johnson on Black-ish (Episode: "Babes in Boyland") (ABC)
Jean Smart as Deborah Vance on Hacks (Episode: "1.69 Million") (HBO Max)

Again, this is a very impressive field of nominees, but it's Jean Smart's award to lose, particularly since she won Performer of the Year at the Gold Derby TV Awards.

Again, as I expected, Smart won. Watch her acceptance speech.

Jean Smart wins the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at the 73rd Emmys.

Wow, is Smart ever beloved by the television professionals! Also, she's generous thanking her co-stars in "Mare of Easttown" in addition to the cast and crew of "Hacks," especially Hannah Einbinder.

Smart got another chance to thank people in Jean Smart: 73rd Emmys Winnerview.

Jean Smart talks to Marc Istook backstage at the 73rd Emmy Awards after winning the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy for Hacks.

She was as warm in her own way as Sudeikis.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Carl Clemons-Hopkins as Marcus Vaughan on Hacks (Episode: "New Eyes") (HBO Max)
Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent on Ted Lasso (Episode: "All Apologies") (Apple TV+)
Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard on Ted Lasso (Episode: "Two Aces") (Apple TV+)
Nick Mohammed as Nathan Shelley on Ted Lasso (Episode: "Make Rebecca Great Again") (Apple TV+)
Paul Reiser as Martin Schneider on The Kominsky Method (Episode: "Chapter 18. You only give me your funny paper") (Netflix)
Jeremy Swift as Leslie Higgins on Ted Lasso (Episode: "Biscuits") (Apple TV+)
Kenan Thompson as Various Characters on Saturday Night Live (Episode: "Host: Dave Chappelle") (NBC)
Bowen Yang as Various Characters on Saturday Night Live (Episode: "Host: Carey Mulligan") (NBC)

... "Ted Lasso" has four nominees in this category alone, replacing Schitt's Creek as the favorite comedy series at these awards. If the Emmy electorate can settle on a single candidate, then whoever he is will win.

They settled on Brett Goldstein from "Ted Lasso."

Brett Goldstein wins the Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 73rd Emmys.

I can see both why Goldstein won and why it took the Television Academy nearly a month to upload it. He's funny and a bit dirty. Let's hope the latter doesn't get in the way of his repeating next year.

The video showed the immediate aftermath of the next award presentation.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Aidy Bryant as Various Characters on Saturday Night Live (Episode: "Host: Regé-Jean Page") (NBC)
Hannah Einbinder as Ava Daniels on Hacks (Episode: "I Think She Will") (HBO Max)
Kate McKinnon as Various Characters on Saturday Night Live (Episode: "Host: Bill Burr") (NBC)
Rosie Perez as Megan Briscoe on The Flight Attendant (Episode: "Arrivals and Departures") (HBO Max)
Cecily Strong as Various Characters on Saturday Night Live (Episode: "Host: Anya Taylor-Joy") (NBC)
Juno Temple as Keeley Jones on Ted Lasso (Episode: "For the Children") (Apple TV+)
Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca Welton on Ted Lasso (Episode: "All Apologies") (Apple TV+)

Both Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong return as nominees in this category, joined by Aidy Bryant from SNL. Like cast-mate Kenan Thompson, that would make them nominal favorites based on that criterion. Between the two of them, I would give the slight nod to McKinnon as a former winner. Also like Thompson, I think that may not be enough, as the two hot scripted comedy series are "Hacks" and "Ted Lasso." I think "Ted Lasso" may be the better comedy, but "Hacks" is about show business, so I expect one of the two Hannahs, Einbinder from "Hacks" and Waddingham from "Ted Lasso," will win instead.

Right now, I'd pick Waddingham after she won the comparable Gold Derby TV Award.

She did. Watch her accept her award for Supporting Actress in a Comedy: 73rd Emmys.

Hannah Waddingham wins the Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series at the 73rd Emmys.

And Seth Rogan thought that the opening act was wild. Waddingham's acceptance speech was the most excited and enthusiastic one from this year's awards. Congratulations to her and the rest of the cast and crew of "Ted Lasso!" Speaking of which, both supporting acting winners appeared in Hannah Waddingham and Brett Goldstein: 73rd Emmys Winnerview.

Hannah Waddingham and Brett Goldstein talk to Marc Istook backstage at the 73rd Emmy Awards after winning the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress and Actor in a Comedy Series for Ted Lasso.

While it was the first interview of the night for Istook, it makes for a good last interview about "Ted Lasso" today. I may be done with the show for this post, but I'm not done recognizing its first season on this blog, as "Ted Lasso" won the Environmental Media Association Award for television episodic comedy. I promise to return with all of the EMA Award winners.

Now for awards that "Hacks" won for work behind the camera.

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series

B Positive (Episode: "Pilot"), Directed by James Burrows (CBS)
The Flight Attendant (Episode: "In Case of Emergency"), Directed by Susanna Fogel (HBO Max)
Hacks (Episode: "There Is No Line"), Directed by Lucia Aniello (HBO Max)
Mom (Episode: "Scooby-Doo Checks and Salisbury Steak"), Directed by James Widdoes (CBS)
Ted Lasso (Episode: "Biscuits"), Directed by Zach Braff (Apple TV+)
Ted Lasso (Episode: "The Hope that Kills You"), Directed by MJ Delaney (Apple TV+)
Ted Lasso (Episode: "Make Rebecca Great Again"), Directed by Declan Lowney (Apple TV+)

Eng and Rosen's opinions confirm my personal preference that "The Flight Attendant," my favorite among all the nominated comedies, is the best directed of all the nominees, so I'm going with it.

For once, they steered me wrong. The creative professionals preferred the show about show business, "Hacks." I shouldn't be surprised. Watch Lucia Aniello's acceptance speech for Directing for a Comedy: 73rd Emmys.

