A happy Alec Baldwin shows off his Emmy for supporting actor in a comedy for his work on “Saturday Night Live,” backstage at the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday.
(Danny Moloshok / Invision for the Television Academy)
During a glittery Emmy ceremony that also played like an extensive rebuke of President Trump, the biggest winner of the night was a series that’s been on the air since Gerald Ford was president.
A newly resurgent “Saturday Night Live,” which has relentlessly lampooned the outsize personalities and turbulence of the Trump administration, scored four Emmy Awards on Sunday, bringing its haul this year to nine, more than any other show, and outdistancing timely winners such as “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Veep.”
The groundbreaking sketch comedy series is coming off its most-watched and politically pointed season in years, as viewers tuned in each weekend to see how “SNL,” which will be entering its 43rd season this fall, would address the latest White House upheaval.
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Kate McKinnon, who portrayed Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, and Alec Baldwin, who impersonated Trump, won supporting actress and supporting actor in a comedy series, respectively. The show also won for variety sketch series and direction for a variety series.
Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer speaks onstage during the show at the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Even former White House press secretary Sean Spicer punctuated the show’s victory, making a surprise appearance that made light of his dubious claims regarding Trump’s inauguration crowd. Melissa McCarthy’s impersonation of Spicer was one of the season’s highlights — the actress picked up an Emmy last week at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards for guest actress in a comedy series.
Accepting the Emmy for variety sketch series, “SNL” creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels recalled the first time the show won the category in its inaugural season in 1976.
“I remember thinking, as I was standing there, alone, that this was it, this was the high point, there would never be another season as crazy, as unpredictable, as frightening, as exhausting or as exhilarating,” Michaels said. “Turns out I was wrong.”
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The only one of the five categories “SNL” didn’t win was writing for a variety series, which went to HBO’s equally topical “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver.”
McKinnon, who sang Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” in character as Clinton on “SNL’s” first post-election episode, thanked Clinton in her acceptance speech, citing her “grace and grit.”
Kate McKinnon arrives at the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Being part of this season of ‘Saturday Night Live’ was the most meaningful thing that I will ever do, so I should probably just stop right now.
— Kate McKinnon
Said McKinnon, “Being part of this season of ‘Saturday Night Live’ was the most meaningful thing that I will ever do, so I should probably just stop right now.”
Baldwin started his acceptance speech by taking a shot at Trump, who has frequently complained that he deserved, but never won an Emmy for his reality show, “The Apprentice.”
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Looking at the camera, Baldwin quipped, “I suppose I should say at long last, Mr. President, here is your Emmy.”
The “SNL” wins were an ironic twist for the show, which was fiercely criticized when, during the presidential campaign, Trump appeared as a guest host in November 2015 — a move that some critics maintained helped boost his profile and normalize what they called his divisive rhetoric.
But after Trump’s stint, Baldwin and several other skits mercilessly skewered Trump, who frequently denounced “SNL” as “really bad television” via Twitter.
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Presenter Oprah Winfrey and Emmy winner Elisabeth Moss of “The Handmaid’s Tale” after the show won the Emmy for drama series.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Elizabeth Moss receives her Emmy for lead actress in a drama series (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) from Tatiana Maslany and Jeffrey D. Morgan.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Elisabeth Moss hugs co-star Joseph Fiennes along with the cast of “The Handmaid’s Tale” after they won the drama series award during the 69th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Bruce Miller and the cast congratulates Elisabeth Moss of “The Handmaid’s Tale” after they won drama series.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Cast and crew of “Veep” accept the comedy series award onstage.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Nicole Kidman reacts to “Big Little Lies” winning the limited series Emmy.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Nicole Kidman accepts the award for lead actress in a limited series or a movie for “Big Little Lies.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Reese Witherspoon, center, accepts for “Big Little Lies” afer winning the Emmy fpr limited series.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Nicole Kidman with the Emmy for lead actress in a limited series or movie for “Big Little Lies.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Sterling K. Brown accepting his Emmy for lead actor in a drama series for “This Is Us.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Alec Baldwin accepts his Emmy for supporting actor in a comedy series.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Host Stephen Colbert being carried offstage in a scripted performance.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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A tender moment on stage is shared between actors Anna Faris and Allison Janney, the stars of TV comedy series “Mom.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Anika Noni Rose and Cecily Tyson present the Emmy for limited series or movie.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Charlie Brooker accepts the award for outstanding television movie for “Black Mirror: San Junipero.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Charlie Brooker and “Black Mirror: San Junipero” win for television movie.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Riz Ahmed wins for lead actor in a limited series or movie for “The Night Of.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Norman Lear and Carol Burnett present comedy series.
