When the 75th annual Primetime Emmy Awards took place Monday (at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles), people watching the show got to see the winners make their speeches. Backstage in the press room, the winners had more to say when they answered questions from the media in the Primetime Emmy Awards press room:

Quinta Brunson

Emmy Award win: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

TV show: “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)

Fun fact: Quinta Brunson (who is also the showrunner of “Abbott Elementary,” where she plays Philadelphia schoolteacher Janine Teagues) is the second Black person to win in this category. The first Black person to win in the category was Isabel Sanford of “The Jeffersons” in 1981. This is Brunson’s second Primetime Emmy Award. In 2022, for the first season of “Abbott Elementary,” she won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.

What was cooler for you: Being handed the Emmy Award by Carol Burnett or standing on stage as an Emmy Awards presenter with Marla Gibbs?

I don’t know. It’s all too much. I’ve been so overwhelmed since the [arrivals] carpet. On the carpet, I saw [former “Martin” co-stars] Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold. I was emotional at that. And I was emotional to see Ayo [Edebiri of “The Bear”], a sister, win.

What can you say about being the first Black woman in decades to win this award?

I’m still processing. I’m just very grateful.

Ayo Edebiri guest starred on “Abbott Elementary” as Janine Teague’s sister Ayesha Teagues. Do you plan to have Ayo back on “Abbott Elementary” as a guest?

If she’s not too busy. All of our wonderful guest stars have become very busy and extremely successful, if they weren’t already. If we can fit it into anybody’s schedule, [they can be guest stars on “Abbott Elementary” again]. Everybody’s family who’s on the show. 

And that includes Taraji P. Henson, who plays Janine’s mother, Vanetta?

You only get one mom. She’s not somebody I would look to try to replace.

If you could choose any new guest stars for “Abbott Elementary,” who would they be?

I actually got my dream guest stars in the [mid-season] premiere this season. If you watch the premiere on Feb. 7—on ABC, streaming the next day on Hulu—you will be able to see my dream guest stars. And that’s all I can say.

You were very surprised and emotional during your acceptance speech. Can you talk about what you were thinking?

I’ve been emotional the whole night. I got emotional as soon as they started playing [clips of ] “The Facts of Life.” I got to meet a lot of my heroes tonight.

I was surprised [to win], because I love Rachel Brosnahan, and she did fantastic work in the last season of “[The Marvelous] Mrs. Maisel.” Christina Applegate did incredible work in “Dead to Me.” I really would’ve been satisfied seeing any of those women win. Natasha [Lyonne of “Poker Face,” one of the category’s nominees] is one of my good friends. I wasn’t prepared. I was just enjoying the night.

Who are some of the people who’ve influenced you and whom you channel into your work?

All the people I just mentioned: Carol [Burnett], Marla Gibbs. Christina Applegate, I genuinely feel, is a very underrated actress. Her performance in “Anchorman” goes unacknowledged all the time. Janelle [James], Sheryl [Lee Ralph], Lisa [Ann Walter], my cast members—I channel their energy.

Ali Wong is an incredible stand-up [comedian]. Wanda Skyes. Lucille Ball, who was kind of my inspiration for my [fashion] look tonight. I feel like I’m forgetting so many people.

Tisha [Campbell] and Tichina [Arnold]. I feel like they raised me. The TV was always on “Martin.” My sisters called themselves Gina and Pam [the names of Campbell’s and Arnold’s “Martin” characters], because one was dark-skinned and one was light-skinned. So many of the women who have come before me [I channel in my work]. … Niecy Nash in “Reno 911!.” She was a huge inspiration for me.

Is there any show where you would like to be a guest star?

I love “Poker Face.” I love the mystery genre, especially something that is an homage to “Murder, She Wrote,” because that was another show that raised me. I just think they [the “Poker Face” team members] do incredible work and have the framework for comedic guest stars. 

I can’t guest-star on it, but “Jury Duty.” That show is incredible. That is the best comedic acting I’ve ever seen in my life. People don’t know how hard it is to do what they do—just to work with an uncontrolled subject in the middle and improvise that well. I wish I could’ve been a part of that show.

