Sunday, September 23, 2012

So, no real big surprises...

And the show seemed to flow, but I didn't find it was all that an inspiring show. Several of the wins made me glad... Homeland, Damien Lewis, Clare Danes, Daily Show (even though I thought that would annoy me), Julianne Moore, Danny Strong. 

Jimmy Kimmel was a strong host, as he's extraordinarily likeable that even when a bit falters, he still makes it work.

Also what I learned this evening... the Empire State Building was red and white today because of the 25th Anniversary of Where's Waldo.  Something I really did not know before I heard it.

And, Michael J. Fox gets to present...

Yay, cause he's awesome and will be on NBC next year.  Errr... he's not awesome because he'll be on NBC.  He's awesome . And will be on NBC next year .

First they applause...  And then the applause grows... And they stand for him...  That's awesome.  He gets in a funny Facebook stock zinger.  Kid's still got it...

Outstanding Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Girls
Modern Family
30 Rock
Veep

And Modern Family wins.    No, it's a good show.  Really.   Steve Levitan speaks... again. They love their jobs.  Yay them. And, it sounded like his mic got cut. Kimmel chimes in by asking the crowd if they wanted to stay another hour.

And that's a wrap.

Julianne Moore gets to present...

Outstanding Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire
Breaking Bad
Game of Thrones
Downton Abbey
Mad Men
Homeland

And Homeland takes home the victory! Okay, starting tomorrow I will watch one episode a night until the weekend when I will watch the rest so I am all caught up by Sunday. I wonder how this slew of victories will affect the ratings.  Huh... Homeland was the first series to win for Showtime. I don't know that I realized that. Let's hope Web Therapy wins next year for comedy! Also, he's not wrong, that is a killer writing staff.  And, it does have a killer cast. And, he gets played off again. That's funny and ironic (I think).


More Mini-series and Movie

Jennifer Goodwin and Emily VanCamp present...

Outstanding Direction...
Jay Roach for Game Change...
And he gives a shout out for HBO for dealing with politics. And Playtone produced this, which is why Tom Hanks gave Danny Strong a high five.  Now, it all makes sense. Gives a special shout out to Danny Strong.

Outstanding Lead Actor...
Kevin Costner.  I'm not surprised and Benedict Cumberbatch will be back next year, but I wish he would have won. Also, Kevin, just because you're on the Emmys doesn't mean you get to go without a tie. Show some respect for the medium.  Yeesh.

Outstanding Movie or Mini-series (presented by Andre Braugher - who is awesome and whose got an awesome voice)...
Game Change wins, which means movie star Tom Hanks gets to walk up on stage. That's exciting.  Tom Hanks starts out a touch political talking about the political process.  Tom Hanks is getting handsomer as he gets older.  Or, at least he's cuter with straight hair.




More awards...

Outstanding writing for Miniseries or Movie

Danny Strong (Jonathan from Buffy) wins for Game Change!  And he still acts...

Wow, the microphone completely covers his face.  Awww... he dedicates it to his mom.  That's sweet.

Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie...

BTW: I'm blaming the Brits for all of these shorter series being considered as mini-series, rather than actual series.

Julianne Moore wins for playing Sarah Palin.  Yay!!  I like her.  And, I love that she brings up her Daytime Emmy win.

And she calls out Sarah Palin for giving her a thumbs down.  She seems so happy to have won. 

It's Opie!

Ron Howard comes out to present a tribute to Andy Griffith...

Awww... he's tearing up.  That is so sweet.  And, he's not wearing a hat; that's respect.

And now the rest of the In Memorium...

Please don't applause during... please don't applause during...

And they applause during... I hate that.

Starting with a heavy hitter in Marvin Hamlisch...

And Steve Jobs gets a mention?

As does Whitney Houston?  What did she do on tv?

Kathryn Jooston (sigh)

 And, Harry Morgan...

And, the world's oldest teenager, Dick Clark gets the final send off.  


