Los Angeles:
The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences presented the 62nd annual Primetime Emmy Awards on August 30.
11:05 P.M. |Bright Spots and Last Thoughts on the Show
Dave Itzkoff: So that's the show, Mike. "Modern Family" the big winner here, naturally, and so were Jimmy Fallon and Ricky Gervais. Any other bright spots for you?
Mike Hale: HBO will get the usual headlines for its abundance of awards, but you were absolutely right, Dave, that the positioning of the miniseries and movie awards practically killed the show -- the drama and comedy series awards felt like afterthoughts. But the 12 people who watched "Temple Grandin," "You Don't Know Jack" and "The Pacific" were very happy, I'm sure.
Dave Itzkoff: It felt like an awards show sandwiched between two variety shows. The industry may love the awards, but viewers are coming for the variety.
Mike Hale: was happy to see Jim Parsons win for outstanding actor in a comedy. I'm not sure why, but it was one of the few moments that actually felt like a traditional awards show. Persistence rewarded, or something like that.
Dave Itzkoff: Tell that to "Friday Night Lights"!
Mike Hale: Ha! Well, they get one more chance. Maybe they'll get the final-season bonus that "Lost" didn't get this year.
Dave Itzkoff: Did someone say "Mad Men"? No? Well, it's time for me to watch "Mad Men" anyway.
Mike Hale: I'm recording it right now. First I want to go back and figure out that Tina Fey hand gesture.
Dave Itzkoff: Have a good night, Mike. See you at the Golden Globes?
Mike Hale: I wouldn't miss it. We can say we predicted the Scorsese directing win for "Boardwalk Empire." Always a pleasure, Dave, and good night to you.
10:57 P.M. |Outstanding Comedy Series: 'Modern Family'
Mike Hale: When was Max von Sydow on "Cheers"?
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for best comedy series goes to "Modern Family."
Mike Hale: The new show breaks through (and beats "Glee").
Dave Itzkoff: And snapping the win streak of "30 Rock" at that.
Mike Hale: I think some major "30 Rock" fatigue has set in. Larry David has to feel like the Emmys boat has passed, though.
Dave Itzkoff: We did mathematically prove, though,
that the comedy category belongs to the networks.
Mike Hale: Definitely. The "Curb" record: 34 nominations, 1 award (for directing). 11 p.m. exactly! Someone deserves an award for that.
10:51 P.M. |Outstanding Drama Series: 'Mad Men'
Dave Itzkoff: I love Tom Selleck, but his contribution to the past TV season was, what, exactly?And the Emmy goes to "Mad Men." The three-peat is complete.
Mike Hale: Yawn.
Dave Itzkoff: With any luck, AMC is in commercials right now. Matt Weiner pulls a James Cameron by starting his speech with, "So where was I?"
Mike Hale: The "Lost" crowd had to know this was coming. But if I were involved with "Breaking Bad" or "Dexter," which were both more entertaining shows than "Mad Men" last season, I'd be disappointed.
Dave Itzkoff: Again, I think you have a lineup of extremely worthy series. The acting wins for "Breaking Bad" made me think the show might triumph here, too.
Mike Hale: You know, Tom Selleck should have asked Jimmy Fallon who his mother is.
Dave Itzkoff: They can save it for backstage if it means the show ends on time.
Mike Hale: Oh, and for the record, Tom Selleck did appear in his annual "Jesse Stone" TV movie this season. But that was on CBS -- as is his fall series "Blue Bloods" -- so it doesn't explain how he made it onto this NBC show.
10:49 P.M. |Made-for-TV Movie: 'Temple Grandin'
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for made-for-TV movie goes to: "Temple Grandin." Now back to our discussion of the lack of suspense.
Mike Hale: Will Temple Grandin stand up again? I'm pretty sure we have a new record-holder "for most times called a hero."
