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« Roush Dispatch
Emmys: Bravo to Winners, Boo to Show
Katherine Heigl and Kevin Dillon by John Shearer/WireImage.com
And some people worried that getting Ryan Seacrest to host this year’s Emmy telecast was going to be the producers’ worst idea. That’s before we got a look at the set, an unwieldy and unappealing theater-in-the-round setup that looked more suitable for the new American Gladiators revival than for an awards show. The nominees, half of whom saw only the backs of the various presenters and performers, had a deer-in-the-headlights look every time Seacrest approached them or the cameras awkwardly cut to them. They appeared to be sitting in penalty boxes, not deluxe auditorium seats.
Honestly, though, we poor schnooks at home were the ones suffering the penalty here: as in, confronted with one of the worst Emmy telecasts I can remember. As Emmy years go, I’m actually at peace with the majority of the winners, given who was and wasn’t nominated (and we’ve been over that frustrating ground plenty of times since the July nominations). Learning who won was a lot more satisfying in most cases than the experience of actually watching the show meant to celebrate these winners.
Seacrest’s ineffectual hosting aside, the show was flabbily and shoddily produced, inexcusably running over three hours. Many of the winners weren’t allowed to take a breath and complete a thought before the music urged them off the stage (although the eternally classy Helen Mirren scored points by urging the music to interrupt her), but we had time for a dreadfully unfunny plug for Don’t Forget the Lyrics? Even a halfway decent idea, like having a company of Jersey Boys singers salute The Sopranos, was marred by bad editing that did no honor to the Sopranos clips being shown. (And was I the only one who noticed how the Frankie Valli character began crooning “I love you baby” just after they showed Adriana getting whacked?)
In the laugh department, I was surprisingly underwhelmed by Ray Romano’s stand-up set (one of two times during the night that the Fox censors got busy), but loved Lewis Black’s rant against the promotional bugs that invade the TV screen, interrupting a show already in progress to alert us to what’s coming on next. (I can’t tell you how many letters I get from readers who hate this practice.) And the satirical shtick between Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, mocking Hollywood and the Emmys “going green,” did give us this howler from Colbert: “If entertainers stop publicly congratulating each other, then the Earth wins!” Every year, you can count on the comedy bits introducing the writing nominees in the late-night category to make you howl. This year’s was no exception (Bill Maher’s gag in the bathroom stalls a special highlight, along with Alberto Gonzales being unable to remember the names of any of the Daily Show staff).
But one thing the current structure of the Emmy show can’t help, and which sinks it every year, is the inordinate amount of time given to rewarding actors, writers and directors of TV movies and miniseries almost no one has seen. I guess it’s ironic that this genre is now so obsolete, a fact ignored in Queen Latifah’s 30th-anniversary tribute to the groundbreaking Roots. (When she was reciting the numbers, I flashed back to my 18th birthday, which coincided with the final night of Roots in an era before VCRs. Guess what I did that night?) Not to diminish the work done in this arena, or in the field of musical specials (rightly dominated this year by NBC’s fabulous Tony Bennett: An American Classic), but maybe a few of these could be handed out before the show begins and announced during the telecast. Anything to streamline matters.
Enough about the show, which I’m sure nearly everyone has already forgotten. What really matters in the long run is who won. And for the most part, I’m OK with what happened in the major races. (The exception: James Spader’s absurd third win for Boston Legal, which should have gone to either James Gandolfini or the still-Emmyless Hugh Laurie. To his credit, he looked and sounded embarrassed: “I feel like I just stole a pile of money from the mob.” No one I know would disagree with this sentiment.)
The Sopranos' best-drama win was a foregone conclusion, and its wins for writing and directing just reinforced that. It wasn’t the show’s finest season, but it had many strong, memorable moments, and given the weak competition (with no Lost, Friday Night Lights or The Wire in the mix), losing was unthinkable. A much bigger surprise, though not an unpleasant won, was NBC underdog 30 Rock's best-comedy win, reminiscent of Arrested Development winning after its first season. I was shocked that Alec Baldwin lost, but for Ricky Gervais to win for his inspired work on HBO’s Extras is OK by me. Still a shocker to think Steve Carell has yet to win for The Office.
In the supporting categories, I love the fact that Terry O’Quinn’s win for Lost and Jaime Pressly’s for My Name Is Earl helped cushion the snubs their terrific shows otherwise endured. Robert Duvall’s win for AMC’s majestic Broken Trail almost makes up for the fact that he was refused an Emmy for his iconic work on the all-time classic Lonesome Dove back in 1989. I’m all about the first-timers, so congratulations as well to America Ferrera and Katherine Heigl (though in the latter’s category I would have preferred Lorraine Bracco, who stepped up in The Sopranos' final season with some marvelous work and finally submitted herself in the proper category).
Emmy darling Sally Field may not be new to the podium, but her win this year is a great boon for the underappreciated Brothers & Sisters, which could use the promotional boost. Her speech was censored when, after some nervous stumbling, she attempted to include an anti-war sentiment with an apparent profanity in her tribute to mothers. These same censors apparently were cool with Brad Garrett’s raunchy jokes about Joely Fisher’s cleavage. Don’t you just love this culture?
There’s a reason the Emmy show never wins Emmys. This year, there are more reasons than I could possibly count.
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Sep 17, 2007 1:32 AM
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Yeah, James Spader? Again? Huh? What is this strange fixation the Emmys have with "Boston Legal"?
