Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2006 > August > 28 > Entry
Conan, si! Emmys, no!!
What the heck was that? Mariska Hargitay beat Kyra Sedgwick, Megan Mullally beat Jaime Presley, Tony Shalhoub beat Steve Carrell and neither Jean Smart nor Gregory Itzin won for playing the totally dysfunctional president and first lady on “24?” We were robbed!!
Check out the whole list for the full horror.
It was a night of bizarre results and, on occasion, even more bizarre presentations. Charlie Sheen and dad Martin Sheen stumbled through a woefully written intro as they presented Blythe Danner with a supporting actress award, and Howie Mandel launched into a shameless promotion for his icky game show “Deal or No Deal” during his award hand-out.
Here’s an important tip for award presenters: If you don’t want to come off looking like an idiot, write your own quips and deliver them with gusto. The crowd appreciates the effort.
Witness Hugh Laurie, who translated Helen Mirren’s remarks into a bumbling, over-pronounced French. Very funny. Best of all were Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, who served up a hilarious schtick as they presented the Emmy for reality competition. Colbert, always in character as the pompous host of his fake conservative talk show on Comedy Central, blasted reality TV as “the gates of hell” … and then burst into tears because he got beat for his own Emmy (comedy or variety performance) by Barry Manilow.
If one man could have saved last night’s Emmy Awards from total boredom, it would have been stork-bodied, carrot-topped host Conan O’Brien. Not even he could pull the telecast out of its total misery, but he certainly did a commendable job trying.
O’Brien’s intro to the telecast, an homage to several TV shows and no doubt inspired by Billy Crystal’s Oscar openings, started with a plane crash onto the beach of “Lost,” continued with a visit to “The Office,” then popped into a frantic phone call between Jack and Chloe on “24,” then on to the examining room of “House” and then a quick trip to “South Park” (and into the closet occupied by Tom Cruise).
O’Brien topped off his opening with a cool spoof of “The Music Man.” The whole bit was inspired. So was another bit in which the host locked Bob Newhart into an airtight cylinder with exactly three hours worth of oxygen. Either the Emmys would end on time, Conan said, or Bob would die.
Tributes are always dicey on awards shows, and last night’s offerings were no exception. “American Idol” grump-pot Simon Cowell’s tribute to Dick Clark, who looked good but was difficult to understand because of his stroke, seemed heartfelt and was generally well-received.
The Aaron Spelling tribute, however, left a lot to be desired, and the audience sat on its hands for the most part. It didn’t help that the original “Charlie’s Angels” — Kate Jackson, batty-looking-and-sounding Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith — all seemed terrified.
I’m all in favor “In Memoriam” segments that remind us of tthe alented people who died during the previous year. But do casting directors, talent agents and obscure producers have to be included?
Finally, the fashion police should have arrested Candice Bergen’s stylist before the star got out of the limo. Bergen is a classic beauty who has aged extremely well. I’m a huge fan. But whoever put her in that white blouse, enormous Western belt and long blue skirt with a fishtail should be slapped. She looked like a chubby old cowgirl, which is the opposite of Bergen’s usual cool sophistication.
The good news? The Emmy Awards ended straight up at 9:59, right on time. Be thankful for small favors … and look forward to next year, when “My Name Is Earl” and “Rescue Me” should win the awards they so richly deserve.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Entertainment
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By Kenny
September 6, 2006 04:07 PM | Link to this
Your opinion of the Charlie's Angels re-union/tribute is ridiculous. They looked great and gave a moving tribute that the audience responded favorably to. The Farrah bashing is getting old, let me remind you that she is an American Icon,a Legend of the seventies,a pop phenomenon,and a multiple Emmy nominated actress. There is nothing "batty looking or acting" about Farrah. Your sarcastic little article falls on deaf ears of the show and Farrah's fans. She is a Texas Legend and don't you forget it.
By Joan
August 29, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this
We are all allowed our opinions, even though they may not agree with ours. Mariska Hargitay didn't really beat anyone out, she earned the 'best actress in a drama' by her outstanding, continuous portrayal of Detectective Olivia Benson in one really hard-hitting drama, L&O: SVU.
I think she has been passed-up in the past due to a lot of politics and favoritism, but the new rules seem to have alloted for much more demonstrating competence than popularity.
(Thank you the PTB for making these changes.) Congratulations go to all the winners, nominees and especially Mariska for 8 years of dedicated, tenacious work and on her marriage to Peter, and BEST of all her lastest and Greatest production so far, their son August!
Joan
By B. L. Rushing
August 28, 2006 08:18 PM | Link to this
I gave up on "presenting" shows long ago for their risible structure with such innane dialogue. However, I made an exception last night because I love Conan and anything from Stewart and Colbert!
I was highly rewarded and stayed tuned to the finish........it was GREAT and so entertaining. I'll be back next year!
This morning I was stunned to read the criticism about the plane crash segment. Good grief people, you surely are aware that must have been taped weeks ago. If you desire deleting events occurring on a daily basis, then ..... no show. Why has everyone become such a harpie!!!!!!!!!
By Callie Ray
August 28, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this
Get used to it. Mariska Hargitay deserved the Best Actress in a Drama series Emmy for Law and Order: SVU and Fox's 24 took home the Best Drama series.
But, I just wish that someone other than Jon Stewart would win the Best Comedy/Variety series Emmy (Letterman, O'Brien, Colbert, etc.) because it's been the same old song and dance for the past few years, and I think that someone else would take home the award for a change instead of Stewart.
By David
August 28, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this
Do people really watch these shows anymore? Over the years the rating have continue to nose-dive due too much of the anti-political statements being said or hinted at. When all the viewers just want to watch the award show. That's why I don't watch anymore. From the comments posted...don't think I missed anything again!
By Melissa
August 28, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this
YOU SAID: "I’m all in favor “In Memoriam� segments that remind us of tthe alented people who died during the previous year. But do casting directors, talent agents and obscure producers have to be included?" ~
Are you serious!? So, you're saying that Casting Directors, especially someone like Huffman, shouldn't have been remembered? Are these people not a huge part of the entertainment industry? Producers have the final say on an actor for a role, most of the time, but some of the world's greatest talent we see today are discovered by CASTING DIRECTORS! Without the assistance of Casting Directors, as well as Agents, the talent we see today probably wouldn't even be who they are, let alone knowing who they are!
By Robert Nagle
August 28, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this
I actually thought the Charlie's Angels reunion was the most interesting bit. A nice TV moment..showing how TV stars age and reflect on their past. I thought Kate Jackson gave an eloquent tribute to the man who didn't make great TV, but nonetheless filled a niche for watchers who just wanted to take their minds off everyday problems.
You forgot to mention the funniest bit: O'Brien ordering his audience not to fast-forward past his speech about Ralph Waldo Emerson, and then showing a TIVO screen doing precisely that. The funny thing was my sister and I were doing precisely that until that moment.
What's the deal with these miniseries/minidramas? Far too many awards for such a narrow category. Also, although Office was a creative rendition for the British comedy, to award it the top Emmy was just ridiculous (especially when far better shows like Earl and Will&Grace and Southpark were being stiffed).
The miniseries/minidrama category might have merited the time given to it if these things were shown at several times. Even if I wanted to watch these shows, how could I?