Monday, September 21, 2009

My 2009 Emmys Review

The 61st Annual Emmys, with the theme this year “a tribute to Lorne Michaels”, benefited greatly by having Neil Patrick Harris host instead of Heidi Klum yet introduced maybe the most appalling innovation in all its 61 years. The promo scroll at the bottom of the screen. Right in the middle of someone’s acceptance speech they would flash “Jennifer Love Hewitt and Patricia Arquette in 5 minutes”. In other words, just 5 minutes until these nobodies are through and people you care about will again be on.

Never once during an actor’s speech however, did they flash “The Writers of BURN NOTICE in 6 minutes”.

It was painfully obvious that the producers had one goal only – reverse the ratings trend and not lose again to the WEATHER CHANNEL. The scroll was one device. Another was to pre-shoot several awards and only air edited versions (cutting out those interminable crosses from the winners’ seats up to the stage). But the ATAS realized that might be disrespectful to the industry when the major guilds threatened to boycott the show and not grant them use of any film clips.

So in reviewing the telecast I have to cut them some slack because they had to stage an awards show where they were forced to actually show the awards.

The evening started on a high note for me since KTLA Channel 5 once again rolled out their red carpet show. Hosted of course by celebrity footstool Sam Rubin and a random bimbo. This year’s tomato was Victoria Recano, who I learned is their evening news anchor. These two lovable chuckleheads are always good for a few idiotic questions and comments. Also present was Tom O’Neill (a so-called Emmys expert). Sam asked him for a preview of the show and he said, “The highlight will be the In Memoriam feature”.

And then there was fashion expert, Jennifer Dorogo (whoever the hell she is). Jen did not like Elizabeth Moss’ gown. So Sam asks, “Is there someone to blame?” Apparently not since Jen declares, “the celebrities have the final say”.

Victoria to Anna Gunn regarding her gown, “Who is this guy?”

Sam to Johnny Galecki of BIG BANG THEORY: “Have you heard from nerds?”

DEXTER’S Julie Benz, quite birdlike in a dress that looked like a chandelier was very excited to get the free mints KTLA doled out. My daughter Annie said, “That’s her dinner”.

More fashion critiques from Jennifer Dorogo who somehow mistook Lonny Ross (Josh on 30 ROCK) for Jennifer Morrison (of HOUSE).

The actual show got off to a rousing start with Neil Patrick Harris (in a white dinner jacket) singing a big splashy opening number. The Academy wanted to recapture the magic of Neil hosting the Tonys and they certainly succeeded. It was the gayest opening of the Emmys ever. But Doogie can really sing and perform and has a nice easy charm. I thought he was the best Emmy host in ages. Next year the show airs on a different network so depending on which it is; expect either Gordon Ramsay or Katherine Heigl.

There were fewer Kanye West jokes than I thought. Maybe twelve.

Very elegant comedy montage – pratfalls, sex jokes, and Tina Fey on the toilet. Doesn’t it seem like FRASIER’S been off the air for a hundred years?

Yay for Kristin Chenoweth who won for a show that ABC cancelled. Her voice is so squeaky high anyway that when she started to cry garage doors all over America went up. But her emotional speech felt very real and heartfelt and after directing her last sitcom I’m relieved that I didn’t kill her career.

A big comedy bit was “Best Seat in the House”. A supposed fan is given the best seat in the house. But one time it’s behind the Harlem Globetrotters and another it’s behind equipment. Ha ha. I’m sorry but I’d rather see a winning writer walk all the way from his house to the stage than that lame bit.

Much funnier was the mock commentary by John Hodgman and Neil Patrick Harris introducing presenters by their most cringeworthy credits. Fortunately for me, no one from MANNEQUIN 2 was a presenter this year.

Olivia Wilde had the dress of the night, maybe the year. It was a two-piece white backless gown. Feathers over her left breast and then the other part. All she needed was a parrot on her elbow and she could get a thousand dollars a night performing at the Badda Bing.

I’m sure Toni Collette deserved her award. I understand she was very good. What show was she on again?

The Reality Show montage: five minutes of angry people being bleeped. This is the “excellence in television” we’re celebrating tonight.

When Jessica Lange was thanking everyone in the world I was hoping for a promo crawl underneath her to say, “Jessica Lange speech over in 8 minutes.”

