Emmys 2022: 5 Ups & 7 Downs

There hasn't been a period in modern TV history where awards shows have felt any less relevant - as is reflected by their ratings. And so, there was understandable hope from many that this year's Emmys broadcast would serve as a welcome reminder of why people tune in in the first place.

Sadly beyond some undeniably historic and memorable moments, this year's Emmys - the ceremony's first proper stage show in three years due to the pandemic - was a relatively anemic, forgettable affair which struggled to make much of a case for itself.

Of course, deserving artists were awarded for their TV accomplishments over the past year, but conceptually it was a disappointingly safe broadcast which lacked the pomp and banner moments necessary to capture the attention of more casual observers.

Following up an Oscars telecast earlier this year that would've been forgotten in mere days were it not for a certain on-stage slap, it's tough to imagine anyone recalling much from this show within a week or two.

In an era where interest in televised awards ceremonies has dwindled catastrophically, the Emmys had the opportunity to make a screaming case for their own existence, yet from the show itself through to the mixed bag of winners, it was a pure shoulder shrug.

And so, on with what didn't work...