I like Kerry Washington and not just because she spoke at the DNC...

And she presents Outstanding Supporting Actor in Movie or Mini-Series...

Wow, this was a great category.

Tom Berenger won (and he was great), but I would seriously have been fine with any of the other nominees.  Especially Denis O'Hare, who needs to win something soon.
And, he started to drone on and on with names so that he was played off...

The Academy is cool...

Head of TV Academy Bruce Rosenbloom and a pantsless Ellen Degeneres talk about all that the Academy does. Actually, I really do like their archives (emmytvlegends.org) and I still regret that I was rejected from the NATAS internship program in college.

Seriously, the Academy does good stuff.

Jimmy Kimmel's Father and Mother are being introduced...

Jimmy Kimmel calls out his parents for telling him he could have done anything.  But, he put his mind to winning an Emmy and he lost.  So, now he kicks his parents out.  Though, his mom looked so sad when he mentioned that he lost.  That was sweet.  Overall, this was funny, but I'm noticing most of his bits are all about him.  Not sure how I feel about that.

Miniseries and Movies...

How much did Julianne Moore look like Sarah Palin?

Still not loving that American Horror Story was considered a mini-series, but another clip of Connie Britton, so awesome...

And, I liked Hatfields & McCoys.

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Movie or Mini-series...

And Jessica Lange wins for American Horror Story.  And gets a kiss from Connie Britton. 

Ricky Gervais presents...

Outstanding Directing for a Variety Show...

Okay, Ricky, this is not about you...

And, Glen Weiss wins for the Tony Awards. He's currently directing the Emmys, so you can see the control truck behind me. And, he tells them to play him off, after thanking his parents. 

And now Ricky presents...

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special...

And The Daily Show with Jon Stewart wins... again. 

But he's being tackled by Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert.

And, normally I agree he wins too much but his show is awesome!  So, I'm not mad at him.

Also, I want to see Won't Back Down (the school movie).

Variety...

Hugh Jackman and Neil Patrick Harris should be on my tv every week... Their clip from the Tony Awards just went by.  Awesomeness...

Aziz Ansari and Jane Leavy present Outstanding Writing for a Variety Show...

And they are now presenting with British accents because those folks are taken more seriously...

And Robert DeNiro is correct... he was amazing in the Deer Hunter (from the Kennedy Center Honors).

Neil Patrick Harris needs to sing on HIMYM every week.

And Louis CK wins another Emmy.  I still like his suit.


They make poor Jon Hamm present right after losing...

That's cold. 

And, I feel like this is falling flat, but I'm liking their interplay (since Tina Fey forgot her glasses).

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Kathy Bates, Harry’s Law
Glenn Close, Damages
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
Claire Danes, Homeland 
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men

Hey!  I got one right.  And, Clare Danes wins.  Yay!  (Though, I still haven't seen the whole season yet (which I will have done by next week when the new season starts).

Mandy Patinkin... Holla!  Love it!

I like this speech...

And now I want to watch My So Called Life again...

In Memorium for the Living...

Jimmy decides that we shouldn't wait until people pass away to say how much we care.

Josh Groban sings for an In Memorium for Jimmy Kimmel. 

Juliana Margulies presents...

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Hugh Bonneville, Downton Abbey
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad 
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Damian Lewis, Homeland

And the winner is...
Damian Lewis.  Wow... Didn't see that coming.  Poor Jon Hamm.  He's awesome and not just because of his killer accent. Wow, I'm so used to hearing him with a flat American accent that to hear his natural accent is kind of surprising (in a way that hearing Hugh Laurie's accent was not).  Also, Michael C. Hall did not seem pleased.  I think he thought he was being patronized to.

Also, I don't want to congratulate the winners via twitter, so stop telling me to do so.

Beginning to loathe the woman giving the Emmy tidbits...

Don't you think Jon Hamm feels bad enough that he hasn't won an Emmy.

And Giancarlo Esposito gets a big hand when he comes out to announce who already won the guest actor/actress in a drama series. This is what happens when you don't have to be funny.