One category they should eliminate is “Guest Actor/Actress” for comedy and drama. These are nothing more than a salute to stunt casting. It’s a reward for movie stars to slum it and do TV or former TV stars to get a big payday while they still can. Steve Martin, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Aniston, and perennial Ellen Burstyn (who actually won one year for being on camera literally 14 seconds). Replace the category with “Newcomers of the Year”. The ATAS wants new viewers? Honor new talent. Can you imagine anyone who uses the word “dude” rooting for Ellen Burstyn?

How is Jimmy Smits considered a “Guest” actor on DEXTER? He was in 12 of the 13 episodes.

Debra Messing came dressed as Aerial, the little Mermaid.

I was thrilled for Michael Emerson and Cherry Jones. Happy for Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin (although I would have been happier for Jim Parsons).

Jeff Probst – Best Reality Host. Hugh Laurie can’t win an Emmy but this guy now has two for saying “Wanna know what you’re playing for?” every friggin’ episode.

During the Movies & Mini-Series montage they should have had a promo crawl that said, “Music & Variety Awards in 38 minutes.”

Note to winner Shohreh Aghdashloo: Sleeves!!

How did Bruce Gowers win an Emmy for directing AMERICAN IDOL? First of all, it was in the musical-variety category. Isn’t AMERICAN IDOL a reality show? And second, how hard is it to direct AMERICAN IDOL? One singer at a time comes out and stands in the same spot. And the judges all sit at one table. Half the nimrods on YouTube could do that.

Only in television could the great Sir Ian McKellan, Kenneth Branaugh, Kevin Kline, Kevin Bacon, and Brendan Gleeson be up for the same Best Actor in a Movie award with Keifer Sutherland for the two-hour 24.

After Ken Howard thanked someone for giving him a kidney, isn’t it a little hard for the next winner to go up and thank Lorne Michaels?

FAMILY GUY might’ve won for Best Comedy had they campaigned.

I hear GREY GARDENS was great unless you were expecting the musical.

No one who watched any of the mini-series or movies-for-television had the slightest clue what the DR. HORRIBLE bit was all about.

Congratulations to all the Creative Arts winners although there was not even a single mention of them this year. “Creative Arts” is a nice word for “crew”. To use a football analogy (since most people were watching the Cowboys-Giants game anyway) they’re the offensive line that protects the quarterback. Without them Teri Hatcher would be sacked forty times a game.

Question about the Variety montage – There was a shot of the Inauguration. The Presidential Inauguration is now considered Musical/Variety?

You’re going to think I’m making this up but I’m not. While the winners of the best song were giving their acceptance speech a promo crawl appeared that read, “In Memoriam in 11 minutes”.

The one criticism everyone had about the Oscars was that instead of just showing the people who passed on full screen during the “In Memoriam” segment, they opened with a long shot of the stage, the names and faces appearing on a screen in the background while an anguished singer performed in the foreground. That was universally reviled. So what do the Emmys do? The exact same thing.

I was happy for Matthew Weiner of MAD MEN although during his speech I half expected a promo crawl to say, “Summer Olympics in 3 years”.

No big surprises for the honored shows. MAD MEN, 30 ROCK, THE AMAZING RACE, THE DAILY SHOW. All well deserved. But if LOST, DEXTER, FAMILY GUY, or THE COLBERT REPORT had won I wouldn’t have been that upset.

Will all the “improvements” and Neil Patrick Harris be enough to turn the tide? It’s hard to say. They certainly made some strides. But the WEATHER CHANNEL had a special on hail storms in Kansas. I’m not optimistic.

67 comments :

rob! said...

Have NPH host the Oscars. I'd love to see him continue his "Mention the star's most embarrassing credit" bit there.

Anonymous said...

Rob, do you really want to run the risk of him announcing the star's most embarrassing credit as "last night with your mum"?

Yeah, it's a cheap shot, but fuck it, I'm not up for any awards. This year.

Pat Reeder said...

Thanks for the rundown of the Emmys, which saved me having to watch them and I'm sure was far more entertaining. I was busy writing when they were on, which I intend to be every year until they finally give Hugh Laurie the Emmy he deserved five years ago. BTW, where are they getting these winners? I recently got AT&T U-Verse, for the first time in my life I have over 300 channels, and I still can't find half the shows they gave Emmys to.

Re: Olivia Wilde, I am a huge "House" fan and irredeemably straight, but I don't get all the panting over her. Her character on the show is annoying, and I really hope they write her out this year. As for her being the sexiest woman on TV, maybe she is if you're turned on by lab skeletons. To me, she's so skinny, if she swallowed an olive she'd look nine months pregnant.

doggans said...

