Anyone watch the Emmys last night? I love award shows in general (I think Luke and I are the few dudes I know who religiously watch the Golden Globes and Oscars), and I thought this one was just an overall good time. “30 Rock” and “Mad Men” took top prizes (and one of these days I’ll start watching and probably get into both shows), as expected, and the whole evening was emceed with tons of charm by Neil Patrick Harris (you go, NPH!). Here are some great recaps online:Entertainment Weekly’s Best and Worst Moments
MSN Highs/Lows Recap
And here are a few of my own favorite moments...
Jon Cryer’s Acceptance Speech
Yeah, I was upset that NPH lost too (although it led to a hilarious bit later in the show), but I think Cryer is still a deserving candidate. I don’t really like “Two and a Half Men,” but Cryer’s always funny whenever I tune in, and his acceptance speech was priceless.
“I used to think awards were meaningless trinkets of momentary popularity…but now…I know they’re the only measure of your true worth as a human being.”
Fantastically done—there’s a reason everyone’s been in love with this guy since Duckie first fell for Andie.
NPH’s “Meltdown”
This was perfect—NPH was trying hard to not make the night “awkward” after his loss, but then huffily tore up his stage notes, and “interviewed” Cryer on how it felt to win. Both guys were obviously having fun, and Cryer had the last laugh again, when he described what went on in his mind when they called his name at the podium: “Suck it, NPH!”
The Celebrity Introductions
This was a really nice touch from the show writers—Neil Patrick Harris had to introduce every presenter, but instead of the typical, lofty “The star of ‘Man Men’”-type intros, we got to hear each celebrity’s embarrassing, way-down-on-IMDb credits, such as "Additional Voices in ‘Deer Hunter 2’”. It made the entire night feel more relaxed—like a comfortable shindig with some friends as opposed to a stuffy awards show with lots of awkward banter.
Michael Emerson’s win for “LOST”!
Michael Emerson plays Benjamin Linus on “LOST,” and, in my mind, that character is one of the very best things about an already amazing show. Emerson’s Ben is one slimy, shifty, bug-eyed, can-never-guess-what-he-wants dude, always playing with someone’s mind, and the master manipulator of all that goes on on that crazy Island. It really is the performance of a lifetime, and Emerson did the most unimaginable thing with it: he made that main Other, a genuine bastard and a classic, murderous villain in pretty much every way, likeable. He’s such a fascinating character to watch, and that look on Ben’s face when his daughter’s fate did not go the way he “planned” was one of the best bits of acting on that entire show. Kudos to him for a most deserving win, and for a gracious, very humble acceptance speech. “LOST” also won the Best Drama Series Emmy its first year out (another much deserved win—its first season really was its best), and got a statue for Terry O’Quinn (a.k.a. the incredible John Locke) in 2007. I like that it’s coming back into the critical fold, and here’s hoping the upcoming final season will end my favorite show of all time (and arguably one of TV’s best ever—certainly one of its most interesting) on just as high of a note as it began.
Ricky Gervais
Gervais is comic gold when he comes onto any award show. I love his laid-back, say-whatever-the-hell style—when he won the Golden Globe for his original version of “The Office,” he riffed on stage and admitted to just wasting time until the camera light told him to go away. Last year, he made fun of Steve Carrell for “stealing” his Emmy for “Extras”—he wanted it back, for it was the least Carrell could do after Gervais “sat through ‘Evan Almighty’”. And this year, Gervais went on a hilarious tangent, saying he loves the Emmys over all other award shows because there’s no “film stars” here—no chiseled good looks in this auditorium, so now he could feel “above average”. He capped this off by ribbing his “Office” double, Steve Carrell:
"We’re in a place where Steve Carrell is considered good-looking. And Rainn Wilson…like I said, [I’m] above-average”.
I love this guy—he’s got a biting wit, an infectious, mischievous giggle, and he’s just one of the funniest people alive. "Extras” was a brilliant show (especially in its second season—I really recommend it), and I’ve been meaning to check out the original “Office” for a long time now. I’ll definitely do it soon—after all, it’s only 13 episodes—I really have no excuse anymore. His brand of squirming-awkward humor is a bit tough to stomach at first, but the more you watch, the more you appreciate the genius and honesty of the writing.
On a quick side note, Gervais has a new film coming out (that he co-wrote and co-directed), “The Invention of Lying,” co-starring Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, Jonah Hill, Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, and supposedly some great, big-star cameos to add to that ridiculous, overstuffed-with-funny cast. I’ll do a Trailer Time feature on it in a bit, but the premise is ripe for great comedy: it all takes place in a world where everyone can only tell the truth…until Gervais’ character discovers lying, and uses that newfound power to woo Jennifer Garner, a woman way out of his league (and one who’s brutally honest with Gervais about his awful, “pig-nosed” genetic prospects). It looks fantastic, and check out the trailer right HERE—I’ll post it again later this week, with a bit more detail. It opens in theaters October 2nd.
There were lots of other great moments, including Justin Timberlake’s (who makes SNL instantly better whenever he stops by now) quick ad-lib on Sarah Silverman’s fake mustache, the always classy, quippy, and sharp Tina Fey (who squeezed in a dig at NBC for devoting a giant chunk of primetime to the new “Jay Leno Show”), Jon Stewart’s gracious win for “The Daily Show,” Conan O’Brien’s very funny, but too brief Facebook skit (I’m always up for more from my favorite host with a killer ‘do…who also did the best job hosting the Emmys a few years ago), and much more.
Gripes?
I only have two. As much as I respect Bryan Cranston (and hear great things about his show, “Breaking Bad”) this was Hugh Laurie’s year to win. Every year, he gives us more and more powerful work as the curmudgeonly, genius Dr. House, and last season was no exception—the finale episode alone should have gotten him that statue. Well, there’s always next year…they can’t ignore the brilliant Laurie forever…
Also, where was the award for Best Individual Performance in a Variety Program? It looks like the category was cancelled this year, and that’s pretty disappointing—I would have loved to see Hugh Jackman win for this showstopping turn at the Oscars! (for a little silver lining, Hugh Jackman already has an Emmy for his Tonys hosting gig a few years back)
And that's my wrap-up. I know I’m missing tons of other good stuff, so what were some of your favorite moments? Were you as psyched as me for “LOST’s” pretty cool win? And what did you guys think of Neil Patrick Harris’ first (and I’m pretty positive, not last) hosting stint?
Images courtesy of CBS Broadcasting Inc.
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