The annual Primetime Emmy Awards, which celebrates achievement in primetime television programming was held this past Sunday on FOX. This year’s ceremony was hosted by Andy Samberg and as with most award shows, there was a lot of humor, tears, fashion and some awkwardness. In my first post on this blog, I expressed my not so great love for the Emmy Awards, specifically for their consistent habit of awarding the same actors and shows year after year.
I do not advocate denying a deserving winner but the fact is it makes for VERY boring viewing when one can predict the winners every year. That was not the case for this year’s ceremony. Yes the night started off with a two-peat win for Alison Janney in the Supporting Actress in a Comedy category and Julia Louis Dreyfus had a four-peat win in the Lead Actress in a Comedy category but Sunday’s ceremony saw many first time winners which made for a very fun night. Below are my top 10 highlights.
1. Andy Samberg – He wasn’t on too much but when he was, he was funny, engaging and topical with his humor. He didn’t try to reinvent the wheel or try too hard to be funny and edgy. Instead he kept things light, entertaining and fun and moved the show along. And honestly, that’s all we can really expect from an awards show host. His opening monologue was hilarious.
2. Viola Davis Makes History – The first Primetime Emmy Awards were held in 1949. In the show’s sixty-plus year history, no African American woman had ever won in the Lead Actress in a Drama category – until this year. Two-time Academy Award nominee Viola Davis finally broke the trend by winning for her stunning portrayal of Annalise Keating in ABC’s How To Get Away With Murder. Let me just say, as someone who watches HTGAWM, yes the show is riddled with problems but Ms. Davis KILLS it every single time. She has a powerful and commanding presence and if you ever watch any scene on the show, watch the one where her character removes her wig – so powerful. Well aware of the significance of the moment, Viola gave a stunning and moving speech that made her win all the more special. You have to watch it in full.
Congratulations also to Regina King who seemed truly stunned and humbled by her win and Uzo Aduba who made her own history, winning in two separate categories (Comedy and Drama) for playing the same character.
3. Hamm Finally Takes It Home – After seven years of playing complex and enigmatic ad-man Don Draper on AMC’s critically lauded Mad Men, Jon Hamm finally took home the award for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for the show’s final season. Hamm had consistently been nominated for every season of the show but never won. There was an obvious heavy sentiment that he was due and you could tell that most of the audience was rooting for him. I thought he gave a very humble and heartfelt speech and that he seemed truly appreciative for the award and the moment.
4. In Memoriam – The In Memoriam segment is always sad and poignant to be honest. But I found this year’s particularly well-produced and beautiful. The use of Eva Cassidy’s gorgeous cover of Somewhere Over The Rainbow was a gorgeous choice. And there was simply no better way to end than with Leonard Nimoy’s iconic Dr. Spock’s “Live Long and Prosper” line.
5. Modern Family Dethroned – Let’s face it, it was time. It’s sad but I don’t think there was ANYONE in that audience, save for the show’s cast and crew, that was rooting for them to pull off a six-peat win in the Best Comedy Series category. In fact, I’m not sure even some of the cast and crew was rooting for a win knowing how much everyone else did not want to see them win. The truth is Modern Family is still a funny and decently written show. However, it by no means has been the best comedy on television for the last two years and those five straight wins have just succeeded in souring many on the show which really isn’t their fault. It’s more the fault of the voters and their laziness. But the backlash was loud enough that they finally got a clue and this year awarded HBO’s Veep with the honors.
6. Jon Stewart Goes Out In A Big Way – The Daily Show, which contrary to what many believe is actually still on but simply no longer helmed by Jon Stewart, was shown a lot of love by the academy voters. The show won in all three categories it was nominated in, including Outstanding Variety Talk Series. Jon Stewart, sporting some “I recently retired so I’m no longer trying” facial hair, accepted for the latter win and while he made a few quips, one could tell he was very genuinely moved that he and his team were honored one last time. It was the perfect period on an iconic television run.
7. Who’s That Girl – Lady Gaga, making her first appearance at the Primetime Emmy Awards, now that she’s dipping her toes in the world of television with the upcoming season of American Horror Story, took the stage not looking ANYTHING like Lady Gaga. Everything about her look screamed subtle and understated – from the beautiful, black silhouette gown to her simple hair and makeup. Gaga looked and acted like a sophisticated woman on Sunday night and it was gorgeous.
8. Tracy Morgan’s Emotional Return – It’s been more than a year since the tragic car accident that killed Tracy Morgan’s friend and seriously injured the comedian himself. At last year’s Emmy Awards, Morgan’s good friend Jimmy Kimmel sent him an emotional shout-out, saying he’d see him at the show next year. And he was right. Walking out to a standing ovation to hand out the night’s final award for Best Drama Series, Morgan very emotionally thanked the audience, his industry peers and fans for all their prayers and support. It was one of the most genuine and heartfelt moments of the night. Despite his emotions, he wouldn’t be Tracy Morgan if he didn’t throw in a joke or two and so of course he announced to us that some women would be leaving the after-party pregnant. Welcome back Tracy.
9. Heat – Yes the heat was its own story and truly a highlight at this year’s ceremony. The red carpet was a parade of women sweating out their hair and makeup and the men looking like they wished they could just strip off their jackets, get rid of their ties and unbutton a few buttons of their dress shirt. Apparently the temperature was at a sweltering 106 degrees and boy did it show. I actually felt sorry for these women in those over the top gowns, face caked with makeup, walking that long walk up the red carpet. Stars they’re just like us and that means the heat gets to them too.
10. Fashion – And finally, it’s not truly an award show without the fashion. This year’s show was no different. There was the good, the bad and oh dear god, why. Some of my favorites included:
Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell
She got it so right.
Laverne Cox in Calvin Klein
This was just a gorgeously fitted dress and beautiful silhouette.
Sarah Paulson in Prabal Gurung
A little safe but it works for her.
Julia Louis Dreyfus in Safiyaa London
She always gets it just right for her.
Sarah Hyland in Zac Posen
Stunning. Even her heat soaked hair could not ruin this look.
And now for the why…just why. I honestly couldn’t choose between these two and decided what the hell, I’d bestow them both with the honor.
Heidi Klum in Versace
Hot mess doesn’t even begin to describe it. This is like five different styles and ideas thrown in one god-awful yellow Big Bird inspired mess.
Claire Danes in Prada
My very first post on this blog was a recap of the Golden Globes where I picked Danes as my worse dressed. Congratulations, you’ve earned the honor once again. There is nothing good about this – from the hair and makeup that makes her look washed out and the god-awful dress. Just why?
PoPnOgR@PhY 