So…without further ado…here are my reactions to the Emmys…2 weeks late!
Out of all the mediums of popular culture, I would say watching television is one I consume less than most of the others. I do have my few shows I DVR but the majority of TV I watch is on DVD. So, I won’t be able to say if the right or wrong nominee won but I can comment my reaction based on what I do know. First though, lets talk about the show itself.
I am a fan of Jimmy Fallon and his late night talk show but I can admit that he isn’t necessarily the funniest person on the planet. He did, however, impress me with his execution as host of the Emmys. It seemed like a perfect fit to have him host. Neil Patrick Harris did a strong job at last year’s awards but Fallon was confident and just let his natural persona shine through. From his little musical introductions to the different genres to his tribute of the major shows that went off the air this year, his charisma allowed the broad humor to be acceptable for the evening. The highlight of the show though was the amazing “Glee”-themed opening.
The show began with a taped intro of Fallon arriving at the theatre, only to meet a few members of the cast of “Glee” on the street. He tells them that he can’t wait to see them at the show but they respond by saying they can’t afford tickets. Jimmy has the idea to win the money needed for tickets by winning a glee club contest but they need to find a few more people to join the group first. What follows is an energy-pumping, movie musical-quality rendition of “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen. The sketch included Tina Fey, Jon Hamm, Betty White, Joel McHale, Hurley from Lost and even Kate “can you believe I had 8 children?!” whatever her last name is. The song ends with the entire group running out live on the stage to finish the song, Jimmy in The Boss’ trademark white t-shirt, jeans and all. It was a perfect, literally perfect, way to kick off the show.
Now to the actual awards…
Yes, you got that right
*Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Eric Stonestreet (“Modern Family”): Kansas City native Eric Stonestreet was one of the main reasons “Modern Family” was the best comedic addition to television this year. As half of the extremely lovable, newly-minted and gay parents of an adopted Vietnamese girl, Stonestreet plays the role to hilarious perfection. It would be hard to find a character on all of television that you would want to actually know in real life more.
*Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Aaron Paul (“Breaking Bad”): Even though the show has only been on for three years, this is a long overdue accolade for Paul. He should have been the runaway winner last year as his performance in season two was one of the most riveting on film or television in several years. Even from the crowd’s reaction to his name being called this year, you could tell it felt like a make-up award. Not that his performance this season wasn’t great but compared to the previous year’s it was pedestrian.
*Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series – John Lithgow (“Dexter”): Lithgow’s turn as the almost mirror image to Michael C. Hall’s Dexter, the working family man by day/serial killer by night, was chilling and haunting. The murder he commits in the first episode of this last season literally gave me nightmares and I still have trouble shaking it. He played a character who was a man that I know; a religious, giving, loving husband and father who has his demons. This could have been played extremely over the top but his subtle, volcanic arc throughout the season was incredible.
*Outstanding Reality-Competiton Program – “Top Chef”: This category has been won every year since it was created by “The Amazing Race.” I know my sister loves that show but “Top Chef” is the ONLY reality-competition program I watch. You know why? Because it is mainly about them COMPETING, not silly, slyly edited fake drama. Its about time this show won.
*Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”): This show has been on for three years. Cranston has won three times. This is not a fluke. This is the best show in television. He is a major reason why.
*Outstanding Comedy Series – “Modern Family”: Have you seen it? No? Do you own a television? Yes? (sigh) I can’t believe we are friends.
Ho-Hum
*Outstanding Drama Series – “Mad Men”: Don’t get me wrong, I love “Mad Men.” This show and “Breaking Bad” are easily the two best hour-long dramas on TV…and they are both on the same network! But it has won every year since it premiered and that is boring now. This award should have gone to “Breaking Bad” this year. I suggested in my Twitter that night that if “Mad” is going to keep winning, next year just play that night’s episode. Its on at the same time. While the cast and crew were on stage accepting their awards, the new episode was playing over on AMC. Let’s save the time next year.
*Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Jane Lynch (“Glee”): Jane Lynch is hilarious! She is the hottest thing right now. I’ve never seen an episode of “Glee” but it didn’t win anything else and its so popular that it needed to get something. Either of the ladies from “Modern Family” or Kristin Wiig from “SNL” were deserving as well. I can’t bash this win too much because I don’t know enough but I could see this coming miles away.
Sorry…I have to disagree
*Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series – “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”: I am a huge fan of “The Daily Show” but this was the year of CoCo! Conan deserved this award, not as a sympathy gesture but because the show deserved it. Conan brought back the true spirit of “The Tonight Show.” While there are MANY more important issues and injustices in the world, what happened to Conan this past year was just wrong. I am very excited for his new show to start in a couple months but I would have been willing to wait a few more if it meant I could have heard his acceptance speech on the stage that night.
*Outstanding Nonfiction Series – “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea”: How does the BBC’s follow-up to “Planet Earth,” the breathtaking and insanely entertaining “Life”, not win?! It is preposterous. Maybe its because Oprah narrated the US version. Oh well…
*Outstanding Reality Series – “Jaime Oliver’s Food Revolution”: I struggled with this show. Maybe because it was more horrifying than I was expecting. But there is nothing better that describes “reality series” to me than “Mythbusters.” It is my current TV obsession. I will be writing more about this in an upcoming post.
*Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Archie Panjabi (“The Good Wife”): I guess the Academy needed to throw the networks a bone but come on! ROSE BYRNE! She has been deserving of this or any award connected to “Damages” for as long as the show has been on. In fact, I think she is stronger than Glenn Close, who is very good in her role in her own right.
