Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” became the first streaming series to win top Emmy comedy honors and HBO’s “Game of Thrones” recaptured the best drama series award. See photos.
Colin Jost (L) and Michael Che speak onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Sandra Oh, right, and her mother, Young-Nam Oh, at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Photo by Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images
Claire Foy accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for “The Crown” at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Lil Rel Howery and Deon Cole at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Photo by Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images
Nikolaj Coster-Waldu, Peter Dinklage and Erica Schmidt at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Photo by Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images
Milo Ventimiglia, Aidy Bryant and Justin Timberlake at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Photo by Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images
John Oliver reacts after being named winner of the Outstanding Variety Talk Series award for ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Ryan Murphy accepts the Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special award for ‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story’ onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program winners Carson Kressley, Michelle Visage, RuPaul, and Ross Mathews pose in the press room during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
(L-R) Ben Stiller, Patricia Arquette, and Benicio del Toro speak onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Cast and crew of Outstanding Variety Sketch Series winner Saturday Night Live pose in the press room during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Hilaria Baldwin, Alec Baldwin and Jeff Daniels at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Photo by Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images
Henry Winkler and Fred Armisen at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Photo by Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images
Finn Wolfhard, Maika Monroe and Joe Keery at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Photo by Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images
Peter Dinklage, winner of the award for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for “Game of Thrones”, attends the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Eric Jamison/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Photo by Eric Jamison/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images
Ilana Glazer, left, and Abbi Jacobson present the award for outstanding writing for a variety special at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Matthew Rhys accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for “The Americans” at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Glenn Weiss accepts the award for outstanding directing for a variety special for “The Oscars” at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Glenn Weiss, left, proposes to Jan Svendsen at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Regina King accepts the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie award for ‘Seven Seconds’ onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Darren Criss accepts the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie award for ‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story’ onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Rachel Brosnahan accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Bill Hader poses in the press room with the award for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for “Barry” at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Henry Winkler poses in the press room with the award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for “Barry” at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Alvina Stewart, left, and Anthony Anderson arrive at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Yara Shahidi arrives at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Xosha Roquemore, left, and Lakeith Stanfield arrive at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Tracee Ellis Ross arrives at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Sandra Oh attends the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Tiffany Haddish, left, and Sadie Sink arrive at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Andy Samberg performs at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Leslie Jones attends the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
(L-R) Jonathan Van Ness, Bobby Berk, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, and Karamo Brown attend the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Noah Schnapp, left, and Gaten Matarazzo arrive at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Millie Bobby Brown (L) and Emilia Clarke speak onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Sandra Oh, left, and Andy Samberg appear on stage to present the award for outstanding directing for a comedy series at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Tiffany Haddish (L) and Angela Bassett walk onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
(L-R) Sterling K. Brown, Kristen Bell, Tituss Burgess, Kate McKinnon, Kenan Thompson, and RuPaul perform onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Chrissy Teigen (L) and John Legend speak onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Alex Borstein (C) accepts the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series award for ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ from Tracy Morgan (L) and Jimmy Kimmel (R) onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Kit Harington (L) and Constance Wu speak onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Matt Smith, left, and Claire Foy present the award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Actor Issa Rae attends the 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for IMDB)
Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for IMDB
Aidy Bryant (L) and Bob Odenkirk walk onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Dancers perform onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Betty White speaks onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Amy Sherman-Palladino accepts the award for outstanding directing for a comedy series for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Jenifer Lewis arrives at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Padma Lakshmi arrives at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Thandie Newton arrives at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
RuPaul Charles arrives at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Sterling K. Brown, left, and Ryan Michelle Bathe arrive at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Trevor Noah arrives at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
RuPaul Charles, left, and the cast and crew of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” arrive at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Scarlett Johansson arrives at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Hosts Colin Jost, left, and Michael Che speak at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
An Emmy statue appears before the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
WTOP's Jason Fraley recaps the Emmys (Jason Fraley)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” became the first streaming series to win top Emmy comedy honors and HBO’s “Game of Thrones” recaptured the best drama series award Monday at a ceremony that largely slighted its most ethnically diverse field of nominees ever.
With the exception of “Saturday Night Live,” broadcast shows were shut out of the top awards as 21st-century platforms continued to overshadow traditional network fare like “This Is Us,” among the also-rans.
HBO, which had ceded its top-dog status in total nominations for the first time in 17 years in July (108, to Netflix’s 112), ended up in a tie for wins with the streaming service at 23 each.
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” a freshman sitcom about an unhappy 1950s homemaker liberated by stand-up comedy, earned best actress honors for star Rachel Brosnahan.
Her castmate Alex Borstein earned the supporting actress trophy and the series creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino (“Gilmore Girls”), nabbed writing and directing awards.
Claire Foy of “The Crown” and Matthew Rhys of “The Americans” won top drama acting Emmys, their first trophies for the roles and last chance to claim them, with Foy’s role as Queen Elizabeth II going to another actress and Rhys’ show wrapped.
The field bested by Foy included last year’s winner Elisabeth Moss for “The Handmaid’s Tale” and Sandra Oh of “Killing Eve,” who would have been the first actor of Asian descent to get a top drama award.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” said a startled Foy. She played the young British queen who, as the series continues, will be shown advancing in years.
“Game of Thrones,” which sat out last year’s Emmys because of scheduling, won its third best drama trophy despite competition from defending champ “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
“Thank you for letting us take care of your people,” ”Game of Thrones” producer D.B. Weiss said to George R.R. Martin, whose novels and their characters fuel the drama.
In a ceremony that started out congratulating TV academy voters for the most historically diverse field of nominees yet, the early awards all went solely to whites.
