A year after its least-watched telecast ever, the Emmy Awards plaintively acknowledged TV’s changing role in the Internet age, bringing a collective sense of reckoning to the revamped show with everything from scripted jokes about the decline of networks to unemployed stars openly job-seeking.
And the gallows humor started from the top: Neil Patrick Harris opened Sunday’s ceremony with “Put Down the Remote,” in which the first-time host urged viewers “Don’t touch that dial/It’s been quite a while since the dial was in style, but you know what I mean … Don’t jump online/’cause this fine mug of mine needs a huge high-def screen.”
Best drama and comedy series trophies went to repeat winners “Mad Men” and “30 Rock,” respectively. The top honors for the relative ratings lightweights showed once again that critics and academy voters aren’t always in synch with TV viewers, another factor in the erosion of Emmys ratings.
Last year, “Mad Men” became the first basic cable show to win a top series award during a telecast watched by 12.3 million — the Emmys’ smallest audience ever. The sleek 1960s Madison Avenue saga has become a cultural touchstone, but not a mainstream hit, a fact that wasn’t lost on series creator Matthew Weiner as he accepted the award for a second straight year.
“It is an amazing time to work in TV,” Weiner said. “And I know that everything is changing, but I’m not afraid of it because I feel like all these different media is just more choice and more entertainment. It’s better for the viewers in the end and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Thanks in part to Patrick’s star turn, the show itself seemed back on track, though its participants were all too aware of what the industry faces. At one point, presenter Ricky Gervais razzed the Emmycast, cracking an inside joke he said was “just for the 5,000 people in this room — not for the 5,000 people watching at home.”
And in another sign of the times, not all winners had to be on set early Monday morning.
Kristin Chenoweth, the first winner of the night, struggled to hold back tears as she accepted the Emmy for best supporting actress in a comedy for “Pushing Daisies,” which was canceled by ABC.
“I’m not employed now, so I’d like to be on ‘Mad Men,'” she said. “I also like ‘The Office’ and ’24.’ Thank you so much to the academy for recognizing a show that’s no longer on the air.” (Chenoweth was later examined by onsite paramedics because she felt a migraine coming on, but felt better after lying down and hoped to attend afterparties, spokeswoman Meghan Prophet said.)
At least one ratings juggernaut took a trophy when Jon Cryer of “Two and a Half Men” won a supporting acting Emmy. Cryer, whose series is the most-watched comedy on TV, brought a wry tone to his speech.
“I used to think that awards were just shallow tokens of momentary popularity, but now I realize they are the only true measure of a person’s worth as a human being,” Cryer quipped.
Last year, “30 Rock” creator-star Tina Fey used her moment in the spotlight to beg for more viewers. This time, in accepting the show’s third straight win for best comedy series, she slyly called out her own network’s cost-saving move that has irked many creative types in the industry: blocking out five nights of prime-time slots for Jay Leno.
“We want to thank our friends at NBC for keeping us on the air,” she said, “even though we are so much more expensive than a talk show.”
At one point, Harris took his own swipe at broadcast TV during a sketch in his alter ego as Dr. Horrible, the mad scientist of “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog,” an online musical comedy he created during the Writers Guild strike.
“Television is dead,” sneered Dr. Horrible. “The future of home entertainment is the Internet. Why watch something like this (he spread his arms grandly) when you can see it like this,” whereupon he snapped his fingers and the screen shrunk to postage-stamp size. (He also touted online entertainment’s lack of interruptions — the screen then hiccuped into “buffering” mode — and panicked when his computer battery began fading, ending the bit.)
Harris’ snappy turn as host earned on-air kudos from several people onstage, including Jon Stewart, a double winner for Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” and Jeff Probst, a repeat winner as reality show host for “Survivor.”
“Neil Patrick Harris, THIS is how you host the Emmys. Nice job,” said Probst, who took part in last year’s five-host debacle.
While the telecast felt like a fresh departure from that failed experiment, a vast number of stars taking hardware from the Nokia Theatre were themselves reruns.
Alec Baldwin won his second straight Emmy as lead actor in a comedy for “30 Rock,” one of three repeat winners in the four major acting categories. Glenn Close’s performance as a ruthless trial attorney on “Damages” and Bryan Cranston’s turn as a meth-making, cancer-stricken teacher on “Breaking Bad” were honored with the top dramatic acting Emmys, the second consecutive trophies for both.
Toni Collette dethroned Fey as lead actress in a comedy, winning for “United States of Tara,” in which she plays a mother with multiple personalities on Showtime. Fey won guest actor in a comedy for her Sarah Palin impersonation on “Saturday Night Live.”
Michael Emerson, who plays the cruelly devious Ben on “Lost,” and Cherry Jones, the stalwart U.S. president on “24,” were honored as supporting actors in drama series.
