August 30, 2010

Emmys don't wear out welcome (VAR, ENV, NYT)

By Wiretap Staff

"Modern Family" may have rescued the Emmys, Variety opines today. Overall, the awards telecast has drawn positive reviews. From the "Glee"-style opening number to the group of new entrants who picked up statues, the show was a surprise. Or, as The New York Times sums up it was, "An Emmy night that didn't wear out its welcome."

Variety notes that the fresh show was key for the TV Academy as it heads into a brutal contract renegotiation to keep the telecast on the Big Four networks: "The Emmys needed an exciting string of wins this year, and they got it."

The biggest transition of power came in the comedy category where "Modern Family" broke "30 Rock's" three-year streak. But "Mad Men" once again triumphed in the drama category.

For "Lost" fans, there wasn't much joy, however, as the departed show failed to score any wins.

"Modern Family" won for best comedy, outstanding comedy writing and best supporting actor in a comedy for Eric Stonestreet.

"We're so grateful and thrilled that families are sitting down together to watch a TV show," the show's Steve Levitan said. "We're so happy that you have let us into your families."

Variety calls "Top Chef’s" win in the reality competition category the biggest shock. However, Kyra Sedgwick's win in the lead drama actress category also confounded those who had Julianna Margulies as a lock.

With the streak broken for "The Amazing Race," "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" becomes the show with the longest winning streak on television, The NYT notes.

Also new to the Emmy table were Jane Lynch for "Glee" and Jim Parsons for "The Big Bang Theory." First-timers on the drama side also included supporting thesps Aaron Paul ("Breaking Bad") and Archie Panjabi ("The Good Wife").

HBO's "Temple Grandin" gave Claire Danes, Julia Ormond and David Strathairn their first Emmys as well. Overall, HBO went eight for eight in the TV movie and miniseries categories.

Edie Falco picked up her fourth Emmy, but the first one for a comedy, "Nurse Jackie."

Falco's win made her the first actress to have ever won an Emmy in both drama and comedy. (Only two actors have achieved such a feat: Carroll O'Connor and Robert Young, Variety notes.)

Host Jimmy Fallon has good reviews today, not only for the opener but also for his impersonations of Elton John, Boyz II Men and Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong.

Of Fallon, The Envelope writes: "Throughout the program, Fallon played to the crowd at home as well as the industry audience with witty song parodies and an everyman quality that has been lacking from previous hosts who often try to seem too smart for the room."

On the negative side, many point out the overabundance of gay jokes. As the NYT notes, Neil Patrick Harris, who hosted last year’s show and is openly gay, joked that Fallon was the second openly gay actor in a row to host the Emmys. Then Matthew Perry told Lauren Graham that his new show was called "Mr. Sunshine" and she retorted, "So, another gay guy?" When the audience didn't laugh, Perry leaned forward and said, "That didn’t go as great as we thought."

As for reactions, Jon Hamm said of "Mad Men's" win: "It was completely unexpected. The quality of the nominees this season, more than ever, has been phenomenal. We are humbled and thankful."

And chiming in on how the cast would celebrate the win, little Sally Draper (Kiernan Shipka) added, "We party!"

For a full list of winners, click here.

Related Links

'Modern Family,' 'Mad Men' top Emmys (VAR)
2010 Emmy Awards: A night for new comedies, old dramas (ENV)
Emmys 2010: A third Emmy win for drama is 'unexpected,' says Jon Hamm (LAT)
‘Modern Family’ and ‘Mad Men’ Win at Emmys (NYT)
Fast-Moving and Manic, and All the Better for It (NYT)

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