Just when you thought you’d heard every possible way to do a great acceptance speech, along comes Niecy Nash Betts, who won for her role in Dahmer, rhyming off Evan Peters and Ryan Murphy, and then goes… 

“And you know who I want to thank? I want to thank me. For believing in me, and for doing things they said I could not do!” 

 

Then, after everyone was cheering and delighted, because who doesn’t love people brave enough to remind the rest of us that appreciating ourselves is actually what you’re supposed to do? That’s when the speech takes a hard left turn, and she shares the trophy with “every black and brown woman who has gone unheard, yet overpoliced”, namechecking Glenda Johnson, Sandra Bland, and Breonna Taylor, causing Issa Rae and Colman Domingo to jump to their feet. 

You can watch the whole effortlessly iconic speech here:

 

She had an incredible night, and the incredible drama of her fit and flare dress was a perfect backdrop. I feel like in colours, we call these ‘mermaid’ gowns, but this black Greta Constantine (shout out to Toronto hometown heroes!) has much more structural integrity and drama for that – from the perfect cleavage to the insanely exciting opera gloves:

Niecy Nash-Betts attends the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California
Niecy Nash-Betts attends the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California
Niecy Nash-Betts attends the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California
Niecy Nash-Betts attends the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California

It would have been so easy to get it wrong, but when it fits right, it hits right. 

 

She kind of set the bar for this dramatic trend, though there were a few contenders. Jessica Williams had a slightly more sedate version, but it fit just as impeccably. 

Jessica Williams at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California
Jessica Williams at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California

If you judged by this photo you might think she didn’t have a good time, but you would be incorrect. Because as Twitter pointed out, Jessica Williams is great at an awards show. She spent most of the night doing this: 

This was actually her reaction when Ayo Edibiri won – beating Jessica herself – but I mean, it’s pretty useful just about anywhere. 

 

Not to be out-dramaed, Sheryl Lee Ralph’s was in white, and so much more stunning here than in the thankless two-shot she got when presenting: 

It’s Christian Siriano and – I don’t want to jinx anyone before the Oscars, but – when’s the last time this man’s designs stepped wrong in any way? It’s been a very long time, right? The fit on this is impeccable, and she explains how you, too, can wear something that looks like it was born to be your glove: 

 

Keri Russell was never, ever going to win for The Diplomat – if I had to guess, I’d say she’ll come closer next year and actually manage a win circa year four, if the series goes that long. What that means, of course, is that she gets to wear the most delicious and strangest confections. Look at this thing! It’s Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture, and just… look! 

Keri Russell arrives for the 75th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on January 15, 2024
Keri Russell arrives for the 75th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on January 15, 2024

Sarah was struggling to decide whether it was black or navy before it became clear to us that of course, it’s both. Look at that shoulder ruffle, the size of an entire country, and she sort of casually hooks a hand in her pocket, like ‘are we done’? And, sure, Matthew Rhys was there, too: 

Though he was less occupied than he was the night before, at Critic’s Choice, when Keri wore a different but equally mind-blowingly dramatic gown: 

It’s not that I don’t want her to win. I do, very very much. But if that ever becomes a reality she might have to wear something reasonable, and I definitely do not want that. 

 

Finally, please just enjoy this dramatic moment from Tisha Campbell: 

Tisha Campbell attends the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California
Tisha Campbell attends the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California

The ‘casts of old shows reunite’ thing had very mixed results, and I’m not sure it was entirely fair – but however many outfits Tisha debated before settling on this variation on the black ballgown with those liquid latex sleeves, she made the right choice. When people look you up to see where you’ve been all this time, this is exactly the look you want them to remember.

Why do we not do drama for every show? Why do people like colour anyway? Who even am I becoming?