This year’s Emmys were memorable for a number of reasons, and not just for Anna Chlumsky’s shocked reaction when Sean Spicer rolled that lectern onstage.

Donald Glover, the multi-hyphenate behind FX’s groundbreaking comedy “Atlanta,” became the first black director to win an Emmy for comedy direction. Glover won for “B.A.N.,” an experimental stand-alone episode set in “Atlanta’s” alternate-universe Black Entertainment Television. It was one of the first-year series’ best episodes, blistering in its honest and funny look at race, outrage culture and black masculinity.

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Glover also won the Emmy for lead actor in a comedy, becoming just the second black man to take that award. Robert Guillaume won for “Benson” in 1985.


Lena Waithe, the first black woman ever nominated for comedy writing, took that Emmy for the “Master of None” episode “Thanksgiving,” which she co-wrote with series creator Aziz Ansari. The episode’s story, inspired by Waithe’s own life, followed her character, Denise, discovering her sexuality over the course of her life and finally revealing it to her mother.

“I had survived that thing that I was so afraid of,” Waithe told The Times of her coming-out experience.

1 / 69 Presenter Oprah Winfrey and Emmy winner Elisabeth Moss of “The Handmaid’s Tale” after the show won the Emmy for drama series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 69 Elizabeth Moss receives her Emmy for lead actress in a drama series (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) from Tatiana Maslany and Jeffrey D. Morgan. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 69 Elisabeth Moss hugs co-star Joseph Fiennes along with the cast of “The Handmaid’s Tale” after they won the drama series award during the 69th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 69 Bruce Miller and the cast congratulates Elisabeth Moss of “The Handmaid’s Tale” after they won drama series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 69 Cast and crew of “Veep” accept the comedy series award onstage. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 69 Nicole Kidman reacts to “Big Little Lies” winning the limited series Emmy. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 69 Nicole Kidman accepts the award for lead actress in a limited series or a movie for “Big Little Lies.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 69 Reese Witherspoon, center, accepts for “Big Little Lies” afer winning the Emmy fpr limited series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 69 Nicole Kidman with the Emmy for lead actress in a limited series or movie for “Big Little Lies.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 69 Sterling K. Brown accepting his Emmy for lead actor in a drama series for “This Is Us.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 69 Alec Baldwin accepts his Emmy for supporting actor in a comedy series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 69 Host Stephen Colbert being carried offstage in a scripted performance. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 69 A tender moment on stage is shared between actors Anna Faris and Allison Janney, the stars of TV comedy series “Mom.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 69 Anika Noni Rose and Cecily Tyson present the Emmy for limited series or movie. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 69 Charlie Brooker accepts the award for outstanding television movie for “Black Mirror: San Junipero.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 69 Charlie Brooker and “Black Mirror: San Junipero” win for television movie. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 69 Riz Ahmed wins for lead actor in a limited series or movie for “The Night Of.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 69 Norman Lear and Carol Burnett present comedy series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 69 Julia Louis-Dreyfus returns to the stage with Norman Lear and Carol Burnett after her show “Veep” wins for comedy series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 69 Julia Louis-Dreyfus wins lead actress in a comedy series for “Veep.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 69 Julia Louis-Dreyfus wins lead actress in a comedy series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 69 Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer appears onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 69 Chris Hardwick presents Julia Louis-Dreyfus her Emmy as she wins lead actress in a comedy series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 69 Julia Louis-Dreyfus and her husband Brad Hall react in the audience. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 69 LOS ANGELES, CA., ‚Ä†‚Ä†September 17, 2017: Sterling K. Brown accepting his Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series‚Ä†during the show at the 69th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater‚Ä†in Los Angeles, CA., Sunday, September 17, 2017. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 69 Oprah Winfrey speaks onstage before presenting the award for drama series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 69 A tender moment between actors Anna Faris and Allison Janney, the stars of TV comedy series “Mom.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 69 Actresses Anika Noni Rose, left, and Cicely Tyson present the award for limited series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 69 John Oliver of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” accept the award for variety talk series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 69 Actors Jessica Biel and Joseph Fiennes onstage. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) 31 / 69 Executive producer David Mandel and the cast and crew of “Veep” accept the award for comedy series for “Veep.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 69 Reed Morano accepts her award after winning the Emmy for directing for a drama series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 69 Jean-Marc Vallée accepts his Emmy for directing in a limited series or movie (“Big Little Lies”). (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 69 “Ghosted” actors Craig Robinson, left, and Adam Scott present the award for directing for a variety series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 69 Christopher Jackson sings as a picture of Adam West appears on-screen during an in memoriam tribute at the 69th Emmy Awards. (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press) 36 / 69 “Big Bang Theory” actor Jim Parsons and “Young Sheldon” actor Iain Armitage during the show. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 69 “Star Trek: Discovery’s” Sonequa Martin-Green and “Entourage” actor Jeremy Piven during the show. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 69 Writers Aziz Ansari and Lena Waithe accept the writing in a comedy series award for “Master of None.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 69 Seth MacFarlane and Emmy Rossum onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) 40 / 69 Actress Viola Davis (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) 41 / 69 Kaitlin Olsen and Tracee Ellis Ross onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images) 42 / 69 Kate McKinnon accepts her Emmy for supporting actress in a comedy series Sunday during the 69th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 69 Actor Christopher Jackson performs during the in-memoriam section of the 2017 Emmys. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) 44 / 69 The cast and crew of “The Voice” wins the Emmy for reality competition program. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 69 Laura Dern accepts her Emmy for supporting actress in a limited series or movie during the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 69 Television Academy President Hayma Washington onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) 47 / 69 Donald Glover accepts the award for directing a comedy series for the “Atlanta” episode “B.A.N.” at the 69th Emmy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 69 LOS ANGELES, CA., September 17, 2017: Ann Dowd accepts the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for ‘The Handmaids Tale’ during the show at the 69th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, CA., Sunday, September 17, 2017. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 69 Seth Meyers, left, and James Corden speak onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images) 50 / 69 Singer Jon Batiste performs onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) 51 / 69 Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman in the audience at the 69th Emmy Awards. (John Salangsang / Invision for the Television Acad) 52 / 69 Rachel Bloom performs onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards, introducing the accountants. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 69 Ernst & Young representatives appear onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 69 Actor Alexander Skarsgard accepts for supporting actor in a limited series or movie for “Big Little Lies” with Dolly Parton, left, and Lily Tomlin during the 69th Emmy Awards. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) 55 / 69 Director Jean-Marc Vallée accepts the directing for a limited series, movie or dramatic special award for “Big Little Lies” onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) 56 / 69 Lorne Michaels and the cast of “SNL” accept the award for outstanding variety sketch series for “Saturday Night Live” at the 69th Emmy Awards. (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press) 57 / 69 Dave Chappelle and Melissa McCarthy speak onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images) 58 / 69 The band Stay Human performs during the show at the 69th Emmy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 59 / 69 Host Stephen Colbert doing his monologue during the 69th Emmy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 60 / 69 Host Stephen Colbert is led offstage by costumed individuals recalling characters from HBO’s “Westworld.” (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) 61 / 69 Actors Issa Rae of “Insecure” and Riz Ahmed of “The Night Of” speak onstage. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) 62 / 69 Actors Gina Rodriguez (“Jane the Virgin”) and Shemar Moore (“Criminal Minds”) speak onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) 63 / 69 Host Stephen Colbert speaks at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater. (Chris Pizzello / Invision/Associated Press) 64 / 69 Actor Laura Dern, left, reacts when her name is read as the winner of the Emmy for supporting actress in a limited series or movie for “Big Little Lies.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 65 / 69 Actor Laura Dern accepts supporting actress in a limited series or movie for “Big Little Lies.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 66 / 69 Host Stephen Colbert dances onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 67 / 69 Actors Shailene Woodley, left, Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern and Zoe Kravitz of “Big Litle Lies” speak onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images) 68 / 69 John Lithgow accepts his Emmy for supporting actor in a drama series for “The Crown.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 69 / 69 Host Stephen Colbert performs onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Reed Morano became just the second woman to win the drama series directing Emmy. Mimi Leder won for “ER” in 1995. Morano earned the award for directing the pilot episode of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”


