The 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards were held on January 6 and 7, 2024, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California. The awards honored the outstanding achievements in technical and creative categories of television programming that aired in 2023. The ceremony was streamed live on the Emmy website and app, and a edited version was broadcast on ABC on January 9, 2024. Here are some of the highlights and winners of the two-night event.
Night 1 Winners
The first night of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards focused on the categories related to drama, comedy, and limited series. Some of the winners were:
- Casting for Drama/Comedy/Limited Series: The casting teams of The Crown, Ted Lasso, and Mare of Easttown won the awards for their respective genres, for finding the perfect actors to portray the characters and bring the stories to life.
- Costumes: The costume designers of The Queen’s Gambit, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Halston received the awards for their exquisite and authentic outfits that captured the essence of the different eras and settings of the shows.
- Makeup: The makeup artists of The Handmaid’s Tale, Saturday Night Live, and The Underground Railroad were recognized for their skills in transforming the actors’ appearances and creating realistic effects of wounds, scars, and aging.
- Guest Actor/Actress: The guest performers who won the awards for their outstanding contributions to the shows they appeared in were: Courtney B. Vance for Lovecraft Country, Maya Rudolph for Saturday Night Live, Claire Foy for The Crown, and Dave Chappelle for Saturday Night Live.
- Hairstyling: The hairstylists of Bridgerton, Hacks, and The Queen’s Gambit were awarded for their work in creating stunning and stylish hairstyles that suited the characters and the periods of the shows.
- Stunt Coordination: The stunt coordinators of The Mandalorian, Cobra Kai, and Fargo were honored for their work in choreographing and executing thrilling and realistic action sequences that enhanced the drama and excitement of the shows.
- Production Design: The production designers of The Crown, The Flight Attendant, and WandaVision were praised for their work in creating immersive and detailed sets and environments that transported the viewers to the different worlds and realities of the shows.
- Visual Effects: The visual effects teams of The Mandalorian, WandaVision, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier were applauded for their work in creating stunning and seamless visual effects that blended with the live-action footage and added to the spectacle and magic of the shows.
- Main Title/Motion Design: The main title and motion design teams of WandaVision, Ted Lasso, and The Queen’s Gambit were celebrated for their work in creating captivating and creative opening sequences that introduced the themes and tones of the shows.
- Sound Editing/Mixing: The sound editors and mixers of The Mandalorian, Ted Lasso, and The Underground Railroad were acknowledged for their work in creating rich and immersive soundscapes that complemented the visuals and the narratives of the shows.
Notable First-Time Winners
The Creative Arts Emmy Awards also saw some notable first-time winners, who made history or broke records with their achievements. Some of them were:
- Judith Light for Poker Face: The veteran actress won her first Emmy award for her role as a ruthless poker player in the Netflix limited series Poker Face. She also became the oldest winner in the category of Outstanding Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, at the age of 74.
- Cast members from The Last of Us: The HBO adaptation of the popular video game The Last of Us won four awards, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. The cast members, who voiced and performed the motion capture for the characters in the game, also won their first Emmys for their roles. They were: Troy Baker (Joel), Ashley Johnson (Ellie), Jeffrey Pierce (Tommy), and Merle Dandridge (Marlene).
- Sam Richardson for Ted Lasso: The comedian and actor won his first Emmy award for his role as Richard, the cheerful and loyal kit man of the AFC Richmond soccer team, in the Apple TV+ comedy series Ted Lasso. He also became the first actor of African descent to win the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
Trending Recipes and Popular Shows
The Creative Arts Emmy Awards also generated a lot of buzz on social media, as viewers shared their reactions and opinions on the winners and the shows. Some of the trending topics and hashtags were:
- #TheBear: The Netflix animated short film The Bear, which won the award for Outstanding Animated Program, became a viral sensation, as viewers were moved by its touching and humorous story of a bear who tries to find his place in the world. The film also spawned a lot of memes, fan art, and merchandise featuring the adorable protagonist.
- #TheWhiteLotus: The HBO comedy-drama series The White Lotus, which won the award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special, became a popular topic of discussion, as viewers praised its witty and satirical portrayal of the guests and staff of a luxury resort in Hawaii. The show also sparked a lot of speculation and theories about its mysterious and shocking finale.
- #Beef: The recipe for beef, which was featured in the Netflix cooking show Chef’s Table: BBQ, which won the award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program, became a hot trend, as viewers were impressed by the skills and techniques of the chefs who prepared the dish. The recipe also inspired many viewers to try their own versions of the succulent and savory meat.
Conclusion
The 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards were a celebration of the excellence and diversity of the television industry, as well as a reflection of the tastes and preferences of the viewers. The awards showcased the talent and creativity of the people who work behind the scenes and in front of the cameras, and also gave recognition to some of the new and emerging voices and faces in the medium. The awards also set the stage for the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, which will be held on January 14, 2024, and will honor the best in the categories of drama, comedy, and variety. The Primetime Emmy Awards will be hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, and will be broadcast live on ABC.
