Anyone who knows me knows that I have many likes and obsessions that fluctuate between the months, seasons and sometimes just the days. Whatever the particular passion, I could talk about it for hours, but I’ll spare you the hours, and just write a couple hundred words instead.

September brings the Emmy awards. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved award shows. For the Oscars, my mom and grandma would throw parties, and we’d dress up and eat Trader Joe’s appetizers. We’d make predictions about the winners and judge fashion on the red carpet like we were writing for E! News. While the awards don’t always represent the best media, I live for the lavish fashion and exaggerated fame seen on the broadcast. 

This month held the 74th Emmy awards. Some parts were a bit peculiar, but it was an all around successful night. Kenan Thompson was the host and opened with a weird dance number that remixed different TV show theme songs like Friends and Stranger Things. Many fan favorite shows like Severance, Better Call Saul and Yellowjackets got snubbed, but a big win from the night was the amount of women of color who took home awards. 

One of my favorite nominated shows, Abbott Elementary, donated all of their Emmys campaign money to underfunded schools, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, who plays Barbara Howard in the show, was named best supporting actress in a comedy series. After a roaring applause, Ralph opened her speech by singing an emotional a capella of “Endangered Species’ by Dianne Reeves. She continued her acceptance by telling everyone watching to never give up on their dreams, she is proof that they can come true. Also from Abbott Elementary, Quinta Brunson took home the award for best writing in a comedy series. As a presenter bit, Will Arnett dragged Jimmy Kimmel onto the stage claiming that he had “too many skinny margaritas” and Kimmel continued to lay there during Brunson’s speech. The bit became controversial for good reason. I was distracted by Kimmel as Brunson received her first Emmy for a show she starred in and wrote. Since then, the talk show host has given her a public apology on his show, but if we’re being honest, Jimmy Kimmel gets away with too much.

Everyone in our household, as well as millions of people around the world were thrilled about Zendaya’s win for best actress in a comedy series. She gave a heartfelt acceptance speech, thanking the people who have shared their stories because of her character Rue on Euphoria who deals with substance abuse. Many other big stars went home with Emmys, including but not limited to Lizzo, Micheal Keaton, Jason Sudeikis, and Jennifer Coolidge. 

Overall, I loved the representation and kindness put into this year’s Emmy awards and I hope, in years, to come, this will only improve.