Throughout the rushed telecast of the 56th Annual Emmy Awards, host Garry Shandling repeatedly poked fun at 'reality' programs, joking that 'It's to the point now when a commercial comes on I go, `Thank God, professional actors in a story.''
Unfortunately, those 'professional actors' in the commercials got more airtime during the broadcast than the professional actors (and professional directors and producers) who were present to accept their well-earned awards. Repeatedly, the recipients had to compete with that familiar undertow of music that threatened to carry them out to stage left if they didn't hurry up and make way for another car ad.
So glad that these awards shows know where their priorities lie.
While some of the celebs, like Sarah Jessica Parker, tried to tweak their voice boxes to reach over the swelling cue music, others rode the crest with some well-timed humor.
Mitchell Hurwitz, while in the middle of one of the nights most genuinely funny speeches, didn't missing a beat when the music started to creep up in the background, wise-cracking that he'd like to sing the rest of his speech to the provided accompaniment.
Meryl Streep took it that one step further, embracing the music and channeling her thanks-you's into sweet lyrics.
The biggest challenge came from the feisty Elaine Stritch who joked, while accepting her statuette for Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety Or Music Program, that she'd ignore the music, threatening to straddle the stage until she was carried off. Apparently, she won out, because the music died down as the 79-year-old comedienne entertained the crowd with her humorous braggadocio.
But, as usual, some of the more high-profile celebs were immune to the cane.
Al Pacino -- who makes a regular habit of dragging out his acceptance time, no matter what award he is receiving-- prattled on until finally stumbling upon a joke that the audience felt was halfway worth laughing at.
Pacino's director on 'Angels In America,' Mike Nichols, took his time, almost stretching his stage time as if he was awaiting the cue to let him know his time was up. Finally, after running out of things to say, he left the stage unprovoked.
But back to Meryl! Of all people to drag off stage, Streep is one of the most celebrated celebs in Hollywood, and besides that, she gives the best acceptance speeches outside of Jack Nicholson. Why give her the music boot in the middle of her wickedly funny take on how her co-nominess would react her win, while Pacino is allowed to mumble on like a grandfather who was stirred awake in his rocking chair, and is still trying to figure out where he is?
HITS AND MISSES
I don't think I'll ever get over the fact that HBO's Deadwood was nearly iced out of the nominations. This much praised critic-fav, that single-handedly reinvented the Western, should've been at least nominated for Best Drama. Though Walter Hill got a much deserved Directing Emmy for his turn on the pilot episode, and both Brad Dourif and Robin Weigert got Supporting Acting noms, I couldn't help but feel empty not seeing Ian McShane's face there when they called off the Outstanding Actor's names.
At least they got it right when the 'The Sopranos' finally 'got made' after 4 seasons on the ballot. Complain all you want about the long-haul between seasons -- this show delivers the goods episode to episode, and deserves the award.
'We've put a lot of work into it and I think we've gotten better,' series creator David Chase said. 'It's good that it finally paid off.'
BEST LINES
'Look at the company I'm in. Just look at it,' Elaine Stritch said of her fellow Variety or Music Performance nominees. 'I'm so glad none of them won.'
'You know there are days when I myself think I am overrated...' Meryl Streep teased. '...But not today.'
'There are so many people that are responsible for this,' said Drea de Mateo of her Supporting Actress award, 'that if I even try to thank any of them right now, I might puke, choke, cry or die. And you've already seen me do that.'
'You've all made wonderful choices in shoes and dresses tonight and you all look absolutely beautiful,' James Spader said in his dryly lighthearted acceptance speech.
But the best line of the night came from Chris Rock. As host Gary Shandling and Ray Ramono shared urinals and quips about Reality Television, Rock unzipped... 'Who the hell is Elaine Stitch?'
THE WINNER IS...
Drama Series: 'The Sopranos,' HBO.
Comedy Series: 'Arrested Development,' Fox.
Miniseries: 'Angels in America,' HBO.
Variety, Music or Comedy Series: 'The Daily Show With Jon Stewart' Comedy Central.
Made-for-TV Movie: 'Something the Lord Made,' HBO.
Reality-Competition Program: 'The Amazing Race,' CBS.
Actor, Drama Series: James Spader, 'The Practice,' ABC.
