Here’s My Takeaway from The 2021 Emmys

The good, the bad, and the inspiring…

One of the most frustrating things about most big televised US award shows (e.g. Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes) is that they are broadcast during prime sleeping hours for pop culture fans in the UK (like me).

As someone who loves finding business and communication lessons from pop culture moments, the award shows are like little gifts, sprinkled throughout the year. When they’re good, they’re great. When they’re bad, they’re still good.

So the day after they air, long after the journalists covering the events have written their stories, I begin scouring YouTube for acceptance speeches and looking for lessons to share. 

This year’s Emmys gave me a great example of how to kick off a show (or a presentation) with Cedric the Entertainer’s electric song and dance opener that was a twist on the late rapper Biz Markie’s Just a Friend. LL Cool J rapped a verse – and so did Rita Wilson. Even Michael Douglas was dancing. It was so fun – and a great example for how to set the tone.

And on the ‘What’s Wrong With This Speech?’ spectrum, we had Scott Frank, who won directing honors for The Queen’s Gambit. He showed total disregard for the production (or other award winners) as he read his prepared speech despite the orchestra trying to play him off on three separate occasions. And, on top of being rude, his speech was not particularly interesting.

(But props to the orchestra for the clever song choice).

But as I watched clips from various award winners, I noticed something else. A theme – a throughline – that made me smile: Women supporting other women.

When Jean Smart took the stage to accept her award for Lead Actress (Comedy) in Hacks, her Mare of Easttown co-star Kate Winslet (and presumably a table full of the Mare of Easttown team) could be seen on camera, just behind the stage. 

Everyone at the table was on their feet (along with most of the crowd at the ceremony) and Winslet could be seen jumping up and down, wolf whistling, and excitedly applauding her co-star.

When Smart began speaking, the first thing she did was say thank you – and enthusiastically congratulate her colleagues from Mare. She also had a lot of love in her speech for her Hacks team, and notably her co-star Hannah Einbinder.

Then there was an exuberant speech from Hannah Waddingham, who had to beat her Ted Lasso co-star Juno Temple to win the Best Supporting Actress (Comedy) award. Waddingham gave Temple the warmest hug before taking the stage, and praised her during her speech.

These two women formed an unlikely friendship in Season 1 of the show, and perhaps the reason they make it so convincing onscreen is that they really like each other offscreen.

It was referred to as #friendshipgoals. It sure was.

And seeing the multi-talented Debbie Allen recognized for achievements as a dancer, choreographer, actor, director and producer (and seeing how she is helping the next generation of dancers) was also heartwarming.

Allen, this year’s Governor’s Award Winner, seemed genuinely surprised to see her friends Jada Pinkett, Ava DuVernay, and Ellen Pompeo (and Michael Douglas?) introduce her – and look at the joy and pride on their faces as she accepts the award.

(Plus, how fun was it that they each said a line from her famous speech from Fame – and even had the stomping canes!).

Look at the women’s faces - they look so proud and happy for Debbie Allen

When Kate Winslet headed to the stage (accepting her award for Lead Actress – Drama – for Mare of Easttown), she began by acknowledging her fellow nominees “in this decade that has to be about women having each other’s backs. I support you, I salute you, I’m proud of all of you.”

And then there was Olivia Colman.

What? Who me?

Colman won the Lead Actress (Drama) trophy for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth on The Crown, and finished her acceptance speech by giving a shout out to I Will Destroy You creator and star Michaela Coel (who had just won an Emmy).

After a brief and emotional speech about losing her dad during Covid, Colman raised a fist and proclaimed, “Michaela Coel, Fuck yeah!”

A ceremony filled with joy where women celebrate other women? 

To quote the Queen, “Fuck yeah!”

I’d like to think Conan would salute this, too.

Beth Collier loves writing about the intersection of pop culture and business. She helps leaders and teams improve their communication and creativity skills through coaching and team workshops. Her clients benefit from her global business experience, her Midwestern Ted Lasso-style optimism, and her endless supply of pop culture references.

She’s also notoriously curious, and shares stories that show the power of creativity (it IS a business skill) and curiosity in her weekly newsletter, Curious Minds.