Julie Andrews makes Emmy history at 90

Some of television’s most enduring names have stolen the spotlight at the Emmys, with Julie Andrews making history at 90, the late Rob Reiner receiving a standing ovation and South Park using its victory to take another swipe at Donald Trump.

Julie Andrews has spent more than seven decades entertaining audiences, and at 90 she is still adding trophies to the cabinet as The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins legend extended her record as the oldest woman to win an Emmy after taking home the award for Character Voice-Over Performance for her role as Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton.

It was Andrews’ fourth Emmy and her second win in the voice-over category, proving that unmistakable voice remains very much in demand.

One of the most emotional moments of the weekend belonged to the late Rob Reiner, who was posthumously named Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in The Bear, prompting a standing ovation inside Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater.

For generations of viewers, however, Reiner will always be Michael “Meathead” Stivic, the liberal son-in-law forever sparring with Carroll O’Connor’s Archie Bunker in the groundbreaking 1970s sitcom All in the Family.

That role earned Reiner two Emmys, and his latest victory created a remarkable piece of family history. The 48-year gap since his previous acting Emmy broke a record previously held by his father, comedy legend Carl Reiner.

There was considerably less sentimentality when South Park collected its first Outstanding Animated Program Emmy since 2013.

The winning episode, Sermon On The ’Mount, took aim at Donald Trump, and creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone weren’t finished.

After the victory, the show’s social media account posted an image of its cartoon Trump clutching the trophy with the message: “You finally got your Emmy!”

It was a pointed reference to Trump never winning an Emmy for The Apprentice, despite the show receiving nominations during its run.

Another television institution was also honoured, with I Love Lucy becoming the inaugural recipient of the Television Academy’s new Legacy Award.

The award recognises programs that have made a profound and lasting generational impact, a fitting honour 75 years after Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s groundbreaking sitcom first appeared on American television.

Veteran actor Ernest Harden Jr also enjoyed a long-awaited moment, winning Guest Actor in a Drama for The Pitt. His screen career stretches back more than half a century and includes The Jeffersons and working alongside Bette Davis.

For an awards weekend celebrating television in 2026, some of its most memorable moments belonged to names whose careers reach deep into television history and, at 90, Julie Andrews is still adding to hers.