The Emmys isn’t always a joy for journalists on the culture beat – but this year it was

In America, we don’t always give trophies to the right winners. I was a little apprehensive when I was chosen to cover this particular one. But it turns out I shouldn’t have worried

‘Killing Eve’ actor Jodie Comer was stunned to pick up an award (AFP/Getty)

As a culture writer, covering award ceremonies is a key part of my job. This means that come award season, my life turns into a semi-permanent rota of red carpets, nomination announcements, acceptance speeches, outrageous snubs, and heartwarming successes.

It’s all great fun – and a dash of much-needed levity – but truth be told, award ceremonies tend to be all or nothing as far as entertainment value is concerned. Some nights, the red carpet chatter will be scintillating, the acceptance speeches will be moving, and all the right people will win. Other nights… well, not so much.

That’s why I didn’t quite know what to expect when I tuned in to live-blog the 71st Emmys on Sunday. The ceremony was going ahead without a main host for the first time since 2003. There were some great nominees (Fleabag, When They See Us, Killing Eve, Succession, and the one and only Billy Porter). But I live in America, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past three years in America, it’s that sometimes (often) the wrong people win.