Best and Worst Moments of the 2009 Emmys

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Last nights Emmys was leaps and bounds better than 2008. Summing up why it was so much better in two words: the host. Neil Patrick Harris was one of the best awards show hosts I've seen in recent history, and he really reignited a show that had been dying out in recent years. His opening number openly poked fun at the fact that no one watches these awards shows anymore - "Put Down The Remote" - while still thoroughly entertaining the audience. His singing and dancing (and word-memorizing!) abilities were stellar, and he kicked off the show with a bang! Not to mention how great he looked in the dapper white suit.

Besides NPH as host, here are my other highlights (and lowlights) of the 2009 Emmys!!:

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Best Moments:

1) MICHAEL EMERSON wins the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama for his work as Benjamin Linus on LOST. I actually shrieked out loud when his name was called. I absolutely think he was the most deserving nominee in this category and I'm so so so glad he won. P.S. does anyone else find Michael Emerson incredibly creepy in real life too? His speech, while short and sweet and overall great, was still really intense. Maybe it's just his creepy eyes....

2) Kristin Chenoweth taking home the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy. This was certainly one of the biggest shockers of the night, and was much deserved! Emmy voters chose to pay homage to the late and great Pushing Daisies, and Chenoweth's acceptance speech was adorable and one of the best of the night.

3) Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog interrupting the usual droll by the 'Accountants'. If you haven't already seen this 42 minute internet gem, you should. NPH is brilliant in it, and last night's clip making fun of the internet was ironic and hilarious. "Buffering"....haha

4) Ricky Gervais - Has he ever made an appearance at an awards show and NOT completely stolen the show? As usual, he poked fun at Steve Carrell (saying that in the television world, Carrell is actually considered handsome, which must make Gervais 'above average'...HAHA), and was in my opinion the funniest segment of the night (followed by NPH's opening, Jimmy Fallon's voice-distortion bit, and Conan's facebook video).

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Worst Moments:

1) Jon Cryer taking home the Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy. I can't even count the number of ways this was the most egregious award of the night. First of all, Two and a Half Men is a completely (in my opinion) worthless show, and everytime I've seen it I am dumbfounded at how it's so popular. Jon Cryer may even be a great actor, but you certainly can't tell by watching Two and a Half Men. Even worse though, was the list of incredible actors that he BEAT by winning this award. Neil Patrick Harris (DUH!), Rainn Wilson, Jack McBrayer, and Tracy Morgan are all FAR more deserving of this award. Sigh. And Cryer's sweater vest was just a fashion crime.

2) Dancing with the Stars performing in the middle of the show. Does anyone have any idea what that was about? It was just awkward...

3) The repetitiveness of so many of the categories. Now I'll completely admit that many of these winners were perfectly deserving (30 Rock, Jeff Probst, etc.) but seeing the same names and faces year after year is getting a little old. Repeats from last year include: 30 Rock for Best Comedy, Mad Men for Best Drama, Glenn Close for Lead Actress in a Drama, Bryan Cranston for Lead Actor in a Drama, Alec Baldwin for Lead Actor in a Comedy, Jeff Probst for Best Reality Host, and The Amazing Race for Best Reality Program.

Saddest Moment:

The tribute montage. It was shocking how many incredible entertainers passed this year. Bea Arthur, Farrah Fawcett, Patrick Swayze, Walter Cronkite, Natasha Richardson, MJ, Paul Newman...the list goes on.

Overall, though, the Emmys were a very enjoyable three hours!! Let the countdown til next years Emmys begin, yet again!

The 2009 Primetime Emmy Awards - Predictions

As usual, I am unbelievably excited (but prepared for disappointment) for this year's Emmy Awards!!! This year's Emmys are unlike past years for a variety of reasons. The ratings for the Emmys have been plummeting recently (and really, who's surprised, after last year's debacle with the 5 reality show hosts as Emmy hosts), and it's clear that the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is doing everything they can to turn things around.

First, they expanded all of the categories to have more (too many, in my opinion) nominees in the hopes that more main stream shows and actors will receive nominations. They're also apparently changing the formatting so that the presentations go by much faster, thus attempting to cut the show down from the several hour marathon it usually is. But no matter what they do this year, I worry that it will not be able to hold up against regular airings of TV shows like Mad Men (even though it's nominated for so many awards!), and the Giants-Cowboys game. Regardless, I am super super excited for the show, and I'm settled in for several hours of red carpet watching before the awards!

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Without further ado, I present my picks for the major Emmy categories:

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES:

My Pick: Lost - I said this last year, but it's all the more true this year: This was LOST's best season since season 1. Season 5, the next-to-last season of LOST, ever (*tear*) was phenomenal. It was a complete game-changer, and it did what LOST does best: answer our questions while blowing up 293488 more. I don't think the show really stands a chance, though, and I'm at least praying that the Emmy voters bestow this honor upon it next year after it's final season.
Will Win: Mad Men - The show won last year, and with all the hype it's received since then, it's almost sure to take home the golden statute yet again. I know I'm one of the very few people not on the Mad Men bandwagon, but it's hard to ignore all of the hype and Emmy voters are notorious for buying in to it.

