By Stephanie Ross
Special to The Chronicle
It was an epic night for television. The 65th Annual Emmy Awards aired Sunday night on CBS and resulted in surprises, snubs and somber tributes.
Neil Patrick Harris hosted the star-studded event that began with former Emmy hosts critiquing his opening monologue. Jimmy Kimmel, Jane Lynch, Jimmy Fallon and Conan O’Brien each entered the stage telling Harris how to run the show.
When Harris asked if anyone else had any more crazy advice for him, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler shouted from the front row, “Yeah we do!” The dynamic duo demanded the host to take his pants off and start twerking. The How I Met Your Mother star replied that twerking would be degrading. “Yeah, it might be degrading, but we would be de-grateful,” Poehler joked.
They stole the spotlight and I think no one would object to Fey and Poehler hosting every awards show from now on.
Now let’s get to the awards.
Best Speech goes to: Nurse Jackie’s Merritt Wever, who won Best Supporting Actress in a comedy and kept her speech short and sweet: “Thank you so much…I gotta go, bye.” Possibly the best speech ever given and it was a great way to start off the night.
Best Character Re-enactment: Julia Louis-Dreyfus claimed her second consecutive Emmy while staying in character as Veep’s Selina Meyer. Tony Hale, who won Best Supporting actor for the same show, joined her onstage, as Gary Walsh, the quirky assistant to Louis-Dreyfus’ character. He assisted her to the stage and whispered people’s names to thank in her speech.
Best Surprise Win: Big Bang Theory’s Jim Parsons won for Best Actor, defeating fellow nominees Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Jason Bateman (Arrested Development), Louis C.K. (Louie), Don Cheadle (House of Lies), and Matt LeBlanc (Episodes). While Parsons has won for his portrayal as Dr. Sheldon Cooper before, it was exciting to see him win again.
Biggest Snubs: Fan-favorite Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston lost Best Actor to The Newsroom’s Jeff Daniels, and Scandal’s Kerry Washington was defeated by Claire Danes for her role on Homeland. I guess Walter White and Olivia Pope were not enough for the academy’s vote.
“This just in. Nobody in America is winning their Emmy office pool,” quipped host Neil Patrick Harris.
Best “It’s About Time” Win: The Colbert Report broke a 10-year winning streak held by The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to win Best Variety Show. The series also won for best writing. Four for you Stephen Colbert, you go Stephen Colbert!
The Emmy’s was a time for celebration, but it also marked an occasion to remember stars who died this past year. Throughout the night, stars and other industry members were remembered in extended tributes that were presented by fellow cast members. These somber tributes were dedicated to James Gandolfini, Gary David Goldberg, Cory Monteith, Jean Stapleton and Jonathan Winters. The tributes gave off a solemn energy, which made it difficult to bounce back to celebrating the awards. Even Modern Family creator Steve Levitan said “this may be the saddest Emmy’s of all time.”
And surprise, surprise, Modern Family won Best Comedy Series, yet again. But seriously, it’s been four years, give another show a chance! (*Cough* Parks and Rec *Cough*)
For the first time ever, Breaking Bad won Best Drama Series. With the series finale just around the corner, winning Emmy’s top honor was just icing on the cake.