Nate Bargatze’s Gimmick Backfires as ‘The Pitt,’ ‘The Studio’ and Teen Star Sweep Emmys

Lead: At the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday in Los Angeles, HBO’s The Pitt won Outstanding Drama Series, Apple TV+’s The Studio set a comedy record, and 15-year-old Owen Cooper made history.

Nut Graf: Televised from the Peacock Theater and hosted by Nate Bargatze, the ceremony was defined by breakthrough winners, viral moments and a controversial donation clock stunt that dominated headlines and social feeds.

Showstoppers and History-Makers

  • The Studio secured a record 13 Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series and lead actor Seth Rogen, surpassing the all-time comedy season haul and tying the individual win record with four trophies in one night.
  • The Pitt claimed Outstanding Drama Series, with Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa winning acting awards, marking Wyle’s first Emmy after seven nominations.
  • Netflix’s Adolescence dominated limited series categories; its 15-year-old lead Owen Cooper became the youngest male Emmy winner for Supporting Actor.

Memorable Speeches and Political Undercurrents

  • Stephen Colbert turned his Outstanding Talk Series win into a poignant farewell tribute following CBS’s cancellation of The Late Show, earning a standing ovation for his reflection on national unity and loss.
  • Tramell Tillman made history as the first Black male to win Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Severance, delivering an emotional speech crediting his mother as his “first acting coach”.

Bargatze’s Charity Clock

Host Nate Bargatze challenged winners to keep speeches under 45 seconds or face deductions to a $100,000 Boys & Girls Club donation. The on-stage counter plunged into negative figures, overshadowing acceptance moments and becoming the night’s most talked-about gaffe.

Ratings and Reception

CBS’s telecast drew 7.4 million viewers, marking an 8% increase over last year and the highest Emmy audience since 2021, despite mixed reviews of the hosting and production choices.

Outstanding Series Winners:

  • Drama Series: The Pitt
  • Comedy Series: The Studio
  • Limited Series: Adolescence

Notable Acting Winners:

  • Lead Actor, Drama: Noah Wyle, The Pitt
  • Lead Actress, Drama: Britt Lower, Severance
  • Lead Actor, Comedy: Seth Rogen, The Studio
  • Lead Actress, Comedy: Jean Smart, Hacks
  • Supporting Actor, Limited Series: Owen Cooper, Adolescence

This year’s Emmys balanced historic triumphs with flawed spectacle, cementing new industry milestones while reminding audiences that sometimes the biggest story is the one behind the podium.