{"id":848819,"date":"2026-09-15T17:22:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T17:22:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/848819\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T17:22:18","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T17:22:18","slug":"at-the-2026-emmys-wins-from-apple-tv-and-stephen-colbert-highlight-tv-in-transition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/848819\/","title":{"rendered":"At the 2026 Emmys, wins from Apple TV and Stephen Colbert highlight TV in transition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some of the biggest laughs of the night came from the mini monologue John Mulaney delivered while presenting the category of outstanding lead actor in a drama. \u201cThis award is for the guys, just men being men,\u201d Mulaney said. \u201cFinally, something for the fellas.\u201d The award itself wasn\u2019t a surprise \u2014 front-runner Noah Wyle of \u201cThe Pitt\u201d took it home. But Mulaney\u2019s bit, including a joke that earned a bleep from NBC censors, had the audience in the room roaring and people at home wondering how long until the comic finally hosts a major awards show. (Mulaney did host the Film Academy\u2019s Governors Awards in 2024, but that show isn\u2019t televised).<\/p>\n

The era of Apple<\/p>\n

New Apple CEO John Ternus attended the Emmys, and he had lots to celebrate besides the $2,000 foldable iPhone he showed off on the red carpet<\/a>. For the first time since the tech giant\u2019s streaming service launched in 2019, Apple TV collected more Emmys than any other outlet. <\/p>\n

Including its wins at last weekend\u2019s two Emmy nights, Apple took home 28 trophies total this year, with a record-setting 14 coming for freshman comedy \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay\u201d and six for \u201cPluribus.\u201d HBO came in second with 21, with \u201cDTF St Louis\u201d collecting seven and \u201cThe Pitt\u201d six. Netflix followed in third with 16, winning three apiece for \u201cLove on the Spectrum\u201d and \u201cBeef.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MatthewMatthew Rhys accepts the award for lead actor in a somedy series for Apple TV’s “Widow’s Bay.”Patrick T. Fallon \/ AFP via Getty ImagesQuiet reflection over fiery politics<\/p>\n

If you were betting on Colbert to riff on President Donald Trump and the Federal Communications Commission or open up about the events leading up to his late-night program\u2019s cancellation, you were out of luck. The veteran comedian kept his acceptance speech focused squarely on his gratitude for his 11-year run at CBS, his writing staff and his wife. <\/p>\n

In general, the Emmys were light on topical humor or references to current events such as the Iran war, AI or the looming Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. <\/p>\n

Sally Field did sneak in a subtle line that some interpreted as an anti-merger dig while accepting an Emmy for her performance in the Netflix movie \u201cRemarkably Bright Creatures.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019re the arts,\u201d Field said. \u201cWe matter. Our voices matter. Our diversity, our unique storytelling matters. We can\u2019t let those voices be silenced, or compromised or merged.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Instead of fiery political commentary, this year\u2019s ceremony leaned more reflective, with earnest meditations from Hargitay and \u201cPluribus\u201d creator Vince Gilligan on TV\u2019s power to unite a divided country. <\/p>\n

The winner of one of the night\u2019s marquee categories trained his attention on TV\u2019s important role in troubled times. \u201cYes, we are entertainers. We make you laugh, we make you cry, occasionally we make you look away in disgust,\u201d R. Scott Gemmill, the creator of \u201cThe Pitt,\u201d said in his acceptance speech for best drama series. \u201cBut when I look around this room, I see something more important than the awards and the ratings. I see a whole community that is still trying to do the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Serious notes<\/p>\n

In a year filled with losses in the entertainment industry, the telecast included sorrowful tributes to the late Rob Reiner, Catherine O\u2019Hara and sitcom giant James Burrows. Reba McEntire sang Dolly Parton\u2019s \u201cAppalachian Memories\u201d just a few weeks after the country music giant\u2019s death, and Noah Kahan performed \u201cBridge Over Troubled Water\u201d during the In Memoriam montage. <\/p>\n

But the longest ovation of the night came for a performer who has defied the odds to remain in the business: Michael J. Fox, accepting the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award from his wheelchair. Fox shared that he kept his Parkinson\u2019s diagnosis secret for a long time and wondered if audiences would still laugh at his jokes if they knew he was sick. Ultimately, he said, \u201cI understood that accepting Parkinson\u2019s didn\u2019t mean I had to surrender to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\" Julianna Margulies presents Michael J. Fox with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesThe two Emmys personas<\/p>\n

For years, Jack Nicholson appeared in the front row at the Oscars, the picture of cool detachment and old Hollywood charm. \u201cShrinking\u201d nominee Harrison Ford seems to be stepping into that role at the Emmys, as the guy everyone else seems to want to get next to, who really himself just wants to get home. <\/p>\n

\"HarrisonHarrison Ford shares a laugh with Jason Segel.Jordan Strauss \/ Invision for the Television Academy \/ AP<\/p>\n

In contrast Monday night was enthusiastic \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay\u201d creator Katie Dippold, who didn\u2019t even try to contain her glee at her show\u2019s many awards. During her acceptance speech for writing, Dippold declared, \u201cI promise all of you that no one will ever step foot in my home without seeing this thing (her Emmy). I\u2019m sorry, this is going to become my entire personality now.\u201d <\/p>\n