Ayo Edebiri

Emmy Award win: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

TV show: “The Bear” (FX on Hulu)

Fun fact: Ayo Edebiri (who plays Chicago restaurant chef Sydney Adamu in “The Bear”) is the third Black person to win in this category. The first Black person to win in the category was Jackée Harry of “227” in 1987. Sheryl Lee Ralph of “Abbott Elementary” was the second in 2022. This is Edebiri’s first Primetime Emmy Award from her first nomination.

When you were filming the pilot episode of “The Bear,” did you think this show would be a worldwide hit?

No, absolutely not. We made the show with little money and little expectations, other than just doing good work. … We were playing complicated chefs in a greasy spoon in Chicago. But the words [in “The Bear” scripts] were perfect and amazing. Everybody was doing beautiful work at such a high standard. We just wanted to impress each other, if anything. I feel very fortunate that it’s resonated with people.

Now that you’re experiencing all this success, what keeps you grounded?

I’m still renting. 

In Season 2 of “The Bear,” your character Sydney Adamu had a reconciliation with her father Emmanuel Adamu, played by guest star Robert Townsend. What can you say about how the relationship between Sydney and Emmanuel might be in future episodes?

I hope that the great Robert Townsend gets to come back. I loved doing scenes with him. He is a legend in TV and in film. He’s somebody I’ve always looked up to. He was so amazing to work with. I love the idea of Sydney finding more confidence and belief in herself. It’s also great to play somebody who’s flawed and kind of a mess.

In your acceptance speech, you said that your parents weren’t expecting you to be a comedy entertainer. Can you talk about what your parents expected from you and how they’re reacting to your success?

I think they probably wanted me to do something in medicine, but I feel like they’re happy with the results at this present moment. My parents were always taking me to see shows, always supporting me if I was doing theater and music. We grew up going to church. And so, that was also an environment where there was a lot of music, a lot of performing. They were always supportive of that. 

People who have immigrant parents always have that sentiment of, “They want me to be a doctor or a lawyer.” When I told my parents I was going to art school, they were like, “You know we’ve been raising you. We know who you are. This isn’t a surprise.”

You and Quinta Brunson have made history as being the first Black women to win the Primetime Emmys for comedy lead actress and comedy supporting actress in the same year. How do you feel about that?

It’s very special. I’m very humbled, on today [Martin Luther King Jr. Day] of all days.

Niecy Nash-Betts

Emmy Award win: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

TV show: “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” (Netflix)

Fun Facts: This is Niecy Nash-Betts’ first Primetime Emmy Award out of four nominations. In the limited series, “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” she played real-life crime witness Glenda Cleveland, who was a neighbor of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Black people who previously won in this Emmy category were Esther Rolle for “Summer of My German Soldier” in 1979; Ruby Dee in “Decoration Day” in 1991; Cicely Tyson in “Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All” in 1994; Regina King in “American Crime” in 2015 and 2016; and Uzo Aduba in “Mrs. America” in 2020.

Why do you think people are so obsessed with true crime shows?

I don’t know, because I’m one of those people. There’s something about trying to unpack the how and the why. I’m very, very grateful that they [the Emmy voters] acknowledged my performance in “Dahmer.”

How is this Emmy Award different from your other Emmy nominations? 

It feels very different because for a long time, I was known in this town as a comedic actress only. And I really wanted to be able to prove to my peers and my industry that I am not a one-trick pony. I’ve got some other tricks up these beautiful sleeves! I think tonight solidified that. I feel fully seen as an artist tonight. And I am very grateful for that.

During your acceptance speech, you thanked yourself. Why was it important for you to take that moment?

Because I’m the only one who knows what it cost me. I’m the only one who knows how many nights I cried because I couldn’t be seen for a certain type of role. I’m the one who knows what it’s like to go through divorce on camera, and you’ve still got to pull up and show out. And you’ve still got to go home and have children and a whole life.

I’m proud of myself. I’m proud that I did something that people said I could not do, because I believed in me. And sometimes, people don’t believe in themselves. I hope my speech was a delicious invitation for people to do just that.