NPH and Hodgman were fantastic, but I expected no less.

And the Dr. Horrible bit made me very happy. Stealthily, we geeks have begun our takeover of the awards show empire.

Tallulah Morehead said...

So THAT'S why I didn't get the DR. HORRIBLE bit. I had watched all of the LITTLE DORRITT miniseries.

My review is also up, over at The Huffington Post, for any people who need an additional snark fix.

Re: Ken Howard thanking his kidney donor: imagine if all the actresses thanked men who had - ah - "donated" them an organ.

Cheers all.

Shannon said...

Ditto doggans. I've never watched the Emmys before, and only did so this year because of NPH. I was overjoyed at the Dr. Horrible segment. I also thought it was an interesting nod to how the nature of entertainment is changing and I thought it was very courageous (and smart) of television to acknowledge that times ARE a'changing (and have been for a while).

Anonymous said...

I think NPH would be great on the Oscars. He can resurrect that classic line:

Oprah - Uma. Uma - Oprah."

VW: Fessoca. Admitting to a sh*tty credit in your past.

Joni Rodgers said...

I'm so proud of Kristin Chenoweth! Ken, I ghosted her memoir "A Little Bit Wicked" (NY Times bestseller!) and I hope you'll grab it and read what she said about you and the ill-fated sitcom. She has nothing but happy memories and good feelings about it.

And how much did you love the glasses bit? Here's my take on that: http://tinyurl.com/l73cf5

John Leader said...

Matt Weiner mocking Ken Howard was lame. NPH was good. And, as always, your review was great, Ken.
Watching the East Coast feed still gave me time to catch the important part of the Giants/Cowboys game, too.

Edward Copeland said...

Ellen Burstyn was nominated for her 11 second or whatever performance, but she didn't actually win for it. I agree their categories make no sense. Saturday Night Live is a Variety, Music or Comedy series, yet performers are eligible for supporting actor, actress, guest actor and actress in a comedy series all because they decided to eliminate the individual performance in a variety musical or comedy series or special category. Why American Idol, a reality competition series contender, was eligible for directing in variety also was beyond me. Really I don't understand why they bother with reality categories on the main show anyway since it's always Amazing Race and they didn't even bother to tell us what one for animated series or variety, music or comedy special. Also, why did original song suddenly get bumped to the broadcast this year? While I can't complain about Bryan Cranston winning, I fear Hugh Laurie is going to end up on that long list of multinominated but never won actor/characters like John Goodman for Roseanne, Jason Alexander for Seinfeld and Jeffrey Tambor for The Larry Sanders Show.

Unknown said...

Maybe I had too much too drink watching the show, but I don't remember a crawl at the bottom of the screen.

Edward Copeland said...

One other note: I never understand why any award show, when they do the In Memoriam section, don't have the good sense to turn off the audience microphones so it doesn't sound like a popularity contest in terms of applause with "We're sadder that he's dead than we are about her." At least the song was more appropriate than the one at the Tonys, when they sang "What I Did for Love" from "A Chorus Line" for some reason.

Michael said...

The Emmy Awards were on? I was watching "Masterpiece Mystery." I think "Inspector Lewis" is now just about as good as "Inspector Morse," partly because they keep referring back to dear old Morse.

SharoneRosen said...

Toni Collett was beyond brilliant on the cable prod, The United States of Tara. I usually watch awards just for the cheese factor (of which there was plenty), but I was very pleased to see her win!

Mary Stella said...

NPH was in the Dr. Horrible bit? I was too busy cougar-ogling Nathan Fillion to notice the other guy.

Kanye West references were equaled in number only by people telling NPH what a great job he was doing as host. Was "constant positive reinforcement" written into his hosting contract?

Did I understand it right that Tina Fey and Justin Timberlake actually won their Emmies in the "earlier ceremony". Did they not give acceptance speeches at the time?

Michaela Watkins probably wasn't part of the Lorne Michaels love fest.

Strangest moment: Bill Compton winning an award for Best Breakthrough Performance. Bill, you weren't nominated for an actual Emmy but your adoring public voted you in for a prize from Vaseline Skin Infusion. They wanted to call it the Best Breakout Performance but Proactiv and Clearasil wouldn't sponsor.

