The Bear roars while Beef and Succession win big during a sentimental Emmy Awards

Monday evening's Emmy Awards brought big wins for Succession,The Bear and Beef, an EGOTfor Elton John, and paid tribute to beloved shows of the past after a months-long delay from the Hollywood strikes pushed the ceremony honouring series that aired in 2022-2023 into the newyear.

Host Anthony Anderson, who starredin black-ish,opened the show with a piano-accompanied monologue where he reflected on his childhood TV crush and performed a medley of TV themes.

He was swiftly interrupted by his mom, Doris Bowman, who sat in the audience and yelled at himto hurry upa bit that continued throughout the night as she was enlisted to badger stars who wentover time with theiracceptance speeches.

Media empire satire Succession and restaurant dramedy The Bear, which won outstanding drama series and outstanding comedy series respectively, both topped the night with six wins each.

Succession, The Bearwin big

Succession stars Sarah Snook, Matthew Macfadyen and Kieran Culkinall won acting awards.

It was the first time that Culkin who played Roman Roy in the acclaimed series submitted for the lead actor category, competing against his co-stars Jeremy Strong and Brian Cox. He celebrated the moment by thanking his mom and telling his wife that he wants more kids. "You said maybe if I win," he told her with a smile.

The Bear star Jeremy Allen White won in the lead actorcategory for comedy series,while co-star Ayo Edebiritook home the trophy for outstanding supporting actressin a comedy.

During the show's win for outstanding comedy series, Saint John-born and Toronto-basedchef, star and executive producer Matty Matheson accepted the award on behalf of the cast and crew before being cut off bya long kiss from co-star Ebon Moss-Bachrach.

While there weren't that many surprises, Moss-Bachrach had the night's first and only upset, winning best supporting actor in a comedy series for his role as restaurateur Richie over performers from Ted Lasso and Barry.

The Canadian-shot dystopian video game adaptation The Last of Us was shut out of the awards, despite receiving 24 nominations, the second highest number after Succession, which had27.

Memorable moments of acceptance

Netflix's critically acclaimed Beef, which starred Ali Wong and Steven Yeun as a wealthy businesswoman and a down-and-out handyman whose lives become irrevocably intertwined after a road rage incident, won best limited series. Wong and Yeun each won acting Emmys for their lead roles.

Yeun's acceptance speech for playingDanny,an angry and despairing contractor struggling to make ends meet, was among the best of the night. "Judgment and shame is a lonely place, but compassion and grace is where we can all meet," Yeun said while accepting the prize.

One of the evening's best moments came early as Dead To Me actor Christina Applegate, who has been open about her struggles with multiple sclerosis and how the condition has impactedher work, received a standing ovation from the crowd and cried as she presented the award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series.

Earlier,Dahmerstar Niecy Nash-Betts thanked family, friends and colleagues for her Emmy win and herself, saying, "I wanna thank me for believing in me, and doing what they said I could not do."

Drag pioneer RuPaul, who accepted a win forRuPaul's Drag Racein the outstanding reality competition program, referenced bans on drag queen story hours at libraries and elementary schools across the U.S.

"Knowledge is power, and if someone tries to restrict your access to power, they are trying to scare you," the reality host said.

Elton John EGOTs amid cast reunions

Former Saturday Night Livestars Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reunited onstage to deliverthe nominees for outstanding variety special (live)in the style of SNL's Weekend Update segment, which they once co-anchored together.

The win in that category was historic, as singer Elton John achievedEGOTstatus(having won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar anda Tony) upon winning the Emmy Award foroutstanding live variety special forElton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium, though he wasn't at the ceremony to accept the award.

"I am incredibly humbled to be joining the unbelievably talented group of EGOT winners tonight," John said in a statement released on Tuesday.

"The journey to this moment has been filled with passion, dedicationand the unwavering support of my fans all around the world. Tonight is a testament to the power of the arts and the joy that it brings to all our lives. Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my career, I am incredibly grateful."

The show was punctuated by nostalgic tributes to beloved shows of Emmys past, with their iconic sets recreated on stage.

Notable reunions included the cast of Grey's Anatomy, with former star Katherine Heigl in tow; the cast of nineties sitcomMartin, who riffed on the lack of Emmy nominations they received during their five season run; and The Sopranos stars Lorraine Bracco and Michael Imperioli, who together marked the 25th anniversary since the acclaimed crime drama made its 1999 debut on HBO.