Believe in yourself. And congratulate yourself. Sometimes, you’ve got to encourage yourself. And that’s why it’s not called “mama-esteem,” “them-esteem,” “us-esteem.” It’s called “self-esteem,” because nobody’s got to believe it but you.

Even though “The Rookie: Feds” has been canceled, is it possible that we can see your character Simone Clark again in “The Rookie” or another show? What are your final thoughts on “The Rookie: Feds”?

It was one of my favorite jobs because it was one of my favorite casts I’ve ever worked with. But no, I don’t think there are plans [to bring back Simone Clark] that I know of. I’m living in the word “onward.” That’s where I’m at right now.

Trevor Noah

Emmy Award win: Outstanding Talk Series

TV show: “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)

Fun fact: As an executive producer, Trevor Noah (who hosted the show from 2015 to 2022) was among the team of producers who won in this category, after the show was nominated (but did not win) from 2016 to 2022. This Primetime Emmy category was created in 2015, when “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” was the first to win. “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” is the first show hosted by a Black person to win in this category.

Trevor, they still haven’t found a permanent replacement for you on “The Daily Show.” Now that you’ve won this Emmy Award, are you thinking about going back to the show?

I see everybody here in the same place, definitely. I would gladly work with every single one of these people every day of the week. When I see them, I would do it. When I see what my schedule is on Wednesday, I wouldn’t do it. 

How are you going to communicate with the public about this terrible election year?

First of all, I wouldn’t assume it to be terrible. I’m glad we’re expecting the worst, but I will always hope for the best. The good news is I didn’t make this show by myself. [He indicates to the producers, writers, and correspondents standing behind him.] You’re looking at the people who made it.

If you’re still looking for a spot to get all of your satire that covers all the news that’s probably going to become crazier as the elections move along, this is the team. These are the people writing a bunch of those jokes, coming up with the craziest ideas, making the best show on television every single night.

Have you thought about who will replace you at “The Daily Show”? If so, who do you want your replacement to be?

[He says jokingly] You know what? I was thinking about that the whole night, coming here. This is the night where I’m going to be thinking about the whole night who the replacement is—not about the fact that we’re celebrating working together for seven years, against all odds, to craft and create one of the hardest shows on TV and try to make American politics funny, when a lot of times, it is scary and more polarizing than ever. When they announced that we had won, I thought, “Wow, who’s going to replace me?” I’m still thinking about that, and I will continue to think about it as I celebrate this amazing achievement with all who helped make me do it.

What do you think your legacy is for “The Daily Show”?

I think it’s a testament to the people who help craft the show. There’s no denying the genius of Jon Stewart that basically laid the foundation for every single Emmy winner in this category for decades. The likes of Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, who [were] part of the show—you look at all these people who’ve come together to make this happen, I’m honestly honored that I could be a part of it. 

Clearly, it was a winning formula. And clearly, the person who was hosting the show was going to be somebody who adds their spin to it but isn’t everything. It’s amazing that I got to be a part of this journey. It feels like being part of a winning football team—and I mean football like soccer. Like Pelé did it in the ‘70s, and then the next person, and the next person. … I guess this was our year to celebrate together.

What were some of your favorite episodes of “The Daily Show” when you were the host?

“[Donald] Trump, the African Dictator” is one of my favorite episodes, because that was an episode we created [in 2015] against all odds. No one thought the show stood a chance. Creating that episode was particularly crazy. I don’t think American TV has seen that many clips of Robert Mugabe. And seeing a team of people who didn’t even know me that well rally behind me and say, “Yeah, we’ll help this vision come to life. We’ll help figure out how to tell that story.” That seemed crazy at the time. And now, unfortunately, [it] seems a lot more normal.

The other episodes blend together, but I’d have to say every time we’d go on the road together, that was one of my favorite experiences. We traveled from Miami to Chicago to Detroit—all these fantastic cities in America that left an indelible impression on what show we were making in their city. Those are my favorite episodes because “The Daily Show” got to go to the people that it was making the show for, and we got to experience some of the joy that you wouldn’t necessarily experience on the other side of the lens.