Best and worst moments of the 2025 Emmys, from Stephen Colbert to that money clock

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The Emmy Awards on Sunday delivered a blend of fun, moving speeches, and unexpected victories. The show reminded us that even when we think we know who will win, surprises happen – and that’s what makes television’s biggest night so exciting.

The New York Times staff share their best-and one regrettable-moments from the evening.

Review

Emmy Awards host Nate Bargatze kept the show running and paid the price — for a good cause

Nate Bargatze, hosting the Emmys for the first time, cleverly kept the show moving with his relaxed and understated humor, which helped everyone enjoy the night.

Best standing ovation: Stephen Colbert

Everyone expected Stephen Colbert to be the focus of a lot of appreciation at the Emmys. Still, I was surprised by just how enthusiastic the applause was when he won the award for his late-night show, especially since it had recently been cancelled. It was a little ironic that the ceremony was broadcast on CBS, the network that had cancelled the show, and it seemed like a chance for Colbert to express some complaints. But he didn’t – that’s just not his personality.

Stephen Colbert originally envisioned his late-night show as a celebration of love. However, after a decade of hosting, he came to see that the show was more focused on the theme of loss.

You know, it struck me what Stephen Colbert said about love – it’s often when you face the possibility of loss that you really understand how deeply you care about something. He was speaking in September of 2025, and he said he’d never felt more passionately about this country. He ended with a powerful ‘God bless America’ and a call to stay strong and be brave. And, in a really cool nod to Prince, he added this amazing line: if things get you down, don’t just accept it, fight back and aim higher! It was a really moving moment, honestly.

Television

Just months after CBS announced its current season would be the last, ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Series.

Best speech: ‘Culture belongs to the people,’ Cris Abrego says

One of the most powerful moments of the evening wasn’t from a famous actor, but from Television Academy Chairman Cris Abrego. Before presenting an award, he spoke about the significant cuts to funding for public broadcasting, and the audience immediately responded with loud disapproval.

With so much focus on what divides us, storytelling continues to bring people together, according to Abrego. Television and the people who create it don’t just show us the world as it is – they actively influence our culture. And when things seem to be moving backwards, they can help us remember what’s important and what we’re still capable of accomplishing.”

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Abrego pointed out that for generations, artists have harnessed the reach of television to expand perspectives, question existing norms, and push for a more just world. This resonated deeply with the artists present, who are currently navigating the difficult balance between fulfilling business demands – including avoiding controversy – and facing government pushback against diversity and inclusion efforts.

Abrego urged everyone present to keep using their influence for good and to do so thoughtfully. She emphasized that staying silent isn’t an option right now, and that we need to actively promote understanding, belonging, and compassion.

According to Jessica Gelt, culture isn’t dictated by those in power; it emerges from the experiences of everyday people. For our industry to succeed, she argues, it’s crucial to amplify diverse perspectives, rather than limit them.

Television

I was really surprised to hear that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which just announced it’s closing down due to funding cuts, actually received the 2025 Governors Award at a previous event. It’s a bittersweet moment, knowing they’re being honored while also facing such a tough situation.

Best squeal of the night: Katherine LaNasa

Katherine LaNasa’s genuinely happy smile is infectious, but her joyful squeal when she won was even more captivating – I could feel her excitement. Her partner, Noah Wyle, seemed equally proud to see her, a first-time nominee, on stage, and he looked forward to joining her there himself later.

It was a significant achievement to win against the talented cast of “The White Lotus,” particularly with Carrie Coon’s memorable performance this season. It’s especially wonderful that LaNasa gave such a beloved performance while also keeping spirits high on set. Hopefully, the nurses who inspired LaNasa’s character, Dana Evans – those who embody both strength and kindness – will feel celebrated by this win.

This comment is directed at fans of the show ‘Imposters,’ praising actress Parker Posey (LaNasa) and suggesting she deserved recognition for her portrayal of a strong, motherly character much earlier in her career. – Malia Mendez

Television

Wow, the Emmys were fantastic! I was thrilled to see shows like “Severance,” “The Pitt,” “The Studio,” “Hacks,” “Adolescence,” and even “The Penguin” take home awards. It was a really great night for television, and those shows definitely deserved the recognition.

Best shout out to their mom: Tramell Tillman

As a huge fan of great acting, I was thrilled to see Tramell Tillman win on Sunday! He made history as the first Black actor to take home the award for supporting actor in a drama series, and it was so well-deserved. His performance as Seth Milchick in ‘Severance’ Season 2 was just incredible – he could switch from being this seemingly upbeat guy to totally unsettling in a heartbeat. There were so many moments where he just *owned* the screen, like that tense conversation with Mr. Drummond where he was told to simplify his speech, only to defiantly say things like ‘devour feculence’ – it was subtly powerful. And who could forget him leading that drumline in the finale? Seriously, he was a standout.

I was really touched by what Tillman said when he accepted his award. He gave all the credit to his mom, saying she was his rock when nobody else was there for him, and that the whole thing was for her. It was a really sweet moment!

I think Kier would approve this moment of frolic for him and his mother. — Maira Garcia

Best reference to their innie/outie: Britt Lower

Britt Lower, who recently won her first Emmy for her role in “Severance,” gave a unique acceptance speech, thanking one of her characters for “choosing” her. After the ceremony, when talking to reporters, she admitted she wasn’t entirely sure what she meant by the comment.

Playing Helly R./Helena Eagan felt incredibly meaningful to Lower, almost like connecting with a soulmate. She shared with The Times that stepping into the character’s shoes and seeing life from her perspective was empowering. She described the connection as something special, saying she felt chosen for the role.

When a reporter asked another question over Zoom, Lower scanned the room, trying to locate the source of the loud voice coming through the speakers.

