Emmy Awards 2009

Check back here frequently for my live blog of the Emmy awards, starting at 8/7 central!


6:56 - four minutes until the show! Wrap it up, 60 Minutes.

7:00 - Oh a nice montage of CBS moments and the stars on the red carpet. Aretha's hat revisted from the inauguration!

7:01 - Neil starting the show with singing is the only way I could accept this moment.

7:03 - Oh Jon Hamm and Christina Hendricks! Gay joke here.

7:04 - I should mention that NPH is wearing a white suit and looks AMAZING.

7:05 - "I love that we're already running 27 minutes late. We just started, how did this happen?"

7:05 - Great LOL moments discussing the fact that theme songs have disappeared from t.v. shows.

7:06 - "Here's hoping Kanye West loves 30 Rock."

7:07 - Ohhh, the stage will change as the categories change. And the show is divided up by comedy, drama, etc.

7:09 - An awesome comedy montage of the funniest moments from the television year. I'm really digging this set up.

7:10 - Tina Fey and Jon Hamm presenting together. Aww, they look cute. More Hamm on 30 Rock please.

7:12 - all of the actresses for best supporting are wearing glasses of some sort except for Vanessa Williams who is all "NO."

7:12 - Emmy goes to Chenoweth!! And she's adorable! And crying! Shout out to Oklahoma!

7:14 - Cheno is crying through the whole thing. "I'm unemployed now, so I like Mad Men, and The Office, and 24."

7:15 - Commercial break, and I'm running to grab another grilled cheese sandwich. Back in a jiffy!

7:20 - PC from the Mac vs PC commercials is our narrator for the evening.

7:21 - The cast of How I Met Your Mother is presenting the award for outstanding writing in a comedy series.

7:22 - 30 Rock wins its first emmy of the night!

7:24 - Julia Lous Dreyfus and Amy Poehler are presenting for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series.

7:26 - Jon Cryer wins, and Jack McBrayer continues to be adorable as everyone else looks kinda pissed off.

7:29 - Commercial and commentary: I would have given anything to see Jack McBrayer take that stage and make a speech. Ah well.

7:33 - Justin Timberlake! Why hello there beautiful. He's presenting for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series.

7:35 - Sara Silverman is wearing a moustache and makes JT lose it. "That's what hormones will do."

7:35 - Toni Collette wins! Surprising everyone.

7:38 - NPH does a bit with Jon Cryer about how he won. It's pretty funny - NPH was robbed.

7:39 - Some Gossip Girls chicks present best actor and actress guest stars. The emmys go to Tina Fey and JT for SNL!

7:40 - And JT gives us our second Kanye joke of the night.

7:42 Emmy for best comedy writing goes to a writer from The Office!

7:48 - Rob Lowe is the presenter for best actor in a comedy series.

7:51 - Alec Baldwin wins for 30 Rock!

7:52 - Lorne Michaels is getting a ton of shout outs tonight. I still think he's rude.

7:53 - There's a montage of Stewie beating the crap out of Brian (Family Guy) shouting "WHERE'S MY EMMY MAN?!"

7:54 - Next up: reality shows.

7:56 - Some dancers from Dancing With the Stars are doing a little number now. One of the girl's outfit reminds me of Pocahontas.

7:58 - Jon Cryer and Hayden Panettiere...oh I can't spell her name are giving the award for outstanding host. Hayden looks...I'm gonna let that go.

7:59 - Emmy goes to Jeff Probst.

8:05 - Tracy Morgan is getting behind a microphone to present best reality competition program. God help us all.

8:07 - The Amazing Race wins, and Tracy managed not to do anything outrages. I don't know if I'm relieved or disappointed. But just in case you were wondering, The Amazing Race will never lose.

8:09 - Movies and mini-series up next. Don't look for updates super fast on this one.

8:12 - Kevin Bacon and his gorgeous wife! They're presenting for supporting actress. The winner is oh geez, the only name I can't spell. Shorhre Aghdashloo? Every time she inhales there's this deep wheezing sound though. It's so distracting because I'm laughing so hard.

