Just as TV's top stars not so secretly aspire to achieve movie star status, their industry's top awards show likewise aims to be more like their film counterpart. The Emmys, like the medium they celebrate, bask in the shadows of the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood glory personified at the Oscars. Despite efforts to buck that tradition with this year's broadcast, the Emmys remain the red headed step child of award shows.
In their 57th year, the Emmys decided to acknowledge their Oscar inferiority complex. Host Ellen DeGeneres even expressed a desire to host the superior awards show in her opening monologue. Additionally, the new elements incorporated into the broadcast were reminiscent of Oscar staples like comedic parodies of nominees and live musical performances.
The problem with the Emmys this year was not the efforts themselves, but the lack of context for each of the bits. The cartoon spoofs on nominees were haphazardly scattered throughout the broadcast. The whole American Idol style contest was reasonably amusing, but took itself too seriously. Crowning a winner – arguably unnecessary. Charging $.49 for a text message – just plain wrong.
Yet, the producer's attempts to liven up the broadcast are not to be denied. There seemed to be a genuine interest in improving the show, which indicates good things for Emmys to come.
Gawking and gazing at celebrities will always be more exciting at the Oscars. For one thing, gathering the vast collection of top tier movie stars that turn up for the Academy Awards is a rare occasion. Whereas all five Desperate Housewives are always together, Tom Cruise, Renee Zellweger, Russell Crowe, and Nicole Kidman are most certainly not. Plus, movie stars are movie stars – TV stars are the characters they play. And we'd rather see them playing their characters in the Oval Office, on Wisteria Lane, or lost on a mysterious island.
But next year seeing them doing a waltz or salsa dancing might be entertaining too...
