HBO + Max was the party to be post-Emmys at San Vicente Bungalows, the private members’ club in West Hollywood.
“I was shocked,” Paul W. Downs said of the big win for “Hacks” — taking home Outstanding Comedy Series. He stood alongside his co-creators Jen Statsky and Lucia Aniello. “It’s crazy.”
“I’m in shock,” Aniello chimed in, wide-eyed. They were in a corner of the packed outdoor garden with the show’s stars Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart, who snagged lead comedy actress. It’s her sixth Emmy to date.
“I’m great,” she said, cheery with a trophy in hand. She had just been presented a cake by Einbinder as the crowd sang “Happy Birthday.” Smart turned 73 on Friday. “Make a wish,” a voice yelled out in the crowd.
There were Emmy trophies on nearly every table around.
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“It’s a workout,” Downs joked, lifting two like dumbbells for bicep curls. The statuettes weigh nearly seven pounds each. “It’s heavy.”
Jodie Foster had hers set in a booth inside the club’s interior bar, where she held court with her posse. It’s the veteran actor’s very first Emmy, won for her role in “True Detective: Night Country.”
Meanwhile, John Oliver — mingling near the dance floor all night — counts 30 Emmys in total for “Last Week Tonight,” after winning Outstanding Scripted Variety Show for the second time in a row, again beating “Saturday Night Live.”
“When you win that much, I guess you shout-out your dog,” a reporter remarked of the celebrated TV host, who thanked his family’s late dog during his speech after thanking his writers.
It was nearly midnight and elbow-to-elbow inside the club, which is full of cozy nooks. Connie Britton shimmied by while being fed a chocolate chip cookie by her date. It was snack time — and there were a variety of choices.
“Would you like some caviar?” a waiter asked around.
One room had bites from Chain, the restaurant by B.J. Novak that reimagines familiar chain favorites; another served fresh handrolls in the club’s sushi bar upstairs. Steps away was a sake tasting for those indulging, and nearby — in the movie theater — was jazzy karaoke hosted by Hollywood piano bar Tramp Stamp Granny’s.
“Why not watch coworkers drunkenly embarrass themselves?” joked an executive.
The night brought out Larry David, Molly Shannon, Christine Baranski, Kali Reis, Carrie Coon, Nikki Glaser, J. B. Smoove, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Cheryl Hines, Rachael Harris, Conan O’Brien with Mike Sweeney, who took outstanding writing for a nonfiction program for “Conan O’Brien Must Go,” and Alex Edelman, who won for his comedy special “Just For Us.”
HBO was the last stop for the party hoppers; Quinta Brunson with “Abbott Elementary” costar Tyler James Williams came from the Disney bash. And “Baby Reindeer” creator and actor Richard Gadd — a star of the night — came from Netflix’s celebration.
“I feel good,” he said, reflecting on his wins. The Scottish comedian took outstanding writing and lead actor for a limited or anthology series or movie, while the show received the top prize in the category — and costar Jessica Gunning won Outstanding Supporting Actress.
Gadd had made his rounds, starting off at Governors Ball — the Emmy’s official after party sponsored by the likes of Fiji Water, Justin Winery and Franciacorta at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It’s where the crowd lets loose post-show, and the winners get their trophies engraved. The day before he was at the BAFTA tea party at The Maybourne Beverly Hills, with Gunning, Foster and the cast of “Shōgun” — the other big winner at the Emmys, sweeping the leading drama categories with actors Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, and setting a record for most Emmys won by a show in a single year, with 18, including Outstanding Drama Series.
It was now nearing the end of the night at SVB, as the members club is known. Gadd munched on pepperoni pizza, taking in the moment. It was close to 1 a.m.
He explained he’s simply amazed by the show’s early success. It took off immediately, he said, and it’s been a wild ride since. “I’m a bit overwhelmed.”