10:46 P.M. |Outstanding Mini-Series: 'The Pacific'
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for Mini-Series goes to: "The Pacific." Not sure Laurence Fishburne even had to look in the envelope for that one.
Mike Hale: OK, that was the least surprising category of the night. Even less suspense than Jane Lynch.
Dave Itzkoff: The surprise was bringing out Laurence Fishburne to present the award. Also, Tom Hanks calling his crew "bodacious."
Mike Hale: You knew they wouldn't mess with their chance to get Tom Hanks onstage.
10:39 P.M. |Al Pacino, Lead Actor in a Mini-series or Movie
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for lead actor in a miniseries or movie goes to: Al Pacino, "You Don't Know Jack." May I just say: Hoo-ah!
Mike Hale: As does HBO. This will really allow them to brag about the depth of their programming, with so many wins spread among "The Pacific," "Temple Grandin," "You Don't Know Jack."
Dave Itzkoff: Who replaced Al Pacino with this soft-spoken, contemplative actor?
Mike Hale: He's resting his voice before "Merchant of Venice" transfers.
Dave Itzkoff: Nicely played, sir.
Mike Hale: He looks great for a 70-year-old.
Dave Itzkoff: Jack Kevorkian stands up in the audience and gets applause from the Emmys crowd.
Mike Hale: And HE looked pretty good for an 82-year-old.
10:36 P.M. |Best Directing for a Miniseries or Movie
Mike Hale: Wait a minute -- the "True Blood" actors are wearing clothes!
Dave Itzkoff: Oh, that's why I didn't recognize them. And the Emmy for directing a miniseries or movie goes to: Mick Jackson, "Temple Grandin."
Mike Hale: This "Temple Grandin" sweep is seriously cutting into the total for "The Pacific." But HBO has to be happy regardless.
Dave Itzkoff: For reasons I cannot explain, I was pulling for Bob Balaban. But at the end of the day, he's still Bob Balaban, so that's a win in its own way.
Mike Hale: Whitney Houston fans may recall that Mick Jackson directed "The Bodyguard."
10:28 P.M. |Outstanding Actress in a Mini-Series or Movie
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for lead actress in a movie or mini-series goes to: Claire Danes, "Temple Grandin.
Mike Hale: This will almost certainly be the only time I ever say this, but Claire Danes deserved it more than Dame Judi.
Dave Itzkoff: Wow, them's fightin' words!
Mike Hale: Now if this had been the original "Cranford," no way, but the sequel was pretty dreary.
Dave Itzkoff: This is just killing the momentum of the show. I'm actually yearning for one more Jimmy Fallon in-the-aisle-with-a-guitar number.
Mike Hale: Yeah, it's surprising they haven't moved all the mini/movie awards into the creative arts. Maybe HBO dug in its heels.
Dave Itzkoff: I suppose it would be a moment worth televising if "The Pacific" doesn't win.
Mike Hale:Against its one competitor.
Dave Itzkoff: @DamonLindelof just tweeted " Seriously people, do NOT GIVE UP!" So clearly he's pulling for "Return to Cranford" too.
10:26 P.M. |Outstanding Mini-Series or Movie
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy goes to: Adam Mazur, "You Don't Know Jack"
Mike Hale: Interesting, neither the momentum of "The Pacific" or the snob appeal of Peter Morgan won out. It's Mazur's first award, and probably his last after that crack about his kids' switching to the Disney Channel.
10:22 P.M. |Tribute to People-We'll-Miss
Mike Hale: Many fondly remembered faces in the people-we'll-miss montage. But did we really need to be told that Jewel wrote it for a friend who died of cancer?
Dave Itzkoff: On Twitter, Alan @Sepinwall writes: No David Mills in the In Memoriam clip reel. So "The Wire" gets snubbed again.
10:15 P.M. |Outstanding Actor in a Mini-Series Movie
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for supporting actor in a miniseries movie goes to: David Strathairn, "Temple Grandin."
