On the Emmys:To read the rest (much of it in praise of Conan O'Brien for saving what would have otherwise been a gruesome three hours), click here.If the Emmy officials couldn't apologize for this year's nominees, then at least the winners could.
For virtually the entire three-hour telecast -- really, up until "24" and "The Office" became first-time winners in the drama and comedy series awards, respectively -- winner after winner greeted news of their victory with some combination of astonishment and shame.
Both Jon Stewart and Tony Shalhoub used the phrase "terrible mistake" while picking up awards (Stewart for the fourth consecutive "Daily Show" win for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series; "Monk" star Shalhoub for his third win in fourth years as lead comedy actor).
"It's not supposed to work this way, is it?" said a stunned Blythe Danner after winning for her supporting role on Showtime's defunct "Huff."
Danner was also one of four actors to win for shows that had been canceled, an awkward roster that also included Megan Mullally for "Will & Grace," Alan Alda for "The West Wing" and Andre Braugher for "Thief," a drama that was only dubbed a miniseries after FX failed to renew it for a second season.
Four of the five lead comedy actress nominees were from canceled shows; in a stunner, the winner was the fifth, Julia Louis-Dreyfus from CBS' "The New Adventures of Old Christine."
"Well, I'm not somebody who really believes in curses," she said, referencing the bogus "Seinfeld" Curse, "but curse this, baby!"
Maybe the signature moment of the night was when Jeremy Irons, winner for his supporting role in HBO's "Elizabeth I," made a beeline for the podium, not bothering to even pick up the Emmy itself. (He was briefly rendered speechless when someone shoved the statuette into his hands.)
19 comments:
I didn't even notice how much they were apologizing, maybe because it was so obvious they should have been.
So now Conan and NBC were supposed to have cut the plane crash part of the opening sketch because it was insensitive. Ridiculous.
Eh, I didn't watch, but I never do. I did want to congratulate you on creating what has to be the longest "bleep phrase" in history with (undignified adult film industry profession).
I couldn't think of a more concise and yet printable translation of "fluffer."
I'm surprised you felt you had to find a printable translation of "fluffer" for the newspaper. There's a movie out there with that name; not just a soft-porn flick, but co-starring Robert Walden and Richard Riehle.
Okay, the Helen Mirren phrase, yeah, I guess that had to be censored for the general public.
Ugh. Censors.....
So now Conan and NBC were supposed to have cut the plane crash part of the opening sketch because it was insensitive. Ridiculous.
Hi Jim!
I'm expecting that same kind of pc idiocy in the NY area after tomorrow's 'Rescue Me' finale due to the Bronx blaze over the weekend.....
(adult film set assistant)?
I still don't know what "fluffer" means. Am I being dense?
Dense, Louis? No. Probably just going a bit soft in the head.
Anyone want to name a dignified adult film industry profession? Anyone?
Any idea where I could see a video of Conan's opener? I wasn't able to tune in until later in the show. I'd also be interested in seeing Piven's acceptance. Was he receiving his award at the same time his character's life was going into the toilet?
sandi, I bet someone will post that opener to YouTube sooner or later, so keep an eye out.
A fluffer is the person who helps the male actor get into a state of arousal so he can perform on camera. Both "fluffer" and "tits over ass" made it to the West Coast broadcast.
I loved Conan's opening sketch, and especially the "Music Man" bit. Bob Newhart was as awesome as ever, too. He needs to be on my TV more. Won't someone put him in a show? :-)
The guy who won for "Earl" totally stole my future Oscar acceptance speech. Damn Hollywood! ;-)
Kiefer's victory made it all worth it, for me. I'm so glad he finally won for playing the absolute action hero of the new millenium, that I wouldn't care if Blythe Danner had won instead of Chandra Wilson or Sandra Oh. Oh, wait.
Up to the point that Mariska Hargitay won her Emmy (and I cheered hard because she deserved it for 8 great years and a submission tape that should be taught in drama school courses) it was a regular Emmy night, with the stupid, the ok, and of course the inexplicable. But then Mariska won, Kiefer won, The Office won, and 24 won! How cool was that? I mean, sure, no way 24 is better than Grey's, but Shonda's show has many years ahead of it, while 24 has been going at it for 5 great years.
To me, Kiefer and Mariska combined erase all the stupidity that had come the previous 2 and a half hours, from Barry Manilow beating Colbert, to The Amazing Race beating Project Runway.
And by the way, is Tony Shalhoub going to be winning even after Monk is cancelled? I'm asking because I had a similar nightmare. Ugh.
I'm bummed that Jaime Pressly didn't win the comedy supporting actress statue -- and it seems extra unfair that she lost to Megan Mulally, who played a shrill, irritating character on a shrill, irritating, way-past-its-prime show. But three cheers for Conan!
Salon.com has Conan's opener here.
Piven must be at least half as funny as he thinks he is. Come on, 33%, at least?
Here's the video of the opener, although I don't agree with their conclusions about it.
The opener's also on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwCOUgjECtI
"conebone 69"... that cracked me up. Conan did a fine job last night.
I'm shocked that Colbert got shut out in show, writing and performance categories. His time will come.
Thanks Dez for posting that link.
How bout some Entourage commentary!
"Fluffer" and "arse over tit" both aired unbleeped over here in West Coast land. They didn't even bleep Calista for saying it without an English accent a minute later.
Tit is only dirty in American, see.
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