An African-American sweep of guest series actor awards at the recent creative arts Emmys suggested big changes ahead for the awards, which only recently have given significant honors to performers and creators of color.
But there was disappointment for “Atlanta,” which had claimed acting and directing trophies last year for its star and creator Donald Glover and seemed poised for more with 16 nominations.
Rather than become the first black-led comedy in 33 years to be named the best (since “The Cosby Show” in 1985), “Atlanta” was shut out Monday (it won two awards, including guest actor for Katt Williams, last week).
The showing by “Mrs. Maisel” extended the long winning streak of shows that focus on white lives, including “Modern Family” and “Friends,” with ethnic minorities rarely given screen time.
“Let’s get it trending: #EmmysSoWhite,” presenter James Corden joked at the ceremony’s midway point.
Then Regina King broke the string, with a best actress trophy in a limited series or movie for “Seven Seconds,” which tracks the fallout from a white police officer’s traffic accident involving a black teenager.
“I feel like a lot of times we are so divided as a country that things are always black and white. I’m guilty of that a lot of times. I think that probably played into my assumption the chances of me winning was so small,” King said backstage.
Darren Criss, who is of Filipino descent, won the lead acting award for the miniseries “The Assassination of Gianni Versace.” Black actress Thandie Newton won best supporting drama actress for “Westworld.”
Peter Dinklage added a third acting trophy to his collection for “Game of Thrones.”
Brosnahan used her acceptance speech to give a shout-out to her comedy’s celebration of women power.
“It’s about a woman who’s finding her voice anew, and it’s one of the things that’s happening all over the country now,” she said. She urged the audience to exercise that power by voting.
Bill Hader collected the best comedy actor award for “Barry,” a dark comedy about a hired killer who stumbles into a possible acting career.
Henry Winkler, aka “The Fonz,” won a supporting actor award — his first Emmy — for “Barry,” four decades after gaining fame for his role in “Happy Days.”
“If you stay at the table long enough, the chips come to you. Tonight, I got to clear the table,” an ebullient Winkler said, with an equally delighted auditorium audience rising to give him a standing ovation. To his grown children, he said: “You can go to bed now, daddy won!”
The biggest award won by a broadcast network was “Saturday Night Live” for best variety sketch series.
The Emmys had a real-life dramatic moment when winning director Glenn Weiss, noting his mother had died two weeks ago, proposed to his girlfriend, Jan Svendsen.
“You wonder why I don’t want to call you my girlfriend? It’s because I want to call you my wife,” Weiss said. She said yes, he put his mother’s ring on her finger and the crowd whooped and cheered.
John Oliver, in picking up the trophy for best variety talk show award for “Last Week Tonight,” thanked Weiss’ girlfriend for giving the right answer or, he joked, the whole ceremony could have gone south.
The Emmys kicked off with a song, “We Solved It,” a self-mocking celebration to the diversity of nominees sung by stars including Kate McKinnon and Kenan Thompson. The tune included a mention of Oh’s possible victory: “There were none, now there’s one, so we’re done,” the comedians sang.
Oh played along from her seat: “Thank you, but it’s an honor just to be Asian,” said the Korean-Canadian actress.
“Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels, producing his second Emmy telecast in 30 years, was tasked with turning viewership around after the 2017 show’s audience of 11.4 million narrowly avoided the embarrassment of setting a new low.
The ceremony clearly bore his stamp, with Michael Che and Colin Jost as hosts and familiar “SNL” faces, including Kate McKinnon and Alec Baldwin, as presenters and nominees. The long-running NBC sketch show, already the top Emmy winner ever with 71, won again for best variety sketch series.
The pressure was on Michaels because NBC and other broadcasters are increasingly reliant on awards and other live events to draw viewers distracted by online options.
The networks, which air the Emmy telecast on a rotating basis, are so eager for the ad dollars it generates and its promotional value for fall shows that they endure online competitors sharing — and dominating — the stage.
Here’s a list of winners at this year’s prime-time Emmy Awards:
Drama Series: “Game of Thrones”
Comedy Series: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Actor, Drama Series: Matthew Rhys, “The Americans”
Actress, Drama Series: Claire Foy, “The Crown”
Supporting Actor, Drama Series: Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones”
Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Thandie Newton, “Westworld”
Writing, Drama Series: Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg, “The Americans”
Directing, Drama Series: Stephen Daldry, “The Crown”
Related Stories
Actor, Comedy Series: Bill Hader, “Barry”
Actress, Comedy Series: Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: Henry Winkler, “Barry.”
Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: Alex Borstein, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Writing, Comedy Series: Amy Sherman-Palladino, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Directing Comedy Series: Amy Sherman-Palladino, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Limited Series: “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”
Actor, Limited Series or Movie: Darren Criss, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”
Actress, Limited Series or Movie: Regina King, “Seven Seconds”
Supporting Actor, Limited Series or Movie: Jeff Daniels, “Godless”
Supporting Actress, Limited Series or Movie: Merritt Wever, “Godless”
Writing, Limited Series: William Bridges and Charlie Brooker, “USS Callister (Black Mirror)”
Directing, Limited Series: Ryan Murphy, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”
Writing, Variety Special: John Mulaney, “John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City”
Directing, Variety Special: Glenn Weiss, “The Oscars”
Variety Sketch Series: “Saturday Night Live”
Variety Talk Series: “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver”
Reality-Competition Program: “RuPaul’s Drag Race”
___
AP Writers Jonathan Landrum and Mike Cidoni Lennox in Los Angeles and Leanne Italie in New York contributed to this report.
___
Online: http://emmys.com
___
Lynn Elber can be reached at lelber@ap.org and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lynnelber .
