The CSI/Two and a Half Men writers switch was a very clever promotion for CBS. Fortunately, the writers saw the opportunity to change places as more than just a publicity stunt. They really took the scripting seriously and came up with inventive episodes for each program. If this were a competition to see which team would deliver the better show, who would take on the task of writing winning TV in a genre not their own and succeed beyond expectations, the comedy scribes take the gold. Chuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn's CSI was pure genius, and if it were up to me, CSI should submit it for an Emmy.
But first there was Two and a Half Men. In an episode called "Fish in a Drawer" (and if somebody could explain what that title means, I'd be most appreciative), the story picked up after Evelyn married Teddy. In the teleplay by CSI regular writers Evan Dunsky and Sarah Goldfinger, Charlie and Courtney check out of the reception for a little romp in his room upstairs only to find Teddy's dead bod on the bed. Talk about spoiling the mood. Teddy wasn't only a corpse, he was a corpse with his pants pulled down around his ankles and lipstick stains on his hoo-ha. The cops were called in, a detective who was a dead ringer for Marg Helgenberger -- played by redhead Jamie Rose -- had the vaguely Bondian name of Jagov, Sloane Jagov. Naturally, Charlie had to make a move on her. He couldn't keep his eyes off her cleavage.
She's an experienced host, an Oscar-winner, a Broadway star. But is Whoopi Goldberg hosting the 62nd Tony Awards the answer for the struggling annual broadcast? The Tony Awards, which honors the best in Broadway theater is considered one of the four major entertainment awards, along with the Oscar, Emmy and Grammy. But the Tonys have been losing viewership year after year despite the stars lured onto the broadcast. After having no single host the past two years, CBS has tapped Whoopi to be the emcee for the June 15 live broadcast from Radio City Music Hall in hopes that she'll make a difference in the Nielsens. The last single host was Hugh Jackman in 2005.
While this is Whoopi's first turn as Tony host, she is well regarded for her four stints as Oscar hostess. At the most recent Oscars, when Whoopi was left out of the host-highlight clip package of years gone by, she was ticked off and talked about it the morning after on The View. Perhaps doing the Tonys will be her way of sticking to the Oscars?
Just when you thought awards shows couldn't get any longer, The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced that reality show hosts are eligible to receive Emmys. This year's 60th Annual Emmy Awards will include a category called Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program.
The academy named popular hosts like Ryan Seacrest, Tom Bergeron, Samantha Harris, and Howie Mandel as possible nominees. Ty Pennington, Tyra Banks, and Jeff Foxworthy are also eligible. I'm not surprised that reality hosts are getting this opportunity. The Emmys have had categories for Outstanding Reality Program and Reality-Competition Program since 2001 and 2003, respectively.
Well, the Emmys have come and gone and for the most part, I enjoyed the telecast. The non-threatening hosting style of Ryan Seacrest infected the whole telecast with a feeling of safety that only served to make the routines of comedians like Ray Romano and Jon Stewart look more edgy.
One of my favorite parts of every Emmy telecast is the presentation of the writers nominated for best variety or comedy show. The Daily Show's use of Alberto Gonzalez and Conan's collection of laborers in his pick up truck made me laugh out loud. By the way, did anyone else notice the look of shock on the face of Conan's wife? Priceless.
Tonight I could have written the great American novel, learned to play Chopin's Etudes, brought peace to the Middle East, or painted my house. Oh, the ennui of such pedestrian avocations. Let somebody else do all that (especially the house painting). I spent my time camped in front of the Emmys, snapping screen shots of the rollicking festivities. Nine galleries (click the headers below); over 500 pics.
The Acceptance Speeches. That's Thomas Haden Church to the right, praising God for his good fortune or taking a much-needed leak, I can't tell which.
Tony Bennett and Christina Aguilera. It was Tony's night (Bennett and Soprano, actually), and it was Aguilera's good fortune to be his co-crooner.
In Memoriam. Dead people, sadly. Some well known; others who actually do the hard work.