8:14 - The win for best actor goes to Ken Howard. And there's the third Kanye joke of the night (paired with a Joe Wilson dig.)

8:22 - Kate Walsh and Chandra Wilson are presenting for best lead actor (how is this different than the last one? What did I obviously miss? Oh well.) The winner is Brendan Gleeson.

8:27 - My t.v. blinked out for a moment so I missed something, but hey there's Patricia Arquette and Jennifer Love Hewitt giving an award to Dearbhla Walsh. She needs a bra, sorry to say.

8:30 - A Doctor Horrible sketch!! OH MY GOODNESS A DOCTOR HORRIBLE SKETCH!!

8:33 - Alec Baldwin takes the stage again for best lead actress in a mini-series or movie. The award goes to Jessica Lange.

8:42 - Kiefer Sutherland and Anna Torv present for best made for television movie. Grey Gardens wins.

8:44 - Anna and Kiefer are still there to give an award to Little Dorritt.

8:46 - Woo, next genre is Variety!

8:49 - The Big Bang Theory cast takes the stage to present outstanding directing in a variety show. The Emmy goes to Bruce Gowers for American Idol.

8:52 - The award for best writing team goes to The Daily Show!

9:02 - Jimmy Fallon is on stage with one of those mics that distorts your voice, falls and 'hurts himself' and we shoot to Steve Carell losing it in the audience. But the award for Original Music and lyrics goes to the team that wrote the Academy Awards opening bit.

9:06 - Ricky Gervais comes out to no mic at all but recovers quickly. He riffs on Steve Carell for a moment and he's funny before presenting the award for best variety, comedy, or music series. And the Emmy goes to The Daily Show!

9:16 - Ohhhh time for Drama! I like how the show is running this year. It's totally made me forget about how crappy the hosting was last year.

9:19 - LL Cool J and Chris O'Donnell are up to present best supporting actor and the emmy goes TO MICHAEL EMERSON. YOU CREEPY S.O.B. I LOVE YOU.

9:21 - The award for best supporting actress goes to Cherry Jones!!

9:23 - And now we have the in memorium, sung live by Sarah Mclaughlin. I mean, not that she is singing their names, but she's singing. I always, without a doubt say 'Oh, so and so died? I had no idea'. Or,'I thought they died a long time ago'. Also, there should be no applause because it's like playing favorites or something.

9:33 - Stephan Moyer and David Boreanaz let us know that the winner for best guest actress and actor in a drama are Ellen Burysten and Michael J. Fox.

9:35 PM - Ellen and Michael present for best director, and he award goes to E.R. Sorry, another snub, BSG.

9:36 - Annnnd the award for best writing goes to Matt Weiner for Mad Men!

9:38 - Simon Baker presents the award for outstanding lead actress to Glenn Close!

9:48 - Dana Delany (adorable) presents the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama. And the award goes to Brian Cranston. Jon Hamm was robbed. SORRY BRIAN.

9:51 - Bob Newhart! He's presenting for best comedy show but is telling stories. Um, long stories. And the show is running long, and the Mad Men rerun is on in 8 minutes so come on Newhart. I love you but you're killin' me.

9:54 - And the award goes to 30 Rock! As if there were a doubt.

9:56 We're told that the breakthrough performance of the year is something from True Blood. But I wouldn't know anything about that.

10:00 - Sigourney Weaver comes out in a gorgeous red dress to present the final award of the night. Best Drama. My fingers are crossed for you LOST! (And Mad Men!)

10:01 - THE AWARD GOES TO MAD MEN!! WOOHOO!!!

I've had a ton of fun with you guys tonight, thanks for coming by AND for all your shout outs on Twitter! Until next time.

Yay, Glee!

