Emmy Awards 2025 Live Blog: I'm Reacting To The Big Winners Like Seth Rogen And Severance, The Fashion, And Host Nate Bargatze Brilliant Speech Countdown Clock

A year has passed since Shōgun made its dramatic sweep as one of the 2024 Emmy Awards’ biggest winners, which means it’s once again time to honor television’s best. And I can think of no better way to personally honor all of this year’s Emmy-nominated entities than by live-blogging the ceremony and sharing roughly 75-85% of my waking thoughts during that runtime.

The night could easily be dominated by Apple shows, with Severance and The Studio earning the most nominations of any series that didn't feature Colin Farrell in prosthetics, though that still didn’t stop the TV Academy from making an early mistake involving Seth Rogen. In any case, I’m expecting to hear a lot of “Thank you, Sal Saperstein” on the stage tonight, and if everyone just limited their appreciation to just that one line, then Nate Bargatze’s plan to keep speeches short wouldn’t even need to be put into action.

UPDATE: Now that the telecast has wrapped, here's a full list of winners, but definitely keep scrolling to see what other highlights surrounded those wins.

• Outstanding Drama Series: The Pitt
• Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series: Britt Lower (Severance)
• Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series: Noah Wyle (The Pitt)
• Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series: Katherine LaNasa (The Pitt)
• Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series: Tramell Tillman (Severance)
• Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series: Adam Randall (Slow Horses)
• Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series: Dan Gilroy (Andor)
• Outstanding Comedy Series: The Studio
• Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series: Jean Smart (Hacks)
• Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series: Seth Rogen (The Studio)
• Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series: Hannah Einbinder, (Hacks)
• Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series: Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere)
• Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series - Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (The Studio)
• Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: Adolescence
• Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series: Cristin Miloti (The Penguin)
• Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series: Stephen Graham, (Adolescence)
• Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series: Erin Doherty (Adolescence)
• Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series: Owen Cooper, (Adolescence)
• Outstanding Directing For A Limited Series Or Movie: Philip Barantini (Adolescence)
• Outstanding Writing For A Limited Series, Anthology Or Movie - Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham (Adolescence)
• Outstanding Reality Competition Program: The Traitors
• Outstanding Talk Series: The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
• Outstanding Scripted Variety Series: Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

Now, without further ado, let's jump into talking about everything happening, from the opening festivities to the awkward presenter moments to the heart-wrenching acceptance speeches. But as it always goes with awards ceremonies, the night starts off with red carpet hightlights, so away we go.

The Emmys Live Blog Starts Here!

First and foremost, hello and thank you to everyone for following along. Just shout your names into your computers, and I'll probably be able to hear some of them. Not really, but we don't holler our own names out loud enough as a society.

Before the red carpet reactions, here are a pair of polls for the two biggest awards of the night.

Now let us know what you think will win in the other category.

My Red Carpet Fashion Hot-ish Takes

My thoughts on award nominees' fashion choices are about as useful and professional as a that of a [fill the blank with something extra-clever], but I have to do something with them. So here's a rundown of my early thoughts on some of the celebs seen on the red carpet so far.

• The Pitt's cast may win the night for cast looks

Let's run this down. Shabana Azeez is wearing a gorgeous red dress from Marchesa with a big red burst of fabric on the left shoulder. Shawn Hatosy is looking dapper AF in a black velvet tux. Katherine LaNasa is a testament to elegance in a Jason Woo dress (that she noted is the nurse-specific color of ceil blue) with a big silver bow, as well as Fred Leighton jewels. Noah Wyle is rocking a purely traditional tux look, but I'll take it.

The biggest winner of the bunch, though, has to be Tracy Ifeachor's silver and wildly intricate dress. Not sure who made it, but hat's off to them. Literally, since the look does not involve a hat. I'll update with her look when one becomes clearly available.

• Nobody Wants That star Justine Lupe's jeweled dress from iconic designer Carolina Herrera? More like Everybody Wants That.

• The White Lotus' Sam Nivola is wearing what may be the most comfortable pants to ever be worn on an awards red carpet.

• Hacks' Megan Stalter pulled off an all-timer Emmys look by wearing a white T-shirt, jeans, sunglasses and purse with a "Cease Fire!" sign on it. Obviously a statement look, but not without Stalter's spotlight personality still imbued.

• Severance's Tramell Tillman and The Last of Us' Pedro Pascal are both wearing white suits, with Tillman's being a custom, button-emblazoned Dolce ensemble. I think if there were a battle of the white suits, he'd win.

