We all bore witness to history in the making last night. At the 67th Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 20, Viola Davis took home top honors for Best Actress in a Drama — becoming the first black woman to ever win the award. And famous names and fans alike were quick to jump on Twitter and Facebook to add to the conversation, making it the most talked-about moment on social media.
“Wow, WOW! Another proud to spell my name W.O.M.A.N. Moment,” Oprah Winfrey tweeted immediately following Davis’ historic win and inspirational speech. “Thank you @violadavis #EmmyWinner.”
PHOTOS: Top show moments from the Emmys 2015
Check out the top 10 buzzed-about wins, losses, and unexpected moments everyone was chatting about online, based on Facebook’s metrics:
1. Viola Davis Wins Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
The How to Get Away With Murder actress, 50, brought the audience to tears with a speech that touched upon racial inequality and progress within the entertainment community. “The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is simply opportunity,” she said, after quoting Harriet Tubman.
2. Game of Thrones Wins Outstanding Drama Series
Talk about a smashing success. Game of Thrones’ win for Outstanding Drama Series brought the hit HBO show’s Emmy count to 12 (including wins for Peter Dinklage for Outstanding Supporting Actor, as well as for the writing and directing teams), breaking the record for most Emmy Awards for a single show. And fans rejoiced online!
3. Regina King Wins Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie
O.M.G. When King was announced the winner in this category, over heavy-hitters like Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett, she could hardly contain her excitement, walking all the way up to the podium with her mouth agape and eyes wide. The American Crime actress, who brought her young son, Ian, as her date, called “being a mother” her greatest accomplishment during her acceptance speech.
4. Jon Hamm Wins Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Finally! Hamm, 44, has been nominated for the top award several times since Mad Men’s inception in 2007, but Sunday — his last chance to win for his role as Don Draper — proved to be the lucky night when he finally took home the hardware. The dapper actor thanked the “incredible” people who had made his win possible, and also gave a special nod to his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Westfeldt, from whom he split earlier this month.
5. Tracy Morgan Presents Award for Outstanding Drama Series
More than a year after surviving a deadly car crash, Morgan surprised fans and his fellow actors when he walked out onstage to announce the final award of the night, for Outstanding Drama Series — even receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. “Thank you so much. I miss you guys so much,” he told the audience tearfully. “Last year Jimmy Kimmel said on this stage, ‘We’ll see you back on this stage next year, Tracy Morgan.’ Well, Jimmy, thanks to my amazing doctors, and the support of my family and beautiful wife, I’m here. Standing on my own two feet.”
6. Peter Dinklage Wins Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
The Game of Thrones actor seemed a bit startled and confused when his name was called over other big names like The Good Wife’s Alan Cumming and Better Call Saul’s Jonathan Banks — but Dinklage was characteristically gracious as he accepted the award onstage, telling the audience that he “wasn’t prepared.” “I’m still sort of awed by all their performances,” he said.
7. Andy Samberg’s Hilarious Opening Video and Monologue
Whoever said awards show have to be dry and stuffy has obviously never watched an awards show hosted by Andy Samberg — which would be a lot of people, since this was the SNL host’s first awards show hosting gig. But the comedian nailed it, taking swings at everyone from Donald Trump to Jon Hamm to Amy Schumer, and even giving out his HBO Now password live on-air at one point.
8. Inside Amy Schumer Wins Outstanding Variety Sketch Series
Schumer, whom Samberg called “really, really funny, you know, for a person,” dedicated her win to a number of important people in her life, including the woman who did her smokey eye (“I really like”), her head writer, and her sister, among others. “I want to thank my sister Kim, who’s the only reason I’m alive and breathing,” she said in an uncharacteristically serious moment.
9. Lady Gaga Presents Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Lady Gaga was prim and proper and hinted of Old Hollywood glamour at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards — which might be the reason her appearance at the awards ceremony sparked such a firestorm online, with fans shocked by the elegant transformation. “She’s a nice lady who’s good at piano,” Samberg said while introducing the singer onstage.
10. Jeffrey Tambor Wins Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Kicking off the night right! As one of the evening’s first wins, Tambor set the tone for the night with an emotional speech about his part on Transparent, dedicating his win to the transgender community: “Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your stories. Thank you for our inspiration. Thank you for letting us be part of the change. God bless.”
