There was no curse on Widow's Bay at the 2026 Emmys.
Already an eight-time winner heading into the main ceremony hosted by Mariska Hargitay from L.A. Live's Peacock Theater on Sept. 14, the Apple TV+ horror comedy vanquished the competition for Outstanding Comedy Series, while stars Matthew Rhys, Kate O'Flynn and Stephen Root took home acting trophies.
All told, the freshman darling won a record 14 Emmys between tonight and last weekend's Creative Arts Emmys to give it the most ever wins for a comedy in one year.
In other words, there was a lot to lament for the show's star.
"You want to be the slow burn," Rhys exclusively quipped to E! News backstage. "You don't want this much attention in season one. You want to build to season five, like The Diplomat."
Letting that shout-out to partner Keri Russell's critically acclaimed drama sink in for a few seconds, he added, "It's all the pressure now, isn't it? It's downhill from here, this is the apex."
Rhys also, incidentally, needed both hands for his history-making haul, having also won for lead actor in a limited series for his far darker performance in The Beast in Me. And presumably Russell is still going home with him.
Meanwhile, The Pitt, the most-nominated series headed into the night with 25 nods, repeated as Outstanding Drama Series and Noah Wyle also won his second statue for lead actor in a drama for a grand total of six wins for the HBO hit's sophomore season.
But the stars came out to celebrate each other, win or lose, including past winners such as Euphoria's Zendaya (with husband Tom Holland in tow) and Hacks' Hannah Einbinder, whose shows signed off this past year after distinguished runs.
And, despite the Emmys being a celebration of all things TV, whether you stream your shows or watch them via something called a network, a lot can happen during a commercial break. Or at the tables, or backstage, or at the bar, let alone after the celebs have moved on to the after-parties.
So stick with us here and keep scrolling for charming, funny, surprising and heartwarming moments you didn't see on TV:
Chase Infiniti, Tom Holland & Zendaya
What is this, the Oscars or something? Well, it could be a preview of the 2027 ceremony, but for now it's a celebration of the odyssey that was Zendaya's journey starring on three spread-out seasons of Euphoria, which landed her another nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama alongside The Testaments' Chase Infiniti.
Sara Wells & Noah Wyle
Noah Wyle's wife, Sara Wells, made sure the star of The Pitt was ready for primetime, not to mention his second straight win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
David Harbour
The DTF St. Louis star looked pretty enamored with his win for supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie.
Jean Smart, Lisa Kudrow & Elle Fanning
Ideally we'd like to report that Jean Smart, who picked up her fifth lead actress in a comedy Emmy for the role of Deborah Vance on Hacks (and eighth Emmy overall), and her fellow nominees Lisa Kudrow and Elle Fanning are planning to play family members (look at the multigenerational potential!). But it's also cool if they're just friends.
Nicole Kidman & Shailene Woodley
The Big Little Lies stars reunited in the wake of Shailene Woodley's not-small guest actress in a drama win for Paradise.
Hiro Murai, Emma Barrie & Anya Chalotra
The Witcher's Anya Chalotra captured the moment for Widow's Bay producer-director Hiro Murai and his partner Emma Barrie.
Mark Ruffalo, Kaley Cuoco & Tom Pelphrey
Kaley Cuoco was up to the, er, task of sitting between her Emmy-winning fiancé Tom Pelphrey and his Task costar Mark Ruffalo
Colman Domingo
The Euphoria actor sipped on a mini Ketel One Family Made Vodka martini at the bar.
Ayo Edebiri, Zendaya & Quinta Brunson
They may have gone home without statues in 2026, but Ayo Edebiri, Zendaya and Quinta Brunson still have four Emmys between them.
Hannah Einbinder & Megan Stalter
Hacks was knocked aside by the Widow's Bay tidal wave, but the much-decorated sitcom's final season was still a triumph to celebrate for the show's nominated supporting stars.
Rhea Seehorn & Carrie Coon
Someone was happy for the Pluribus star's long-deserved first Emmy for lead actress in a drama, even though Rhea Seehorn's statue made for a less gilded evening for her fellow nominee Carrie Coon.
Sarah Pidgeon
The Love Story star clearly loved what the Emmys served for dinner.
Sarah Michelle Gellar & David Boreanaz
You'd have to be soulless not to be shook by Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz's Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunion.
Zendaya, Gary Oldman & Tom Holland
Once Tom's Spider-Man days are behind him, there's always an ignominious retirement to Slough House.
Cary Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Youn Yuh-jung, Charles Melton & Cailee Spaeny
Beef was winless Sept. 14, but no need to take it up with the TV Academy. The Netflix anthology's second season won three trophies during the Creative Arts Emmys the previous weekend.
Kate O'Flynn & Matthew Rhys
Kate O'Flynn either won an Emmy or she's actually holding some cursed deer antlers, but in any case, she's going home with a smile on her face.
Richard Jenkins & Peter Krause
The Six Feet Under alums enjoyed a rare reunion in the flesh.