I liked the bit with the Best Supporting Actress in a comedy nominees wearing strange eyeglasses, patches, etc. Did Vanessa Williams decline to participate or wasn't she asked? Ditto Sarah Silverman donning a mustache for her closeup.

Ray Sanford said...

One of the most boring shows I've ever seen. Luckily, I have TIVO (the greatest invention in showbiz) so I could skip through most of it.

Alan Coil said...

From your first paragraph:

"In other words, just 5 minutes until these nobodies are through and people you care about will again be on."

Exactly naming our current society. No conversation can go uninterrupted by a cell phone or a text message. No 2 minutes of an entertainment program can pass without notice of what is coming next.

Is it an freaking wonder rating are down? Treat me like an idiot often enough and I'll go away. I am not an enabler.

Alan Coil said...

"Without them Teri Hatcher would be sacked forty times a game."

I wouldn't mind sacking her once.

(I am such a p-i-g pig.)

Unknown said...

The year-in-reality montage bothered me, too.

It's time for Academy voters to start watching their screeners and rewarding excellence instead of popularity. I enjoy The Amazing Race, but there's other engaging, entertaining, exceptionally well-made reality out there.

Karl said...

I was okay with the crawl on the screen, I guess that's a sign of how much we're getting used to such things...

As I was watching the cast of Big Bang Theory, I told my fiance that David Hyde Pierce would be a PERFECT guest star as a relative of Sheldon's. They're getting really good guest stars in other parts, I think he'd fit right in. Anyhow, just a thought.

zadig said...

Debra Messing came dressed as Aerial, the little Mermaid.

In reality, she would have been dressed as Aerial, the little mermaid's outdoor TV antenna. Which even Debra Messing would need to lose a whole lotta weight for.

And that little mermaid's sisters, Rabbit Ears and Ham Radio Whip, would (both) have been played by Calista Flockhart.

And yes, I'm the one who gave Ken shit about his gratuitous fat jokes. Skinny jokes are *totally* different. Really. Besides, this is really a spelling joke.

Anonymous said...

Here's a sign you may have diluted the prestige of your award:

It would probably take less time to list all those people in the country who haven't been nominated for an Emmy.

Oh, and it would almost certainly be more entertaining, too.

Anonymous said...

Troy:

but there's other engaging, entertaining, exceptionally well-made reality out there.

Yes, folks should try turning off the TV for a bit and experiencing it...

Ken Houghton said...

"I’m sure Toni Collette deserved her award. I understand she was very good. What show was she on again?"

The one that EW feels compelled to promote to no end because one of their columnists is the, er, writer.

I think it's a sequel to Buffy, in tribute to the character who got mind-raped one season and, when the brilliant Joss couldn't think of anything else, got mind-raped again at the end of the next season, before being mercifully put out of her misery and allowed to write novels instead. But I could be wrong.

Anonymous said...

Dude, I love Ellen Burstyn!

'Course, I didn't even know who she was, until Requiem for a Dream in 2000.

Who doesn't live here anymore?

Anonymous said...

"MAD MEN, 30 ROCK, THE AMAZING RACE, THE DAILY SHOW. All well deserved. But if LOST, DEXTER, FAMILY GUY, or THE COLBERT REPORT had won I wouldn’t have been that upset."

That word placement makes it sound like you consider Dexter a comedy and Family Guy a reality show. Which is awesome.

Anonymous said...

I wish they had included George Eckstein in the In Memoriam.

Anonymous said...

Hey!Just spotted you on Huffington Post front page! Yeah Ken!

pbs watcher said...

I don't get it. Earlier this year you complained that the writers may not be presented on the show. That idea was recanted. Now you tear the show apart. If I think I'm going to hate a party I do everything I can to get out of going. So I don't understand why you campaigned for the writers if you knew this was going to be so bad.

Anonymous said...

HELP!!! What was the name of the song that played during the variety montage????

Sunny Franklin said...

Sleeves? That's harsh, Ken.

AlaskaRay said...

Ken Levine said:
"Question about the Variety montage – There was a shot of the Inauguration. The Presidential Inauguration is now considered Musical/Variety?"

When they showed that, my first thought was if it won, would Obama show up to accept?

Ray

Bill Peschel said...

My God, all these comments and not one word about the Family Guy segment, in which a dog is beaten bloody and its head dunked in the toilet?

I admit, I was in the newsroom and working, so I didn't catch the whole bit, but what I saw didn't make me want to stop and find out why.

