Emmy Thoughts

Snubbed for Barry?
Originally uploaded by narrativeboy.

I tend to hold the Emmy’s in low regard. How can an award show that claims to reward TV’s finest ignore shows over the years like Buffy, Scrubs, Veronica Mars and actors like Lauren Graham and David Cross? Sure they’ve improved a little bit over the last few years giving Lost and Arrested Development their due but clearly the reason to watch last night was Conan O’Brian and boy did he not disappoint. From the Oscar-esqe opening sequence to his song and dance routine to his torture of Bob Newhart, Conan stole the show. I’m a big fan of the self deprecating humor (it’s pretty much my bread and butter) and Conan is king. I’d like to see him get a shot at hosting Oscar someday as he clearly has the chops. Other highlights:

* Colbert and Stewart presenting to an audience full of “godless sodomites” while Colbert lamented his loss to Barry Manilow.

* The multiple shots of Tori Spelling and her mom clearly seated on opposite sides of the theater during the Aaron Spelling tribute. Tori still looked pissed that she didn’t get much out of daddy’s will while the widow Spelling looked like she was hamming it up for the cameras. By the by, why doesn’t Tori’s little brother act anymore he still looks like he could play a 15 year old on a 90210 type show?

* Big props to the Academy for recognizing The Office. While it would have been a nice final fuck you to Fox if Arrested Development had won, The Office certainly deserved it. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant looked genuinely moved and uncomfortable by the amount of applause the shot of them in the audience generated.

* 24 winning was long overdue. While I felt the show went awry towards the end of the season, the first half was great and clearly this show should’ve picked up an Emmy long ago. It pretty much cleaned house in all the creative categories but I was sad to see the President and Mrs. Logan loose out in the supporting categories.

* Even though they were snubbed by not being nominated for best comedy series it was refreshing to see My Name is Earl take the writing and directing categories. Writer/creator Greg Garcia brought the funniest acceptance speech of the evening when he listed the people he did not want to thank including God since he took his hair.

And now the lowlights:

* While the Charlie’s Angels tribute to Spelling was moving, am I the only one who was disappointed that Farah didn’t have one of her patented meltdowns?

* Tony Shaloub is a great actor but I find it hard to believe he was more deserving then Larry David or Steve Carrell.

* Although they certainly took home enough gold over the years, it would have been nice to see West Wing take home a pity/hope you find new work award like Megan Mullally did for Will and Grace.

* Barry Manilow beating J Stew, and Colbert in the Variety/Musical/Comedy host category. As Colbert said, “I can’t believe I lost to the Copa Cabana!”