Key Points:
- SNL marked its 50th season with 11 Emmy wins.
- Lamar, Obama, and Beyoncé earned standout honors.
- Public Broadcasting received the Governors’ Award amid closure threats.
The 2025 Creative Arts Emmy Awards delivered a night of big wins, with Saturday Night Live’s landmark 50th season standing out as the evening’s biggest triumph. The anniversary special, SNL 50: The Anniversary Special, swept seven awards across major categories, including directing, writing, editing, hairstyling, and immersive media. Combined with victories for regular episodes, the iconic comedy series ended the night with 11 Emmys, cementing its golden jubilee year as one of the most celebrated chapters in its history.
Held over two nights at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the Creative Arts Emmys recognized excellence across nearly 100 categories spanning scripted, unscripted, documentary, and technical achievements. Alongside SNL, other series also scored big. The Studio earned nine awards, while critically acclaimed titles like Severance, The Penguin, Arcane, The Boys, and Queer Eye were honored for their achievements in cinematography, editing, and casting. The awards highlighted not only celebrated mainstream hits but also the craft and technical brilliance that power modern television.
High-Profile Wins for Kendrick Lamar, Obama, and Kimmel
The night also belonged to some of the entertainment world’s most recognizable names. Rapper Kendrick Lamar secured his second Emmy, sharing the award for Music Direction for his Super Bowl halftime show. The win reaffirmed Kendrick Lamar growing influence beyond music, where his artistry continues to cross into major cultural milestones.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama once again found himself in Emmy territory, winning Outstanding Narrator for the Netflix docuseries Our Oceans. This marks his third Emmy win in recent years, adding to a growing list of accolades for his documentary work that blends storytelling with social awareness.
Jimmy Kimmel added another trophy to his shelf, winning Outstanding Game Show Host for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. It was his fourth Emmy, a recognition he humorously tied back to the late Regis Philbin, the show’s original host. Conan O’Brien also scored two Emmys for his travel series Conan O’Brien Must Go, a project that has reinvigorated his reputation for inventive comedy.
The ceremony also honored Alan Cumming as Best Reality Host for The Traitors and granted posthumous recognition to Paul Reubens, whose Pee-wee as Himself documentary received four awards, including Best Documentary Special. Music icon Beyoncé joined the winners with an Emmy for costume design for her Netflix Beyoncé Bowl special, adding another layer to her multifaceted career. Reality favorites shone as well, with Jeopardy taking Best Game Show, Queer Eye earning Best Structured Reality Program, and Love on the Spectrum being recognized as Best Unstructured Reality Program.
Celebrating Legacy and Innovation
Beyond individual wins, the Creative Arts Emmys underscored television’s lasting legacy and evolving future. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting received the prestigious Governors’ Award, honoring decades of contributions to public media through PBS and NPR. The recognition came at a poignant time, with the organization facing closure following funding cuts, highlighting its enduring impact on American culture and education.
Meanwhile, SNL 50’s immersive anniversary pop-up was celebrated with an award for emerging media, reflecting how long-running television staples are finding new ways to engage audiences beyond traditional formats.
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