Emmy Awards 2013
Neil Patrick Harris reprised his role as host of the Prime Time Emmy Awards 2013 on CBS. He opened the show by binge-watching
show clips of the TV season in a special room full of retro television sets. It was OK, not great, but it was a clever use of soundbites.
Neil deviated from his somewhat expected song and dance open to a segment full of former hosts. Jimmy Kimmel came out of the audience to join him on stage, then came Jane Lynch, followed by Jimmy Fallon who asked why he wasn’t doing his song and dance. Connon O’Brien and Kevin Spacey also joined in, but the end to this skit was the best when Tina Fey and Amy Poehler joked from the audience before falling up the steps as they took the stage as the first presenters of the evening. They presented the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy to Merritt Wever for “Nurse Jackie.” Her acceptance speech was hysterical, and one for books being the shortest ever. I guess she didn’t expect to beat Jane Lynch and Sophia Vergara, and she was lost for words. She simply said thank you and I gotta go bye. Hysterical.
Tina Fey backed up her show opening with a big win for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series; Tina Fey and Tracey Wigfield for 30 Rock.
The Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series went to Tony Hale for Veep. Next came the first Immemorial Tribute presented by Robin Williams in honor of Jonathan Winters passing this year. The memorial segments caused a lot of pre and post-Emmy debates over whether they were appropriately placed and for the impact on the mood of the broadcast. They did impact the mood to a certain degree but were all tastefully done.
Julie Louis-Dreyfus won for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series as her co-star Tony Hale held her purse and coached her through her acceptance speech. Very funny.
Gail Mancuso won for Outstanding Comedy Direction for “Modern Family,” and Jimmy Kimmel and Sophia Vergara awarded the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Emmy to Jim Parsons for “The Big Bang Theory.”
Rob Reiner presented the next memorial segment to Jeanne Stapleton and her character Edith Bunker. Her character Edith passed years ago. Jeanne Stapleton just joined her this year.
Michael Douglas and Matt Damon introduced a performance by Elton John, and awarded the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries to Laura Linney for “The Big C.” She was unable to attend, so they accepted the award on her behalf.
Next, the producers tried a skit focusing on Neil Patrick Harris needing an intervention for ‘excessive hosting disorder’. It featured the cast of Neil’s show, “How I Met Your Mother” and they even threw in Arsenio Hall, but it kinda fell flat.
Blair Underwood announced the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. The Emmy went to Henry Bromell for “Homeland,” but he sadly passed away earlier this year. His wife Sarah fought back tears while accepting her husbands Posthumous Emmy Award. Heartbreaking.
Anna Gun won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for “Breaking Bad” just before Jane Lynch presented the Immemorial segment on Corey Monetiff from Glee. This tribute raised the most controversy, but her poignant speech put it all into perspective.
To lightened the mood, the song and dance number we all expected Neil to do at the top of the show was moved to the middle of the show. It was literally called, “The Number in the Middle of the Show.'” It was a bit silly, but it helped.
The Outstanding Reality Show was a huge win for “The Voice.” Mark Burnett accepted.
Shemar Moore of “Criminal Minds” handled the Green Room segments quite well. We got a moment to hang out together on the Red Carpet.
One of the great moments of the ceremony came courtesy of Diahann Carroll. The incredible Ms. Carroll and “Scandal” star Kerri Washington announced the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series award. The Emmy went to Bobby Cannavale for “Boardwalk Empire,” but not before Diahann Carroll spoke quite eloquently; first about the good-looking men in the room and then about the outstanding talent of Kerri Washington. Washington did not win the Emmy that Diahann said she had better get, but she’s still winning with viewers and fans.
Another huge win went to Jeff Daniels for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for HBO’s “Newsroom.”
Don Cheadle opened the moments in TV history segment featuring Walter Cronkite announcing the death of President Kennedy and several other major moments that TV brought into our homes, including the arrival of the Beatles. Carrie Underwood wrapped up the segment by singing “Yesterday”.
Jimmy Fallon introduced the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category, and the Emmy went to Claire Danes for “Homeland.” Outstanding Director for a Drama Series went to David Fincher for “House of Cards.”
But another huge moment in the show was when Jim Parsons of “The Big Bang Theory” initiated a standing ovation for Bob Newhart in honor of his first Emmy Award this year. Very deserving Bob.
Jim and Bob presented the Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series to Steve Colbert and the team of The Colbert Report. Colbert was over-the-top thrilled with this award, and it was only the first of the night for this group.
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series went to Don Roy King, for Saturday Night Live. Another thrilled winner. Just before Michael Jay Fox remembered Gary David Goldberg of “Family Ties.”
Outstanding Choreography was another big stage production, and Neil got a chance to do his second song and dance number to “Luck Be a Lady Tonight”.
Tim Dunn and Heidi Klum came out after that dance number to award the Emmy for Outstanding Choreography while all the nominees stood on the stage. It was a little awkward, but Derek Hough took home the trophy. For all the hard work Derek has done over the years for “Dancing with the Stars,” he certainly deserves it. Yeah, Derek!
The Colbert Report took their second Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. Followed by the remembrance piece for James Gandolfini presented by his co-star and Soprano wife Edie Falco.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie went to James Cromwell. Nice to see him win for his body of work as well.
The Immemorial montage included David Frost, Annette Funicello, Eydie Gorme, Larry Hagman, Conrad Bain, Roger Ebert, Bonnie Franklin, Andy Williams and too many more.
Outstanding Direction of a Miniseries or Movie went to Steven Soderbergh, and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie went to Ellen Burstyn for “Political Animals.”
Nearing the end of the broadcast, I admit I was wishing the show was two hours long instead of three. I’m sure I’m not alone.
So it was nice when the show picked up again when the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie went to Michael Douglas for “Behind the Candelabra.” His acceptance speech was full of lots of funny innuendos as he told Matt Damon he shares the award with him and did he want the bottom or the top.
“Behind the Candelabra” also took Outstanding Miniseries or Movie. Jerry Weintraub accepted.
And Will Ferrel brought his craziness to broadcasting as he announced the winner for Outstanding Comedy Series. “Modern Family” took it home, and Outstanding Drama Series went to “Breaking Bad.”
There were a lot of surprise wins this year, and the program had some hits and some misses, but it was certainly a great 
time and big night for all the winners.
You can catch my Emmy coverage of the 65th Annual Emmy Awards at www.aurn.com and at Hollywood Live with Tanya Hart on AURN, American Urban Radio Networks for more on the Red Carpet and behind the scenes.
See You Next Year!
Tanya Hart
