Sandy Kenyon recaps the 2015 Emmy Awards
NEW YORK (WABC) -- There are always a few snubs and surprises at the Emmys, but Sunday night fewer than usual and more applause for those who won.
The word 'historic' comes to mind, and that's no hype given who walked away winners.
History was made and Andy Samberg nailed the hosting.
Gaga looked gorgeous, and Jimmy Kimmel ate a winner's name.
But far more importantly, Viola Davis, the star of "How to Get Away With Murder", is the first-ever African-American to win lead drama actress.
"The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity," said Davis. "It means a lot. It means my work counts for something. It means the twenty-seven years that I've put into this business means something."
Another first was the first Emmy to an actor for playing a transgender character in a comedy.
"I'd like to dedicate my performance and this award to the transgender community. Thanks for letting us be part of the change," said Jeffrey Tambor.
And Jon Hamm, finally winning best actor for "Mad Men"'s final season.
The end of an era on late night was noted with the recently departed Jon Stewart taking home a prize.
"To everybody on television, I just want to tell you, cling to it as long as you can," Stewart said.
The cable TV movie "Olive Kitteridge" took home six trophies. "Game of Thrones" won four, and so did "Veep" with Julia Louis-Dreyfus bagging best comedy actress for a stunning fourth year in a row.
And after that horrific car accident last year, an emotional return for Tracy Morgan.
"I'm starting to feel like my old self again, so plenty of women are gonna get pregnant at the after party," said Morgan.
So great to hear Tracy Morgan crack jokes again, because as he said Sunday night: "It's been a long road back."
The star suffered a traumatic brain injury more than a year ago that put him in a coma for eight days.
Backstage in the press room, Variety reports he had to sit down and became emotional when he described trying to recover enough to marry his fiancee, Morgan saying he just wanted to walk her down the aisle without a cane.
The two got married last month.
