The 63rd annual Emmy awards took place last night and what an awards show. It had a little something for everyone, from musical numbers, ok fashion, funny bits, some usual suspects winning and a couple of great surprises. More details inside.
The night kicked off with the pre-show on E! with Guiliana Rancic (GR) and Ryan Seacrest (RS). There was another pre-show on FOX but that one was so bad I decided to stick to the less awful E! coverage. It started out with GR getting Nina Dobrev (Vampire Diaries; CW) and asking her what
she was wearing. GR then proceeded to compare Nina to Blake Lively, who for some reason E! is trying to make into this big fashion and movie star, saying that she’s like her in the fact that she’s on a big tv show and is someday gonna transition to movies. I’m sure it’s a complement to some people but from the way Nina was looking at GR, it was like she smelled bad and was definitely not
liking the comparison. From there I loved Nina Dobrev even more. Kathy Griffin later made out with RS in what was one of the grossest but funniest moments on the carpet. Everything else was pretty much the usual. The fashion was ok. There were some good ones and a lot more atrocious ones. More on the fashion can be found here.
The show began with a very unfunny opening of Jane Lynch moving and singing through all the different shows based on the premise that they all were housed in the same building. She sang and danced through shows like The Big Ban Theory, Mad Men, Friday Night Lights, etc ending the bit going up against her character from Glee, Sue Sylvester at the end. The only part I found funny was the Mad Men part. To me some of the jokes were dated and it felt like she was just trying too hard. Compare it to last year’s opening that was hosted by Jimmy Fallon. Way better.
I liked the montages they did for all the nominated categories. The comedy montage was up first and it pretty much had every single comedy that aired in the last year (They forget It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia). Then the Jimmy’s came onstage (Fallon and Kimmel) and did a hilarious bit about Kimmel reading Fallon’s acceptance speech.
They finally started giving out awards. Best supporting actor and actress went to husband and wife, Claire and Phil Dunphy from Modern Family played by the lovely Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell. Julie and Ty were in complete shock. They just couldn’t believe that they won. Julie was really witty and funny with hers and Ty was funny but also serious. He talked about his father that passed and how he hoped he was proud of him. It was sweet. Modern Family also won the writing and directing awards in the comedy category. All of these were pretty much back to back and people started calling the awards the Modern Family awards.
The rest of the awards were pretty ok. There were some gems like when the camera panned in the audience and Conan O’brien was seen sleeping, the lonely island performance, and Margo Martindale won for best supporting actress for Justified(great show on FX, stars Timothy Olyphant, you gotta watch). Other great bits were the Office skit which focused on who was the new boss after Steve Carell left last season. It was pretty hilarious.
The presentations of the best actress in a comedy series was a good one as well. Amy Poehler (SNL, Parks & Recreation) is so hilarious. All the ladies followed Amy’s lead on stage and made the nominations seem like a beauty pageant. Melissa McCarthy was the winner for Mike & Molly and that was a huge shocker because Mike & Molly is not that great a show. Many are saying that the reason she was that people loved her so much from Bridesmaids and simply wanted to reward her for that. I say whatever I don’t care because she is great. I loved her as Sookie on Gilmore Girls and she has been in several movies over the years and I’m just glad she’s having her moment.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Charlie Sheen was in attendance and presented the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.That moment was so awkward because of the whole fiasco that happened with him and his ex show, Two and A Half Men. He came out and apologized to CBS and everyone from the show and wished them well on their new season with Ashton Kutcher. AWKWARD. Then it got even more so because the winner of the category he presented for was Jim Parsons from the Big Bang Theory, whose boss is Chuck Lorre, creator of the Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men, the show Charlie use to work for and is suing for breach of contract.
Two moments that really had me jumping around my house were when Friday Night Lights won for best writing in a drama series and when Kyle Chandler won for best actor in a drama series. If you don’t watch that show PLEASE DO. It’s soooooo good. The series just ended this year but Netflix has all the seasons on Instant Watch. WATCH IT WATCH IT WATCH IT. I just love the characters and the stories. It’s just really lovely work. I especially love a saying from Kyle Chandler’s character Coach Taylor, “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose.” Can you tell I am obsessed with this show.
Every one from the show was so surprised by the win because the show has been basically ignored by everyone so it was great that they finally got recognized better late than never. It was also great because Minka Kelly presented Kyle with the award and she was a cast member on FNL for 4 seasons.
Overall I would give the show a B- as Jane Lynch was ok as a host but the best parts had nothing to do with her. Fallon and Neil Patrick Harris were a lot better hosts in their respective years.
List of Emmy Winners
Outstanding comedy series: Modern Family
Outstanding drama series: Mad Men
Outstanding miniseries or movie: Downton Abbey
Outstanding lead actress, miniseries or movie: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or movie: Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce
Outstanding directing for a miniseries, movie or dramatic special: Brian Percival, Downton Abbey
Outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie: Barry Pepper, The Kennedys
Outstanding supporting actress, miniseries or movie: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Outstanding writing for a miniseries or movie: Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey
Outstanding lead actor, drama: Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Outstanding lead actress, drama: Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Outstanding supporting actor, drama: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Outstanding directing, drama: Martin Scorsese, Boardwalk Empire
Outstanding supporting actress, drama: Margo Martindale, Justified
Outstanding writing, drama series: Jason Katims, Friday Night Lights
Outstanding variety, music or comedy series: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Outstanding directing for a variety, music or comedy series: Don Roy King, Saturday Night Live (host: Justin Timberlake)
Outstanding writing for a variety, music or comedy series: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Outstanding reality competition: The Amazing Race
Outstanding lead actress, comedy: Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly)
Outstanding lead actor, comedy series: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Outstanding writing for a comedy: Steve Levitan, Jeffrey Richman (“Caught in the Act”), Modern Family
Outstanding director, comedy: Michael Alan Spiller (“Halloween”), Modern Family
Outstanding supporting actor, comedy: Ty Burrell (Modern Family)
Outstanding supporting actress, comedy: Julie Bowen (Modern Family)
iwatch2much.com 
I’m glad someone out there is staying on top of all the TV I can’t make it around to. Thanks Bernsie!
I guess I might give Modern Family a try…You know I need a replacement show now that Big Brother isn’t on…but it sounds like you really really really like Friday Night Lights…
Please give modern fam a try. I’m gonna email you the site to watch it on. Its so funny.
I actually liked the intro! But you’re right, the Mad Men part was the best. Dammit Bernice your blog is keeping me up past my bedtime.