Stephen Colbert with his talk show crew after winning the award for outstanding talk series award for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert"
Seth Rogen poses with his "The Studio" awards at the 77th Emmy Awards on Sept. 14.
John Oliver (center) with his two awards at the 77th Emmy Awards.

LOS ANGELES − Seth Rogen's Apple TV+ comedy series "The Studio" set a record at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards with 13 Emmy wins, including best comedy series. On the drama side, "ER" star Noah Wyle finally won his first Emmy for the HBO medical series "The Pitt," which also won best drama series.

But the standout emotional moment inside the Peacock Theater on Sept. 14 came when Stephen Colbert won the best talk series Emmy for "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," two months after CBS announced it was canceling the late-night show. The explosion of spontaneous applause was pure bedlam as Colbert exhorted his staff onstage and heard chants of "Stephen, Stephen."

Backstage, Colbert stood with an ebullient entourage of 20 writers and addressed the commotion.

"It was really gratifying. I'm incredibly grateful," Colbert said when asked by USA TODAY about the rapturous reception. "I know it wasn't just for me. It was for all these people who do the work, who really make it possible."

Here's what else you didn't see on TV at Sunday's Emmy Awards:

Seth Rogen struggles to hold four Emmy trophies

After Seth Rogen had won three Emmy Awards for "The Studio," the actor accepted a hearty hug from costar and frequent collaborator Ike Barinholtz in the audience during a commercial break.

"Congrats, congrats," Barinholtz said, smiling. "So one more big win to go?"

Rogen didn't respond to the jinx-worthy comment. But, sure enough, executive producer Rogen won his fourth, and biggest, Emmy with best comedy series for "The Studio."

Backstage, Rogen managed to carry all four trophies to the podium. But he had to kneel down to slowly place the bulky Emmys down before taking any questions.

"I'll probably put them in my bedroom, on the bed," Rogen said.

Standing beside him, Barinholtz had other ideas: "He'll turn one of them into a bong."

Sara Wells' mad Emmys dash to celebrate with 'The Pitt' husband Noah Wyle

In his pitch-perfect first Emmy speech, Noah Wyle thanked "my beautiful wife, Sara, who owns half of this, not just because it's California law but because she earned it."

TV's cameras flashed to his wife of more than 11 years, Sara Wells. But the cameras did not show Wells' mad dash from her auditorium seat to join her husband backstage during the commercial break.

Despite being hindered by the stride-restricting hem of her ball gown and wearing precarious heels, Wells sprinted the long way around the auditorium and through the crowded lobby, holding onto the arm of an escort for balance. Despite the distance, she never lost the giddy smile.

Backstage, Wyle gave credit to the real heroes of "The Pitt": the first responders.

"That was the audience we made the show for, the first audience that responded overwhelmingly," Wyle said. "It was their word of mouth that gave us that stamp of approval."

Emmy stars pay $16.25 for their Bud Light Seltzer Flavor Blast

Sure, there was a VIP area with free drinks and food. But many stars didn't mind throwing down to celebrate with the Peacock Theater guests. "Hacks" actor Mark Indelicato grabbed a Bud Light Seltzer Flavor Blast ($16.25) in the lobby and posed for selfies with fans. "White Lotus" star Aimee Lou Wood happily accepted a Malfy gin drink from her companion ($17.50).

Emmy presenters and "Shōgun" stars Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada enjoyed drinks that included GH Mumm Rosé. Sanada handed over his credit card to treat the group. So, Lord Yoshii Toranaga.

John Oliver shouts out Adam Driver's 'majestic pecs'

John Oliver's admiration for Adam Driver made its way backstage despite the "House of Gucci" actor's absence from the ceremony.

As part of his long-standing "Last Week Tonight" bit, the talk show host has brought up his obsession with Driver. So naturally, Oliver was asked what he imagines Driver would say about his 22nd and 23rd Emmy wins.

"I am struggling, busting out of my tuxedo," Oliver said. "So if I can't stay inside this ... I don't know how Adam Driver with his majestic pecs keeps any shirts on."

Selena Gomez's date night with Benny Blanco includes Steve Martin, Martin Short

Selena Gomez's date night with fiancé Benny Blanco was perfect, especially as the couple were seated next to Gomez's "Only Murders in the Building" costars Steve Martin and Martin Short.

The PDA-loving couple had plenty of time to whisper to each other, with Gomez putting her left arm fully around Blanco in the auditorium seat (while still showing off the diamond bling on her right hand). Gomez still goofed off often with Martin, her seatmate to the right, and Short. When "Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels accepted the Emmy for "SNL50," Gomez led the standing ovation while Martin cracked the group up by cupping his mouth to make fake catcalls toward the stage. When champagne arrived in plastic cups for Short, the actor giddily pronounced "Shalom aleichem" ("Peace unto you") to the server.

Jean Smart and Sterling K. Brown injury reports

Jean Smart was positioned backstage when her name was announced for her seventh career Emmy win and fourth for HBO's "Hacks." Smart needed to be nearby because of a knee injury.

"If I was walking like John Wayne, it's because I broke my knee this summer and it's not quite repaired," Smart said as accepted the award before ambling offstage with presenter Jennifer Coolidge.

Later, "Paradise" star Sterling K. Brown wheeled onto the stage on a knee scooter to present the Emmy for best directing alongside costars Julianne Nicholson and James Marsden. Because of an Achilles heel injury, Brown sat in the front row with crutches, his injured leg stretched on the aisle.

The 'White Lotus' cast was everywhere

Even though just-married star Patrick Schwarzenegger was not there, "The White Lotus" cast was everywhere.

Natasha Rothwell swanned into the auditorium as the lights were lowered as her costar Dom Hetrakul literally carried her gown's train to limit the number of people stepping on it.

Parker Posey agreed to every selfie request before stepping inside, and Leslie Bibb led her sunglasses-wearing husband, Sam Rockwell, by the hand. While in different seated sections, the group interacted until the end. The HBO show went home empty-handed Emmy-wise, but star Lalisa Manoban happily ended the night carrying the train of her own pink gown and heading toward the car pickup.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Seth Rogen's Emmy trophy's bong destiny and what else you didn't see on TV

Reporting by Anthony Robledo, KiMi Robinson and Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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