Here's a quick list of the major winners at tonight's Emmy Awards.
Supporting Actor - Comedy: Jeremy Piven (Entourage) Supporting Actor - Drama: Terry O'Quinn (Lost) Supporting Actress - Comedy: Jamie Pressly (My Name is Earl) Supporting Actress- Drama: Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy) Reality Competition Program: The Amazing Race Lead Actor - Movie or Miniseries: Robert Duvall (Broken Trail) Lead Actress - Movie or Minseries: Helen Mirren (Prime Suspect) TV Movie: Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee Miniseries: Broken Trail Lead Actress- Comedy: America Ferrara (Ugly Betty) Lead Actor- Comedy: Ricky Gervais (Extras) Lead Actress- Drama: Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters) Lead Actor - Drama: James Spader (Boston Legal) Comedy Series:30 Rock Drama Series: The Sopranos
Here's an easy way to get your wife mad at you: come home from a week of stand-up comedy gigs and announce that you can't take the baby right away because you have to liveblog the Emmys. Then, sit back, relax, and let the soothing sounds of Seacrest provide the background music for your wife telling you exactly what you can do with your "liveblog".
I'm expecting our time together tonight to make it all worth it, though. The VMA liveblog was among my favorite things I've ever done here at TV Squad. That being said, I'm still going to petition my editors here for combat pay.
Time to take out your Hello Kitty date book and make a note: TV Squad will be liveblogging the Emmys starting Sunday, September 16th at 7:55 PM and running right through to the end of the show (which conservative estimates put at approximately 11:40 PM the following Wednesday).
My favorite part of a liveblog is the family atmosphere it tends to create (check out the Testament-like way we all gave each other comfort and support during the VMA liveblog in the face of Britney's "comeback"), so I'm hoping all of you will join us tomorrow. Run the bubble-bath, pop open the chardonnay, and charge up the laptop, 'cause we're all about to bask in the glow of Seacrest together.
As my late friend Adam Finley reported last month, Ryan Seacrest has been picked to host this year's Emmy Awards. I'm sure that most of you, like me, have already spent enough time lamenting the fact that Seacrest really has no business hosting a show like The Emmys. I guess the producers thought that after American Idoland America's Top 40, The Emmys were the next logical step.
Well, now the producers have decided that Seacrest hosting wasn't bad enough, there's a chance that he may do a number at the beginning of the show.
Like I said yesterday, the press kits have started to come in to the TV Squad offices. Some of them are way cool, some are downright silly and some are nonexistent. Just last week I got one in from the TV Guide Channel for their upcoming red carpet coverage of the Emmy awards. OK, sounds reasonable, right?
When I opened the box and the hermetically sealed canister within, what I saw made me fear that I had just unleashed some unseen beast unto my unsuspecting family. As it turns out, only my dog was in danger.
The biggest event of the night came when American Idolwon its first Emmy ever for "Outstanding Technical Direction." The spectacular "Idol Gives Back" episode was responsible for the Emmy, specifically the duet between Celine Dion and the late Elvis Presley. The honor is of particular interest because it gives AI a break in the second biggest losing streak in Emmy history, 22 losses. The record of 25 nominations without a win is still held by Newhart.
This is all part of Seacrest's plan for world domination by the year 2019. He's already hosting The Super Bowl and New Year's Eve coverage on ABC and doing various weekly radio shows and shows on E! He also waits tables three nights a week at the T.G.I. Fridays in Glendale, CA. How does the man do it?
FOX announced today that Ryan Seacrest will be hosting the 59th Emmy Awards on FOX September 16 at 8:00 p.m. This news comes in the wake of the announcement that Seacrest will also be hosting the Super Bowl.
I have no idea if this is a good idea or not, as I don't watch American Idol, E! News, Captain Seacrest's Pirate Ship Hootenanny, or whatever the hell other series he's featured on. Still, isn't the typical rule for awards shows to have some kind of comedian hosting them?