The Emmys' Most Memorable Moments

Ahead of this year's Primetime Emmys, revisit and watch video of the award show's most memorable moments, including historical wins, a kissing bandit, a Glee-ful performance, a tearful tribute and more.

2001: THE FIRST POST-9/11 EMMYS

Ellen DeGeneres had the unenviable task of hosting that year's twice-postponed ceremony, yet rose to the occasion with a perfect blend of pathos and tension-releasing barbs (e.g. "What would bug the Taliban more than seeing a gay woman in a suit surrounded by Jews?"). Later in the night, she delivered a "swan" song of sorts by evoking a get-up made famous by Bjork.

1960: HARRY BELAFONTE MAKES HISTORY

In the 12th annual Emmy Awards (and the sixth to be televised), Harry Belafonte made history when he won Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program (for Revlon Review: Tonight with Belafonte) and became the first black performer to ever take home TV's top prize.

2014: SEXIST... OR A SEND-UP?

As TV Academy CEO Bruce Rosenblum spoke of the medium's mission to give "the viewer something compelling to watch" (wink-wink), vivacious Modern Family star Sofia Vergara stood on a turntable and at key points showed off her assets. When some cried "objectification," Vergara later insisted that the stunt proved "somebody can be hot and also be funny and make fun of herself." (WATCH VIDEO)

2014: ROBIN WILLIAMS, REMEMBERED

There surely was not a dry eye in the house after Billy Crystal capped that year's In Memoriam montage by appearing on-stage and lovingly paying tribute to longtime friend Williams, who had passed about a month prior. (WATCH VIDEO)

2017: SPICING THINGS UP

Just months after he stepped down as President Donald Trump's White House Press Secretary — and two years before he would hit the Dancing With the Stars parquet — Sean Spicer showed up as part of host Stephen Colbert's opening skit, to (grossly over)estimate the crowd size. (WATCH VIDEO)

2011: FUNNY LADIES FAKE BEAUTY PAGEANT

As each of the nominees for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy were announced, Amy Poehler, Melissa McCarthy, Tina Fey, Edie Falco, Martha Plimpton and Laura Linney one by one stepped on stage, held hands, and "anxiously" awaited the winner's name, beauty pageant-style — complete with explosive tears and a tiara for the Mike & Molly star. (WATCH VIDEO)

2014: BRYAN CRANSTON, KISSING BANDIT

As Julia Louis-Dreyfus headed toward the stage to accept her Emmy for best actress in a comedy (for Veep), Bryan Cranston broke bad and intercepted her to plant a big, passionate, prolonged kiss — a pre-planned "kicker" for an earlier bit in which JLD pretended to not remember her onetime Seinfeld beau. (WATCH VIDEO)

2015: TRACY MORGAN IS WELCOMED BACK

Appearing on-stage at the Emmys some 15 months after a fatal six-vehicle crash left him in a coma and with numerous broken bones, Tracy Morgan presented the award for Outstanding Drama — after, that is, he received a standing ovation. "Thank you, thank you so much," the 30 Rock alum told the crowd, warmly. "I missed you guys so much." (WATCH VIDEO)

2015: JON HAMMS IT UP

Hearing his name called as the winner for best drama actor for the first time after eight nominations, Mad Men's very relieved Jon Hamm crawled onto the stage, before delivering an overdue acceptance speech. (WATCH VIDEO)

2010: THE MOST GLEE-FUL OPENING EVER

A quintet of Glee stars + host Jimmy Fallon + Tina Fey + a booty-shaking Jon Hamm + Nina Dobrev literally springing onto the scene + other fun treats added up to a rousing "Born to Run" singalong that has never been rivaled by any other opening number. (WATCH VIDEO)

2018: WE DO!

While accepting his Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special, Glenn Weiss took the moment to address his girlfriend, Jan Svendsen, saying in front of millions of viewers, "You wonder why I don't like to call you my girlfriend? Because I want to call you my wife." After he dropped to bended knee and produced a ring, she emphatically said yes. (WATCH VIDEO)

1975: OHHHH, LUCY!

Funny lady Lucille Ball went to announce the winner for Outstanding Comedy... but simply couldn't, having left her eyeglasses at her seat. What followed was a bit of impromptu physical comedy by her and a helpful (?) Milton Berle. (WATCH VIDEO)

1979: ALAN ALDA FLIPS OUT

So excited to win his first Emmy for writing (an episode of M*A*S*H, on which he starred), Alan Alda performed a full-on cartwheel in the theater aisle before grabbing his gold. (WATCH VIDEO)

1991: KIRSTIE ALLEY GIVES HUSBAND 'BIG' PROPS

In accepting her Emmy for best actress in a comedy, the Cheers star's thank-yous eventually led to her singling out husband Parker Stevenson "for giving me 'the big one' for the last eight years." (WATCH VIDEO)

2006: WHAT ABOUT BOB?

To make sure the 58th Primetime Emmy Awards stayed tight and bright, host Conan O'Brien revealed that Bob Newhart had been sealed in a glass chamber with only enough air for three hours — which "appeared" to be alarming news to the iconic comic. (WATCH VIDEO)

2006: THIS

Apprentice host. "Karen Walker." Green Acres theme. Yeah. (WATCH VIDEO)

1970: PATTY DUKE SPARKS SPECULATION

In accepting the first-ever Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Made-for-TV Movie (for My Sweet Charlie), Duke meandered on-stage and then seemed detached, spoke incoherently. Duke would later explain that she had been in the midst of a "serious mental breakdown," and in 1982 was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. (WATCH VIDEO)

2015: FREE HBO FOR EVERYONE!

Referencing HBO's claim that they don't mind the sharing of accounts, host Andy Samberg gave out "his" working HBO GO login — khaleesifan3@emmyhost.com, along with the password shown on-screen. "Gotta have a number in there, throw them off the scent," he explained.

2015: VIOLA DAVIS MAKES HISTORY

For her Season 1 run as How to Get Away With Murder's provocative and inscrutable Annalise, Viola Davis made history as the first African American to win best actress in a drama. "Let me tell you something — the only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity," she declared. "You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there." (WATCH VIDEO)