I would like to take this opportunity to disprove a few myths surrounding this show and what non-fans think. I don't feel as if I have to defend the show, but when things are said about the fans, well, as a fan I feel like I should be defending myself. So, without further adieu, this is where I politely tell you to change the channel if you do not enjoy this show.

As I was having a grand time with my Firefox add-on Stumbleupon, I came across this gem:

"People who enjoy the show Glee were raised on High School Musical."

I will let all of my readers over the age of 25 have first stab at this sentence.

That is exactly what is wrong with this statement. I didn't even know what the hell High School Musical was until all of the actors started breaking out on their own. I figured it out thanks to interviews that started with: 'My next guest stars in the hit Disney movie High School Musical...' And to be honest, they could have been saying television show, because to this day I don't know if it's a movie or a show, and I don't care enough to google it. The point is, no, people who enjoy Glee were NOT all raised on some Disney phenomena made for and intended to be enjoyed by teenagers and/or elementary school students. Not to say that Glee isn't supposed to be enjoyed by teenagers, just that its main target demographic isn't 13-18 year olds.

The appeal of a show like Glee, and the reason I'm personally a fan, is the amazing writing, wit, and talent involved. What other show on Earth will you be able to enjoy Jane Lynch verbally abusing everyone in sight, or Matthew Morrison dancing and rapping to 'Golddigger'? I know that singing and dancing isn't everyone's cup of tea - different strokes for different folks, as they say. And historically, musical shows fail so hard. Viva Laughlin, anyone? That one singing cop show? But this show has something those other shows were lacking, and that's heart. There are real story lines behind the singing and dancing, and that is what I love.

But cutting away to musical numbers like a fantasy is disappointing. I want it to be stage shows and performances!

So, here's how I feel about that, because I somewhat agree. I love it when the group is on stage singing their hearts out, BUT Rachel singing into her hairbrush or longingly staring at Finn while she sings Rihanna better than Rihanna does makes sense. It's like on Scrubs, when J.D. would go into his own little fantasy world. Sometimes his included singing, but ALL of Glee's include singing, and fabulous renditions of songs at that. I don't find a difference, really. I think it's actually very well done. Especially Mercedes after thinking Kurt broke her heart intentionally.

Ugh, high school stereotypes much?

Well, yes. I don't know about the last time you were in a high school, but it's pretty accurate. I hear people complain the LOUDEST about Mercedes being the ~sassy~ black girl and Kurt being so amazingly flamboyant. And yes, I do have what I feel is a valid argument about that.

Take a look at the cast of Glee. For that matter, when you watch the show, look at the background cast. The extras, if you will. I don't notice many other black people, do you? How do people who are different or don't fit in try to adapt to their surroundings? By taking what they see from other people of their same race/country/neighborhood and mimicking the behavior. This gives us the opportunity for something I like to call character development. You give these kids no real sense of themselves (isn't that how we ALL felt in high school?) and let them self discover along the way. Art imitating life - who knew?!

This is all I have - this is what I wanted to get off of my chest. And you're free to leave your WELL I STILL HATE THE SHOW, it's all over-hyped, it REALLY REALLY SUCKS comments because it's a free country and who am I to take away your First Amendment right? You know where I stand, and though I don't see the point in stopping to leave a comment about something you hate, you are more than welcome to do so.

The Office - Gossip

Ah, love
Kelly [about two dating interns]: If they get married before I do, I'm gonna kill myself.

Matchmaker
Michael: This place is like a Spaniard fly.

Come on and whisper in my ear
Dwight: People tell me things. I guess I have a face you can trust. I think it's because of my low cheek bones.

On things that aren't real
Michael: I shoulda known. Poop ball?

What mama said
Michael: My mom always said that the third wheel is what makes it a tricycle.

Over the hill
Dwight: Stanley's way past the middle of his life. Especially considering his height to weight ratio.

It was all a LIE
Michael [after Phyllis discredits an intern's gossip]: You stupid son of a bitch, you set me up!

If it's wrong, I don't wanna be right
Preston/Porter intern: If that was his sister, then what they were doing was totally illegal.
Michael: Drugs?

True love conquers all
Stanley [on his affair]: Cynthia's been keeping me company. She was my nurse when I was in rehabilitation. We used to go on these long walks on the treadmill...

It's a real stumper
Michael: It's like the end of Spartacus. I've seen that movie half a dozen times, and I still don't know who the real Spartacus is. And that is what makes that movie a classic whodunit.

Sharing is caring
Erin: Kelly has a eating disorder? She always eats my lunch.

Riddle me this
Andy: Let me give you a scenario. I'm like, at a beach cabana, and Brad Pitt approaches. Tries to lean in and kiss me. I would definitely resist, like, at first. But if he was persistent, I might give in a little bit, just to see what it felt like. Would I push away? How hard? Like, what if he's really aggressive?"
Oscar: If you resisted Brad Pitt a little bit, he would still...need to get to you?
Andy: This is not real Brad Pitt, this is like, my fantasy. I mean, it's not fantasy it's...just a scenario.
Oscar: Wow, I...wish I could help you. You might be gay.

Liar, liar
Michael [after spreading all of the false office rumors]: It's a weird day for false facts. Let it go.

Ponce and Circumstance
Dwight [to the interns on their last day]: As a gift I've attached my card. Call me any time, day or night.
Preston/Porter intern: Why would we call you at night?
Dwight [takes away his card]: Now you can't call me at all, so problem solved.
Jim: You're gonna regret that when you find yourself between a moose and her cubs at night

Help a brother out
Jim: Are you interested in her (Pam's) guy friends?
Andy: No! I mean, for the record I prefer women. But off the record, I'm kinda confused.
Jim: Really?
Andy: Yeah, the evidence is sort of stacked against me I feel like.
Jim: Well, you gotta figure this out.
Andy: Yeah, right? How?
Jim: You gotta have sex with a woman.
Andy: Right-O.
Jim: And then a man. And then compare.

Tell it like it really is
Angela: You know, a baby conceived out of wedlock is still a bastard.

Come again?
Creed: If I can't scuba, then what's this all about? What am I working toward?

Sticks and stones
Toby: What are you guys talking about, I have a daughter. How could I be a virgin?

Told in confidence
Dwight: Michael, you told people I use store bought manure. When I showed you where my manure comes from.

The truth comes out
Michael: I made it all up.
Andy: Even the rumor that I'm gay?
Michael: Yes.
Andy: Yes.

Signs you may be pregnant
Kevin: Her breasts were a tiny bit bigger. At first I thought, 'Oh she has a new bra with padding'. But then I thought, 'Pam doesn't need padding'. It just didn't add up, Jim.

Just clearing up a few things
Angela: Who's the father?
Pam: Jim.
Creed: Who's the OBGYN?

Not quite...close
Michael [looking at an ultra sound]: Pam, look at that! That is the inside of your vagina!

I need to know facts
Michael: How long have you known about the pregnancy? A week? A month? A year?

The more you know
Julia Stiles intern: I learned that half these people's email password is 'password'.

Joel McHale and Dan Harmon

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dan Harmon (far left) and Joel McHale. Dan is the creator of the new NBC show 'Community' which is premiering TONIGHT on NBC at 9:30/8:30 central. The interview was a long one, so I've included the best moments below.

Joel, let me ask you, what was the appeal of this project for you?

Joel McHale: Oh, well, I read a lot of pilot scripts and always, you know, want to be in something that's good and after reading Dan’s script it was so head and shoulders above everything else that I was reading. It was just incredibly funny and then it had really strong characters and a lot of heart.

NBC has been talked about as kind of a sinking ship with the ratings and things like that. So they’ve been really hyping up the show. Does that put more pressure on you guys to really deliver?

Dan Harmon: There is - there’s two hats that I wear. One is the guy who sits in an office and has to put this show together, and that guy doesn’t focus at all on any of that stuff because there’s so much to do. And that guy will do his job wrong to the extent that he thinks about anybody’s sort of standards other than his own. Like in terms of how good the script is or anything like that.

Then there’s the guy that my girlfriend has to be at home with, who is from Wisconsin and who desperately wants the world to love him. And only does anything that he does to try to get peoples’ approval. And who is absolutely terrified that all of this attention and all of this approval from the critics and all of the support from the network can only end in backlash.

I was just wondering if you have any fears of working with anyone after your time on The Soup? Do you foresee any potential problems if there was a certain guest star on Community?

Joel: I’m not working with Tila Tequila if I’m not properly vaccinated.

Dan, why do you think people want to take their time to tune in and watch Community?

Dan: I don’t know. That’s a tough one for me to, you know, because I would have to say, “Well because it’s obviously really good.” I think people will enjoy it when they do tune in because I run everything through a filter in my head when I’m writing, especially for something in this venue. I come from the basic cable world where it’s like, you do the Sarah Silverman Show, there’s a certain section of the audience you’re trying to shock and this is more of a mainstream thing. And so, while that does not mean watered down for me, it means heavier lifting, It means working harder.

Joel, did you ever have a teacher in school who resembled any of the professors we'll see on the show?

Joel: Upcoming in one of our episodes with John Michael Higgins, all I’ll say is that there’s a carpe diem future. And I had a guy in high school named Mr. (Anslow) and he was a teacher that would scream and he would yell and his passion about history was unbelievable and that is the only reason why I majored in history in college because of his screaming at us.

He would go, “Students, students, I’m waiting for the answer with bated breath," and then he would stalk the class and then like stop in front of a desk and go, “Mr. Hanson.” And then Mr. Hanson goes, “Yes?” And he’s like, “Who led the allied troops across Europe?” And so - and it was just, yeah, so he was a real inspiration.

Make sure you tune in to Community tonight at 9:30 on NBC!

Chatting with Masi and Hayden

Today I had the chance to sit down and talk to Masi Oka and Hayden Panettiere from the NBC show Heroes for TheTwoCents.com. There will be an article at the website, but for now I'll pass on the highlights exclusively to you all first. There wasn't much revealed, but there were some interesting tidbits.

There will be spoilers, so reader beware!

- Masi let it slip that there would be a Sylar/Claire kiss. ...Then he said he was just kidding. But he DID confirm that in the first episode, Ando and Hiro's sister will be married.

- Masi also explained why exactly Hiro's abilities were suddenly killing him. Apparently (the way it was told to him) Hiro's ability to stop time was only made for one. So when he freezes time but lets someone stay unfrozen with him, it strains Hiro's brain which as we saw, is dibilitating.

- Again with Masi, he said that the fourth season is shaping up to be his favorite so far, right behind season one. (Here's hoping the show is really getting back on track.) He said that there will be all kinds of manipulation going on, which I'm guessing will have a lot to do with Sylar being Nathan.

- Hayden did confirm that her new rommate in college (named Gretchen) will cause those 'are we more than friends' feelings. According to Hayden, this will be a deep relationship similiar to the friendship between Claire and Zach back in season one. Gretchen will be someone Claire can trust, "which is something she needs right now."

- Masi said for sure that Charlie (the road stop romance from back in season one) will be coming back for one episode, that just recently finished shooting.

At one point in the interview, there was a question asked about working with Robert Knepper (last seen on Prison Break) and he was referred to as T-Bag. Hayden was thrown off for just a second, asking "Did you just ask if I've ever been t-bagged?" Hilarity ensued for all, as the interview stopped for a good five minutes or so while everyone laughed. Then Hayden let us know that she worries every now and then that some crazed fan might actually think she has the ability to heal and do something stupid. It's a valid fear, in my opinion.

The interview ended with thanks all around and one more question about how they feel about the direction their characters have been taken. Masi summed it up well:

"Your character is not your property, it's Tim Krings. It's the fans."

Look for the premiere September 21st from 8-10!