How the 2022 Emmys Almost (Almost!) Gave Acceptance Speeches Their Proper Due
Caroline Framke Chief TV Critic The moment Sheryl Lee Ralph opened her mouth and let loose the first jaw-dropping note of Dianne Reeves’ “Endangered Species,” it was an Emmy speech for the ages. Quaking with emotion and palpably overcome, Ralph’s acceptance for her best supporting actress trophy was as impassioned as it was memorable — especially, perhaps, because she didn’t have to recite a litany of names before the timer ran out. Instead, a simple ticker of people Ralph wished to mention scrolled by in a chyron as she lifted her Emmy to the sky in triumph. With most nominees appearing to submit names ahead of time in case they should win, the most memorable speeches of the night were freer to go off-script and embrace their moment, in the moment. After Ralph’s gorgeous display of joy, Lizzo’s surprise reality series win was capped with a tearful speech that didn’t have to include the many names of “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” producers at all. Instead, they whizzed by underneath as she told the story of growing up wishing “to see someone fat like me, Black like me, beautiful like me.”