Emmys 2011

Jane Lynch did a solid job hosting. Her sketches were pretty good and she had some excellent cameos in her opening stroll through the sets of many of today's television shows.

Married tv couple Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell (Claire and Phil Dunphy) each won for Best Supporting Actress and Actor in a Comedy Series for Modern Family. Charlie Sheen was a class act as he presented the award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series. I was waiting for the punch line that did not come. So much so it took me a minute to realize that Steve Carell lost. I like Big Bang a whole bunch and Jim Parsons is fantastic as Sheldon. Steve Carell was amazing beyond words in his final appearance on the Office. It is a true shame that he was not recognized.

Beginning with Amy Poehler all of the women nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy Series went up on stage pageant style when their names were announced for their category. Melissa McCarthy won for Mike & Molly (you probably saw her in Bridesmaids this summer). The other nominees placed a tiara on her head and gave her a bouquet of roses. This display improved my mood greatly after Carell's inexplicable loss. Poehler and McCarthy did a hilarious job presenting for Lead Actor and Best Directing in a miniseries later in the show.

The Office sketch was delightful and funny. The Office regulars talking about what they liked least about their jobs peppered with characters from other shows. Fantastic.

I completely fast forwarded through the Reality section. Not my bag.

Margo Martindale won Best Supporting Actress for Justified. I have never watched the FX show but all of you will recognize her. She had a great arch on Dexter and is great in the Sandra Bullock flick 28 Days. Then things were a bit less dramatic. Martin Scorsese won Best Director. Duh. Kate Winslet won for Best Actress in a miniseries for Mildred Pierce. Well yeah. I did not have to see that to predict that. She is my generation's Meryl Streep.

I very much enjoyed the cast of Entourage presenting several miniseries awards. Mad Men won again and when Best Comedy Series was announced at the end, Modern Family won again. Repeat winners and truly excellent television.

Here is a complete list of the night’s winners:
Outstanding comedy series: Modern Family
Outstanding drama series: Mad Men
Outstanding miniseries or movie: Downton Abbey
Outstanding lead actress, miniseries or movie: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or movie: Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce
Outstanding directing for a miniseries, movie or dramatic special: Brian Percival, Downton Abbey
Outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie: Barry Pepper, The Kennedys
Outstanding supporting actress, miniseries or movie: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Outstanding writing for a miniseries or movie: Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey
Outstanding lead actor, drama: Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Outstanding lead actress, drama: Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Outstanding supporting actor, drama: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Outstanding directing, drama: Martin Scorsese, Boardwalk Empire
Outstanding supporting actress, drama: Margo Martindale, Justified
Outstanding writing, drama series: Jason Katims, Friday Night Lights
Outstanding variety, music or comedy series: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Outstanding directing for a variety, music or comedy series: Don Roy King, Saturday Night Live (host: Justin Timberlake)
Outstanding writing for a variety, music or comedy series: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Outstanding reality competition: The Amazing Race
Outstanding lead actress, comedy: Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly)
Outstanding lead actor, comedy series: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Outstanding writing for a comedy: Steve Levitan, Jeffrey Richman (“Caught in the Act”), Modern Family
Outstanding director, comedy: Michael Alan Spiller (“Halloween”), Modern Family
Outstanding supporting actor, comedy: Ty Burrell (Modern Family)
Outstanding supporting actress, comedy: Julie Bowen (Modern Family)

Crazy Stupid Love

I finally saw Crazy Stupid Love with Emily on Labor Day. A week ago. It was an excellent movie. The press I had read after it premiered was what prompted my Rom Com list a few weeks back. Crazy Stupid Love is beyond the mold/genre/stereotype of what a romantic comedy is. 

In less adept hands, with sub par writing and a different execution, this movie would not be as heartfelt, hilarious or believable. I will not spoil with details but I was impressed with America for keeping some surprises a secret.

I am not a fan of the main poster, but I very much enjoy this series of promotions.

Movie Night 9/2/11 A River Runs Through It

Shockingly I was the only one who had seen this Brad Pitt classic. It is a great flick with beautiful Montana landscapes, Robert Redford narrations and a look at life in the 1920s. The story centers around the lives of two brothers whose father is a minister.