Seven was a lucky number for two shows that continued their winning streaks: “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” won the trophy for best variety, music or comedy series, and “The Amazing Race” won in the reality-competition category, the seventh trophies for both.
HBO’s “Grey Gardens,” the story of a reclusive mother and daughter who were relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and PBS’ Dickens adaptation “Little Dorrit” won for best movie and miniseries, respectively.
HBO won a leading 21 Emmys, followed by NBC with 16, ABC with 11 and Fox with 10. CBS and PBS had nine each.
In his closing comments, Harris reminded viewers where they can again find the Emmys.
“May we see you again on broadcast television next year,” he said, emphasizing the word “broadcast.”
Full list of Emmy Awards winners
Winners in all categories for the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards announced by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Complete list of winners at Sunday’s 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards:
Drama Series: “Mad Men,” AMC.
Comedy Series: “30 Rock,” NBC.
Actor, Drama Series: Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad,” AMC.
Actress, Drama Series: Glenn Close, “Damages,” FX Networks.
Actor, Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock,” NBC.
Actress, Comedy Series: Toni Collette, “United States of Tara,” Showtime.
Supporting Actor, Drama Series: Michael Emerson, “Lost,” ABC.
Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Cherry Jones, “24,” Fox.
Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: Jon Cryer, “Two and a Half Men,” CBS.
Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: Kristin Chenoweth, “Pushing Daisies,” ABC.
Miniseries: “Little Dorrit” PBS.
Made-for-TV Movie: “Grey Gardens,” HBO.
Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Brendan Gleeson, “Into the Storm,” HBO.
Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange, “Grey Gardens,” HBO.
Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Ken Howard, “Grey Gardens,” HBO.
Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Shohreh Aghdashloo, “House of Saddam,” HBO.
Directing for a Comedy Series: “The Office: Stress Relief,” Jeff Blitz, NBC.
Directing for a Drama Series: “ER: And in the End,” Rod Holcomb, NBC.
Directing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Series: “American Idol: Show 833 (The Final Three),” Bruce Gowers, Fox.
Directing for a Miniseries, Movie, or Dramatic Special: “Little Dorrit: Part 1,” Dearbhla Walsh, PBS.
Variety, Music, or Comedy Series: “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Comedy Central.
Reality-Competition Program: “The Amazing Race,” CBS.
Writing for a Comedy Series: “30 Rock: Reunion,” Matt Hubbard, NBC.
Writing for a Drama Series: “Mad Men: Meditations in an Emergency,” Kater Gordon and Matthew Weiner, AMC.
Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Series: “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Comedy Central.
Writing for a Miniseries, Movie, or Dramatic Special: “Little Dorrit,” Andrew Davies, PBS.
Host, Reality or Reality-Competition Program: Jeff Probst, “Survivor,” CBS.
Original Music and Lyrics: “81st Annual Academy Awards: Song Title: Hugh Jackman Opening Number,” ABC.
List of winners in the creative arts categories of the 61st annual Primetime Emmy Awards:
Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Justin Timberlake, “Saturday Night Live,” NBC.
Guest Actress in a Drama Series: Ellen Burstyn, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Swing,” NBC.
Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: Tina Fey, “Saturday Night Live: Presidential Bash 2008,” NBC.
Guest Actor in a Drama Series: Michael J. Fox, “Rescue Me: Sheila,” FX Networks.
Governors Award: Sheila Nevins, HBO Documentary Films president.
Animated Program (for Programming One-Hour or More): “Destination Imagination (Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends),” Cartoon Network.
Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour): “South Park: Margaritaville,” Comedy Central.
Art Direction for a Multi-Camera Series: “How I Met Your Mother: Shelter Island, Not A Father’s Day,” CBS.
Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series: “Pushing Daisies: Dim Sum Lose Some,” ABC.
Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie: “Grey Gardens,” HBO, and “Little Dorrit,” PBS.
Art Direction for Variety, Music, or Nonfiction Programming: “American Idol: Episode 821-822,” Fox, and “2008 MTV Video Music Awards,” MTV.
Casting for a Comedy Series: “30 Rock,” NBC.
Casting for a Drama Series: “True Blood,” HBO.
Casting for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special: “Little Dorrit,” PBS.
Choreography: “81st Annual Academy Awards: Musicals Are Back,” ABC, and “So You Think You Can Dance: Adam and Eve/Silence,” Fox.
Cinematography for a Half-Hour Series: “Californication: In Utero,” Showtime.
Cinematography for a One-Hour Series: “The Tudors: Episode 303,” Showtime.
Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie: “Little Dorrit: Part 1,” PBS.
Cinematography for Nonfiction Programming: “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations: Laos,” Travel Channel.