And, Jeremy Davies and Martha Plimpton who won this award get to give out the awards for...

Directing in a Drama Series.

And they're asked if they are a dramatic person...

Meh...

Though, Tim van Patten's was funny, as he just used a scene of Steve Buscemi.  And, Tim didn't show, so they accepted the award on his behalf.

Do you think the Emmy asks a few potential winners not to show up, just so they can skip the speech and save on time?

Jimmy Kimmel is pulling a prank on...

So, Tracey Morgan is to lie on the stage so people think he's passed out.  Did that trend on twitter? 

Connie Britton and Hayden Pennatiere (I can't spell her name - but the chick from Heroes and now Nashville).  Connie Britton is quite tall and Hayden is not.

So, they introduce the writers by asking the question... How do the drama writers handle writers block? 
That was funny.  Matt Weiner fires writers who get writers block.

And Homeland wins... Is this the first year an episode of Mad Men hasn't won?  No, because Breaking Bad has won this, right? 

Tag teaming writers thank the folks who gave them their start on Spencer for Hire...  I'm thinking this is the first time Spencer for Hire has been mentioned since the 1980s. And, they shout over the play off music.

And now Connie and Hayden introduce...

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men 
Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife

And Maggie Smith wins.  Okay, I'm not surprised cause she's a dame, and this was such a strong category, but...  I wanted Hendricks to win.




I am not in danger, I am the danger...

That is a great line...

It's also a sign that it's time for the Drama Montage!  See, this one I like.

And Clare Danes is presenting...

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad 
Giancarlo Esposito, Breaking Bad
Brendan Coyle, Downton Abbey
Jim Carter, Downton Abbey
Jared Harris, Mad Men

And, Aaron Paul wins.  I'm glad.  And, the first person to greet him is Giancarlo Esposito. That was sweet.  And the second was Bryan Cranston.  That must be an awesome set.
He is giving a nice speech.  He thanks Vince and the rest of the writers for not killing him off which was the plan. Awww... I like his words to his fiancee.  He seems like an awesome kid.  

Big Bang Theory comedy bit...

Sheldon is very exciting about the introduction of the Ernst & Young Accountants...

Well, that's one way to make it more... Interesting?  CPA... CPA... CPA...

And, Seth McFarland has a messed up microphone.  Apparently, he skipped rehearsal, which he admits to his Brian voice.

Another new rule... you can't insult the people whose nomination you're about to announce.  There's just no humor to be mined there, which was evident when the crowd didn't laugh.

And the winner is Tom Bergeron - Dancing with the Stars.  Huh... I was surprised by that. Though, I don't watch Dancing with the Stars.

He's giving a good speech.  Shout outs to Betty White and Jeff Probst (cause he wasn't nominated) and even manages a plug for the premiere of his own show.

Okay, that was painless...


Reality...

And, something was off with the timing for the reality montage.

But, since I want to fast forward through this whole montage, I don't care that much.  

Dawson and Damon Wayans, Jr. come out and give the score of the Pats/Ravens game.  It's week 3 people, does anyone really care?

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
The Amazing Race 
American Idol
Dancing With the Stars
Project Runway
So You Think You Can Dance
Top Chef

And the Amazing Race wins again.  Have they lost yet?  In this category?  Like, ever?

New rule:  If you win the same aware more than two times, you can't be surprised when you win again.

At least his speech was short.

It's Stephen Colbert! This makes me happy...

Because Stephen Colbert always makes me happy. But, he's not presenting with Jon Stewart, which confuses me.

And, Colbert comes out against the War on Women...  For the most part.

Five of the women nominated are outstanding and the other two... and he's out of time.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Lena Dunham, Girls
Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie

And the winner is... Julia Louis-Dreyfus.  Sigh... I like her... I really do. But, I wanted Amy Poehler to win.  Because, she's awesome.  And she was absolutely great last year.

