Emmys 2022: Bob Odenkirk fans cry 'robbery' after 'Squid Game's Lee Jung-Jae wins Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Although it was a historical night for Lee Jung-Jae after winning the Emmy, 'Better Call Saul' fans believed that Bob Odenkirk should have won it
Bob Odenkirk in a still from 'Better Call Saul' (AMC) and Lee Jung-Jae after winning Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for 'Squid Game' (Chris Haston/Getty Images)
Bob Odenkirk in a still from 'Better Call Saul' (AMC) and Lee Jung-Jae after winning Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for 'Squid Game' (Chris Haston/Getty Images)

It was a historical night for the ‘Squid Game’ star Lee Jung-Jae as he took home the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Male) for his role in the blockbuster Netflix series. By winning the top prize, the South Korean actor became the first Asian actor ever to win the Lead Actor in a Drama Series accolade at the prestigious awards ceremony.

It was not an easy road to victory for Lee Jung-Jae as he faced stiff competition from brilliant actors such as Bob Odenkirk (‘Better Call Saul’), Jason Bateman (‘Ozark’), Brian Cox (‘Succession’), Adam Scott (‘Severance’), and Jeremy Strong (‘Succession’). However, he edged past all of them to take home the trophy. In his acceptance speech, he thanked everyone who supported him during the ‘Squid Game’ and expressed gratitude to the entire team of the show.

RELATED ARTICLES

Emmy Nominations 2022: Fans overjoyed as ‘Squid Game’ becomes FIRST non-English show to score major nods

Netflix renews 'Squid Game' for Season 2, fans want to know if 'the doll has a boyfriend'

“Thank you to the Television Academy, thank you to Netflix, and thank you to the director for making realistic problems we all face come to life so creatively on the screen with a great script. Thank you, ‘Squid Game’ team. Thank you to everyone watching in Korea,” he said after accepting the trophy and went on to repeat his speech in Korean.

Lee Jung-jae accepts Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for
Lee Jung-jae accepts Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for "Squid Game onstage during the 74th Primetime Emmys at Microsoft Theater on September 12, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

‘Squid Game’ fans were really happy with the actor’s win, but there were a lot of people who believed that Bob Odenkirk should have won the Best Actor trophy. ‘Better Call Saul’ just completed its run with the sixth and final season in August 2022 and it was believed that the ‘Nobody’ actor would be a frontrunner to win the trophy. Not because it was the final season, but the way he acted in the finale 13 episodes. As soon as Lee Jung-Jae’s name was announced, a lot of angry fans took to social media and started saying ‘BOB WAS ROBBED’.

One of the fans noted, “Bob Odenkirk society has wronged you. I am so sorry.” Another fan said, “You should have won an Emmy tonight! Better Call Saul fans know how much you deserved it!” Another social media user tweeted, “What a sick joke are the emmys! You deserve the glory, love you!”



 



 



 

WHAT A JOKE… WHAT A SICK JOKE! BOB ODENKIRK DESERVES BETTER… screw the emmys!” said another fan. “Bob Odenkirk was robbed,” wrote another user. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOO BOB GOT ROBBED,” tweeted another one. “YOU WON IN OUR HEARTS. EVERYONE KNOWS YOU WHERE ROBBED TONIGHT,” wrote another social media user.



 



 



 



 

This was Odenkirk’s fifth nomination in the Best Actor category for ‘Better Call Saul’ and the 17th of his career. He won his first and only Emmy in 1989 for ‘Saturday Night Live’.
He was not the only one who got snubbed at this year’s ceremony. Rhea Seehorn, who played Kim Wexler in ‘Better Call Saul’, also failed to win the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series accolade and made people believe that the Television Academy did not care about classy performances.

Bob Odenkirk as Gene Takavic in 'Better Call Saul' Season 6 (AMC)
Bob Odenkirk as Gene Takavic in 'Better Call Saul' Season 6 (AMC)

'Better Call Saul' currently holds a rating of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.8 rating on IMDb.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Titus Welliver and Tom Bernardo address Harry Bosch’s future ahead of the MGM+ prequel.
2026-10-31T18:58:21.000Z
‘It: Welcome to Derry’ uncovers the dagger’s origins and a Stephen King connection in its surprise Halloween special.
2026-10-31T15:59:16.000Z
'Beyond The Gates' received 13 nominations at the Daytime Emmys in its first year
2026-10-31T10:54:38.000Z
Jay Gatsby gets a new career while the familiar Long Island characters enter a modern crime-solving world
2026-10-31T10:27:21.000Z
'Avatar: Seven Havens' released its first season finale named 'The Root of Chakra' on October 30
2026-10-31T09:02:29.000Z
'General Hospital' wins its sixth consecutive 'Outstanding Drama Series' award at Daytime Emmys
2026-10-31T07:32:44.000Z
The Apple TV series relocates a Swedish crime saga to rural Pennsylvania and keeps its prisoner underground
2026-10-31T07:04:20.000Z
Bertha Russell and her family face shifting social dynamics, new rivalries, and personal challenges in the next chapter
2026-10-31T06:09:14.000Z
'Fire Country' introduces a new love interest for CJ in its latest episode
2026-10-31T05:46:21.000Z
Season 20 had already finished filming by the time Paramount+ made its call on the BAU drama
2026-10-31T05:09:12.000Z