And it's not that I'm being prudish. How can I love "South Park" and "The Simpsons", and love crude humor when it's done well, and be disgusted by this?

What do y'all think of it?

Anonymous said...

@Peschel, i too thought the Family Guy segment was awful. not funny one bit, and having stewie spout lines from 'how i met your mother' only underlined what genius that show is, and what an utter dud Family Guy is.

Anonymous said...

Not only was the Family Guy stuff unnecessary, but it was re-used. The "Stewie beats up Brian" gig was done ages ago on the show. Still haven't figured out why they thought it was so funny they hung all the Emmy spots on it.

Anonymous said...

When the screen crawlers started lying, I changed channels.Twice it advertised people I wanted to see.Twice the time mentioned passed,then doubled, and the actor never appeared as a winner, or presenter. They were panned for 5 seconds in the audience.Maybe that's what the crawler was referring to. They panned Sarah Silverman,mustache and all, when the award went to someone else. Was pissed even with the mustache !

Anonymous said...

ricky gervais should just f-n host - it was the only time i laughed out loud, several times - throughout the entire television season, not just the emmy's...

Anonymous said...

seth macfarlane - family guy - 100 million dollar deal

seriously????

Paul in Kirkland said...

I have a feeling that Sarah Mclachlan will rue the day that she sang at the Emmys.

She will now be the obligatory In Memoriam singer.

Maybe they should just promote all the awards shows with "Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, with Sarah Mclachlan singing in about 78 minutes."

Leafy Greens said...

@ Bill Peschel: Thanks for asking- Family Guy always makes me think of the Albert Brooks line in Broadcast News, about the devil gradually lowering our standards, bit by little bit. Since Fox is paying MacFarlane 100 million, I guess FG is doing its part to lower viewers' IQs into the single digits.

But enlightened democracy will have a chance as long as we have stuff like this: "(Kristin Chenoweth's) voice is so squeaky high that when she started to cry garage doors all over America went up."

I couldn't stop laughing. Since she was asking for a job last night, maybe she can be the new voice for Tom Tom. Adds a new feature to your GPS!

Mike M. said...

Although Toni Collette is a good actress, I just think the winner of Best Actress in a Comedy should be, well, funny.

Have you seen "the United States of Tara"? Funny it is not. Weird, yes, funny, no. I love weird, but next time I'd like to see a truly funny lady get it.

WV: noape - What the Emmy Awards didn't have.

Buttermilk Sky said...

I agree with Anonymous about Ricky Gervais.

Couple of years ago at the Oscars, didn't Robert Altman thank the donor of his heart? A trend is clearly developing.

Would you be happier if the Inauguration was nominated in the Reality Show category?

arieswriting, I have no idea who George Eckstein is/was, but I wouldn't mind if next year's In Memoriam included Glenn Beck and Lou Dobbs.

Anonymous said...

George Eckstein

Tom Quigley said...

Ken said...

"Sam [Rubin] to Johnny Galecki of BIG BANG THEORY: “Have you heard from nerds?”...

Logical answer: "Including your asking me this question?"...

velvet goldmine said...

I could be wrong, but I think "I Will Remember You" has been played over Solemn About Death Montages since Kevin Arnold's geography teacher died on "The Wonder Years." Or maybe that's the arms of the angels one. Same song, really.

The lyrics are horrible and the song is just so manipulative that it makes me feel rage instead of Solemn About Death.

Ken, I agree that it's unbelievable that the directors of these shows haven't learned not to start with the long stage shots when the video clips of the departed begin. In fact, it seems like that happens every time, not just at the last Oscars. I read this morning that Billy Mays had been left out of the tribute, and I thought, "How do you know for sure? Maybe he was that fuzzy dude at the beginning...or the one after that."

Tallulah Morehead said...

"Bill Peschel said...
My God, all these comments and not one word about the Family Guy segment, in which a dog is beaten bloody and its head dunked in the toilet?"

I complained about it in my posted piece. Revolting excuse for comedy. Gets laughs from the sort of people who think Quentin Tarantino is a "genius." But somewhere, Michael Vick was rolling in the aisles.

On my posting, one reader left a comment defending it with "Obviously, you've never watched FAMILY GUY."

I replied, right, and now I never will.

Rory L. Aronsky said...

Joni Rodgers wrote...
I'm so proud of Kristin Chenoweth! Ken, I ghosted her memoir "A Little Bit Wicked" (NY Times bestseller!) and I hope you'll grab it and read what she said about you and the ill-fated sitcom.

