For the fourth time in Emmy history, the Primetime awards ceremony held at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, was without a host (except for the augmented-reality-style Homer Simpson who opened the show before getting flattened by an animated piano). The 71st Emmy Awards ceremony was held on Sept. 22, , 8 PM. Emmy awards recognize brilliance and merit in television and entertainment. 

Unfortunately, with 6.9 million viewers in the United States, it was the lowest-rated Emmy broadcast ever. This is probably due to the lack of a host, which some may consider the show as not worth watching. 

Two UK programs, Fleabag and Chernobyl won two of the three major awards; Fleabag won four total awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. Chernobyl won Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, and Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series. 

Game of Thrones led the number of nominations of the night, with a total of 14. Peter Dinklage won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, giving the show its fourth win. 

The second and third shows that received multiple nominations were When They See Us with 11, and Barry with nine. Networks were also boosted nominations-wise; HBO was the most nominated outlet with 25, Netflix with 23 and Amazon Prime Video and National Geographic with seven. 

The Emmys are not only known for the nominations and acceptances of the awards; the speeches given by the winners are usually extremely memorable and moving. Billy Porter, who stars as Pray Tell in Pose, quoted activist James Baldwin and said that “We all have the right to exist.” He made history with his emotional speech, becoming the first openly gay black man to win Best Actor in a Drama Series. His speech inspires other artists to understand that they have the ability to create ideas, influence movements and change people’s minds. 

Jharrel Jerome was the winner of Best Actor in a Limited Series for his magnificent role in When They See Us. Jerome paid an honest and welcomed tribute to the real men behind the story of When They See Us. He called attention to the Exonerated Five during his acceptance speech; the five men, whose story of racism and injustice was brought to the surface, stood vindicated in the audience. Jerome, who is of Dominican-American descent, became the first Afro-Latino to win an acting award at the Emmys. 

Another moving speech was given by Michelle Williams, who won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series for her role in Fosse/Verdon. Her battle cry for equal pay between female and male actors in Hollywood was one of the most enthusiastically received speeches that night. 

Every award ceremony has a tribute to actors, directors, writers and/or composers who passed away in the year leading up to the ceremony. Along with all the Emmy nominees and winners, these entertainment icons leave a lasting impression, inspiring those who knew them and even those who didn’t. This year, accompanied by a performance from Halsey, the In Memoriam segment included legendary and well-known artists such as Doris Day, Cameron Boyce, Valerie Harper, Luke Perry and Stan Lee. 

“Although they may now be gone, their legacies endure,” said three-time Emmy winner Regina King before the tributary segment. This reminds the audience that even though artists have passed on, their influence on the entertainment industry remains strong and inspirational. 

The Emmys will always serve as an observance and commemoration to the idea of putting imagination into entertainment, but this year, with the help of the poignant speeches and motivating messages, the ceremony has become more memorable and inspirational.