So, Julia starts out by thanking the folks at NBC and Parks and Rec. And, it's Amy Poehler's speech. So, they switch back.

I love how the women do a funny thing each year.

There is nothing funny about the idea of Julia Louis-Dreyfus being Vice President.

Okay, the last bit was awesome.  Isn't it a shame that Amy Poehler didn't win?  Yes!!

It's Matthew Perry (watch Go On only on NBC!)

And Matthew Perry is announcing who already won for Guest Actor and Actress in a Comedy.  Which were already announced on Saturday.  But, he likes attention so that's good.  Yeah, that was off...

And the winners were Kathy Bates and Jimmy Fallon (and Mattew Perry had to wait for their applause, which was nice).

And now Kathy Bates and Jimmy Fallon are announcing the winners for Best Comedy Direction.

Okay that was cute... The directors explain what makes a good director.  Apparently, being Jewish helps (Louis CK, notwithstanding).

And the winner is... Steve Levitan (Modern Family). 

Okay, if you've already won four times, a win can't be shocking.  Though, I guess since this is his first directing win, that makes a bit more sense.

Somewhat funny egoist acceptance speech.  Getting titters if not out loud laughter.
But, he ends with some nice self-deprecating humor.

And the Modern Family cast talks about how nice everyone is, except the actress who plays Lilly.  Okay, that's really funny. 

And, Mindy Kaling and Melissa McCarthy are presenting...

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Don Cheadle, House of Lies
Louis C.K., Louie 
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
It's time for Louis C.K. to take home the Emmy. 

Wow, the actresses really wanted to get through that quickly.  I wonder if McCarthy is getting sick of doing the same thing in every awards show. And, Larry David apparently isn't there tonight.

And the winner is Jon Cryer?  I totally give up.  I don't see it, but neither does Cryer, apparently.  I actually think he's legitimately surprised. I wonder if this is a response to the whole Charlie Sheen thing.  Did he thank Ashton Kutcher? I know he thanked Chuck Lorre, but I didn't hear him thank his cast.  Though, I guess he didn't have a speech because he didn't think he'd win.  Which, I didn't think he'd win either, so I get it.

Jim Parsons and Zoey Deschannel are giving out the award for...
Best Writing for a Sitcom...

So, Zoey does not read off a teleprompter all that well. 

Louis CK wins...  

And Jimmy is in the audience speaking to Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul about what their shows would be like without cable.

And, it's an Andy Griffith homage, as Paul and Cranston take out Don Knotts.  Cute...

And Kat Dennings and Jon Cryer present for...

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory
Kathryn Joosten, Desperate Housewives
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live 
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Merritt Wever, Nurse Jackie


Awwww... I forgot that Kathryn Joosten passed away. And, the crowd is getting into cheering for the nominees for this category.


And the Emmy goes to Julie Bowen.  Meh... She's good, I suppose, but I would like to see someone else win this one.  It's such a strong category. 


Also, I'm not crazy about the lady who's announcing the tidbits about the winners.  Bring back John Hodgman! 


And, nipple covers is getting a lot of play.  I wonder if it's trending on twitter.



Amy Poehler and Louis CK are presenting the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

And Louis is wearing a suit.  Sure, it's a black suit, but it's a suit nonetheless...  And, I like Amy's dress.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Max Greenfield, New Girl
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
Ed O’Neill, Modern Family
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live

I had Bill Hader winning, but Eric Stonestreet takes the win.  So, the Modern Family cast does not split the vote. He spends most of the time singing Jesse Tyler Ferguson's praises, which is cool. And, hes' crying as he tells all the actors out there to stick with it.  That's sweet.

Okay, this is a bit of a late start, but it's finally started. The 2012 Emmy Awards have begun (yes, I'm an hour and 17 minutes late).

I love Christina Hendricks Emmy surprise face.  And Connie Britton needs to be on my tv every day.  So, worst case scenario, I'll watch Friday Night Lights every day.  Not a bad plan B.