Joni, thank you so much for a wonderful pre-summer read. Unlike other ghosted celebrity books, this one had an actually personality shine through. You're a terrific writer, and Kristin Chenoweth will always be a luminous personality. I still miss "Pushing Daisies," partly because of her.

Rory L. Aronsky said...

I meant "an actual personality," or I could have also gone with "actually a personality." Either way, thank you, thank you, thank you.

And Ms. Chenoweth is also partly what saved "The West Wing" for me long after Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme left.

Scott in Harbor City said...

Isn't Kristin Chenoweth the best? She seems so nice and full of life - I'm sure she just lights up any room she enters!

Anonymous said...

That 'fuzzy dude' at the start of the memorial montage was Edie Adams followed by Gale Storm. Kinda disrespectful. And I whole-heartily agree with the person who said the audience mikes should be turned off during this.

Nathan said...

Sorry to be late to the party.

My favorite part of their "Best Seat in the House" gag was when they cut to the overhead shot of her and then craned up to show a house that was 80% empty. Methinks everyone had to go to the bar all at once?

Anonymous said...

Ken, you wanted Family Guy to win- WHY, so the so would suck even worse?

Anonymous said...

uh, "show", NOT so ;(...

Mel Ryane said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
D. McEwan said...

"Scott in Harbor City said...
Isn't Kristin Chenoweth the best? She seems so nice and full of life - I'm sure she just lights up any room she enters!"

You mean like a church? Maybe she's lighting candles to her make-believe god.

The horrible character on STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP that Sarah Paulson played was based on Chenweth and her creepy Christianity. I can't abide the superstitious nutjob, nor her ear-splitting voice. She's talented, yes, but she momentarily darkens my living room, as the screen goes dark for a moment as I change channels.

"Nathan said...
My favorite part of their 'Best Seat in the House' gag was when they cut to the overhead shot of her and then craned up to show a house that was 80% empty."

Although I'd list the percentage of empty seats as lower than 80% (looked more like 25% to me), I certainly did notice whole empty rows. I thought "Well, they've saved money on seat-fillers. That was a mistake"

My favorite part of their 'Best Seat in the House' gag was when they gave up and stopped doing it. It didn't even hit Rule of Three, so obviously, they saw it was bombing, and cut the next callback.

Mel Ryane said...

I'm concerned that you're going to sound like a bitter-out-of-the-loop-former-player when you write stuff like:

Note to winner Shohreh Aghdashloo: Sleeves!!

This is beneath you. I'm a big fan of your writing and perspective but am disappointed with that particular review.

Smiley Lee said...

Seriously. I usually enjoy your writing, but that comment was uncalled for.

Plus, in the photos I saw she looks gorgeous. Like this one: http://tinyurl.com/shohreh1

(Not to mention, it's extremely hard to find a dress with sleeves that doesn't look dowdy and mother-of-the-bride-ish.)

VP81955 said...

The horrible character on STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP that Sarah Paulson played was based on Chenweth and her creepy Christianity. I can't abide the superstitious nutjob, nor her ear-splitting voice. She's talented, yes, but she momentarily darkens my living room, as the screen goes dark for a moment as I change channels.

From what I know about Kristin Chenoweth, if that character was based on her, it was an "evil twin," so to speak. (I've also heard that character was based on former "SNL" cast member Victoria Jackson, who's far more of a fundamentalist than Kristin.) Chenoweth may be a Baptist girl from Oklahoma, but from all accounts she's a very tolerant lady; indeed, she's one of Ellen DeGeneres' favorite guests. (Moreover, if you're anti-gay in the Broadway community, you'd best keep those thoughts to yourself. If people there thought she was prejudiced, she could be twice as talented as she is and not get anywhere in the biz.)

If you don't like Kristin's speaking voice or her sunny personality or belief in God, fine, but I doubt she's a fundie bigot. If I headed the Oklahoma Democratic party, I'd talk to her about running for the U.S. Senate to displace one of those two GOP nutjobs currently holding office. And anyway, Barbara Mikulski needs someone in the chamber she can literally see eye-to-eye with.

wv: "flucul" -- collecting samples of H1N1 from those who have it. (Better wear a mask and gloves.)

velvet goldmine said...

"Amen," VP. Unless Christianity is automatically creepy, I don't see where D. McEwan is coming from. I've not heard anything that raises my hackles about her. What am I missing?

