Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2008 > September > 21
Sunday, September 21, 2008
9/21: “30 Rock,” “Mad Men” win big Emmy awards
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m watching the Emmy’s so you don’t have to. Feel free to catch the last game at Yankee Stadium on ESPN. Or “True Blood” on HBO. Or the Cowboys vs. the Packers on NBC (which will beat the Emmys in the ratings). Or “Masterpiece Mystery!” on GPB.
Two shows that don’t bring in big ratings won the big awards: NBC’s “30 Rock” took home best comedy for the second year in a row while AMC’s “Mad Men” won best drama. It’s the first basic cable series to win that award. I would have picked “The Office” and “Lost” but really, it’s the Emmy’s so what does it matter?
I anticipate the ratings for the Emmy’s will probably be a record low, given the most popular shows were mostly shut out (“House,” “Two and a Half Men,” “Lost,” et. al) UPDATE: Yes, it was the lowest rated Emmy’s in recent history. Just 12.2 million viewers saw it, about the same as “America’s Got Talent” over the summer.
The Emmy’s opened with possibly one of the lamest opening bits ever by the five reality show hosts, who came on after a turgid speech by Oprah and famous TV lines uttered by various actors (not the ones who were supposed to say them.)
The five had a pseudo-“real” conversation that just stunk like a turd since nothing seemed to happen. They couldn’t even manufacture “reality” entertainment live.
“Two minutes in, we have absolutely nothing to offer you,” “Survivor” host Jeff Probst said.
“We are Sarah Palin’s bridge to nowhere,” said “Deal or No Deal” host Howie Mandel. “The government can’t even bail us out of this.”
“By doing nothing, we have fulfilled our obligation,” Probst said.
“This is your network,” Ryan Seacrest said to “Dancing With the Stars” Tom Bergeron. “You deal with it.”
William Shatner and Bergeron then whippe off “Project Runway” host Heidi Klum’s “suit” to show off a dress. Again, not funny or terribly amusing.
It’s a very predictable opening with Jeremy Piven winning best supporting actor in a comedy for the third year in a row. “What if I just kept talking for 12 minutes? That was the opening.” He’s good at his role but I would have opted for either Neil Patrick Harris or Rainn Wilson.
In the supporting actress in a comedy category, Jean Smart on “Samantha Who” won an Emmy on a show that isn’t terribly funny. But Emmy voters love Smart, who has won twice before for a guest role on “Frasier.” I would have opted for Amy Poehler, which would have been unusual since nobody has ever won as a sketch artist that I know of.
In best supporting actor in a drama, I would pick either John Slattery of “Mad Men” or Ted Danson for “Damages,” but in a surprise, Zeljko Ivanek wins. He played Ted Danson’s attorney in “Damages” with a Southern accent that would have made Kyra Sedgwick blush.
Ricky Gervais’ very presence improved the proceedings as he mocked Steve Carrell for “taking” s Emmy last year when Gervais won but didn’t show for “Extras.” “I can do anything. This is s live,” he says, while doing a stare down with Steve Carrell. “I made you waht you are and i get nothing back.” eh said. “Have you even watched ‘Ghost Town’ yet? I had to sit through ‘Evan Almighty.’ So give me my Emmy.” And he gets it, of course, even if the bit actually goes on a few beats too long for comfort.
Funny line from Conan O’Brien: “I was planning to make more jokes, but Katharine Heigl told me she didn’t think my jokes were Emmy worthy.”
Top supporting actress in a drama went to Dianne Wiest for HBO’s “In Treatment,” a show I admit I didn’t watch. I would have gone for Rachel Griffiths in “Brothers & Sisters.”
And bravo to “Colbert Report,” which deservedly won for outsanding writing for variety, musical and comedy, beating out his bud Jon Stewart for the first time.
Having Josh Groban doing a medley of 30 some odd TV shows was actually inspired and yes, he is flexible enough to do the “Cops” theme, “the Love Boat” theme and “The Jeffersons” theme. Oh, and “South Park,” too. They really should have started the show with that. Here it is. It’s the one bit worth seeing from last night:
An attempt to resurrect “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh In” with a few of the original members including Lily Tomlin and Ruth Buzzi is missing Goldie Hawn and some of the original kick. Oh, well. “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” did right its ship by winning the overall outstanding variety, music or comedy program. It’s the show’s 28th Emmy. Wow.
Tim Conway, who worked with former Conyers resident Jack McBrayer in “30 Rock,” won the best guest male actor in a series. Well deserved. (Tina Fey also won a writing award for “30 Rock.”) Ditto for Kathryn Joosten on “Desperate Housewives,” who won for a second time for her role in that show.
Barry Sonnenfeld (“Men in Black,” “Get Shorty”) also took home an Emmy for directing that first episode of “Pushing Daisies,” which was truly brilliant.
Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart do an amusing bit though the substance of the joke is kinda, well, old. There was a moment that appeared to have been censored. Not sure what. Colbert eats prunes. And makes a joke about John McCain without ever mentioning it. Appropriately, HBO’s “Recount” wins for best miniseries or TV movie and for directing in that category.
There’s this awfully dull middle period where the Emmy’s present the miniseries awards. Blah blah blah.
Then it’s Don Rickles and Kathy Griffin to announce best reality program. “Let’s read these funny lines they wrote for us,” Rickles said. Then he goes off script after she reads a not-so-funny line comparing the two to McCain and Palin. Rickles fake laughs, then says, “Pull yourself together, Katharine. Listen you’ve been around… Live it up. You do well, here, who knows, you could do the valley!” They’re behind schedule so a guy is waving at Rickles to move on. “Are there planes landing?”
Alas, “The Amazing Race” wins for the sixth year in a row. Yes, the sixth year in a row! And “American Idol” gets hosed again.
Rickles wins best individual performance for his HBO special “Mr. Warmth.” Well earned, sir! The producers don’t try to cut him off in his speech. What a class act!
“I’m living proof, kids at home watching, that anybody can play the president. Anybody!” — Paul Giamatti, for winning best lead actor in a miniseries in a drama.
And Alec Baldwin, a favorite among fellow actors, won for comedic actor on “30 Rock.”
Though two Atlanta-connected actors got nominated for best actress for a drama series (Kyra Sedgwick and Holly Hunter), Glenn Close won. Can’t argue with that. Kenny Leon’s Raisin in the Sun” didn’t win earlier either.
In a well-deserved win but a big upset over the likes of Hugh Laurie and Jon Hamm, Bryan Cranston won for his role in “Breaking Bad” on AMC for best male actor in a drama. And Tina Fey won her fourth Emmy for best actress in a comedy and thanked fellow nominated actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus for inspiration.
And no, Dunwoody High School grad Ryan Seacrest didn’t win best reality show host. That goes to Jeff Probst!