Lucia Aniello wins the Emmy for Directing for a Comedy Series at the 73rd Emmys.

Now for first category Aniello and her fellow writers won, which she referred to in this speech.

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

The Flight Attendant (Episode: "In Case of Emergency"), Written by Steve Yockey (HBO Max)
Girls5eva (Episode: "Pilot"), Written by Meredith Scardino (Peacock)
Hacks (Episode: "There Is No Line"), Written by Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky (HBO Max)
PEN15 (Episode: "Play"), Written by Maya Erskine (Hulu)
Ted Lasso (Episode: "Make Rebecca Great Again"), Written by Joe Kelly, Brendan Hunt, and Jason Sudeikis (Apple TV+)
Ted Lasso (Episode: "Pilot"), Written by Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly (Apple TV+)

Again, I'm going with Eng and Rosen that "Hacks" has the advantage here, in that the show is about writing for show business, and the Television Academy voters love good shows about show business, even if it's not Hollywood.

This time, Eng and Rosen steered me right, as the writing team for "Hacks" won. Watch their acceptance speech for Writing for a Comedy Series: 73rd Emmys.

Hacks wins the Emmy for Writing for a Comedy Series at the 73rd Emmys.

That was an inspired introduction by the stars of "Schitt's Creek" and a short but sweet thank you speech from the writers for "Hacks." They got to say more in Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky: 73rd Emmys Winnersview.

Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky talk to Marc Istook backstage at the 73rd Emmy Awards after winning the Emmys for Directing for a Comedy Series and Writing for a Comedy Series for Hacks.

Congratulations to Aniello, Downs, Statsky, and Smart on their Emmy Awards! Here's to season 2!

I close with the winner of Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music, the only other Emmy Award won by a comedy series ("WandaVision" doesn't count), The Flight Attendant Official Soundtrack | Main Title (Opening Animation) – Blake Neely | WaterTower.

The Flight Attendant (Main Title) Opening Animation, A new song by Blake Neely from the #OfficialSoundtrack of HBOMax Series: The Flight Attendant | Starring Kaley Cuoco...

The Flight Attendant is a story of how an entire life can change in one night. A flight attendant (Kaley Cuoco) wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man – and no idea what happened. The dark comedic thriller is based on the novel of the same name by New York Times bestselling author Chris Bohjalian.

I'm looking forward to season 2, when the writers have to come up with a completely original story. Good luck!


*Yes, that's a real day. Here are the highlights from National Day Calendar.

Every year on November 21st, World Television Day recognizes how TV plays a vital role in presenting different issues that affect people.
...
Today, nearly 96% of all households in the United States have at least one television set. TV isn’t just an American phenomenon. Throughout the world, 1.63 billion people have televisions in their homes. Even though the number of televisions has increased dramatically, the reasons for watching hasn’t changed much. People still watch TV as a way to get the news, unwind, or escape reality. Some people, especially children, watch television to learn.
...
The UN understands the impact that television has on the culture. The UN also sees the television as a symbol of communication and globalization. Events held around the world reflect these ideas. These events include talks about communication issues and informational meetings that discuss the role of television in social and political developments.
...
In 1996, the UN General Assembly proclaimed November 21st as World Television Day. This date commemorates the first World Television Forum held that same year. During the Forum, leading media figures discussed the growing significance of television in our ever-changing world.

Previous posts in this series

• Diversity one of the themes of the Outstanding Commercial nominees at the 2021 Emmy Awards
• 'The Social Dilemma' leads documentaries at the Emmy Awards with seven nominations
• 'Allen v. Farrow' leads documentary and nonfiction series at the Emmy Awards with seven nominations
• Quibi's last Emmy nominations are also Roku's first as the network was canceled but the shows were renewed
• It's Saturday night, so here are the 21 Emmy nominations for 'Saturday Night Live'
• 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver' leads Outstanding Variety Talk Series nominees at the Emmy Awards for the fifth consecutive year
• 'Hamilton' at the Emmy Awards
• Dave Chappelle's four Emmy nominations for 'SNL' and '8:46'
• 'Queer Eye' leads structured reality program nominees again at the Emmy Awards while 'preaching love, acceptance, pride, and compassion'
• 'RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked' vs. 'Below Deck' for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program at the Emmy Awards
• 'RuPaul's Drag Race' leads competition program nominees at the 2021 Emmy Awards while modeling diversity and acceptance
• 'Oslo' earned two nominations at the 2021 Emmy Awards
• Gold Derby predicts the Creative Arts Emmy Awards plus animation and drama guest acting nominees
• 'The Queen's Gambit' leads limited series at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, but can it beat 'Mare of Easttown' and 'WandaVision' on the final night?
• 'Ted Lasso' vs. 'Hacks' eclipses 'Black-ish' and 'The Flight Attendant' in comedies at the Emmy Awards
• 'The Crown' vs. 'The Handmaid's Tale' - politics and government in drama nominees at the Emmy Awards
• 'The Crown' sweeps drama series categories on final night of Emmy Awards, shutting out 'The Handmaid's Tale'
• 'The Queen's Gambit' wins limited series, while 'Mare of Easttown' and 'Halston' win the acting categories at the Emmy Awards
• 'Saturday Night Live' returns after winning eight Emmy Awards
• Gold Derby interviews the director and producer of 'The Social Dilemma,' which won two Emmy Awards for documentaries
• Emmy Awards by 'RuPaul's Drag Race' and 'Queer Eye' to celebrate National Coming Out Day 2021
• 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver' examines voting rights after winning three Emmy Awards
• Colbert talks 'Peril' with Woodward and Costa after winning an Emmy