Not all of the night’s Emmy standouts were first-timers.

Perennial Emmy record-breaker Julia Louis-Dreyfus won a sixth consecutive prize for her portrayal of beleaguered career politician Selina Meyer on HBO’s “Veep.” The win gave Louis-Dreyfus the most Emmys for playing the same character — six — surpassing Candice Bergen (“Murphy Brown”) and Don Knotts (“The Andy Griffith Show”). (It should be noted that after her fifth win in 1995, Bergen took herself out of the running. Helen Hunt then began a four-year streak in 1996 for “Mad About You.”)

Louis-Dreyfus’ Emmy, her eighth overall, tied her with Cloris Leachman for most acting victories.

1 / 14 Laura Dern with her Emmy for supporting actress in a limited series or movie for “Big Little Lies.” (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 14 Ann Dowd of “The Handmaid’s Tale” with her Emmy for supporting actress in a drama. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 14 Julia Louis-Dreyfus with her Emmy for actress in a comedy series, for “Veep.” (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 14 “Master Of None’s” Aziz Ansari and Lena Waithe with their Emmys for writing for a comedy series. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 14 “This Is Us” star Sterling K. Brown with his Emmy for lead actor in a drama series. (Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images) 6 / 14 Elisabeth Moss of “The Handmaid’s Tale” with her Emmys for drama series and actress in a drama series. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 14 “Saturday Night Live’s” Kate McKinnon hoists her Emmy for supporting actress in a comedy series. (Mark Ralston / AFP / Getty Images) 8 / 14 Donald Glover poses with the Emmys he won for lead actor in a comedy series and director of a comedy series, for “Atlanta.” (Mark Ralston / AFP / Getty Images) 9 / 14 Nicole Kidman hoists her awards for lead actress in a limited series or a movie and limited series for “Big Little Lies.” (Jordan Strauss / Invision / Associated Press) 10 / 14 Alexander Skarsgard in the press room with his award for supporting actor in a limited series or movie for “Big Little Lies.” (Jordan Strauss / Invision / Associated Press) 11 / 14 Alec Baldwin with his Emmy for supporting actor in a comedy series for “Saturday Night Live.” (Mark Ralston / AFP / Getty Images) 12 / 14 Riz Ahmed of “The Night Of” with his Emmy for lead actor in a limited series or movie. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 14 Julia Louis-Dreyfus, fourth from left, and the cast of “Veep” with their Emmy for comedy series. (Mark Ralston / AFP / Getty Images) 14 / 14 The cast and crew of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” winner of outstanding drama series. (Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images)


“This is and continues to be the role of a lifetime and an adventure of utter, utter joy,” Louis-Dreyfus said in her acceptance speech.

The producers of “Veep” have announced that its next season will be its last, affording Louis-Dreyfus one more opportunity to win for the character and the show.

“It’s nuts,” Louis-Dreyfus said, summing up her remarkable run.

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