Mike Hale: That was the most distinguished field of nominees of the evening. At least until lead actress in a miniseries or movie, two awards from now. Temple Grandin is at the Emmys. Maybe she can design a chute to get the winners offstage faster.
10:08 P.M. |Supporting Actress in a Mini-Series or Movie
Mike Hale: I think January Jones meant, "Jon and I and my dress are honored ...
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for supporting actress in a miniseries movie goes to Julia Ormond for "Temple Grandin."
Mike Hale: And now Julia Ormond brings a little bit of film-actress neuroticism and embarrassment to the proceedings. Did they show Catherine O'Hara's face when Ormond said "O'something"? I couldn't look.
Dave Itzkoff: Pretty sure January Jones and Julia Ormond have the same diction instructor.
10:01 P.M. |Bob Hope Humanitarian Award to George Clooney
Dave Itzkoff: "Tonight, we honor George Clooney for being an all-around awesome guy who was once on television."
Mike Hale: With me! (I'm channeling Julianna Margulies here.)
Dave Itzkoff: So, really, not one clip of his stint on "Facts of Life"? To say nothing of his time on "Roseanne"? I'm reminded by our film editor, Lorne Manly, that George Clooney also has a new movie being released on Sept. 1
Total coincidence.
Mike Hale: Who were the previous three recipients of this award, you ask? Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby and Danny Thomas.
9:52 P.M. |Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series
Mike Hale: Here we go: Conan's chance.
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series goes to:"The Daily Show With Jon Stewart."
Mike Hale: HUGE anti-climax. Though, sure, "The Daily Show" was a much better show than Conan's.
Dave Itzkoff: Yes, definitely an upset. I actually thought "Saturday Night Live" might pull this one out. But "The Daily Show" has been on top of its game all year round.
Mike Hale: I thought early in the year that Colbert had really pulled ahead, but Stewart has been making up ground lately. Interesting to note that Conan's montage included no overt Jay-bashing.
Dave Itzkoff: I think people are more sympathetic to his self-deprecating, why-me shtick.
Mike Hale: He was more restrained than the academy itself, which included some sharp anti-Jay moments in its year-in-variety montage. Now a commercial for the 500-pound gorilla of the fall season, HBO's "Boardwalk Empire."
Dave Itzkoff: Admittedly, I'm more excited for that than some variety-show Emmy.
Mike Hale: There's an awful lot riding on that show. It'll be interesting to see how Steve Buscemi fares as leading man.
Dave Itzkoff: Save it for 2011, Mike!
Mike Hale: OK, OK. After all, we've got outstanding supporting actress in a mini-series or movie to look forward to.
Dave Itzkoff: Who wouldn't be excited?
Mike Hale: Kathy Bates all the way!
9:49 P.M. |Best Directing of a Variety, Music or Comedy Series
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for directing a Variety, Music or Comedy Series goes to: Bucky Gunts, for the Olympics
Mike Hale: But what's his real name?
Dave Itzkoff: He was, shall we say, gently ribbed by Ricky Gervais before winning the award.
9:46 P.M. |A Commercial Break for Clooney
Mike Hale: Regarding that commercial for "The American": Yeah, George Clooney has a secret. It's that he looks eerily like Cary Grant.
Dave Itzkoff: George Clooney IS the American. You don't say? Irony: Ricky Gervais' walk-on music is "Time Is Tight."
Mike Hale: Best joke of the night!
Dave Itzkoff: Which one?
Mike Hale: "Time Is Tight." Until Gervais's line about Mel Gibson and the Jews.
Dave Itzkoff: Oh, I thought you meant Gervais. Thanks, Mike.
9:40 P.M. |Writing for Variety, Music or Comedy Special: The Tonys
Mike Hale: You have to love a category that pits Wanda Sykes against the Kennedy Center Honors.
Dave Itzkoff: The Emmy for writing in a variety, music or comedy program goes to: the 63rd Annual Tony Awards. In its own way, that's a huge victory.
