Emmy Awards Post Mortem

No Monday Movie Showcase today. Instead, I have some quick thoughts about last night’s Emmy Awards and, in keeping with the theme of TV, this week I will have a quick take on a few seasons of Damages and a Summer TV Report card. The Fall TV season has officially begin!

I only watch three awards shows — The Oscars, the Golden Globes and the Emmys. Some years, I don’t even watch any of them. Award shows are hugely unimportant; they have very little relevance to me and society in general. In 2 days, I always forget who actually won. But sometimes in years when there are good films and strong television, I tune in so I can watch Hollywood give self-congratulatory handjobs to one another because “you done good, kid!”  For a casual viewer of television, which is most of you, the Emmys are just a way of acknowledging that you either watch too much TV or not enough.

That being said, some really good shows were being honored last night so I knew I had to watch. I recorded the show but didn’t tune in til later in the evening, which is a practice I do for all award shows. Pacing is a major problem with these telecasts, and I eliminate the tedium by being able to zip through commercials, unnecessary categories (ahem, reality), and long-winded speeches.

So let’s get to it.

• The highlight of the evening: Aaron Paul’s win and speech. Yes, I really rooted for Giancarlo Esposito for this one, whose Gus Fring was a real highlight on one of the greatest shows on television. But when Paul’s name was announced, I was disappointed for about 5 seconds, and then I was absolutely elated for this guy. Aaron Paul is the real deal, the genuine article. His emotional, heartfelt speech all but confirmed it.
• I rolled my eyes when Jon Cryer won for Best Actor. I mean, is he really funnier than the other guys in the category? But then I realized… Jon Cryer is actually a funny guy (I’ve always liked him growing up), and he’s never in the tabloids or seeking out fame. He’s a down to earth guy who shows up for work and makes people laugh. So, good for you, Jon Cryer.
• Shocked to see Kathy Bates showing up for the ceremony, after just hearing about her double mastectomy. This woman is awesome.
• Can we please just change the name of the Emmys to the Louies, after Louis C.K.? This guy is endlessly brilliant and deserves all of the acclaim he gets.
• I thought Jimmy Kimmel was pretty funny. He appeared confident, right at home on stage and played with audience responses well. The opening bit in the bathroom and In Memoriam…Jimmy Kimmel had me chuckling throughout.
• I still think Breaking Bad is the be-all-and-end-all of drama shows, but seeing Homeland sweep up the major awards is something I cannot complain about. Damian Lewis, Claire Danes and Howard Gordon/Alex Gansa crafted a really well-done thriller. Bravo to Showtime for finally stepping up to the plate.
• But Showtime is still not HBO. Go Game Change! The performances in that movie are pretty awesome.
• Never watched Hatfields & McCoys, but I just may have to now. Not because they won a couple of Emmys but because I realized that I miss Kevin Costner. He doesn’t work nearly as often as he should. I’ve always liked him. And wow… seeing Tom Berenger up there was pretty cool. That’s another actor that just never stops working.
• Julia Louis-Dreyfuss looks fantastic. I haven’t really watched her in anything since Seinfeld. Yes, I think it’s time to jump into Veep.
• Some folks are harping on Modern Family for winning again. Yeah, I do wish they would spread the love a bit (umm, Parks and Rec? Please!), but the truth is, Modern Family still makes me laugh. A lot. I just love it.
• Nipple covers. That is all.
• Amy Poehler “switching speeches” with Julia Louis-Dreyfuss was utterly charming. Stephen Colbert tackling Jon Stewart before Stewart accepted his trophy was unexpectedly silly. It’s moments like these that could help inject some life into the usually dry Oscar telecasts.

Overall, solid show. Not a bad way to spend 90 minutes on Sunday night. What did everyone else think?