She explained that because she couldn’t see his face, he felt distant and impersonal, like one of the mysterious figures from Lumon – just a voice without a body.

I wish I’d noticed something before she went backstage: a message written on her speech notes that simply said, “LET ME OUT.” It reminded me of something Helly R. might have said. – Kaitlyn Huamani

Television

Mary McNamara and Glenn Whipp break down all the highlights from the 2025 Emmy Awards, including who won, surprising victories, and the most memorable moments.

Best surprise win for a small yet powerful show: Jeff Hiller

Jeff Hiller’s win for supporting actor in a comedy series for “Somebody Somewhere” was a highlight of any awards show I’ve ever watched. The HBO show itself is small in scale, but incredibly well-made, and Hiller is a major reason why. He played Joel – a gay, religious man in a small town – with remarkable honesty and nuance, embracing the complexities of the character. Joel was both witty and deeply emotional, often funny but never silly. Hiller’s performance wasn’t showy or typical; it was a surprisingly powerful portrayal in a quietly compelling series.

Despite positive reviews, almost no one predicted Hiller would be nominated for an award, let alone win – Hiller himself was surprised! His emotional acceptance speech highlighted how many fantastic TV shows don’t get the recognition they deserve. These shows are made by talented people who face setbacks, work on smaller projects for years, and continually improve their skills. When given the opportunity, they create incredible work. As Hiller pointed out in his speech, “Somebody Somewhere” may have brought him newfound success, but he had the potential all along, simply waiting for his chance to shine. – *Mary McNamara*

Awards

Shortly after the awards ceremony, at the 2025 Governors Gala next door at the Los Angeles Convention Center, we spotted Jeff Hiller, the recent Emmy winner from HBO’s “Somebody Somewhere,” carefully holding his golden statuette.

Best nod to ‘Star Wars’ fans: Dan Gilroy

I was thrilled when Dan Gilroy, the writer for the show “Andor,” accepted his Emmy and said, “We have friends everywhere.” Fans of “Star Wars” will recognize this as a secret code used by members of the Rebellion to identify each other when they first meet.

Gilroy’s Emmy win is a first for the spy thriller, following four Creative Arts Emmy wins last week. I’ve been a fan of “Andor” since its debut in 2022, and it’s great to see the Television Academy recognize its quality. As Gilroy pointed out in his acceptance speech, the show is about “ordinary people facing overwhelming challenges.”

Tracy Brown wrote an episode featuring a politician who bravely speaks out against tyranny, misinformation, and mass murder, aiming to unite different rebel groups into a single force. She notes that while the show draws from historical events, its messages feel particularly timely today, and hopes this powerful moment will encourage those who dismissed “Andor” due to their assumptions about “Star Wars” to give it a chance.

Best chat about an ‘Ugly Betty’ reboot: Michael Urie

The awards ceremony included nods to classic shows like “Golden Girls” and “Gilmore Girls,” so it felt right that I ended up chatting with first-time nominee Michael Urie (nominated for his role in “Shrinking”) about my recent rewatch of “Ugly Betty,” which will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. Imagine my surprise when Urie, while getting ready for the night, showed me a gift he’d kept from the show’s fourth season – a sling bag with a patch that said “UBS4,” marking the season’s completion.

He paused, showing me his old, worn black bag, and said, “I can’t believe I’ve owned this all this time! It’s the best bag I’ve ever used. I’ve tried replacing it with newer ones over the years, but nothing compares-this one just lasts.”

This brings up the subject of reboots, and my concern with Hollywood’s tendency to endlessly try and recreate past successes.

He admitted his interest in revisiting the show would likely fade with time. While the cast discusses potential revivals annually, he’s increasingly unsure if they could recapture the original chemistry between the characters. He feels it would be difficult to recreate the same dynamic as before.

Fans often wonder what became of Marc St. James, Wilhelmina Slater’s witty and devoted assistant, so brilliantly played by Michael Urie. At the end of the series in 2010, Wilhelmina had become the magazine’s editor-in-chief, and Marc continued to work as her right-hand man – could he have risen through the ranks to become a major editor himself?

He suggests they need to find a way to get him working with Wilhelmina again, but adds that he’s too old to handle the assistant work himself. – Yvonne Villarreal

Television

Michael Urie, known for his role as Brian in the Apple TV+ show ‘Shrinking,’ is up for an award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Here’s a look at his day as he prepared for the awards ceremony.

Worst countdown: That money clock

This year’s Emmy Awards used a strange and frustrating tactic to try and keep acceptance speeches brief. Host Nate Bargatze explained that $100,000 would be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Los Angeles, but the amount visibly decreased on screen as winners spoke for too long. Seeing the donation amount drop while winners were trying to express themselves wasn’t well-received. The approach also led to mixed results – John Oliver rushed through his speech in just a few seconds, while Hannah Einbinder continued speaking and jokingly offered to replenish the lost funds.

The amount of money available dropped to $30,000 immediately after 15-year-old Owen Cooper’s history-making speech – he was the youngest person ever to win an acting award. As Cooper walked off stage, comedian Nate Bargatze jokingly said, “That was a show called ‘Adolescence’ and that’s what it does to teenagers.”

Okay, so things were getting really stressful near the end of the show. With just ten minutes left, we were actually *down* $26,000! Seth Rogen announced it, and he was pretty blunt – he said we’d messed things up for everyone working on the show after “The Studio” took home the award for best comedy series. He basically admitted we were in debt and had let the team down.

The show ended with Nate Bargatze mentioning he’d increase the total donation to $350,000, but it felt like a last-minute addition. It was a relatable moment, kind of like something you’d hear Homer Simpson say – funny because it felt real. – J.G.

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2025-09-15 13:35