Also, I like that they brought up the horror of the year the reality hosts hosted.

And, I like Jimmy Kimmel, cause he's got the funny. 

Also, Kathy Bates, Martha Plimpton, Ellen Degeneres, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. 

I enjoyed this cold open, though there is a chance it's the half-glass of wine talking.

And, heeeeeere's Jimmy...

Love that Philo gets his due cred. Aaron Sorkin must be so proud.

I'm surprised that Jimmy is getting kind of political.

But, that's a great line about the president shouldn't watch Homeland, just like Charlie Sheen shouldn't watch Breaking Bad.

And, yes, I do need to watch Girls. 

A horse meat joke... daring.  Possibly more daring than the Kelsey Grammar joke.

Booo... no nomination for drama for any broadcast channel.  Though, to be fair, I'm not sure what I would have nominated on the broadcast side.



Emmy Picks!

And it's time for the most exciting time of the year for a tv fan... The National Association of Television Arts & Sciences Awards for Excellence - more commonly knows as the EMMYS!

Below, please find my choices of what i think should win, not necessarily what I think will win.  

Outstanding Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire
Breaking Bad
Game of Thrones
Downton Abbey
Mad Men
Homeland
This is going to be one of the many categories where it's going to be close. If Homeland doesn't take it, I think Mad Men could get the win.  However, it's got to be said that one day I would like to see a broadcast network drama be nominated again. Will next year be the year? 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Hugh Bonneville, Downton Abbey
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad 
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Damian Lewis, Homeland
This was a toughy, because I LOVE Damian Lewis, but I've been hearing ridiculous things about Bryan Cranston, and quite frankly, I'm still on the emotional high from last year's Emmys when Kyle Chandler won.  So, I'm okay if Cranston takes the win... again. 



Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Kathy Bates, Harry’s Law
Glenn Close, Damages
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
Claire Danes, Homeland 
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
I think Danes will take the victory, but I'd be okay with a Moss, Margulies or Dockery victory, as well.  

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad 
Giancarlo Esposito, Breaking Bad
Brendan Coyle, Downton Abbey
Jim Carter, Downton Abbey
Jared Harris, Mad Men
Another stupidly difficult category. I think it's Aaron Paul's to lose, but Esposito also had a hell of a great story/season, so the worry is that they'll split the Breaking Bad vote. Ditto for the Downton Abbey folks, so it's possible that Dinklage will take home the trophy again. Though I still think Paul will grab it.

Outstanding Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Girls
Modern Family
30 Rock
Veep
I think Modern Family will repeat (in a less stellar season), but I can also see Girls sneaking through with the win. 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men 
Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife
Oh gosh, I want Christina Hendricks to win.  I really, really do.  The episode where she XXXXXX with the XXXXX, nearly killed me.  Though, this is another category, where I would be happy for any of the nominees to take home the statue.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Don Cheadle, House of Lies
Louis C.K., Louie 
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
It's time for Louis C.K. to take home the Emmy.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Lena Dunham, Girls
Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Yes, all of the actresses are great, but Amy Poehler better win this one, or there will be riots in my corner of West End Avenue.  Yes, I said riots!
 

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
The Amazing Race 
American Idol
Dancing With the Stars
Project Runway
So You Think You Can Dance
Top Chef
Seriously, why even have this as a category? Has The Amazing Race ever lost?  And, yet, who can tell me anything about last season's Amazing Race? 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Max Greenfield, New Girl
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
Ed O’Neill, Modern Family
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live
Unless the Modern Family folks spread a whisper campaign that the voters should vote for one of them in particular, I think they will split the vote (though I say this every year, and I'm always wrong). I do think this is Bill Hader's year. Him or Ty Burrell.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory
Kathryn Joosten, Desperate Housewives
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live 
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Merritt Wever, Nurse Jackie
I would like to see a Mayim Bialik win because I do think she's breathed new life into BBT, but I think the voters are going to give it to Wiig as a good luck in the movies gesture.