Emmy Results Are In: How Did Mr. TV Fare?

Hosted by still trophy-less Neil Patrick Harris, The 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards was a mixed night of many surprises and a number of continued winners, including AMC’s Mad Men and NBC’s 30 Rock as top drama and comedy.  
 
The three-hour telecast got off to an unpredictable start with teary eyed Kristin Chenoweth named Best Supporting Actress of a Comedy Series for ABC’s canceled Pushing Daisies.  There was just something about that show the voters loved (but the viewers did not, of course). The next surprise was Jon Cryer for his first win as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy for CBS’ long-running Two and a Half Men. The fourth nomination was the charm for “Duckie.” And equally unexpected was Toni Collette for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Showtime’s The United States of Tara, who benefited no doubt by her portrayal of multiple personalities..
 
While Jon Cryer’s win could have signaled a long overdue victory for Charlie Sheen for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, 30 Rock’s Alec Baldwin was back at the podium for the second consecutive year. Ditto for Survivor’s Jeff Probst, who won another Emmy for hosting CBS’ veteran Survivor. Tom Bergeron…you were robbed! In an unprecedented winning streak, CBS’ The Amazing Race won its seventh consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Reality Series. Isn’t it time for another show to sneak in at this point?
 
Following victories for Ken Howard (Grey Gardens), Shohreh Aghdashloo (House of Saddam), Brendan Gleeson (Into the Storm) and Jessica Lange (House of Grey Gardens), all HBO titles, in the miniseries and movie acting categories, it was wins for HBO’s Grey Gardens for Outstanding Made-For Television Movie and PBS’ Little Dorrit for Outstanding Miniseries. Considering HBO’s dominance, there is an obvious lack of made-for movies on the broadcast nets.  
 
Although there was certainly critical momentum for NBC’s veteran Saturday Night Live this season, Jon Stewart was back on the stage accepting another Emmy for Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart as Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series. Mirroring The Amazing Race, isn’t it time for a change? You can now consider Stewart the “Helen Hunt of variety.” Hunt, of course, won Emmys year-after-year for sitcom Mad About You, while worthy star Paul Reiser always went home empty handed. Speaking of Paul Reiser, what ever happened to him?
 
Getting back to the Emmys, dramas kicked off with Michael Emerson (ABC’s Lost) and Cherry Jones (Fox’s 24) named Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress. Considering the lack of buzz for 24 last season, Jones was yet another surprise in a night jammed packed with uncertainties. Glenn Close was back at the podium, accepting her second Emmy in a row as Lead Actress in a Drama for Damages on FX. But before anyone thinks she always wins, don’t forget that her current Oscar track is 0 for 5. Also two in a row: Bryan Cranston for AMC’s Breaking Bad as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama. Does anyone even remember that unrecognizable Cranston was once Malcolm’s goofy father?
 
As NBC’s 30 Rock and AMC’s Mad Men capped off the telecast with their expected Best Comedy and Drama victories, it is onto the 2009-10 TV season, which officially begins tonight. Here’s to a great season!
 
What follows is a listing of the key winners: