Don Roy King added another award for “S.N.L.” later in the show, winning for best direction of a variety series.

Trump jokes were expected; Colbert delivers.

Mr. Colbert had been riding an anti-Trump wave all year to unanticipated ratings gold, and it was no different for his opening monologue Sunday. He spent a good chunk of his monologue talking about the president, declaring Mr. Trump the biggest story in TV last year, and spoofing Mr. Trump’s failure to win an Emmy during his years as host of “Celebrity Apprentice.’’

“Unlike the presidency,’’ Mr. Colbert said, “Emmys go to the winner of the popular vote.’’

In a surprise, Mr. Colbert brought Mr. Spicer onstage to make fun of one of the former press secretary’s signature moments: His first news conference when he declared Mr. Trump’s inauguration size was the biggest ever.

Of course, there is a risk in going political at an event that’s supposed to celebrate television. The Emmys have set ratings lows for two consecutive years, and there are plenty of viewers out there who do not want to be lectured by Mr. Colbert or anyone from Hollywood about President Trump. And, from the opposite side of the political spectrum, there were many on social media who expressed anger Sunday night at what they saw as an attempted redemption of Mr. Spicer.