Cinematography for Reality Programming: “Out of the Wild: The Alaska Experiment, What Did I Sign Up For?” Discovery Channel.
Commercial: “Heist,” Coca-Cola.
Costumes for a Series: “Pushing Daisies: Bzzzzzzzzz!” ABC.
Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special: “Little Dorrit: Part 3,” PBS.
Costumes for a variety/music program or a special: “So You Think You Can Dance: Episode 415-416A,” Fox.
Directing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Special: “Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony,” Bucky Gunts, NBC.
Directing for Nonfiction Programming: “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired,” Marina Zenovich, HBO.
Main Title Design: “United States of Tara,” Showtime.
Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie or a Special (prosthetic): “Grey Gardens,” HBO.
Makeup for a Single Camera Series (non-prosthetic): “Pushing Daisies: Dim Sum Lose Some,” ABC.
Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series or Special (non-prosthetic): “MADtv: Episode 1405,” Fox.
Makeup for a Miniseries or a Movie (non-prosthetic): “The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler (Hallmark Hall of Fame Presentation),” CBS.
Music Direction: “Streisand: The Concert,” CBS.
Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score): “Legend of the Seeker: Prophecy,” Syndicated.
Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Original Dramatic Score): “Into the Storm,” HBO.
Original Main Title Theme Music: “Great Performances,” PBS.
Picture Editing for a Drama Series (Single-Camera): “Breaking Bad: ABQ,” AMC.
Picture Editing for a Comedy Series (Single or Multi-Camera): “30 Rock: Apollo, Apollo,” NBC.
Picture Editing for a Miniseries or Movie (Single-Camera): “Taking Chance,” HBO.
Picture Editing (Short Form): “81st Annual Academy Awards,” ABC, and “Stand Up to Cancer,” ABC, CBS and NBC.
Picture Editing for a Special (Single or Multi-Camera): “Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger,” HBO.
Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming: “This American Life: John Smith,” Showtime.
Picture Editing for Reality Programming: “Project Runway: Finale (Part 1),” Bravo.
Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series: “Mad Men: The Gold Violin,” AMC.
Hairstyling for a Multi-Camera Series or Special: “Dancing With the Stars: Episode 709,” ABC.
Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Movie: “Grey Gardens,” HBO.
Creative Achievement in Interactive Media – Nonfiction: “The Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Digital Experience,” NBC.com.
Creative Achievement in Interactive Media — Fiction: “The Dharma Initiative,” DharmaWantsYou.com.
Lighting Direction (Electronic, Multi-Camera) for Variety, Music or Comedy Programming: “American Idol: Finale,” Fox.
Variety, Music, or Comedy Special: “The Kennedy Center Honors,” CBS.
Special Class Programs: “Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony,” NBC.
Special Class — Short-format Live-Action Entertainment Programs: “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog,” drhorrible.com.
Special Class — Short-format Nonfiction Programs: “Writer’s Draft,” Fox Movie Channel.
Children’s Program: “Wizards of Waverly Place,” Disney Channel.
Children’s Nonfiction Program: “Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am? With Maria Shriver,” HBO, and “Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: Coming Home: When Parents Return from War,” Nickelodeon.
Nonfiction Special: “102 Minutes That Changed America,” History.
Nonfiction Series: “American Masters,” PBS.
Reality Program: “Intervention,” A&E.
Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking: “The Memory Loss Tapes,” HBO.
Writing for Nonfiction Programming: “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired,” HBO.
Sound Editing for a Series: “Battlestar Galactica: Daybreak (Part 2),” Syfy.
Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special: “Generation Kill: The Cradle of Civilization,” HBO.
Sound Editing for Nonfiction Programming (Single or Multi-Camera): “102 Minutes That Changed America,” History.
Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour): “House: House Divided,” Fox.
Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or Movie: “Generation Kill: The Cradle of Civilization,” HBO.
Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour and Animation): “Entourage: Pie,” HBO, and “Weeds: Three Coolers,” Showtime.
Sound Mixing for a Variety or Music Series or a Special: “81st Annual Academy Awards,” ABC, and “The 51st Annual Grammy Awards,” CBS.
Sound Mixing for Nonfiction Programming (Single or Multi-Camera): “102 Minutes That Changed America,” History.
Special Visual Effects for a Series: “Heroes: The Second Coming/The Butterfly Effect,” NBC.
Special Visual Effects for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special: “Generation Kill: The Cradle of Civilization,” HBO.
Stunt Coordination: “Chuck: Chuck Versus the First Date,” NBC.
Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Series: “American Idol: Episode 834A,” Fox.
Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special: “Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony,” NBC.
Voice-Over Performance: “The Simpsons: Father Knows Worst,” Fox.
Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Special: “Chris Rock — Kill The Messenger,” HBO.
