A Few Thoughts on The Emmys

The 2009 Emmy Awards have left me with a strange feeling.  I don’t feel like strangling some Emmy voters.  There were some surprises, a few let-downs, but overall the show was well done. Mostly due to the hosting styling of a Mr. Neil Patrick Harris.
    The results show that Emmy viewership launched far beyond the let-down that was last year’s show.  I mean, when winners stop to talk about how great you’re doing…you know you’ve got to be on the right track. He even turned his Emmy-loss into a joke with winner John Cryer for Best Supporting Actor in Comedy Series. Who, by the way, I’m very happy won.  An under-rated comedian that, in all likelihood, will not get a chance at an Emmy once “Two and a Half Men” goes off the air.
    But in terms of winners, I’m most happy with Michael Emerson for his win in the other Best Supporting Actor category. Ben Linus is one of the greatest TV characters ever written, and defiantly in terms of winners. Emerson has deserved the gold for the last three years, but it was his excellent performance this year that allowed him to walk away with the trophy.
    You may remember that Emerson was on my list of Most Underrated Actors a few weeks ago…and he wasn’t the only name on that list that popped up again on Sunday. Toni Collette won for Best Actress in a Comedy for “The United States of Tera”.  I mean, when you play five different characters in one show, you know you’l have to be at least considered. And when you play them all with the conviction that Collette brings to them, you know you have a strong chance of winning.  I thought she might have had a tough time this year, because “Tera”, a dramedy, was tossed into the comedy genre, and I thought that drama-half would have done her in…and I am happily mistaken.
    I know a little while ago I mentioned how badly I wanted “Dexter”’s Michael C. Hall to walk away with Best Actor in a Drama Series, but the fact of the matter is I can’t be too upset with Bryan Cranston’s win for “Breaking Bad”. In fact, all the nominees deserve it.  Hugh Laurie is long overdue, it’s true, but his competition is quite fierce. As is the Best Drama Category.
    The sensation that is “Mad Men” succeeded again, beating out “Breaking Bad”, “Big Love”, “Damages”, “Dexter”, “House” and “Lost”.  I’m hopeful, with this spring being the end of the “Lost” saga, that next year will be The Island’s year to shine.

    So my friends, no bitter ranting tonight. Not about the Emmy’s anyway. But to all who attended the Theatre Department’s “24-Hour Play Slam”, I would like to extend my hearty congratulations. All the plays this year were fantastic, well written and directed…not to mention performed. Myself and Bob Harris ended up filming at the last minute, so eventually our (shaky) footage will be edited together and hitting the web.  Last year’s can be found on vimeo.com, where these will most likely be placed as well.

    So everyone, I’ll try to update this more often, I mean…at least within the next nine days.