Those nominations for the writers on the comedy/variety shows are always a highlight. I thought the funniest moment was the montage where various members of Stephen Colbert's staff were slapping him, punching him, etc. My favorite was when the woman smashed a grapefruit in his face.
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Sep 17, 2007 2:02 AM
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Good for James Spader. He's a great actor and shouldn't be ashamed for the work he puts out. Sorry Matt. Maybe next time.
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Sep 17, 2007 2:06 AM
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Thank you, thank you, thank you Matt! My local newspaper's TV critic (I won't name names) actually thought the round set was "glitzy and neat." What?! If I were a nominee, I would have been upset b/c I couldn't see any of the show.
As for Spader, I'm not taking anything away from his work, but for the honor not to go to Gandolfini is shameful.
And is it me, or did Fox really miss a big opportunity here? They could have really showcased their good shows like House and Prison Break, but instead we get a 10 minute long informercial for Don't Forget the Lyrics and a heapload of Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton? Yuck.
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Sep 17, 2007 4:54 AM
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My personal favorite is how they zoomed in on TR Knight at the mention of Isaiah Washington during the Brian and Stewie opener. Classy, really classy. TR looked a tad uncomfortable, and rightly so.
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Sep 17, 2007 5:55 AM
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I agree with almost everything you said, Matt, but Katherine Heigl? Seriously?! Even though Grey's was over-the-top and poorly written last year, Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson were fantastic. I wish I could say the same about Ms. Heigl.
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Sep 17, 2007 7:20 AM
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The most odd part of Brad Garrett's comments were the fact that everyone watching the show had just seen the exact same stupid reference to Joely Fisher's chest made by his "'Til Death" character made in an advertisement for that stupid show placed right before their appearance on stage.
Why doesn't someone bring back the Cable ACE awards - most of the excellence on television is on Cable in this era. This would be the perfect time for someone to re-invent this idea. I think it could do better than the Emmy's which seemed to me - died last night.
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Sep 17, 2007 7:58 AM
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I was horrified by James Spader's win. When Emmy voters had the opportunity to recognize the masterful work of James Gandolfini in this incredible role one last time ... and James Spader wins? Uh uh. My disbelieving mind is already spinning with explanations, like maybe James Gandolfini and the eminently talented Hugh Laurie split the votes, and that's how Spader snuck through? I agree the telecast was bloated and almost unwatchable, but there were a few good moments to keep us hoping for more (one you didn't mention, Matt, was when Gervais wasn't there to accept his award -- the group hug between Stewart, Colbert, and Carell was priceless). After annoying snubs in the nominations (for Lost and Friday Night Lights, in particular), I guess I shouldn't be surprised the show would be such a disappointment, but it was a creaking and groaning crawl to 11:00 (and even then, it went late!).
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Sep 17, 2007 8:37 AM
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Katherine Heigl was EASILY the most undeserving actress in the category, and she won. I can't comprehend it. The fact that she even beat out two of her co-stars for the award is beyond me. Chandra Wilson outacts Heigl every day, so does Sandra Oh. Yet, HEIGL WINS?! The Emmys are a joke. They were already, with the snubs of Friday Night Lights, Dexter, and Lost (not to mention The Wire), but her win (and James Spader's) officially took away any credibility the Emmys had.
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Sep 17, 2007 9:03 AM
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While last year's winners were disappointing (exception to The Office), the show was superb with Conan hitting out of the park upfront with his "visits" to various show sets and Bob Newhart in a box. It was hilarious and came in three minutes EARLY. Plus, NBC did a much classier job of plugging its shows without bringing the show to a grinding halt.
This year, the winners were much better (exception Katherine Heigl and James Spader - I think Gandolfini is overrated and I was offended on his behalf) but the show was terrible. I don't even think Seacrest was that terrible of a host. The monologue was even mildly amusing.
Funniest part of the night by far was Steve Carrell being "given" Gervais' Emmy. I'm hoping that his spirited showing at the Emmys will stick in people's minds and win him a real one next year.
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Sep 17, 2007 9:13 AM
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Matt, thank you for entry. I feel your pain for being forced to watch it because it is your job. I was totally at peace by not watching because I saw no reason to. But I am thrilled that Tina Fey and 30 Rock were recognized. I just wish that Alec had won. I really love James Spader on BL (I know, I know, I am in the minority) but Hugh Laurie's snub yet again is such a disappointment. Yet, the Emmys and the nominations have done nothing but disappointed me.
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Sep 17, 2007 9:19 AM
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Two times the censors got busy? You missed the third one -- and pretty much, so did Fox. When Heigl's name was announced, you could see her say "Holy s**t!" but she wasn't on mike. So what did Fox's censor do? Cut the sound, but didn't go to the shot of the mirrored ball. Oops.
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Sep 17, 2007 9:44 AM
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I have been giving the Emmy's chance after chance after chance. No more. Ryan Seacrest made me ill...literally got a headache and sniffly the second he came onstage.
Katherine Heigl looked trampy with the white dress and bright red lipstick...Chandra Wilson or Sandra O deserved the Emmy moreso than her whiny portrayal of her character.
WHY DIDN'T NEIL PATRICK HARRIS WIN? WHY!
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Sep 17, 2007 9:59 AM
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Even though I was a brad garret fan when he was on Everybody Loves Raymond. I foumd most of his remarks last night quite offensive!
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Sep 17, 2007 10:12 AM
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You go, Terry!
It's about time this fantastic actor got true recognition for his work. I'm so thrilled about it! Especially as Lost got snubbed badly enough as it is.
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Sep 17, 2007 10:15 AM
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