Seth Rogen, Jean Smart take home early Emmy awards

Hollywood's finest gathered to celebrate the best of television on Monday, September 15, as Seth Rogen and Jean Smart kicked off the Emmy Awards by clinching early wins. Rogen celebrated his first-ever Emmy, while Smart added a fourth trophy to her impressive collection.

A genuinely surprised Seth Rogen took home the award for Best Comedy Actor for his role in "The Studio." Playing a nervous movie executive navigating corporate demands, Rogen’s candid acceptance speech resonated with many. "I literally prepared nothing. I have never won anything," he exclaimed, trophy in hand, adding, "This is really just so lovely. I don’t know what to say."

Meanwhile, the incomparable Jean Smart earned her fourth Emmy for Best Comedy Actress for her compelling performance in "Hacks." In the series, Smart portrays a seasoned comedian grappling with network executives. She graciously thanked her family, co-stars, and the show's writers during her acceptance.

The night saw "The Studio" and "Hacks" locked in a tight race for the coveted Best Comedy award. Over in the drama categories, Apple TV+'s "Severance," known for its unique take on workplace absurdity where employees' work and personal memories are surgically separated, was widely considered the frontrunner for Best Drama.

Adding a touch of playful tension to the ceremony, first-time host Nate Bargatze introduced a charity incentive to encourage brevity. He promised a $1,000 donation to a charity, but with a twist: for every second a winner exceeded their 45-second speech limit, the donation would be reduced. "It’s brutal," Bargatze quipped, "It’s a game I made up and these are the rules."

Beyond the early wins, several other notable talents were in contention. Colin Farrell's portrayal of a gangster in "The Penguin" was up for Best Limited Series. Veteran actor Noah Wyle received his first Emmy nomination since 1999 for his role as an emergency room doctor in "The Pitt," having been nominated five times for "ER" without a win. Harrison Ford also sought his inaugural Emmy for his supporting role as a gruff therapist in "Shrinking." Other standout nominees included Cristin Milioti for "The Penguin," Jeremy Allen White for "The Bear," Kathy Bates for "Matlock," and the dynamic duo Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey for "The Last of Us."

These esteemed awards are decided by the Television Academy's extensive membership, comprising approximately 26,000 performers, directors, producers, and other industry professionals.