Since Chenoweth is a former girlfriend of Aaron Sorkin's, I'm sure there's a whole skewed filter from which he was creating that Studio 60 character.

John Pearley Huffman said...

You had a chance to kill Kristin Chenoweth's career and you didn't do it? For shame!

D. McEwan said...

"velvet goldmine said...
'Amen,' VP. Unless Christianity is automatically creepy, I don't see where D. McEwan is coming from."

Yes, Christianity is automatically creepy. It's the 21st century; time to move past the superstitions of our ignorant ancestors, particularly the ones which gave us 1000 years of The Dark Ages, and which makes hypocrisy a lifestyle, not to mention what it's done to our electorate.

" VP81955 said...
From what I know about Kristin Chenoweth, if that character was based on her, it was an 'evil twin,' so to speak. (I've also heard that character was based on former 'SNL' cast member Victoria Jackson, who's far more of a fundamentalist than Kristin.)"

I never said she was a fundie, nor an anti-gay bigot. Sorkin's relationship with Chenoweth was being worked out in Paulson's character's relationship with the producer character on the show. Even Sorkin never had the bad taste to date Victoria Jackson. And yes, Jackson is FAR worse than Chenoweth.

Also, Paulson's character was supposed to be talented (although the show's brief comedy sketch segments never backed that up with any proof), and that pretty much rules out Jackson, whereas, I must always grudgingly admit to Chenoweth's talent.

" VP81955 said...
If I headed the Oklahoma Democratic party, I'd talk to her about running for the U.S. Senate"

What makes you think she isn't a Republican? I know nothing about her politics, but ye Gods, imagine listening to a campaign speech from that voice! Her committing a filibuster is forbidden by the Geneva Conventions.

I have close friends who are big Chenoweth fans, but not me. She's a channel-changer. Ellen can have on whomever she likes. Chenoweth isn't the first person I can't abide Ellen has had on. For some reason, she doesn't ask my approval before booking guests.

But I'm not in favor of handing the reigns of government to folks who actually believe virgins can have babies and that carpenters can rise from the dead.

VP81955 said...

" VP81955 said...
If I headed the Oklahoma Democratic party, I'd talk to her about running for the U.S. Senate"


What makes you think she isn't a Republican? I know nothing about her politics, but ye Gods, imagine listening to a campaign speech from that voice! Her committing a filibuster is forbidden by the Geneva Conventions.


1. She's probably the closest thing to a Democrat who could get elected to the Senate from Oklahoma. (Then again, Bud Wilkinson ran for statewide office in Oklahoma, and lost. Okie State fans finally gained their revenge.)

2. She could always sing her campaign speeches.

wv: "triangs" -- two or more of those three-sided things.

Unknown said...

Just a thought: If you're like me and gave up dumbass award shows for which I was not nominated, therefore have no chance to win and why would I watch as a New Year's resolution 5, 6 years ago, HOW would I know there was "innovation" (you used it as a singular, not me)?

D. McEwan said...

"VP81955 said...
2. She could always sing her campaign speeches"

Okay. I'll grant you that would be preferable to her speaking them. I suppose she could adapt "Popular" from WICKED into a campaign anthem.

Edward Copeland said...

Poor Kristin wouldn't get anywhere in Oklahoma politics because she declared (gasp) tolerance for homosexuals. A woman's group in the state actually canceled a planned appearance by her years ago because of it. Besides, she got out to success in NY and LA, why the hell would she want to come back?

Question Mark said...

Agreed to Ken's comment about Jimmy Smits. He was even in the opening credits, for pete's sake. Smits did a fantastic job in the role, by the way --- had he been in the main supporting category, it's quite possible he would've displaced Emerson for the win. Then again, I've wanted Emerson to win for three years, so I'm not too broken up over Smits not being in the category.

I know that there are a lot of Hugh Laurie fans on this blog (and rightly so, the man is a fantastic actor), but for those of you who have never seen Breaking Bad, trust me, Bryan Cranston deserved that Emmy as much as anyone ever has. He delivered the best performance of anyone this year, bar none.

Andrea said...

I thought the same thing about the Inauguration. Was it simply because of Aretha's performance, you think? Or just her crazy hat?

The crawl on the bottom drove me nuts, as well. This was not ESPN, or CNN, it was the Emmy's! If you don't expect to watch for 2+hrs and know that the good stuff is at the end when your DVR cuts off, what DO you expect?