After the glamour and glitz of last night’s Emmy awards — television’s equivalent of the Oscars — fans and industry watchers have been scrutinizing the results. There were big wins for the docudrama “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” by FX, which had five wins including lead acting, and HBO fantasy drama “Game of Thrones,” which won three awards including top drama for the second straight year.Here are ARTINFO's five takeaways from the event:1. While HBO gets a record, FX is snapping at its heelsHBO’s “Game of Thrones” broke the records for the highest number of Emmy awards won by any fictional series. Its three category wins in 2016 take its total number of awards to 38, putting it one in front of the previous highest by “Frasier.” HBO’s tally was boosted by “Last Week Tonight” (Outstanding Variety Series) and “Veep” (Best Comedy Series).For all that, FX cable network turned in a fine showing based only on its “American Crime Story,” nominated in six categories. The “The People v. O.J. Simpson” won the award for Outstanding Limited Series.2. It's best to show up to get your awardBriton Maggie Smith was again the winner of the Best Supporting Actress award for her part in “Downton Abbey.” She has now won three Emmy awards for her portrayal of the indomitable Violet Crawley. Smith has been nominated for her role for five years and is yet to attend a ceremony, producing some barbed comments from host Jimmy Kimmel: “She had a Sunday ceramics class she couldn’t get out of,” he joked. Kimmel collected the Emmy himself and said that this time it wasn’t even going to be mailed to Dame Maggie; she could come and find it at “the lost and found.” Also among the British winners was “Sherlock,” for its special episode “The Abominable Bride.”3. Diversity rulesAfter the criticism of the last Oscars, the Emmys continue to make efforts to embrace diversity. Kimmel made the most of it, quipping: “If your show doesn’t have a dragon or a white Bronco in it, go home now” and “If you’re a person of color, please, find a white person – it shouldn’t be hard, I see a bunch of them right here – just take a moment to reach out and say thanks for your bravery.”Jeffrey Tambor, the star of the comedy “Transparent,” said in his speech that there should be more transgender actors. Also, the co-creator of “Master of None,” Alan Yang, said that there were as many Asian Americans as Italian Americans but they rarely were seen on-screen, and that needed to change.4. What happens when Corden’s Carpool Karaoke beats BeyoncéThere may be very few people who would choose to listen to James Corden’s raucous karaoke over Beyoncé’s dulcet tones. Still, in something of a surprise, the clip show triumphed over “Lemonade,” the visual album that was eligible because it made its debut on HBO. The TV Academy also rewarded “Grease Live” in the same music category. Kimmel joked of the latter: “I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes when Kanye realizes they beat Beyoncé!”5. Two to watch — first-timers Rami Malek and Tatiana MaslanyMalek won the prize for best drama actor on his first nomination. He was honored for playing hacker Elliot Alderson in “Mr. Robot.” He said that there was a bit of the confused Alderson in many people, which is why it resonated, joking “please tell me that you’re seeing this, too.” We are likely to be seeing (and saying) a lot more of him.Maslany, another first timer, won the Outstanding Lead Actress award for the drama “Orphan Black,” and said that she was delighted to be in a show that puts women at the center of the action.
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