• Abbott Elementary star Quinta Brunson looks incredible in a Louis Vuitton dress that has enough sideboob to make an entire elementary school blush. Co-star Jannelle James looks equally stunning in a bejeweled red dress.

• Love that Hunting Wives stars Malin Akerman and Brittany Snow were hanging out on the carpet together, with both rocking different levels of pink.

• Other Severance stars are showing off fantastic looks even beyond Tramell Tillman. Sarah Bock and Britt Lower look wowzers is their respective sparkly and shimmering dresses, and Patricia Arquette pulls off opera gloves like few others. Adam Scott and Ben Stiller might both be wearing the exact same tux, but Zach Cherry's patterned suit absolutely stands out.

• Wednesday's Jenna Ortega may or may not be wearing a top made entirely out of jewels and pearls and stuff. Even Thing would do a double-take.

• Jason Segel looks like a tall glass of red wine, and fiancée Kayla Radomski's black dress kind of resembles a wine glass. Or maybe I am just really wanting a glass of wine at this point.

• Saturday Night Live's Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson both look great, but just seeing the couple smiling and laughing together is the best look of all, amirite?

• Last-second highlights: Reba McEntire's sequined jacket, Kristen Bell's dress, the white outlines on Alan Cumming's Tanner Fletcher suit, Parker Posey's pink floof

The Show Finally Started, And The Opening Was Excellent!

Nate Bargatze kicked off the Emmys with a winning riff on Saturday Night Live's "George Washington" sketch, with the comedian portraying TV inventor Philip Farnsworth. It's nothing new to rip on TLC and History for not living up to their original names - with shows about "people who eat couch cushions" for instance.

But it gets more insightful once the joke is pointed to streaming (as a way to avoid talking about the lack of Asian diversity). Streaming TV truly is the home for real-life murderers as stars.

I'm also here for more jokes thrown at The Bear not being a comedy or a drama, and at more people watching NFL and Yellowstone than anything that ever gets awarded at the Emmys. Big wins all around, and without any flubs. 10 out of 10. Would watch again.

Stephen Colbert's Standing O

Stephen Colbert was a brilliant choice to be the first presenter of the night. Not only did he draw attention to all of the Late Show staffers who will be out of a job in May, but he also turned in his first headshot to Harrison Ford to pass on to Steven Spielberg. From one Steve to another.

WINNER: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series - Seth Rogen (The Studio)

Didn't expect such a big award to start things off, and Rogen's speech was shorter than Colbert's set-up.

AND HE DIDN'T EVEN THANK SAL SAPERSTEIN, THAT RASCAL!

Nate Bargatze's Acceptance Speech Rules

True to his word, Bargatze set up that everyone is being held to a 45-second speech, with a potential $100,000 donation going to the Boys and Girls Club of America, with $1,000 getting taken out for every second that a winner goes over. Alternately, the pot will be sweetened whenever everyone goes under their time.

Thanks to Seth Rogen's quick speech, the pot quickly rose to $106,000, and Bargatze immediately qorried about having to pay too much money. Love this idea, and while it seems like it'll be hard to represent next year, it should be interesting to see where things go.

WINNER: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series - Jean Smart (Hacks)

I love Jennifer Coolidge as much as the next person, but I don't know if I understand her getting 17 minutes (roughly?) to introduce this award. But okay. As long as the Boys and Girls Club didn't lose any money.

No surprise that Jean Smart took home her 7th Emmy, and her 4th win for playing Hacks' Deborah Vance. Perhaps more surprising: she compared her slow walk (due to a recent injury) to John Wayne's.

Props for her ending with this hopeful note:

• "Be good to each other. Just be good to each other."

WINNER: Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series - Katherine LaNasa (The Pitt)

Well-deserved win, and I'm wondering if this is the beginning of a big sweep for The Pitt over others like The White Lotus.

WINNER: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series - Trammell Tillman (Severance)

Fuck yes! I am so damned happy for this one. Not just because I think Trammell Tillman absolutely deserves accolades for his masterful work as Severance's Seth Milchick, but also because I expected nothing but perfection from his speech. And he delivered with the following:

• "You remember what you want to remember. You make time for what you want to make time for. Do the work, show up, and most importantly, for the love of God, don’t embarrass me in public. My first acting coach was tough, y’all. But all great mothers are. Mama you were there for me when no one else was and when no one else would show up. Your loving kindness stays with me. And this is for you. Thank you to the Academy. I am full, I am humbled, I am honored, and as my mama would say, ‘Woo! Look at God!’"

