Tonight is the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards and even though the strike cut right through the last season of television, there were still plenty of outstanding performances and shows that deserve awarding. We’ll be covering the event as it plays out and posting the winners as they’re announced so stick around and post your comments on the winners, speeches and everything in between in our comments section below!
The event starts out with a clever “What’s My Line?” video featuring various TV personalities followed by Oprah, who talks about TV for a bit and then introduces the hosts, Tom Bergeron, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Jeff Probst and Ryan Seacrest. They all joke about having “nothing” in terms of how prepared they are. No Teleprompters. No preparation. Nothing. This should be interesting. Heidi Klum started out wearing a fitted tux but with the help of Shatner, who took the stage briefly, it was torn off to reveal a tiny, black glittery outfit.
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler take the stage to announce Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Fey looks gorgeous in her black dress and Poehler is looking very pregnant (and glowing!) tonight. They banter about welcomes and then get to the award:
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold - Entourage
Kevin Dillon as Johnny Drama - Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson - How I Met Your Mother
Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute - The Office
Jon Cryer as Alan Harper - Two and a Half Men
Piven wins it and talks about how great it is to work on the show and to be a working actor. I love Piven in Entourage but I was hoping Neil Patrick Harris would win this one. Oh well, there’s always next year!
Seacrest and Bergeron are in what appears to be the diner set from Seinfeld. Cut to a clip of Seinfeld in which the cast are talking about “the bet.” Classic episode. Julia Louise Dreyfus takes the stage wearing a snug-fitting red (pink?) shiny dress. She looks fantastic and she’s here to announce the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy series:
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
Kristin Chenoweth as Olive Snook - Pushing Daisies
Jean Smart as Regina Newly - Samantha Who?
Amy Poehler as Performer - Amy Poehler
Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper - Two and a Half Men
Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater - Ugly Betty
Jean Smart wins it! Her third Emmy win. She jokes about having a tuxedo on under her dress then moves on to give Samantha Who? star Christina Applegate some love and credit for her work on the show. She lists off a bunch of people, including her family and we’re off to another commercial.
We’re back and Heidi and Probst intro a clip from last season of Desperate Housewives. When we come back from the clip, all of the women from DH are up on stage sitting in a living room set all dressed up and ready to present the award for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
William Shatner as Denny Crane - Boston Legal
Ted Danson as Arthur Frobisher - Damages
Zeljko Ivanek as Ray Fiske - Damages
Michael Emerson as Ben - Lost
John Slattery as Roger Sterling - Mad Men
Zeljko Ivanek wins it and the women have trouble pronouncing his name but the announcer-guy gets it right when he says this is his first Emmy win. Ivanek talks about Damages, FX and the cast, gives his thanks and exits the stage.
YOUTUBE MOMENT: Ricky Gervais steps on to the stage and delivers his usual hilarious brand of comedy as he reminds everyone that he won an Emmy last year. He intros a clip-video of various past Emmy speeches. The last clip is from last year when Gervais won and wasn’t there to accept it, so Jon Stewart gave the award to Steve Carell. Gervais uses this as an opportunity to make fun of Carell’s “stupid face” and poke fun at Carell for having to steal his Emmy. All the while, everyone’s laughing and Carell’s doing an amazing job of not laughing, even when Gervais tries to tickle him. Hilarious. Carell finally gives the Emmy up, which he had hidden under his seat. They need to let Gervais host this thing next year.
Gervais announces the winner of Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program, which goes to Louis J. Horvitz for his direction on the 80th Annual Academy Awards. He accepts the award from the control area as it looks like he’s directing tonight’s Emmy Awards Ceremony as well. I wonder if he cuts himself off for going to long. He does! He wraps himself up and we’re off to another commercial.
Back from commercial and we get a clip from The Simpsons, which is used to introduce Conan O’Brien (who once wrote for the long-running primetime comedy series). Conan’s here to announce the award for Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt - Boston Legal
Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Walker-Whedon – Brothers & Sisters
Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey - Grey’s Anatomy
Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang - Grey’s Anatomy
Dianne Wiest as Dr. Gina Toll - In Treatment
Dianne Wiest wins it and isn’t there to give a speech. O’Brien accepts it on her behalf and says he’ll give it to Steve Carell. (heh.)
And now the award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program. Each year the different shows nominated find clever ways to introduce all of the writers on their team. This year Letterman’s included Dr. Phil diagnosing each person as their name was read out and SNL’s featured Nintendo Mii’s for each of their writers. The writers of The Colbert Report win it! The first Emmy win in this category for The Colbert report.
Howie and Jeff introduce Steve Martin. Is it me or does Steve Martin not age? He always looks the same. He’s talking about comedy heroes right now and particularly, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Tonight, the Television Academy (“In an effort to fill time”) is giving Tommy Smothers the commemorative Emmy Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy Variety for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Smothers takes his opportunity to talk about freedom of speech and encouraging people to not be afraid to speak out.
YOUTUBE MOMENT: Heidi and Ryan introduce Josh Groban. I was preparing to hit mute but then he jumped into a medley of theme songs from various shows including The Simpsons, Friends, Mr. Rogers, The Love Boat, The Addams Family, The Muppet Show, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Two and a Half Men, Gilligan’s Island and even South Park. This is just surreal… but funny!
Alec Baldwin gets up on stage to announce the winner for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie. Laura Linney wins it for John Adams. This is her third Emmy win (and third nomination, which means at this point you probably don’t want to be up against her for an award) for Linney.
The award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series is apparently being announced by the cast of Laugh In, which is a variety show from the late 60’s (early 70’s). I don’t get this kind of humor and I suspect its more of a “you had to be there” thing for people who were fans of this show when it was on. Sorry, I think Lily Tomlin is great but I just didn’t get that bit. At all. Anyway, the award goes to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
Heidi Klum introduces MTV’s Lauren Conrad and David Boreanaz (from “The Bones”). They’re announcing the award from Guest Actress and Actor in a Comedy Series. Tim Conway won for 30 Rock and Kathryne Joostan from Desperate Housewives. She announces the award for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series. Barry Sonnenfeld wins it for the pilot episode of Pushing Daisies. Well deserved!
The award for Outstanding Writer for a Comedy Series goes to Tina Fey for 30 Rock for the episode titled “Cooter.” This is her third Emmy win. She talks about how proud she is to be a writer.
A clip from The West Wing is played to intro Martin Sheen who is there to encourage everyone to vote this year in the presidential election. He then introduces John Schaffner (chairman and CEO of the Television Academy). He offers congratulations to the nominees and winners and talk about how TV connects us all.
Christian Slater and Christina Applegate take the stage and banter about crushing each other in the ratings. They’re announcing the award for Outstanding Made for Television Movie. Recount wins it.
William Peterson and Laurence Fishburne are presenting the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries. The Emmy goes to Tom Wilkinson from John Adams. He’s not here to accept his award though. Moving on. Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart take the stage to announce the award for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries but before that, Colbert eats some prunes and makes some clever metaphor about prunes in reference to what America needs (in the next president). Jay Roach wins the Emmy for his direction on Recount. Seems like the music cut him off pretty early on this one. Running short on time?
The winner for Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special goes to Kirk Ellis for John Adams. Another quick speech and it’s time for some more commercials.
Howie is on stage spouting off random medical knowledge that he’s retained from his days at St. Elsewhere. This is an intro for a MASH clip. Speaking of medical dramas, Sandra Oh and Patrick Dempsey are now on stage to announce the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a miniseries or a Movie. Eileen Atkins wins it for Cranford and she’s also not here to accept the award.
Wow, it’s been a while since they’ve done any awards from the major categories. Not that I have anything against miniseries but let’s get on with the show here!
Kathy Griffin and Don Rickles. Griffin orders everyone to “Get up!” and give the man a standing ovation. Rickles goes off script for a bit, which gets a lot of much deserved laughter. Back to the teleprompter for a bit and then right off script. Kathy’s laughing too much to get things back on track. This is the award for Outstanding Reality Competition Program. Doesn’t Amazing Race always win this one? Oh, look at that! Amazing Race gets it! I like TAR as much as the next person but I don’t totally get how this show keeps winning this award.
Sally Field is announcing the award for Outstanding Miniseries. The Emmy goes to John Adams. No surprise there! With 23 nominations, it seemed likely that the miniseries would walk away with the big one. Tom Hanks accepts the award, making a brief almost-joke about Forrest Gump and then talking about the making of the show, the cast and HBO.
Kristin Chenoweth and Neil Patrick Harris are on stage to acknowledge the passing of Dwight Hemion and to announce the award for Outstanding individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program. Don Rickles wins the award for Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project. He starts his speech out by saying “It’s a mistake.” He then goes on to talk about getting the project together. He’s funny but I’m wondering if Mr. Music-guy is going to give him the old “wrap it up” tune or they’ll actually let the guy talk. They don’t cut him off, which is nice because he’s funny and deserves an extra thirty seconds of chat time.
Kate Walsh and Wayne Brady announce that the winner of Outstanding Guest Actor and Actress in a Drama Series were Glynn Turman and Cynthia Nixon. They take the stage to announce the winner for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. Greg Yaitanes wins it for directing “House’s Head” for House. Excellent episode!
Now Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. Matthew Weiner wins it for Mad Men, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.” I know it was too much to hope that BSG would actually win this but I still wish it had.
Glenn Close announces the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseres or Movie. Paul Giamatti wins for John Adams. He thanks HBO for giving him a job and letting him play the president. He thanks his fake wife Laura and the camera pans to his real wife laughing.
Candace Burgin presents to the award to the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk - Monk
Steve Carell as Michael Scott - The Office
Lee Pace as Ned - Pushing Daisies
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy - 30 Rock
Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper - Two and a Half Men
Baldwin wins his first Emmy! He’s half the reason 30 Rock is such a funny show so go Baldwin! Baldwin credits the writers for the show being so great and extends a special thanks to Tina Fey for her great work.
Vanessa Williams and America Fererra are announcing for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Sally Field as Nora Holden-Walker - Brothers & Sisters
Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson - The Closer
Glenn Close as Patty Hewes - Damages
Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Holly Hunter as Grace Hanadarko - Saving Grace
Glenn Close wins and talks about complicated, powerful, mature, sexy women. She gets cut off by the music. No time to talk, Glenn! It’s time for the In Memoriam montage. RIP Bozo the Clown, Estelle Geddy, Sydney Pollack, Bernie Mac, George Carlin and many more.
Keifer Sutherland is announcing the award for Best Actor in a Drama Series. He’s not wasting any time with an intro and gets right down to the nominees.
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
James Spader as Alan Shore - Boston Legal
Bryan Cranston as Walt White - Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan - Dexter
Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House - House
Gabriel Byrne as Paul - In Treatment
Jon Hamm as Don Draper - Mad Men
Yes! Bryan Cranston wins it! Totally deserved. He seems very happy to be up there, thanking the show, AMC, the writers, the cast and his family.
Brooke Shields and Craig Ferguson are announcing for Oustanding Actress in a Comedy Series.
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell – The New Adventures of Old Christine
Christina Applegate as Samantha Newly - Samantha Who?
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon - 30 Rock
America Ferrera as Betty Suarez - Ugly Betty
Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin - Weeds
Tina Fey wins. She says her husband tells her to just try to act like Julia Louise Dreyfus. She then thanks Julia because it’s really working out for her.
YOUTUBE MOMENT: Jimmy Kimmel brings the hosts up onto the stage to announce the winner of the new Outstanding Host for a Reality Series award. He spoofs American Idol and other reality shows by telling all of them what the judges had to say about them. He goes through the whole spiel then tells them they have to wait until after the commercials to find out who wins. Ha! A taste of their own medicine (specifically Seacrest’s medicine).
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program
Ryan Seacrest, Host - American Idol
Tom Bergeron, Host - Dancing With the Stars
Howie Mandel, Host - Deal or No Deal
Heidi Klum, Host - Project Runway
Jeff Probst, Host - Survivor
Jeff Probst wins it. Not a Survivor fan here so I can’t say if it’s deserved, though given the popularity of the series, I’m sure it is. I’m still disappointed that Seacrest didn’t win it (and that Cat Deeley wasn’t nominated). Ah well, let’s move on with the show since we’re coming up on the three hour mark!
Mary Tyler Moore is up on stage and introducing Betty White. They’re announcing the winner for Best Comedy Series.
Outstanding Comedy Series
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
Entourage (HBO)
The Office (NBC)
30 Rock (NBC)
Two and a Half Men (CBS)
30 Rock wins it! Tina Fey and the 30 Rock cast and crew take the stage as Fey does the thank you’s. She thanks the city of New York for the “giant tax cuts that make our show possible.” She then plugs the show’s premiere (Thursday at 9:30 p.m. on NBC).
Outstanding Drama Series
Boston Legal (ABC)
Damages (FX)
Dexter (Showtime)
House (Fox)
Lost (ABC)
Mad Men (AMC)
Mad Men wins for best drama, wrapping up the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards just in time to hit the three hour mark in the ceremony.
You know, miniseries and TV movies are great but it seems like they dedicate a lot of time to those awards in the middle-portion of the ceremony and not enough on the bigger awards that most of us who are watching at home are waiting to see. Case in point: Tonight they rushed through the final awards, which were all of the “big ones” because they were running out of time. I get that they want to save the big awards for the end but all the same, with a three hour ceremony, you’d think they’d be able to find ways to cut down the middle portion of the ceremony a bit.
We've got the list of winners and photos from the ceremony for you HERE.
