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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!” —Â 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!
Comments
By woofie
September 21, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
Yeah so far…stinkaroo!
By hornet
September 21, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
I fail to understand why people put so much emphasis and credibility in Hollywood types, who have a horrible track record with their personal lives, and who say the dumbest things. I didn’t name my child “Apple”, I don’t care what Oprah says, and I certainly don’t formulate my political values from Howie Mandabel, Jeff Probya or Ryan Seacrap.
By greg
September 21, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
why are the emmys in black and white
By VP
September 21, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
Do you mean, “why are the Emmys ALL white?”
By VP
September 21, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
Do you mean, “why are the Emmys ALL white?”
By greg
September 21, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
no the channel that the emmys are on has no color to it but the rest of the stations are fine.
By Neil
September 21, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
This show gets worse every year, except when Conan hosts.
The few highlights include:
Don Rickles going off script and showing that he can ad lib better in thirty seconds than anyone else can write in three months.
Ricky Gervais asking Steve Carrell for his Emmy back and calling Carrell a cheap-knockoff.
My 1976 Camp Chi bunk-mate Jeremy Piven winning an Emmy for “Entourage” this makes up for the horrible movie “Medellin.”
By dubs
September 21, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
yeah… make sure to get that in there about piven being your buddy way back when….and all you can do is bag on the awards…
By A Rood
September 22, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this
Well, at le
By A Rood
September 22, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this
Well, at least, they got John Adams right. It was an excellent voice from history, and Giamatti and Linney were brillant. The production was terrible. Even the sctors on and off the stage knew it. It was obvious. Like reading a really bad, but popular book - try and focus on the premise and buy it through amazon.com.
By A Rood
September 22, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this
Well, at least, they got John Adams right. It was an excellent voice from history, and Giamatti and Linney were brillant. The production was terrible. Even the actors on and off the stage knew it. It was obvious. Like reading a really bad, but popular book - try to focus on the premise, but buy it through amazon.com.
By Ed
September 22, 2008 1:04 AM | Link to this
I didn’t watch a minute of it as I knew there would be as much bashing of President Bush in three hours as Nancy Pelosi does in three months. I watched “Mad Men” instead, and I’m thrilled that it won “Best Drama”, which shows that quality and ratings do not have to match.
By Howard
September 22, 2008 2:59 AM | Link to this
Most Americans want their democracy to be on a fair, balanced, and level playing field. At tonight’s Emmy awards we got to see another example of extreme bias coming out of Hollywood, by bullies who dominate the media. The Emmys presented a continuous barrage of ONE SIDED attacks against John McCain and Sarah Palin. The Lefty’s are always crying about a Republican misuse of power … while they DOMINATE a free press, to bully and gang up on Sarah Palin. They slant the news, with no concern for journalistic integrity, or objectivity. And since they monopolize the media, they deprive McCain and Palin a platform in which to defend themselves and respond to their attacks. There’s a reason the Presidential election is so close … It’s because HALF of America are for McCain and Palin … NOT Obama and Biden, a fact which these self important snobs choose to ignore, while casting their vile disdain on he other half of America. Perhaps the 60,000 people who greeted Governor Palin in Florida will remind these pompous celebrities that there’s another America outside of Hollywood … An America made up of common folks who built this great country. Even their fancy gowns, make-up, and professional lighting couldn’t keep their lack of class and lack of character from making these celebrities from looking small and unattractive tonight.
By Joyce
September 22, 2008 5:11 AM | Link to this
I hope they move the reality host award to the creative Emmys night. Last night was painful to sit through with those five hosts. Don Rickles was the on true laugh and he was ad libbing.
I watched the entire show, which at times made me long for a colonoscopy, so that I could celebrate Mad Men and John Adams.
By No Surprises
September 22, 2008 6:51 AM | Link to this
I would love to have watched the Emmy’s just as I would love to have watched football on Sunday. However, my AT&T U-Verse was on the blink. You know, that new service that promises you the best reception ever! The Emmy results are typical and so is AT&T’s service!
By No Surprises
September 22, 2008 6:53 AM | Link to this
I would love to have watched the Emmy’s just as I would love to have watched football on Sunday. However, my AT&T U-Verse was on the blink. You know, that new service that promises you the best reception ever! The Emmy results are typical and so is AT&T’s service!
By No Surprises
September 22, 2008 6:54 AM | Link to this
I would love to have watched the Emmy’s just as I would love to have watched football on Sunday. However, my AT&T U-Verse was on the blink. You know, that new service that promises you the best reception ever! The Emmy results are typical and so is AT&T’s service!
By Tahoe
September 22, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this
It was interesting to see how many people it takes to write fake news for Jon Stewart and Steve Colbert.
By Deirdre
September 22, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
My favorite parts of the Emmy’s: Don Rickles was the laugh out loud guy for the night. Ricky Gervais…if only to prove that a British guy CAN stand on a stage and not chew up and spit out George Bush. If only the others had taken a lesson from him. No matter what side we’re on politically, I fail to see WHY famous people feel the need to take a night about their supposedly best work and turn it into a campaign ad.
By Jan
September 22, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
It would have been nice, just once, if we could sit through a boring awards show and not have to listen to the left-wing political innuendo. It’s an ‘awards’ show, not a political forum.
By curtis jones
September 22, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
The funny part is: these left-wing celebrities have NO IDEA that they’re actually doing their cause more harm than good.
By Christopher Cook
September 22, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
It’s not as if the right-wing has anything any more intelligent or funny to say, which they usually don’t in their own smug manner, were they to be hosting.
And do us all a favor people…punch the post button once and wait for it. Don’t make multiple posts.
By Deirdre
September 22, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
Smug???? Did you listen to those celeb’s last night? If they weren’t the personification of “smug” I don’t know what else is. And it certainly wasn’t just the hosts.
The point is…I don’t care if no one stands up for the conservatives on these shows…I just wish the celebs would stop their non-stop conservative bashing for an evening that’s SUPPOSED to be about their talent…not their politics!
By Voice of Reason
September 22, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
I didn’t watch the whole thing; missed the beginning and portions in-between.
I loved Josh Grobin’s segment. Wish Tom Bergeron had won. Heidi Klum—WHAT is the big deal about that woman? Skinny; stupid-acting. Mary Tyler Moore’s arms—scary.
And, can white people just go back to being WHITE? It kills me with all these people donning fake tans, bronzers, etc, trying to get skin darker than mine, but yet, if you had to BE Black, you’d rather die. Go back to being white; can we at least have our Pretty Skin Colors without you trying to take that? Or, at least SAY Black skin is Beautiful and rich. White people trying to look Black. Return to White, will ya’?
Happy for Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin. And NBC!!
By Kevin
September 22, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
If you want the real personification of smug, just watch Sean Hannity for 2 minutes on any night. His arrogance is matched only by his insincerity and mendaciousness.
By Red
September 22, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
My wife would have loved to watch the Emmy’s just as I would have loved to see a clear football game. It seems the new AT&T U-View was having problems. You know - AT&T’s newest concept to deliver the best picture ever - NOT! It was not just one channel that was jumping, blurring, and freezing! The Emmy’s were again predictable and so is AT&T’s lack of service!
By Deirdre
September 22, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
Kevin…until we are all able to admit that there’s arrogance on BOTH sides and we’re being played like a fiddle by politicians, this country will NEVER rise above the scum infested political climate to truly understand what the issues are and what is the best way to handle them. Disagreeing on policy is only natural…screaming incendiary nonsense at each other is all together a different matter.
The politics of celebrity endorsement is an embarrassment to this country.
Voice of Reason…agree with you about Josh Groban…it was great. And agree about the fake tans although I think it has more to do with Hollywood than it does wanting to look black. Hollywood is ALL about how you look and who you know. Oh, and what you drive.
By K.D.
September 22, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
Yes Greg and VP definitely a “BLACKOUT” at the Daytime Emmy Awards!
By Deirdre
September 22, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
My Comcast was also ‘acting up’ during the first half hour of the Emmy’s. Maybe the network was having the problem, not the cable systems.
By Kevin
September 22, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
“Disagreeing on policy is only natural…screaming incendiary nonsense at each other is all together a different matter.”
Sorry, Deirdre, but your side pretty much has the monopoly on “screaming incendiary nonsense.” I mean, have you ever listened to Sean, Rush, or O’Reilly? But I guess it’s ok for them to lie and smear for the sake of entertainment—which is what their shows are, by the way.
By Deirdre
September 22, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
I wasn’t talking about celebs, Kevin…I was talking about politicians, who cleverly CREATE this atmosphere to get us all at each others’ throats. Celebs, including conservative talk show people(and that’s all they are really, celebrities)buy into this crap and we end up with a campaign that is all about sound bites, celeb endorsements(on both sides) and who makes the best speeches. How many people actually watch the debates(the ONE time when our candidates are FORCED to talk about the issues)and how many only listen to the “unbiased” reporters “analyzing” what was said?
We’ve become a nation of followers who think that all problems can be solved in a 30 to 60 minute time frame or, even worse, in 10 words or less.
By GAgirl
September 22, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
The most boring Emmy show ever!!!
By Kit
September 22, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Wow…the Emmy’s disappoint again. Not because of the lame show, but because once again, the greatest show in the history of television was snubbed. “The Wire” received no Emmy’s. It’s tragic. Not one Emmy for even one of the five seasons for the amazing writing, acting and directing.
By Pay Attention
September 22, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
You left wingers always want to trot out Hannity, Rush and O’Reilly. You missed the point. Hannity, Rush and O’Reilly host POLITICAL SHOWS. You expect them to be POLITICAL. This was a CELEBRITY AWARDS SHOW. They are supposed to ENTERTAIN me - not try to tell me how I should vote.
By Deirdre
September 22, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
Seeing as how we were talking about the Emmy awards…the problem I have with the “political statements” and the snide commentary on our current president doesn’t have much to do with what “side” I’m on but with the fact that politics is NOT what the show was about. The people who watch Hannity and Colmes/Bill O’Reilly(BTW, I don’t) KNOW what to expect…that’s what those shows are ABOUT. The Emmy Awards are about excellence(and I use the word loosely) in television entertainment…NOT about what each “learned” celebrity thinks of Obama, McCain or Bush.
There’s a joke going around Hollywood at the moment. Conservativism is the new gay. Meaning that back in the day, Hollywood gays did not talk about their orientation. Hollywood conservatives are now in the same boat.
By Jill
September 22, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
“This was a CELEBRITY AWARDS SHOW. They are supposed to ENTERTAIN me…”
News Flash: The vast majority of the 71% of the country who think that Dubya has done a horrendous job in office was quite entertained by the mild jabs at the current administration / John McSame.
Maybe you right-wingers should just listen to old streams of Rush et al. on the internets and continue to stew in your anger.
By Deirdre
September 22, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
So… 71% of people think Bush has done a bad job. What has that got to do with celebrities endorsing candidates during an awards show? And if 71% think McCain is McSame(another stupid celebrity name) why is he leading in most of the polls?
Maybe if you left-wingers stopped kowtowing to everything celebrities say, we’d have a more interesting campaign.
By kar
September 22, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
I’m really pleased by the wins for Zeljko Ivanek and Bryan Cranston. Unlike Jane K, Cranston’s work on “Malcolm” was underplayed and underappreciated. Sure, we all know the overbearing mother but Cranston was great as Hal who held together the family by being both funny, more childlike than his sons or serious enough to call his wife to account. Bravo for him for really extending and exposing himself.
Zeljko Ivanek is one of those guys who always adds to the scene even if he’s not the focus. He always turned in memorable bit parts in stuff like the Xfiles, Oz, ER, etc. He’s got a huge list of work because he’s a dependable character actor.
My favorites would include his visit on “Frasier” as an animal psych and Ed Danvers on Homicide.
By Sarah P.
September 23, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
“And if 71% think McCain is McSame(another stupid celebrity name) why is he leading in most of the polls?”
Typical right-winger spreading more right-wing lies. Obama has been slightly ahead or even in every major poll. The latest poll since the latest financial meltdown now shows Obama ahead by 5-6%.
And what left-wingers “kowtow” to celebrities? It’s you righties who have to be told what to think every day by your hate-radio gods.
By huh
September 23, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Mad Men is awesome. They deserve to win. I tried to watch 21/2 men last night. Holy bad. How can anyone watch that show with the laugh track going off every 2 seconds.
Lefties- Celebrities ranting on about politics is equally obnoxious as Hannity’s show. Righties- Don’t turn on an awards show if you don’t want to hear obnoxious celebrities ranting about their politics.
By Mel
September 23, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Rodney- I didn’t think the Steve Carrell/Ricky Gervais thing went too long… I thought it was a perfect “Ode” to Michael Scott/David Brent Uncomfortable-Real Life awkward situations that make The Office funny.
I did think Carrell was going to try to steal the Emmy when Gervais put it down.
By Tired of Celebrities
September 23, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
To huh? Yes, you’re right. One of the main reasons I didn’t watch the Emmy’s is I didn’t want to hear yet another celebrity pushing their candidate. That’s not why I watch these shows and I’m tired of it.
To Jill, I’m part of the 71% that don’t thing W has done a good job, but I’m still sick of celebrities using their fame to try to influence my vote. They aren’t experts or even knowledgeable - and definitely don’t live in the real world and deal with the same issues most of us do.
I like Alec Baldwin’s work, but I don’t want to hear him talk politics. I admire what Oprah does but resent her trying to influence my vote.