A wonderful speech, through and through.

This win also doesn't disrupt The Pitt's possible sweep, since Paradise was the only non-Severance/White Lotus show to have an actor in the running. Just saying.

WINNER: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series - Britt Lower (Severance)

A shocked and tearful Britt Lower took the stage, with John Turturro and Severance creator Dan Erickson beaming with smiles in the crowd.

• "Thank you, Helly R., for choosing me."

It's wild that this year's Emmys are going to hard on handing out the acting Emmys in the first hour. What does that mean for the rest of the broadcast?

Golden Girls Tribute Performance

Reba McEntire and Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman paying tribute to The Golden Girls. Nothing could be more logical, in many ways. Not seeing how it was a logical choice to preface an award presentation, but I'll take it.

WINNER: Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series - Hannah Einbinder (Hacks)

Hannah Einbinder's hilarious speech, in which she pointed out that she was ready to lose again, was the first time the telecast showed off the quickly dropping charity donation with an on-screen graphic, which caused the Hacks actress to stammer her way through another few thousand dollars going away before she wrapped with a few choice political statements.

Bring On The Swear Jar

Nate Bargatze just suggested the clear way to up the ante during next year's acceptance speeches. A swear jar. Give this guy all the meetings.

Leanne Morgan, Presenter Extraordinaire

Leanne Morgan, star of Netflix's multicam sitcom Leanne, was a fun presenter, getting performatively flustered over Pedro Pascal and other celebs.

• "Walton Goggins, I cannot get my toe in his pants."

She even started to open the envelope before she even got around to saying the back half of her introduction.

WINNER: Outstanding Reality Competition Program - The Traitors

Alan Cumming running a class on acceptance speeches, quieting others and spitting out a lot of thank-yous quickly. Show 'em how it's done. Oh yeah, and congrats to all involved for rewarding the best reality show on TV.

WINNER: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series - Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere)

This might go down as the biggest surprise of the night, though not an unearned or easily disputable one. This marks Jeff Hiller's first Emmy nomination and win, and his humbled reaction made it clear he wasn't so confident in the win. Thank goodness he didn't listen when the world told him "...Maybe computers" instead of acting.

Yes, I realize that Hiller winning means Ike Barinholtz didn't win for The Studio, thus ruining all chances of the Sal Saperstein portrayer thanking his character. But some things are more important than my bullshit. Just some, though.

WINNER: Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series - Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (The Studio)

Despite Evan Goldberg getting left out of the winners announcement, he was there alongside Seth Rogen to receive accolades for their standout directorial work.

Boo on Walton Goggins and Parker Posey's weird Thai food intro. Less of that.

WINNER: Outstanding Directing For A Limited Series, Anthology Or Movie - Philip Barantini (Adolescence)

As much as I loved all of the nominees in this category, it's hard to say this show's one-shot direction was less impactful than anything else on TV in the past year.

Another appearance from the Charity Countdown Clock, also. I can't wait to see where it's at when the halfway point of the broadcast hits. (Which could either be in 20 minutes or 200 minutes, knowing the Emmys.)

WINNER: Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series - Adam Randall (Slow Horses)

I didn't necessarily see this one coming, and my Severance bullishness wanted to hear that show get named here. But no slight to Adam Randall, since anyone directing Gary Oldman is worthy of winning here.

Also, just to say it, Jesse Williams looks like he's ready to play James Bond. Or to at least hang out with James Bond at the biannual Smoothest Looking Sumbitches on Earth summit.

WINNER: Outstanding Scripted Variety Series - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

CBS definitely wasn't patting itself on the back by bringing a Survivor spin to this category's two nominees, despite neither of them actually airing on CBS.

Other than that, though, it was almost surprising to see Last Week Tonight take the prize over Saturday Night Live's landmark 50th season, which was pretty lauded and didn't do too badly in the ratings department, either. But Oliver's HBO show is extremely hard for any other series to beat.

WINNER: Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series - Dan Gilroy (Andor)

Does this mark one of the biggest award wins for the Star Wars franchise? I think maybe so? Love that he gave a shout out to brothers Tony and John for their efforts, but it seems wild to say "I don't have words" in an acceptance speech while a dollar amount is shrinking on the screen.

WINNER: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series - Owen Cooper (Adolescence)

Wow, wow, wow. The young Owen Cooper was a class act accepting his award for his stellar work on Adolescence, saying when he started on his acting journey, he didn't expect to travel to the U.S. by this point, much less get honored with an award. As he put it:

• "I was nothing about three years ago. I'm here now."

