The Emmy Awards ceremony, like any grand gala, always serves up memorable moments—sharp humor, surprising missteps, and a season-opening night full of energy and surprise. The 2022 broadcast delivered plenty of both, underscoring why this event remains a fan favorite each year.
One of the most talked-about moments came from the host, Kenan Thompson, who kept the room buzzing with quick, precise jokes. The spotlight then found Zendaya, who had just turned 26. In Hollywood, that age sits in a curious space: young enough to play high school roles, yet old enough for the buzz around dating among A-listers. Thompson teased Zendaya’s reported dating life with Leonardo DiCaprio, triggering a mix of laughter and astonished glances as he concealed his face after delivering the punchline.
Drama and perseverance also shone on stage when Sheryl Lee Ralph delivered a stirring performance after winning Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for the show Collegio Abbott. Ralph opened with the familiar cadence of Dianne Reeves’ Endangered Species, then wove in a powerful message: I am an endangered species but I don’t sing a victim song. I’m a woman, I’m an artist, and I know where my voice belongs. The moment reinforced a universal belief in self-worth and resilience, as Ralph urged dreamers to push forward: If you have a dream and fear it won’t come true, this is what believing looks like, that is what fighting for yourself looks like. Never, ever give up on yourself.
Another standout occurred when Jennifer Coolidge stepped onto the stage to accept Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for her role in White Lotus. She began with a playful admission about a lavender bath before the premiere and how it affected her dress, instantly drawing laughter. After a round of gratitude, the moment turned playful as she teased the audience with a lighthearted dress mishap, delivering the award speech with the warmth fans adore. The moment closed with a playful dance as the broadcast moved forward through a short pause in the music at the Microsoft Theater.
In a memorable trio moment, Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short took the stage for a lively presentation. Short teased the crowd with a cheeky line about boxing them up and bringing them home like documents from a controversial White House stash, nodding to recent headlines. Martin checked in with Gomez about how long they would be onstage, inviting quick, witty replies. The rapid-fire banter among the three kept the audience amused with self-deprecating humor and a sense of easy camaraderie.
The exchanges continued with gentle, conversational jabs that felt more like a casual chat at home than a formal awards show. They riffed about the contrast between red carpet glamour and filming at home, turning a potentially stiff moment into a relatable, lighthearted exchange. The performers traded lines about the shared joy of collaboration, culminating with Gomez asking about favorite moments working with her famous co-stars. The self-aware humor drew laughter from the crowd and underscored the enduring partnerships that fuel big projects.
Another sketch-like moment featured comedian Jimmy Kimmel in a playful nod to the art of horizontality. He stayed seated and reclining for much of his time on stage, joking about his reluctance to stand. Will Arnett stepped in to coax him upright, highlighting a willingness to bend traditional stage norms for a few good laughs. The scene reminded viewers that ceremonies can blend spontaneity with formal award speeches.
Will Arnett later joined the frame, and the moment was captured in a caption that read: Will Arnett pulls Jimmy Kimmel off the Emmys stage. The image captured the night’s playful backstage energy as the duo teased one another before moving the show forward.
Zendaya returned to the spotlight in a striking black dress and claimed the night’s top acting honor in a dramatic category for her work on Euphoria. She expressed gratitude to her colleagues, describing the series as demanding and deeply meaningful. In closing, she connected the celebration to a broader purpose, expressing a wish to extend care to others and describing her work as a heartfelt effort to support patients and honor the stories shared by many who watched Rue struggle and grow within the show’s world.
The evening concluded with Jesse Armstrong, the writer behind Succession, taking the stage to accept Best Dramatic Screenplay. In a light moment, he joked about Elizabeth II’s passing and noted that the week felt significant for the show, joking that their victory drew slightly more votes than a prominent royal figure. The quip highlighted the blend of sharp humor and timely cultural references that defined the night, reinforcing the Emmys as a celebration of storytelling and wit that resonates with audiences across North America.