Here are mine. What are yours?
The 3 Best Things About The Emmy Awards
1. Neil Patrick Harris: The very model of a smart, funny host, he was the classiest Emmy host since Johnny Carson, with equally good posture. His “Dr. Horrible” moment, with the stalwart Nathan Fillion, was a high point.
2. John Hodgman as announcer. His articulately daffy commentary on the winners (after a win for the Hugh Jackman-hosted Oscar telecast: “This was the first time a musical number was written for a wolverine”) was excellent dry wit.
3. Bryan Cranston winning for a second year in a row — and he tied with Jessica Lange for the most eloquent speech.
The 3 Worst Worst Things about the Emmy Awards
1. No Emmy for Neil Patrick Harris.
2. The endless, endless boring middle section devoted to awards for reality shows (but: yay, Amazing Race!) and mostly-overrated TV-movies and miniseries.
3. Too many wins for Little Dorrit; none for Generation Kill.
The Most Surprising Moment (a tie)
Matthew Weiner, for equating his show Mad Men with the election of the President (“What a year, first the election and then this”) and for proclaiming himself “the only person in this room with complete creative freedom.” Huh?
And Ken Howard thanking the woman who donated a kidney to him. Nice. (I’m not being sarcastic.)
What were your favorite, and least-favorite, moments?
More Emmy Awards coverage on EW:
Our 2009 Emmy Awards live blog
2009 Emmys: See what you missed in our backstage report
EW staffers tweet from the Emmys after-parties
Video: Red carpet interview with True Blood’s Stephen Moyer
Video: Emmy-winner Michael Emerson and Jorge Garcia on the next season of Lost
Video: Tina Fey and Jane Krakowski leak 30 Rock spoilers!
Video: The cast of The Office shares spoilers on the red carpet
Comments (1-30) of 327 Add your comment
The Best: NPH in every way, Bob Newhart, Dr. Horrible and all of the strange, quirky moments. The Worst: Reality and Miniseries (give these out off camera), no nominations for Ferugson and True Blood and the very unfunny Jimmy Fallon. And why shouldn’t Ken Howard thank the person who kept him alive when other people thanked their publicists?
I thought the Jimmy Fallon part, mocking those horrible electronic voice machines used in so much music today, was one of the funnier parts.
…and Steve Carrell was laughing so hard he looked like he was about to crap himself. I agree I thought it was funny!
That’s EXACTLY what my favorite part of the night.
He didn’t say that the Ken Howard thank you was a bad moment, he jsut said surprising.
Dr Horrible…and Toni Collette winning best actress in a comedy….That win was so unexpected and so deserved!
United States of Tara is unwatchable. I don’t know how Toni won over Tina Fey. And USoT is supposed to be a *comedy*??? THAT was the most shocking moment of the night for me.
Funniest bit of the night: Jimmy Fallon.
The Worst: The nominated comedy/variety writing staffs. Abig disappointment this year.
Sorry, obviously meant Ferguson.
Yes, it was obvious. Why did you feel the need to point out an otherwise clear typo?
Why did you feel the need to post that question?
Funniest bit of the night: Jimmy Fallon.
The Worst: The nominated comedy/variety writing staffs. A big disappointment this year.
Not just the Dr. Horrible interruption, but also the excellent timing of it. The Miniseries/TV Movie/Variety/Reality middle was pretty dull but throwing in the awesome phenomenon at just that moment really helped to wake the whole ceremony up.
I also really liked John Stewart’s acceptance speech for The Daily Show when he a) poked fun at Ricky Gervais’ previous comments about television stars’ beauty, b) graciously gave props to the much deserving Neil Patrick Harris, and c) deserved the win.
agreed.
Aside from the obvious NPH-related moments, including Dr. Horrible, I thought Jimmy Fallon moaning in autotone after his “wipeout” was funny. Points to Tina Fey addressing the merits of scripted television, and finally Michael Emerson wins an Emmy. Also enjoyed Glenn Close and Matthew Weiner giving shoutouts to writers.
jimmy fallon is awful, watching his show tank is pretty funny
Well, I’ve always considered autotone to be pretty ridiculous when used seriously, so it didn’t need Fallon to be ridiculous here.
Jimmy Fallon is hilarious! Thank God someone brought life to the boring telecast tonight.
Oh and the worst moment for me was the total lack of Battlestar Galactica love (although the brief bit it had in the Drama montage was much appreciated).
AGREED! Where was Battlestar Galactica???
I love that the drama montage was almost all CBS procedurals. “Remember which network you’re watching! The one where very little is happening creatively!!”
You are so right. That was so shameless. All their crime dramas made it to montage and they all looked the same. The showed acting clips of all their shows and a couple from other networks, even mad men was barely in the montage.
I noticed that too! They gave VERY LITTLE love to nominated shows like “Dexter” and “Mad Men” during that montage! For shame!!!
I thought Neil Patrick Harris did awesome. I also loved the comedy supporting actresses nominees bid, the idea of the glasses was funny. I didn’t like John Cryer winning for such a mediocre series, but at least his speech was funny and made great material to NPH about losing.
NPH’s reaction to losing to Jon Cryer was so funny.
Hi Ken,
I agree with you on NPH being one of the best host the Emmys has had in a long time. I loved, loved, loved the obscure references to past roles many of the actors had whne they were first starting out in tv. John Hodgman kept me from fast forwarding through the long walk to accept the award and I was actually a little pissed when the lady was announcing. I alos love Chenoweth and her acceptance speach.
I also agree with #1 and #2 of the worst, but my third would have to be Stewie and Brian from Family Guy. That was a bit over the top and I would have been very angry if my kids had seen that.
Over all best Emmys in a long time!
-Teresa Joy
The best? NPH, Ricky Gervais, Jeff Probst’s gracious compliment of NPH hosting
The worst? Sandra Oh not winning AGAIN, too many repeats of past winners, Kristin Chenoweth winning for a show that no one but critics liked and was canceled ages ago, Jon Cryer winning for anything, Hugh Laurie not winning AGAIN, Steve Carell not winning AGAIN…so many reasons why the Emmys continue to be a joke to the rest of America…
No one but critics liked Pushing Daisies!?! Add “people with great taste in quality TV shows” and your statement might have a ring of truth to it…
I second that!
I third that! Pushing Daisies was lovely, just because I don’t get the appeal of Lost and Grey’s Anatomy doesn’t mean I crap on them.
Obviously Jen didn’t read any of the articles on this site of the huge volume of people who watch/loved PD and was trying desperately to save it!!!!
Preach it! PD was awesome and unique and sooooo much better than some of the crap on TV right now. KC deserved that win!
I’ll fifth or sixth that, or whatever number we’re up to now. I loved, loved PD, and Kristin was great in the role of Olive Snook. As for it being canceled “ages ago,” it aired within the eligibility window, obviously.
Completely agree. Bad, boring winners — the Emmy voters must all be 70-plus years old.
I want Rainn Wilson to win for The Office, not Jon Cryer (on the worst show ever). I want Grey’s Anatomy to be recognized for its amazing acting. I want Ryan Seacrest or Heidi Klum to win for hosting (Survivor is AWFUL!). Jim Parson for Big Bang Theory. Amazing Race? Please. False. And I want Kathy Griffin to be on this awards show!! LIVEN IT UP EMMYS!
Ryan Seacrest? No way, he sucks as a host.
Jeff Probst deserves his win
My vote would actually be for Cat Deeley to win best reality host, but maybe that’s just me.
WORD Sean!!! Cat Deeley gets robbed every year!
Seacrest- YUK. Cat Deeley was totally robbed by not even being nominated!
Maybe she’ll have more of a chance next year, with SYTYCD on in the fall. Whatever you think about Survivor, Probst is awesome and absolutely deserves his wins.
I love Cat Deeley. She is great with the contestants and fun to watch. Love her hair and wardrobe.
Three and Half Men is one of the funniest shows in the longest time…Everytime I watch it I’m in hysterics….Congrats to Jon Cryer
Should be nominated for best reality host: Jeff Probst, Cat Deeley, Tom Bergeron, Allison Sweeney, Tim Gunn (he is more of a host than Heidi – she is a judge). They need to love their show, care for the contestants and make it entertaining. All of these hosts succeed in those three areas!
Ryan Seacrest should definitely win. I mean, who could say “dim the lights” or “AFTER the break” better than him??
Jeff Probst really? All he does is tell the survivors about the challenge and ask stupid questions at tribal council. At least Seacrest can come up with witty remarks and comebacks while on a live show. My vote would be for Tim Gunn any day.
ITA with all the replies. I was so upset when PD was cancelled, YAY Chenoweth!!
And I agree on the complete lack of acknowledgment of Battlestar Galactica, which really was the best drama of the past year, and the best sci-fi show of all time.
loved- NPH and the announcer guy!!! Tina’s undeniable callout to scripted drama vs Leno at 10:00/9:00
did not love- no NPH win, no Jim Parsons win
Also as much as I love The Amazing Race… seriously Emmy voters, there’s no other show that deserves to win best reality program? None? Seriously? Share the freakin’ love!
I love TAR won over than overhyped crap like Idol and Dancing. Runway and Top Chef are worthy winners though
But it ALWAYS wins. It’s won ever since there was a Reality Show category. Top Chef was GREAT last year.
Yes, as much as I love Amazing Race it’s time they stepped aside and let other quality shows like Top Chef or Project Runway win.
Top Chef!
Best: Anything NPH said or did. Kristin Chenoweth’s come from nowhere win. Worst: Everything else.
Best: NPH (Dr.Horrible, his singing, overall awesomeness); Bryan Cranston, (I don’t care how many he wins, he deserves everything after being ignored for Malcolm in the Middle)
Worst: Jon Cryer? I like him but NPH, Tracy Morgan, or Jack McBrayer deserved it more; Jim Parsons not winning best actor; 30 Rock winning again (I love the show but I would’ve loved to have seen HIMYM or Family Guy win more)
Jon Cryer should not have won.
30 Rock deserves its accolades. I just wish that its network would put it on someplace other than Thursday night. . . the toughest night on TV.
I was hoping that Jim Parsons would win the comedy award, but I have no issue with Alec Baldwin winning.
Also, Ricky Gervais was hilarious. I like his continuous “war” with Steve Carell
Dr. Horrible the best! Anything Matthew Weiner said the worst. He should just stay in the room with the writers and not be let out
yeah he was pompous, I thought he was gay so I was surprised when he thanked his wife
HA HA Alex!! I thought I was the only one who thought that!
ditto!
Best: NPH was great, as usual. Dr. Horrible ane especially Nathan Fillion. Michael Emerson’s well-deserved win. Worst: reality show and mini-series segments, dancing.
As someone who has seen how someone who’s dying can have their life literally changed forever because of an organ donor I find your comment on Ken Howard’s acceptance speech offensive and insensitive. I won’t lower myself and use the words I’d like to use to describe you and will be polite.
Um, he referred to Ken Howard’s comment as surprising not worst and commented that it was nice. How’s that being offensive?
Thank YOU. This is the 2nd comment (so far) misrepresenting the comment about Ken Howard’s appreciation for the person who provided him with a kidney. It was a surprise AND nice. Maybe it’s just too late to read carefully… However, I would have at least re-read it to make certain before writing something so horrible about the writer.
He also changed it from the way it was originally worded: “Nice … I guess.” Pretty slick changing it to make it seem less scuzzy, Tucker.
You should re-read the post – he was not criticizing the comment, he listed it as one of the most furprising moments.
I thought it was brilliant to have John Hodgman kill that dead time when folks are walking up. I loved Sarah McLauchlan (sorry for the spelling!) singing live during In Memoriam. I like seeing Reality Tv categories but there was NO LOVE in that room — maybe they should go absolutely first. I also hated that montage about reality tv — THAT is not the best of reality tv (all those fights and drama). I felt it went pretty fast (I didn’t have commercials) Never like the movie and miniseries part because I never watch those things. Maybe if we got more info on what they were about?? NPH ROCKS!
I hating seeing the Real Housewives of New Jersey table flipping episode over & over.
Love NPH as host!
So glad to see someone else mentioning Sarah McLachlan’s tribute song for the Memorial portion of the show–it’s such a hauntingly beautiful song, a perfect choice for the tribute and beautifully delivered by her! That was one of my top moments of the show!
I am just glad Ellen Degeneres did not host it again. She stunk!
Could just be me but i thought Ellen did great in 05.
I’m not denying that NPH did a good job hosting this year though.
NPH was undeniably awesome but I thought Ellen did a good job. Now the reality TV host….they stunk!!
NPH was a great host. Ellen did well when she hosted. The 5 reality hosts were awful, as was Seacrest when he hosted solo.
Love, love, LOVE Neil Patrick Harris! Suave, yet self deprecating. Smart, yet accessible. I also really enjoyed having the telecast broken into 5 sections. I liked having a clue what was coming up. The In Memorium segment was well done too. While it’s lovely to have someone singing live, a memorial segment is about the people who have passed on. Thanks to the director/producers who present that to the TV viewers instead of making us struggle to see the screens behind the lovely Sarah Mclachlan.
Worst moments? Most of the reality show section, and the TV Movie/Miniseries section. I get the HBO is a powerhouse but SHEESH! If you don’t have HBO, you most likely hadn’t seen most of the nominees in the Movie/Miniseries category. Possibly hadn’t even heard of them outside of pre-Emmy articles.
The ironic thing about this comment is, the winner for Best Miniseries was on PBS, which everyone in America has … but no one watches.
and yet its paid for by viewers like us
Thanks for pointing that out Nix. Guilty as charged, excepting “Great Performances” for Broadway and Broadway-style concerts.
I watched Little Dorrit, and it was brilliant. Even though it was based on a Charles Dickens novel, the story was still something that related to today. The story was about people who lose everything and wind up in debtors prison; and about a well-respected investment banker who everyone who had any money wanted to invest with, but he was actually running a ponzi game.
If most people watching was the measure, then American Idol and CSI would be winning things. But, PBS has long been known for quality, and lots of people love not only Masterpiece Theatre but documentaries on PBS.
Best – NPH all around – especially when he came out and said how lame the sight gag was with the person who supposedly had the best seat in the house
Second – Sara Mc singing – love her.
Worst – Jim Parsons not winning –
2nd worse – pointless dance number
AND overall worst – I am SO tired of the same people/series winning again and again. It’s like, yeah we all know Alec Baldwin is great – can we share love? Please?
Totally agree! SO tired of the same people winning year after year. Maybe they should create a rule disallowing shows to win more than twice and next year they will honor the other great shows on TV aside from Mad Men and 30 Rock.
I agree I was so relieved when Everybody Loves Raymond was off the air because I was sick of seeing Doris Roberts win every year. It almost seem to me like the people who vote just see a name that looks familiar and vote for that.
I would have to agree, Neil Patrick Harris’s performance was comparable to Carson’s, and quite enjoyable! I have disliked most of the recent hosts, but honestly, Neil Patrick Harris brought it!! Kudos and well done!!
I’m sorry, but putting NPH and Johnny Carson in the same sentence……well………..it’s kinda blasphemous to me. Carson as a host is untouchable in my humble opinion.
Least favorite: Cryergate. As they announced the nominees I outloud stated “ANYONE but Cryer–NPH, McBrayer, ANYONE.” Apparently I haven’t appeased the Emmy gods.
I thought all of the nominees, except Cryer, had a chance to win. I was rooting for NHP. I laughed when he said that Charlie Sheen should get one too. Martin Sheen was cheated out of an Emmy for many years, but Charlie is lucky to be nominated. Two and A Half Men sucks, and Sheen can’t do comedy.
I enjoyed the show but I have to admit that I was disappointed that Taking Chance didn’t win awards. The movie was a gorgeous tribute to our servicemen and women who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice.
I totally agree. That movie was totally overlooked.
Why is it “offensive and insensitive” to comment that it was nice that Ken Howard thanked the woman who gave him a kidney?
Best: NPH, Ricky Gervais, John Hodgman (but I wish I could have heard him better), focusing on the screen instead of the singer for the In Memoriam (unlike the last Oscars).
Worst: Matthew Wiener.
The writer of this article did not say that Ken Howard’s comment was ‘offensive and insensitive’ – why don’t you go back and re-read the article to see what he actually wrote?
I think M M is referring to somebody’s comment above who misread the article.
Neil definitely saved the Emmys this year for me. Dr. Horrible was the best part.
Least favorite: Tina Fey, NPH, and Hugh Laurie getting robbed.
Agree with everything you said…but Lost needs to win next year.
Next year is scheduled to be Lost’s final season. If it is, it will most likely pick up statues left and right as a recognition of the entire series instead of just a single season.
It definitely is the final season…and I agree with them sweeping the awards next year. It seems to be the routine when a show ends. They already have recognition from winning it for their first season. I LOVE this show, but I can understand why they didn’t get it for seasons 2 and 3…but seasons 4 and 5 were more than deserving. They were amazing! Looking forward to seeing them sweep the awards next year.
I don’t think Ken Tucker said there was anything wrong with Ken Howard thanking the donor — he just said it was a surprise. How is that offensive and insensitive? Or did I miss something?
No, Stacy, YOU didn’t miss anything, maybe 1 out of 10 readers miss that Ken Howard’s moment was in the Most Surprising Moments of the article. Then feel the need to post their imagined outrages. Read carefully, people!
Ricky Gervais. Hands down.