Here's hoping for even more great things from Cooper in the future. And if they're all far, far easier on one's blood pressure to watch than the Netflix limited series, no complaints on my end.

WINNER: Outstanding Writing For A Limited Series, Anthology Or Movie - Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham (Adolescence)

Unsurprisingly, Adolescence continued its winning streak, and Nate Bargatze is a winner for putting all the money back that Owen Cooper lost during his extended speech.

As far as presenters go, Kathryn Hahn and Ike Barinholtz seemed like they were truly set to deliver an awkward bit by calling out writers not being as important as others. And hey, it kinda was, but I love that they just purposefully had barely anything to say as soon as the teleprompter was turned off. It's dumb, but I like those two.

Gilmore Girls Mini-Reunion For The Win

Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham going back and forth with scripted quips has been sorely missing from my life. No more soreness, but only for a little while.

WINNER: Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series - Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, Frida Perez (The Studio)

Big ups to The Studio crew for delivering the shortest speech of the night so far, with this triplet of lines:

• Alex Gregory: We would like to thank Seth and Evan.
• Frida Perez: And our amazing cast and crew.
• Peter Huyck: Apple and Lionsgate. Pay up, Nate!

Soon followed by Nate Bargatze gamely telling winners to give some long thank-yous.

WINNER: Outstanding Variety Special (Live) - SNL 50

Power to everyone for giving the mic to Lorne Michaels during a night where speed is key. But the legendary creator shared his speech with aplomb, with former stars Steve Martin and Martin Short standing at attention in the crowd.

Presenter Tina Fey's jokes about Drake and Kendrick Lamar, as well as her joke about not being pregnant, got some weird looks from the crowd. Oops.

WINNER: Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series - Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

Nobody's shocked by this one, since Last Week Tonight has yet to lose in this category.

As such, let's take a second to Ooh and Aahh over how amazing Kathy Bates and Alan Cumming looked next to each other as presenters, with both changing into far more shimmering outfits from what they were wearing earlier in the night.

I can't say with confidence that I would wear what Cumming is wearing even if I knew with 100% certainty that I could pull it off. But only because I wouldn't want anyone to mistake us for each other in public. Same goes for the Matlock star's dress.

WINNER: Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series - Erin Doherty (Adolescence)

Erin Doherty, whose dress is pretty fabulous (and a total nightmare for anyone with trypophobia), carried on Adolescence's winning run, and deservedly so. And with a time-friendly speech, as well.

WINNER: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series - Cristin Miloti (The Penguin)

I was going to be so angry if The Penguin didn't get any love, and I love that Cristin Milioti took home that show's first win of the night. And that her bright and bubbly speech was the polar opposite of her work as Sofia Falcone. It was the only speech of the night that featured someone saying they wanted to freebase their show creator's brain. The only one SO FAR anyway.

Can't ignore the excellence of Colin Farrell walking his co-star up to the stage, either.

TV Academy Chairman Cris Abego's Inspirational Speech

Usually, award shows take a dip whenever chairmen and execs take the stage, but Cris Abego delivered a pretty impassioned and inspirational speech about the power of TV and storytelling to unite people in devisive times. It's kind of preaching to the choir at an event like this, but still important words.

WINNER: Bob Hope Humanitarian Award: Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen

Love that The Good Place's Kristen Bell and creator Michael Schur were given the duty of presenting this award to Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, even if it wasn't for their on-screen efforts, but for their selfless work in the real world.

Given this was a preplanned award, the couple had an inspirational speech at the ready, and they weren't limited to the 45-second speech clock that other winners were. Which is good, because that wouldn't have been enough time to be wowed by Steenburgen's fabulous dress.

The "In Memoriam" Segment

Phylicia Rashad came out to pay tribute to the late Malcolm-Jamal Warner to introduce the night's "In Memoriam" segment, which was accompanied by country giants Vince Gill and Lainey Wilson singing "Go Rest High on That Mountain."

With every year that passes, this segment gets filled with more and more icons of the industry who passed away, and there's never enough time to pay proper respects to everyone. To that end, we can likely expect for social media to pinpoint exactly who was left out of it.

It's Weird How Few Bits There Have Been

I'm not mad about it, since it's made things flow pretty smoothly. But the lack of them makes it seem like nothing has really happened on the show outside of the winners being presented. Having JB Smoove doing completely clean jokes from the crowd isn't helping much, either.

