Another year, another Emmys. The 2008 Emmy awards, television's highest honors, were handed out tonight and it was a glittering affair as usual. Though I love watching the Oscars, the Golden Globes and the SAG, nothing beats the Emmys. Probably due to the greater number of categories and stars, and the diverse collection of shows competing every year, the Emmys never bore me (unlike the others which have done so in the past). Despite missing the first thirty minutes of the telecast (it's morning in our pat of the woods, after all), I still enjoyed the show immensely. Here are some of the highlights and insights of the night in my book:

The place was massive! The stage was enormous as well, but it was simple and uncluttered. This probably added to the casual feel of the show in contrast to the often stuffy tone of the
Oscars.

I was waiting for some political jokes throughout the show but found none. Seems like Hollywood is steering clear of making political statements/views at this year's Emmys. There were several "go out and vote" statements though. Oops, I remember, there was one joke about the elections - Stephen Colbert's 'prune' joke, obviously in reference to John McCain. He he.

Tina Fey was one of the biggest winners of the evening. She won for outstanding writing and acting for 30 Rock. And before the night was over, she was again on stage to accept the 2008 Emmy award for outstanding comedy series for the same show. Was it just me or was everybody waiting for her to do a Sarah palin accent in her acceptance speech? He he.

Don Rickles got one of the best laughs of the evening. His unscripted spiels while presenting an award with Kathy Griffin, and his acceptance speech later in the evening were classic examples of the Don Rickles humor we have known for many years.

It's a good thing for the Emmys to recognize reality competition shows in a separate category from other reality shows, and give an award for its shows as well. The Amazing Race won again this year, for the sixth straight time! I think it has remained unbeaten in this category. Though I also love watching the other nominated reality competition shows like Survivor, Project Runway and American Idol, nothing beats The Amazing Race with its fun and excitement, and its true depiction of reality TV. Kudos!

Why did they give Tom Selleck the honor of handing out the last (and biggest) award of the evening? What has he done to deserve such an honor? I was racking my brain for an answer but couldn't come up with one. Mary Tyler Moore and Betty White, on the other hand, deserved to give the award for the year's outstanding comedy series. She, after all, is recognized as one of the biggest TV stars of all time. I was just wondering why the audience gave Betty White a standing ovation and didn't do the same for Mary Tyler Moore.

2008 Emmy Awards winners and highlights

emmy results 2008, emmy 2008, emmy nomination 2008, emmy winners, primetime emmys 2008, emmy, emmy awards 2008, emmy awards nominees, emmys, emmy award, emmys nominations, primetime emmy, primetime emmys 2008, 2008 emmy nominations, 2008 emmy, 2008 emmy ballot, 2008 emmy award nominations, when are the emmys, read my mind Philippines, monacome

2008 Emmy Awards Winners & Nominations (partial)

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES

* Mad Men
Boston Legal
Damages
Dexter
House
Lost

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES

* 30 Rock
Curb your Enthusiasm
The Office
Entourage
Two and a Half Men

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY

* Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Steve Carell, The Office
Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies
Tony Shaloub, Monk
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

* Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Julie Louis-Dreyfuss, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Mary Louise Parker, Weeds

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA

* Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Gabrielle Byrne, In Treatment
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
James Spader, Boston Legal

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

* Glenn Close, Damages
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA

* Zeljko Ivanek, Damages
William Shatner, Boston Legal
Ted Danson, Damaged
Michael Emerson, Lost
John Slattery, Mad Men

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

* Dianne Wiest, In Treatment
Candice Bergen, Boston Legal
Rachel Griffiths, Brother & Sisters
Chandra Wilson, Grey’s Anatomy
Sandra Oh, Grey’s Anatomy

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

* Jean Smart, Samantha Who
Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies
Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live
Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY

* Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Kevin Dillon, Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Rainn Wilson, The Office
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men

OUTSTANDING REALITY COMPETITION

* Amazing Race
American Idol
Dancing with the Stars
Project Runway
Top Chef

OUTSTANDING HOST, REALITY SERIES

* Jeff Probst, Survivor
Tom Bergeron, Dancing with the Stars
Heidi Klum, Project Runway
Howie Mandel, Deal or No Deal
Ryan Seacrest, American Idol

OUTSTANDING VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES

* The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Late Show With David Letterman
Real Time With Bill Maher
Saturday Night Live
The Colbert Report

Postscript: BTW, Here are the important dates to remember in the 2009 Hollywood awards calendar: the 2009 Golden Globe nominations on December 11, the SAG nominations on December 18, the 2009 Golden Globe Awards on January 11, the 2009 Oscar nominations/Academy Award nominations on January 22, the SAG Awards winners/results on January 25 and the 2009 Oscar Awards on February 22, 2009. And while we're on the subject of awards, let's throw in the 2009 Grammy nominations announced on December 3 and 2009 Grammy Awards (winners and results) on February 8, 2009.

If you like this post, then please consider subscribing to my RSS feed. You can also subscribe by email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.

Your Ad Here