5 Most Memorable Moments from the 2015 Emmy Awards

ByLA Blake KGO logo
Monday, September 21, 2015
5 Most Memorable Moments from the 2015 Primetime Emmy Awards
From historic wins to emotional returns, here's what everyone was talking about on one of television's biggest nights.

Sunday night marked the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards, and while Game of Thrones and Veep took home the big Outstanding Drama and Outstanding Comedy awards, plenty of other moments had television fans buzzing. Here are five things fans will remember from the night.

Viola Davis makes history

The star of ABC's How to Get Away with Murder got away with a monumental win: She is the first black woman to win Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series. She was praised on social media not just for her commanding performance as Annalise Keating, but for making her moment about other inspiring women, including Scandal's Kerry Washington and Shonda Rhimes, who produces both shows.

"The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity," Davis said. "You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there."

The return of Tracy Morgan

More than a year after the tragic accident that took his friend's life and left him with a severe brain injury, Tracy Morgan is back, and so is his sense of humor. He thanked his supporters as he took to the stage to a standing ovation, then proceeded to crack jokes. He said that when he woke up after eight days, "I was just ecstatic to learn I wasn't the one who messed up."

Hamming it up

After climbing his way to the top of the "perennial snubs" list, Jon Hamm finally got to climb onstage to accept Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series. It was a good thing, too, because this was the last chance for him to take home the statue for his role in Mad Men, which ended this year.

Amy's only a winner in fans' hearts

Julia Louis-Dreyfus took home the statue for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series, which was great for fans of Veep but devastating for fans of Amy Poehler and Parks and Recreation. The night wasn't a total wash for Poehler, though, as she started the #SmartGirlsAsk movement on the red carpet, asking dozens of celebrities to answer questions more compelling than "What are you wearing?"

Feeling the heat on the red carpet

Red carpet attire ranged from the classy to the kooky, but rather than each other's outfits, most stars will remember the heat. With temperatures hovering around 100 degrees, 2012 Miss USA Olivia Culpo, who was hosting an E! pre-show, nearly passed out on camera. She was OK and was even able to joke about it later.

PHOTOS: 2015 Emmy Awards red carpet