Of course, maybe that's why we're actually still seeing host Nate Bargatze showing up this late into the telecast, which usually isn't the cast.

WINNER: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series - Stephen Graham (Adolescence)

Oh man, the way that everyone around Stephen Graham reacted whenever his name was called was enough to give me a big jolt of energy. His speech was right touching as well without going overboard in any direction. Next up will no doubt be Adolescence's win in its key category.

WINNER: Outstanding Talk Series - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Who could have seen this one coming? It's been a wild past month for The Late Show, which went from getting canceled outright to winning the Emmy. The whole squad hit the stage, and even though Colbert kicked it off by saying "Think of the children," he definitley went on for too long, but understandably so, since everyone on the show will be on different projects (hopefully) by the time the 2026 Emmys come around.

At least he ended it strong, with this closing line:

• "Stay strong, be brave, and if the elevator tries to bring you down, go crazy and punch a higher floor! Woo!"

WINNER: Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series - Adolescence

Wait, what? I didn't see this coming at all!! [holds for delighted laughter and applause]

Of course Adolescence took home the gold here after winning just about everything else it could have. And it gave Stephen Graham a chance to thank the people that were left out in his previous speech.

Countdown Clock Update

Hliariously, the current amount of money set to be donated to the Boys and Girls Club is negative $26,000. Too bad for all the kids. But hey, Stephen Colbert had a lot of people to thank.

Everybody Loves Raymond Mini-Reunion

Another classic TV pairing took the stage in the form of Ray Ramano and Brad Garrett, who hilariously went off on how winning his award for Everybody Loves Raymond years ago didn't raise his star power like he expected it to. He even joked that the next time he appeared on the Emmy's, it'd be in the "In Memoriam" segment, questioning whether or not he'd even make the cut. Ray Ramano's response:

• "I mean...if it's a slow year, no doubt. No doubt. No question."

I'd love to watch these two working together in another capacity, especially knowing that neither wants to bring their sitcom back, in lieu of co-star deaths.

WINNER: Outstanding Comedy Series - The Studio

This was an expected win for Seth Rogen's breakout streaming hit, although it was hard to pay attention to the speech as the Countdown Clock total rose (or dropped) to well beyond negative $50,000.

Outside of that, love that this won, because Bryan Cranston's performance in the Season 1 finale is one of the funniest things I've ever seen in my life.

WINNER: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series - Noah Wyle (The Pitt)

Noah Wyle may not have won any Emmys during his stellar run on ER, but it all comes back around, and it's perhaps no surprise that he did indeed take home the win for his work on The Pitt. And he delivered just the kind of tight and effective speech that one would also expect.

Go Noah!

WINNER: Outstanding Drama Series - The Pitt

Well I'll be damned. I did assume that this would happen, but I was still holding out blind hope for Severance to win. But no. The Pitt crushed it out throughout the night, and now the pressure is on Noah Wyle, R. Scott Gemmill and John Wells to deliver something just as great with Season 2.

Love the Law & Order: SVU cast members coming together to present, even if everyone else looked like Mariska Hargitay's backup singers/dancers.

Thankfully The Countdown Clock Didn't Actually Matter

Even though the winners' speeches went way over the time limited allotted, Nate Bargatze confirmed at the end of the telecast that CBS would be donating $100,000, and that he would personally donating $250,000, for a total of $350,000 being granted to the Boys and Girls Club.

How funny would it have been if the producers had some of the Boys and Girls Club kids giving a giant check to Bargatze with the amount of money that was lost? That might have been too mean for the comedian's sensibilities.

Final Thoughts

All in all, the 2025 Emmys were about a smooth and effective a ceremony as could be expected during a time when the tone could have been far more political and nasty. Perhaps Nate Bargatze's inoffensive and non-topical comedy set the right mood to keep everyone's messaging in line with celebrating television. Or maybe the thought of children not getting a charitable donation was enough to limit the more outside-the-box speeches.

Whatever the reasoning, I can't complain much, even if the lack of controversy meant things felt a bit too one-note throughout the night. There wasn't even a wildly embarrassing bomb of a presentation, with Jennifer Coolidge and Tina Fey arguably coming the closest to reaching WTF territory. I love Bargatze, though, so I'd welcome him back next year even if it meant a similarly small amount of heightened drama.

Thanks for reading along with me, everyone, and I hope to have made your night that much more bearable. Or at least that much more full of ME. Until we meet again...