The 63rd Primetime Annual Emmy Awards aired last Sunday evening. “Glee” star Jane Lynch hosted television’s most time-honored award tradition, maneuvering the show through its moments of glory and monotony.
The show had more than a few highs and lows, with the following being some of the more noteworthy moments of the night.
Christina Hendricks’ husband, Geoffrey Arend, gave men everywhere hope that they too may have a chance at landing a girl way too hot for them. The guy who ate a very large bag of weed to avoid being arrested by the prankster cops in “Super Troopers” somehow ended up landing one of the hottest women on television. My limited mind doesn’t allow me to fully comprehend this anomaly, but God bless him.
The pre-show red carpet was more clumsy than sexy. Watching TV royalty fumbling their way through Ryan Seacrest interviews and hamming it up for the cameras was enough to induce vomiting.
The “In Memoriam” portion is always a touching segment of the award show, but if I have to suffer through one more lame cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” I’m going to chuck my TV out the window — and possibly throw myself out along with it. Give me Cohen himself or give me death.
Along those same lines, I still can’t stand “Glee.” Why does this show exist? Over-produced, whitewashed covers of what are generally already bad songs do not equal entertainment.
Host Jane Lynch introduced the cast of the HBO hit “Entourage.” Seeing the cast back together just one week after the show’s series finale to present an award got me slightly teary-eyed, even if the 8th and final season was a bit of a disappointment.
I was happy to see “Modern Family” win best comedy series. I was even happier to see Sofia Vergara.
Witnessing FX’s “Justified” gain some TV cred with Margo Martindale taking home best supporting actress in a drama was a definite highpoint. Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins are spectacular in the show as well. Martindale had a breakdown moment during her acceptance speech, which was sweet, as she gave “Justified’s” writers and cast the respect they deserve.
Zooey Deschanel and Gwyneth Paltrow, however, continue to be annoying. Their music, their acting, their overall presence is, quite simply, annoying. Deschanel’s husband is Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, and since they have been together, his band’s music has progressively gotten worse. Paltrow’s husband, Chris Martin of Coldplay, was never good, so I have nothing to say about her effect on him.
Charlie Sheen was present for the show and made an awkward apology as he tried to undo damage by wishing his best to the entire staff of “Two and a Half Men.” The controversy surrounding his former show was getting old months ago and is now beyond boring.
Peter Dinklage bringing it home with best supporting actor in a drama for his role in “Game of Thrones” appeared deserved, although I had hoped that Goggins would win. Dinklage thanking his dog sitter, Kitty, was one of the funnier moments in Emmy award speeches this year as well.
Judging from his wife’s glare, Steven Levitan might have revealed more than she had preferred regarding their personal life and inspiration for “Modern Family.” The cameras managed to catch her giving him the evil eye as he described a time when their kids walked in on them while they were having sex.
The biggest disappointment of the evening was Jimmy Fallon going home empty-handed. His late night show has come great lengths since its rocky start in 2009. As a long time Conan O’Brien fan, I have found myself switching channels to tune in to Fallon’s show instead. I believe Fallon works incredibly hard and has created a unique style of late night that retains the traditional elements of late night talk shows while incorporating quirky, fresh aspects.
Overall, the evening was a success. I didn’t notice many production hiccups or rushed “wrap it up” statements. Lynch did a good enough job of hosting and for the most part, the right people were awarded. I just hope David Duchovny and “Californication” find themselves with a little Emmy love next year.
Reach the reporter at tebrook1@asu.edu
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