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Julia Louis-Dreyfus returns to the stage with Norman Lear and Carol Burnett after her show “Veep” wins for comedy series.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Julia Louis-Dreyfus wins lead actress in a comedy series for “Veep.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Julia Louis-Dreyfus wins lead actress in a comedy series.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer appears onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Chris Hardwick presents Julia Louis-Dreyfus her Emmy as she wins lead actress in a comedy series.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Julia Louis-Dreyfus and her husband Brad Hall react in the audience.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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LOS ANGELES, CA., ††September 17, 2017: Sterling K. Brown accepting his Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series†during the show at the 69th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater†in Los Angeles, CA., Sunday, September 17, 2017. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Oprah Winfrey speaks onstage before presenting the award for drama series.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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A tender moment between actors Anna Faris and Allison Janney, the stars of TV comedy series “Mom.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Actresses Anika Noni Rose, left, and Cicely Tyson present the award for limited series.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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John Oliver of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” accept the award for variety talk series.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Actors Jessica Biel and Joseph Fiennes onstage.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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Executive producer David Mandel and the cast and crew of “Veep” accept the award for comedy series for “Veep.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Reed Morano accepts her award after winning the Emmy for directing for a drama series.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Jean-Marc Vallée accepts his Emmy for directing in a limited series or movie (“Big Little Lies”).
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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“Ghosted” actors Craig Robinson, left, and Adam Scott present the award for directing for a variety series.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Christopher Jackson sings as a picture of Adam West appears on-screen during an in memoriam tribute at the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press)
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“Big Bang Theory” actor Jim Parsons and “Young Sheldon” actor Iain Armitage during the show.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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“Star Trek: Discovery’s” Sonequa Martin-Green and “Entourage” actor Jeremy Piven during the show.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Writers Aziz Ansari and Lena Waithe accept the writing in a comedy series award for “Master of None.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Seth MacFarlane and Emmy Rossum onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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Actress Viola Davis
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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Kaitlin Olsen and Tracee Ellis Ross onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images)
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Kate McKinnon accepts her Emmy for supporting actress in a comedy series Sunday during the 69th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Actor Christopher Jackson performs during the in-memoriam section of the 2017 Emmys.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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The cast and crew of “The Voice” wins the Emmy for reality competition program.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Laura Dern accepts her Emmy for supporting actress in a limited series or movie during the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Television Academy President Hayma Washington onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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Donald Glover accepts the award for directing a comedy series for the “Atlanta” episode “B.A.N.” at the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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LOS ANGELES, CA., September 17, 2017: Ann Dowd accepts the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for ‘The Handmaids Tale’ during the show at the 69th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, CA., Sunday, September 17, 2017. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Seth Meyers, left, and James Corden speak onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images)
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Singer Jon Batiste performs onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman in the audience at the 69th Emmy Awards.
(John Salangsang / Invision for the Television Acad)
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Rachel Bloom performs onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards, introducing the accountants.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Ernst & Young representatives appear onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Actor Alexander Skarsgard accepts for supporting actor in a limited series or movie for “Big Little Lies” with Dolly Parton, left, and Lily Tomlin during the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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Director Jean-Marc Vallée accepts the directing for a limited series, movie or dramatic special award for “Big Little Lies” onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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Lorne Michaels and the cast of “SNL” accept the award for outstanding variety sketch series for “Saturday Night Live” at the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press)
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Dave Chappelle and Melissa McCarthy speak onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater.
(Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images)
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The band Stay Human performs during the show at the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Host Stephen Colbert doing his monologue during the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Host Stephen Colbert is led offstage by costumed individuals recalling characters from HBO’s “Westworld.”
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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Actors Issa Rae of “Insecure” and Riz Ahmed of “The Night Of” speak onstage.
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Actors Gina Rodriguez (“Jane the Virgin”) and Shemar Moore (“Criminal Minds”) speak onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
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Host Stephen Colbert speaks at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater.
(Chris Pizzello / Invision/Associated Press)
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Actor Laura Dern, left, reacts when her name is read as the winner of the Emmy for supporting actress in a limited series or movie for “Big Little Lies.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Actor Laura Dern accepts supporting actress in a limited series or movie for “Big Little Lies.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Host Stephen Colbert dances onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Actors Shailene Woodley, left, Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern and Zoe Kravitz of “Big Litle Lies” speak onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images)
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John Lithgow accepts his Emmy for supporting actor in a drama series for “The Crown.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Host Stephen Colbert performs onstage during the 69th Emmy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
“SNL” was one of this year’s Emmy nomination leaders, tying with HBO’s ambitious sci-fi drama “Westworld” with 22 overall nods. This also marked the most-nominated season in the show’s four-decade history. In total, “SNL” has 54 Emmy wins and 221 nominations.
Backstage, the show’s longtime director, Don Roy King, spoke to the importance of comedy in a fraught political environment.
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“This year it felt different, more important, like we were holding people accountable, doing some healing,” King said. “It felt like we were soothing some frayed nerves, and for that reason, it felt even more important.”
Staff writer Jessica Gelt contributed to this report.
Meredith Blake is an entertainment reporter for the Los Angeles Times based out of New York City, where she primarily covers television. A native of Bethlehem, Pa., she graduated from Georgetown University and holds a master’s degree from New York University.
