Neil Patrick Harris breathed new life into The Emmys Mathew Imaging/WireImage.com If you haven't completely blocked out last year's debacle of an Emmy presentation (during which five reality hosts took turns doling out hokey lines), and you caught any of this year's show hosted by the charming Neil Patrick Harris, then you know: What a difference a year makes.
Thanks to the actor's wit, deadpan delivery, and ability to poke fun at himself (not to mention the state of the entire television industry), the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will go down in history as ... well, actually good.
In addition to Neil's success, the show was especially clever and breezy this time around. Winners walked to the stage during announcements about their favorite hobbies and other trivial facts (courtesy of comedian John Hodgman). Presenters were introduced by references to obscure roles they played years ago ("You probably know Rob Lowe best as the teen dad on the '80s after-school special 'Schoolboy Father' ..."). Even the interviews with directors and writers taped ahead of time were funny and creative.
The bad news for the show's producers? The 2010 show will have a lot to live up to.
Here are just some of the brightest moments from this year's Emmys broadcast:
Neil Patrick Harris, host with the most
The "How I Met Your Mother" star got a little hosting practice earlier this year when he emceed the Tony Awards, but no one could have predicted just how comfortable he'd be at the helm of TV's biggest awards show. During his song-and-dance routine that kicked off the show, he rattled off the name of every network on television, wondered if "Mad Men's" Christina Hendricks could turn a gay man straight, and then flirted with Jon Hamm. Later, he played the ungracious loser after Jon Cryer won the award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy with snarky congratulations and promises he wouldn't let the show get "awkward." He even brought his own Web character, "Dr. Horrible," to the show with a video promoting the fact that the Internet is making television obsolete. The problem? He was interrupted by a frozen screen and "buffering" messages. Mission accomplished.
Jimmy Fallon + Auto-Tune = True Hilarious Genius Mathew Imaging/WireImage.com Jimmy Fallon Gets Goofy
Funny man Fallon took to the stage wearing a headset fed through Auto-Tune, the modulator of choice for plenty of pop stars and rappers these days. But when trying to get the audience "ready to party," Jimmy fell to the floor, and hearing his overmodulated pleas for help while he writhed around with his tuxedoed butt facing the audience was downright hilarious.
Nominees Joining in on the Fun
The award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series kicked off the show, and the funny ladies proved that those big, fancy ball gowns didn't diminish their senses of humor. As the camera cut to each one, viewers discovered a theme: Each of the ladies was donning some sort of goofy eyewear -- from coke-bottle glasses on Elizabeth Perkins to an eye patch on Amy Poehler to a teeny-tiny monocle for Kristen Wiig. Only Vanessa Williams -- in true Wilhelmina Slater fashion -- refused to participate, shaking her head at the camera instead. Later, when Sarah Silverman was on camera as a nominee for lead actress in a comedy ("The Sarah Silverman Program"), she struck a serious look ... and she was also wearing a fake mustache.
Sarah McLachlan sang "I Will Remember You" during the tribute memorial Mathew Imaging/WireImage.com A Touching Memorial
Sure, we see some sort of tribute to those who've passed away every year, but this one was especially moving. For starters, the montage was accompanied by a live rendition of Sarah McLachlan's tear-jerker "I Will Remember You." The presentation reminded viewers of just how many beloved actors, television personalities, and entertainment heavyweights we've lost over the past 12 months, including Bea Arthur, Dom DeLuise, Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett, Patrick Swayze, Walter Cronkite, Natasha Richardson, and Paul Newman.
So You Think You Can Dance Crew with the Stars Mathew Imaging/WireImage.com Dancing Gets Its Day
Reality-TV fans know that dance competitions are where it's at these days, and the Emmys made it clear they've caught on. "Dancing With the Stars" pros Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy danced to LMFAO's "La La La," and all eyes were glued to the onetime engaged couple as they danced together for the first time since announcing their breakup earlier this month. The dance fever continued as they were joined by "So You Think You Can Dance" champ Joshua Allen and the hip-hop Quest Crew, third-season winners of street-dance competition "America's Best Dance Crew." And to put the cherry on top, the routine was choreographed by "SYTYCD" and "ABDC" hip-hop choreographers Napoleon and Tabitha (NappyTabs to you reality addicts in-the-know).
There were inevitably a few disappointments. The "big" wins were snoozers for the most part. The winning shows for outstanding drama and outstanding comedy - "Mad Men" and "30 Rock" both landed the award last year too. Bryan Cranston, Jeff Probst, Alec Baldwin and Glenn also took home Emmys for second year in a row. Meanwhile, the "Amazing Race" landed the award for outstanding reality competition for the seventh year in a row, as did "The Daily Show" for outstanding variety, music, or comedy series. Seven years in a row? The Academy might have to consider implementing term limits. Another sour note - the bizarre "Family Guy" sketch which featured little Stewie Griffin beating dog Brian to a bloody pulp. Eek. But hey, not every moment can be a gem, and most viewers enjoyed the Emmys more than they have in years, I'm sure. And let's not forget the fact the show ended right on time. After looking at all those gorgeous faces all night, we can all use a little beauty rest.
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