Emmys 2015: The Winners and the Show

Despite Andy Samberg’s subpar hosting (“I didn’t see ‘Olive Kitteridge,’ only half of Kitteridge” — really? The take-off on the “Mad Man” Coke commercial couldn’t come up with anything other than killing someone with an Emmy? Really?) and truly awful scripted banter for the presenters, the Emmy Awards show had some enormously satisfying moments.

But I’m beginning to think there should be a mandatory moratorium once a person or a show wins three Emmys in a row. Yes, we love Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Allison Janney, and Jon Stewart, but how about stepping aside for a year or two and letting someone else have a chance?

Biggest disappointment of the evening: Valerie Cherish should lose on Emmy night, but Lisa Kudrow should win an Emmy for playing her.

Now, on to the good news: Jon Hamm won at last for his truly magnificent performance as Don Draper in “Mad Men.” Viola Davis won for “How to Get Away With Murder.” It takes nothing away from the other nominees, who were all brilliant, to say that these awards were more than well-deserved. And Davis, in my opinion the finest actress of her generation, gave the speech of the night.

It was wonderful to see the multiple awards for “Transparent” and “Olive Kitteridge.” Both were passion projects of endless artistry, illuminating the universal through the very specific, precise, careful details, with richly complex characters. And it was especially satisfying to see the award go to Richard Jenkins, who has turned in decades of performances that are small miracles of heart, understanding, and meticulous observation of the human condition.

The memorial segments, both for the shows that ended and the people who died over the last year, were beautifully handled (unless you mind the spoilers from the final episodes). Better than most of the show was the commercial directed by “Selma’s” Ava DuVernay, starring Kerry Washington, Taraji P. Henson, and Mary J. Blige, having a blast listening to Apple’s “boyfriend mixtapes.”

And Tracy Morgan’s return to a standing ovation, welcoming him back following his injuries in a car crash, was moving and joyous.

List of winners:

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series: Bradley Whitford, Transparent
Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series: Reg E. Cathey, House of Cards
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series: Margo Martindale, The Americans
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program: Jane Lynch, Hollywood Game Night
Outstanding Structured Reality Program: Shark Tank
Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program: Deadliest Catch
Outstanding Television Movie: Bessie
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series: Allison Janney, Mom
Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series: Veep
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, Tony Hale, Veep
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series: Jill Soloway, Transparent
Outstanding Actor In a Comedy Series: Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent
Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Outstanding Reality Competition: The Voice
Outstanding Writing In A Limited Series/Movie: Jane Anderson, Olive Kitteridge
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series/Movie: Regina King, American Crime
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series/Movie: Frances McDormand, Olive Kitteridge
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series/Movie: Richard Jenkins, Olive Kitteridge
Outstanding Limited Series: Olive Kitteridge
Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: Inside Amy Schumer
Outstanding Variety Talk Series: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Outstanding Writing In A Drama Series: Game of Thrones
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series: Uzo Aduba, Orange Is the New Black
Outstanding Directing In A Drama Series: David Nutter, Game of Thrones
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Outstanding Actor In A Drama Series: Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Outstanding Actress In A Drama Series: Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder
Outstanding Comedy Series: Veep
Outstanding Drama Series: Game of Thrones