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES:

My Pick: 30 Rock - Another fantastic season for NBC's golden child. This season was arguably 30 Rock's best, with all-star guest actors like Oprah and Jon Hamm and incredible episodes like 'Generalissimo'. How I Met Your Mother also had a great year, but I still think 30 Rock deserves the win.
Will Win: 30 Rock - Barring an upset from HIMYM, I expect Emmy voters to stick with what they know best. Despite having already won the past two years, it seems unlikely that the voters will turn to newbie nominee Family Guy or more obscure picks like Flight of the Conchords.

OUTSTANDING ACTOR, DRAMA:

My Pick: Hugh Laurie, House - I'm saying the exact same thing I said last year: How Hugh Laurie has never won for his role as House is beyond me, so his Emmy is FAR overdue.
Will Win: Hugh Laurie, House - I'm putting it out there and really giving the Emmy voters some credit this year. Yes, Jon Hamm would be a more glamorous choice given all the Mad Men hype, and it's possible Bryan Cranston will win again after how lauded he's been for his role in Breaking Bad, but I'm really going out on a limb here and saying that the Emmy voters will finally get it right.

OUTSTANDING ACTOR, COMEDY:

My Pick: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock - He submitted the 'Generalissimo' episode to the Academy this year, which was a very wise choice, as it was his best role since the episode where he counseled Tracy by playing his mother and father (best. scene. ever.). I never get sick of Jack Donaughy and I think he deserves the award yet again.
Will Win: Jim Parsons, Big Bang Theory - Parsons is getting a lot of buzz for his role on Big Bang Theory, and from the few episodes I've seen of this show, I have to admit the buzz is deserved. He's pretty stellar in his role as geeky emotionally detached Sheldon and it would be really nice to see a lesser-known name *cough* NOT Tony Shaloub *cough* take home the statute.

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS, DRAMA:

My Pick: I don't care for or watch most of these shows so I'm not particularly attached to any of these characters. Elisabeth Moss holds a special place in my heart after playing Zoey Bartlett on the West Wing, but I'm hesitant to give anything to Mad Men.
Will Win: Glenn Close, Damages - She won last year and from what I've read, it's hard to argue with her winning again.

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS, COMEDY:

My Pick: Tina Fey, 30 Rock - Fey was showered with publicity and praise after her portrayal of Sarah Palin on SNL, but I think that praise will carry over to her nomination for 30 Rock. Liz Lemon was on fire yet again this year, and a win for Fey is never unwarranted.
Will Win: Tina Fey, 30 Rock - There's still hype behind Christina Applegate for Samantha Who, but a cancelled show doesn't bode well for her chances. I think they'll give it to Tina yet again.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA:

My Pick: MICHAEL EMERSON, LOST - This award last year was far and beyond my greatest disappointment. I have absolutely no idea why Emmy voters are so completely idiotic as to not give this award to Emerson for his portrayal of Benjamin Linus on LOST. Many seasons later we STILL don't know if Ben is good or bad - and that, to me, is genius. This wasn't Emerson's best season on LOST (I'd say last year's was definitely stronger for him), so the fact that he didn't win last year does not bode well for this year. At least I'm prepared for the disappointment.
Will Win: Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad or John Slattery, Mad Men - Paul's chances look pretty good after Cranston won best actor last year, bringing Breaking Bad to the foreground in Emmy voter's minds. But it'll be really hard to ignore the incessant Mad Men chatter, which means the award may go to Slattery.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY:

My Pick: Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother - For the love of god, please give this award to NPH already. With him hosting the Emmys this year, NPH winning would be particularly legen - wait for it - dary. (yes I went there).
Will Win: Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother - Last season was Barney Stinson's best (finally giving him some dimension through his love for Robin) and with NPH as host this year, I really think the Emmy voters will finally get it right.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA:

My Pick: Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy - Grey's definitely picked things up this past season, but Wilson's portrayal of Bailey continues to be one of the highlights of the show. My biggest concern though, is that voters that would give it to one of the Grey's ladies will split votes with Sandra Oh's nomination.
Will Win: I'm honestly not sure. I've heard great things about the ladies of In Treatment, but I'm still hopeful for Wilson this year.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY:

My Pick: Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies or Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock - Chenoweth was yet again amazing on Pushing Daisies, and the show's cancellation is all the more reason to bestow her with this honor. Regardless, Krakowski has been consistently awesome on 30 Rock and I would be very very pleased to see her take the award home.
Will Win: Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live - From what I've read, Wiig single-handedly sustained SNL after Fey's Palin portrayal ended, and that's a pretty good reason to put my money on Wiig.


Well that's it for my picks. Get ready for tonight!!!!!

The 2008 Primetime Emmy Awards - Predictions

So every year I set aside the entire day of the Emmy's to sit around and bask in the glory of what is basically my superbowl. The red carpet is by far my favorite of any awards show. The Oscars are too dramatic and are usually the chance for people to make random ridiculous fashion statements. The Grammy's are trashy. And everything else just doesn't have the same glamour. But the Emmy's....man, oh, man...they wear some GORGEOUS dresses!

