.jpg) By Johnny Firecloud | It's a damn shame that the Emmys awards show on Sunday was such an uncomfortable experience, because the awards actually seemed to go to the right people this year. |
Let's shear the fat and get right to the gristly, grey-green meat of the matter here: The 60th Annual Emmys Awards show was, as far as organized, scripted comedy goes, the most ridiculously hopeless and awkward piece of television... possibly ever. After a rambling introduction by Oprah, who was given the honor seemingly out of nothing but deference to her star power, Ryan Seacrest, Tom Bergeron, Heidi Klum, Jeff Probst and Howie Mandel started things off with an unfunny, squirm-worthy uncomfortable "we have nothing" opening that was so unbearable and the show so slow, it's a pretty safe bet that most viewers tuned out well before the major categories were announced. The show literally seemed designed to alienate audiences.
It was a brilliant move to make Tina Fey and Amy Poehler the first introducers, giving Jeremy Piven his third consecutive Emmy for supporting actor in a comedy, for his role as Ari Gold in "Entourage."
"Recount," HBO's take on the 2000 presidential election, won best TV movie and best director for Jay Roach.
Josh Groban's "30 years of TV themes" musical montage was clumsy and disappointing (his general what-the-hell-am-I-doing-here demeanor didn't help), and it's no wonder that Groban publicly noted before the show that he was confused by the producers' song(s) selection.
The old-sitcom-set theme was cute, but the bumbling idiocy of the co-hosting reality show hosts ruined any sense of nostalgia that we managed to muster.
Both of Comedy Central's resident poitical assassins, Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, took home some gold (or whatever gold-looking material those things are made of). Colbert got one for writing, Stewart for outstanding comedy or variety show.
Best awkward moment came from the original (British) "Office" creator Ricky Gervais, when he chided "Office" star Steve Carell, who was sitting feet away in the front row and accepted an award on his behalf last year. The funniest part of the show was undoubtedly the completely random photos of people nominated for best writing in a variety or comedy. "The Colbert Report" won, by the way. As it should be.
AMC's "Mad Men," which was nominated 16 times this year, ran away with best drama and best writing for creator Matthew Weiner. Glenn Close's victory for FX's "Damages" was another well-deserved win for the legendary actress.
Bryan Cranston's win for AMC's "Breaking Bad" was a shocking bonus (the show kicks ass), and it was truly a touching moment to see how thrilled his wife and daughter were during his acceptance speech.
The biggest winner of the night was triple-winner, 17-times-nominated and best comedy "30 Rock," whose stars Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey took best lead actor and best actress, respectively. Fey, who also who rightfully took the award for best comedy writing, made sure to include plenty of plugs for the totally awesome 30 Rock: Season 2 on DVD (available October 7th) during her acceptance speech after the best comedy award was given. No harm there - the show's nearly flawless.
HBO's overblown "John Adams" received the most nominations of any program with 23, winning Emmys for best miniseries, directing and writing. Both leads, Paul Giamatti and the ever-stunning Laura Linney, won best actors in portraying its leading parts, John and Abigail Adams.
Linney, who resides in Connnecticut, says the award "will me a great a reason to stop and pause and be so grateful and thankful for the community organizers who helped build our country."
It was one of several not-too-sublte political comments that came in acceptance speeches for the work.
"You know, the election between Jefferson and Adams was filled with innuendo, lies, a bitter partisan press of disinformation," miniseries producer Tom Hanks said in his acceptance speech. "How great we've come so far since then."
In case you didn't catch that, he was joking.
Tagged:
