Emmy night was a mixed-bag of the predicted, and the underdog. Mike Nichol's take on Angels in America for HBO took home a slew of awards, Sex in the City grasped at the acting awards it didn't already have under its belt, and The Sopranos beat out snoozer The West Wing for Drama Series.
But the real news of the night (for me, anyways) was the Fox comedy, Arrested Development, taking home multiple big prizes. Never a huge hit with audiences, but raved by critics, one can only hope that an Emmy push will finally get the show some notice. If not, Fox always has the sensation that is American Idol later in the year to get some decent ratings.
The two male leads of Frasier (always an Emmy favorite) unexpectedly took home trophies, but in hindsight I suppose that the last season of a show that Emmy voters orgasm over was bound to be thrown a few bones. One of those surprises that tend to be more boring than actually surprising.
The academy did genuinely surprise in the Drama Actor category, where resident creepy-actor-for-hire James Spader grabbed the award for The Practice. I didn't even realize that anyone was watching The Practice anymore, but maybe the tape ABC sent out had Spader giving some really creepy stares or yelling a lot.
But even The Practice won't be around for Emmy voters to give awards to next year, let alone giants The Sopranos, Frasier, Sex in the City or Friends. Next year is when the shit really hits the fan, so maybe for once Emmy will give us some surprising nominees and winners.
Drama Series: "The Sopranos," HBO.
Comedy Series: "Arrested Development," Fox.
Miniseries: "Angels in America," HBO.
Variety, Music or Comedy Series: "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" Comedy Central.
Made-for-TV Movie: "Something the Lord Made," HBO.
Article comments
1 - Justene
This review was chosen for Advance.net. You will be able to find it on newspaper sites including Cleveland.com.
2 - Robert Nagle
I didn't watch the Emmy's, don't have cable, so perhaps my opinions are misinformed. And the shows don't reward merit; King of Queens is wowwing me (and hopefully other critics) and yet it didn't seem to make the awards. Ibid with Buffy, 70s show, etc.
But I thought the final episode of Frasier was masterfully done (and wrote about it here).
I always wonder why nobody seems to give a hoot about the writers for these shows. Aren't they...kind of important?
3 - Eric Olsen
thanks for covering this for us John, much appreciated!
4 - Padhraic
The People who nominate shows need to be beaten severly until they nominate "The Wire". The best show on tv.