And then it comes down to the awards. Without fail, I am ALWAYS dissapointed in not one, not two, but SEVERAL categories. In order to deal with that ahead of time, I am going to write down My Picks (which is who I think deserves the win/should win) and Will Win (duh, who actually will win...for reasons unknown to myself, but mostly because Emmy voters are idiots, as clearly exemplified by the fact that FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS HAS NEVER EVEN BEEN NOMINATED for a major award).

And here we go:

OUSTANDING DRAMA SERIES:

My Pick: Lost - this was Lost's best season since season 1, and a comeback like this should NOT go unrecognized. Lost was blow-me-out-of-the-water-make-me-jump-up-and-down-and-scream amazing this year.
Will Win: Mad Men - Emmy voters LOVE hype. To be fair, hype is probably what gave Lost its' win in season 1. And the only thing that can explain why god-awful Ugly Betty ever wins anything. But Mad Men has been all the rage this year, so it will win. And I just don't understand why.

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES:

My Pick: 30 Rock or The Office - I could honestly go either way with these. 30 Rock was freaking FANTASTIC this season. The Office made a serious comeback there in the end. I love both shows, and both have won in the past, so I don't care who gets it.
Will Win: I think 30 Rock slightly edges out The Office.

OUTSTANDING ACTOR, DRAMA:

My Pick: Hugh Laurie - How Hugh Laurie has never won for his role as House is beyond me, so his emmy is far overdue.
Will Win: Honestly, I don't know. This is one of the categories where the Emmy voters are so freaking stupid its ridiculous. How Martin Sheen NEVER WON for the West Wing is absolutely insane. How James Spader KEEPS WINNING, is possibly more insane. With that in mind, it will probably go to James Spader, or Jon Hamm (because of the Mad Men buzz).

OUTSTANDING ACTOR, COMEDY:

My Pick: Alec Baldwin or Steve Carrell - My sentiments echo the way I feel about the win for Best Comedy. They both deserve it and I will not be upset either way. While Lee Pace is phenomenal on Pushing Daisies, it's just not his time yet. The two Thursday Night NBC comedy veterans deserve this far more.
Will Win: Same as above.

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS, DRAMA:

My Pick: I don't really care for/watch many of these shows but based on what I've read, Glenn Close is a shoo-in in this category so I'm giving it to her. She was a pretty awesome Cruella DeVille back in the day, so I'm sold.
Will Win: Ditto.

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS, COMEDY:

My Pick: TINA FEY - This woman is freaking fantastic and absolutely deserves this for being the brainchild behind one of the best shows on television. Her spunk on camera is absolutely laugh-inducing.
Will Win: There's been a lot of hype around Christina Applegate's return to television so she could quite possibly win. Other than that, Louis-Dreyfus is old news, Parker has gotten annoying on Weeds, and Ferrera is not even close to funny.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA:

My Pick: MICHAEL EMERSON, MICHAEL EMERSON, MICHAEL EMERSON - I feel so strongly about this one it's ridiculous. I would venture to say that Michael Emerson may be the best actor on TV right now. His portrayal of Ben on Lost is completely and utterly magnificent and bone-chilling. I know I am totally biased because 1) I think Lost is the greatest show on television, and 2) Ben is one of my favorite characters, but STILL. He completely creeps the crap out of me, and that alone deserves an Emmy.
Will Win: Danson, Ivanek, or Slattery - I've read nods for all three and I don't watch the shows so I can't really say. But if they are honestly better than Emerson, then that alone will make me watch those shows. But I just. don't. believe. it. Look for this award to be the one to dissapoint me most tonight.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY:

My Pick: Neil Patrick Harris or Rainn Wilson - I actually think Harris is quite hilarious on How I Met Your Mother and will not at all be upset if he wins. At the same time, Rainn Wilson's Dwight on The Office is definitely one of my all-time favorite characters on TV so I have to say that my loyalties lie there.
Will Win: Ugh, probably Jeremy Piven. again. (See the theme of Emmy voters sucking, ringing through yet again?)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA:

My Pick: Chandra Wilson - In a season with many many low points for Grey's Anatomy, Chandra Wilson was a shining star. Yes, Grey's picked up near the end but for the most part, Wilson's storyline was the only one that I was actually invested in. And her time for this award is far overdue.
Will Win: Wilson, Oh, or Bergen - Emmy voters love veterans like Candice Berge so I could see it going to her. Emmy voters also love Oh. But I think they will see that it's Wilson's time

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY:

My Pick: Kristin Chenoweth - Chenoweth is incredible on Pushing Daisies, which is already an incredible show. I just can't explain why I love this show so much, but I do!
Will Win: Chenoweth, or if the Emmy voters are idiots like always, Vanessa Williams. Poehler could also be a surprise win, especially in this election year.


Alright, that wraps it up! CAN'T WAIT FOR TONIGHT!!