The 65th annual Emmy Awards were broadcasted on Sunday, September 22nd on CBS. Award Show Hosting-veteran, and star of CBS’s popular comedy, Neil Patrick Harris took the stage to give the good people of television what they love– attention. Many say that it was not Harris’ best effort at hosting, and there were more surprise winners than anticipated (or deserved). The broadcast was still worth watching, with some memorable moments, fashion, and heartbreaking memorials.
1. Battle of the Hosts
Neil Patrick Harris confidently took the stage to host his second Emmy awards. Within minutes, previous hosts (Jimmy Kimmel, Jane Lynch, Conan O’Brien) ambush the stage to give their worthy advice. Or if you are Jimmy Fallon, come on-stage in tap shoes–possible foreshadowing?
2. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Continue to Be Perfect
Claire Danes Loves It!
As always, the lovely and hilarious fierce duo stole the show from Harris within the first five minutes. They heckled Harris to “take his pants off” and “twerk” while wearing ridiculous 3D glasses. Why the glasses? “So they can see his business up close.” Petition to have Tina Fey and Amy Poehler exclusively host EVERY award show.
3. The Eleven Word Speech Heard ‘Round the World
The award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy was expected to go to a Modern Family lady, or My Girl star-turned Veep breakthrough actress, Anna Chlumsky. For the first award of the night to go to the dark horse, Merritt Wever, of Nurse Jackie, the audience knew we were in for a shocking night. Though no one was more surprised that Wever won, than Wever herself! Holding back tears, all she uttered was a sincere “Thank you so much!” and…
No, thank YOU Merritt!
3. Tina Fey Wins Last Emmy for 30 Rock
We will miss you, Liz Lemon! Unfortunately, Fey did win the Best Comedy Lead Actress (even when the two presenters, Alec Baldwin and Jon Hamm were her 30 Rock co-stars), but she did win the Best Writing for a Comedy gold statue. 30 Rock was one of the most consistent comedies on TV, for Tina Fey not to win that award would be a devastation. Don’t leave us, Tina!
4. Heartwarming Memorials
Television suffered many losses this year, Jean Stapleton, Jack Klugman, James Gandolfini, Annette Funicello, and Corey Monteith. Certain late-celebrities were honored with memorials given by close friends and co-stars. Jane Lynch mourned the loss of Corey Monteith for “all he was and all he could’ve been.” Losing Monteith to drugs in July shocked the world. It does not feel like he was in the limelight for five years. Edie Falco from the Sopranos gave a tearful memorial speech for her TV husband, and dear friend James Gandolfini. “You all knew James Gandolfini the actor, I was lucky enough to know Jim the man.”
5. Kevin Spacey Has No Time for Pesky Cameras
In this world of “selfies,” photobombing, and Instagram, our camera phone might as well be attached to our hand. Film leading actor-turned House of Cards star, Kevin Spacey, obviously has no time for flashing frivolity. Except we know he is just fooling around; remember when he photobombed the woman in the Boston Public Garden last Spring? What would have made the Emmy’s more exciting? Kevin Spacey.
6. Wait.. Who Won?!
“No one is winning their office pool,” said Neil Patrick Harris. This year’s Emmy awards were everything but predictable. Truthfully, the Emmys are usually a more predictable award show (than the Oscars, of course). All that changed Sunday, when the dark horses won the acting awards. Jeff Daniels has been shafted from earning any award for underrated, great work for years, but who expected the star of The Newsroom to beat out Bryan Cranston or Jon Hamm? And what about Bobby Cannavale of Boardwalk Empire beating Aaron Paul of Breaking Bad and Mandy Patinkin of Homeland for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama? Everyone nominated is worthy of an award, but once you have been accustomed to the Emmys playing favorites, more than one surprise is monumental.
7. Will Ferrell Reminds Us Why We Love Him
Who else would bring their children, wear crocs, and casually end the show with a bang but Will Ferrell. His befuddled facial expressions and uncomfortably perfect line: “we couldn’t find a sitter” even put notoriously deadpan Lorne Michaels into a fit of giggles. Ferrell announced the winners of Best Comedy (Modern Family, of course) and Best Drama (Breaking Bad!). What I learned from the 65th Emmys? Neil Patrick Harris should stick to hosting the Tony’s, never go into an office pool for award shows, and Will Ferrell could have started a new trend in casual clothing. We shall see next year.