Mike Hale: OK, Dave, you actually watched it. What put it over the top?
Dave Itzkoff: Just an incredible hosting job from Neil Patrick Harris and hilarious spot writing throughout the night.
Mike Hale: Unlike tonight, you mean?
Dave Itzkoff: Ha.The Oscars writers are put on notice to stop importing their jokes from 1973.
Mike Hale: It was kind of amusing that the Oscars and the Tonys were nominated for this award, but not the Emmys. Do they recuse themselves?
Dave Itzkoff: I'll go out on a limb and say this year's Emmys will be a nominee at next year's Emmys, if that doesn't cause the universe to collapse on itself.
9:32 P.M. |Best Actress in a Drama: Kyra Sedgwick
Mike Hale: There's an air of disappointment around this category -- not that the best-actress-drama nominees are unworthy, but there's just no one to get really excited about this year. Which may leave the field open for Julianna Margulies.
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy goes to Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer." I'm with you, Mike - I thought either Julianna or Connie Britton would take this one.
Mike Hale: Yeah, it's out of left field, and I say as someone who likes "The Closer" more than other critics. It could be the Susan Lucci effect -- this was Sedgwick's fifth straight nomination.
Dave Itzkoff: And she's on cable, which is an automatic win in drama, apparently.
Mike Hale: It could also be recognition of how good the show's ensemble is, since this isn't the Screen Actors Guild awards.
9:24 P.M. |Musical Tribute to Departed Shows
Dave Itzkoff: A countdown clock says George Clooney's appearing on the show in 17 minutes. Feeling desperate, are we? Meanwhile, in Elton John drag, Jimmy Fallon is paying tribute to shows that departed this year, starting with "24." "Lost & Order," which didn't make it to its 21st season, gets the second musical tribute. And "Lost," of course, a a Green Day/"Time of Your Life" parody, is third.
Mike Hale: I'm speechless.
Dave Itzkoff: "The island it was mythical and in the end they died / I didn't understand it but I tried." That pretty much says it all.
Mike Hale: I think the problem is that Jimmy Fallon sings just well enough that it encourages the producers to do musical parodies. Or everyone just wishes they were working on "Glee."
9:22 P.M. |Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: Steve Shill
Mike Hale: Has guest actor always been the old folks' home of series television?
Dave Itzkoff: I didn't see Dylan Baker on "The Good Wife" - did he play a creepy guy of some sort? And the Emmy for directing a drama series goes to: Steve Shill, "Dexter."
Mike Hale: Three women among the five directing nominees, but it went to one of the guys. That was a good episode, though.
9:14 P.M. |Lead Actor in a Drama: Bryan Cranston
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for lead actor in a drama series goes to: Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad."
Mike Hale: That was a fraught category -- every nominee represented a real constituency. Cranston was the safest choice, not that that affects the voting.
Dave Itzkoff: I'm a tiny bit sorry for Kyle Chandler, but there truly were no unworthy nominees in that pack.
Mike Hale: "Friday Night Lights" is the best show on television and its failure to win Emmys is a shame, but it's also completely understandable.
Dave Itzkoff: I don't think it's bias, just tough competition.
Mike Hale: I wouldn't say bias either, but it's a show that doesn't have the usual easy audience hooks. Chandler's not winning really is a shame. He's deserved it for four seasons.
9:11 P.M. |Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama
Dave Itzkoff: Is it proper Twitter etiquette to say the "@" in front of each name?
Mike Hale: This Twitter thing is proving something about the ultimate incompatibility of television and the internet.
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for supporting actress in a drama goes to: Archie Panjabi, for "The Good Wife." Is it too cynical to assume that all the "Mad Men" nominees canceled each other out?
Mike Hale: But Panjabi was up against a castmate too, Christine Baranski. I think it's the accent.
Dave Itzkoff: Sorry, I've got Mad Men on the brain, it's almost 10 p.m.
9:05 P.M. |Best Supporting Actor in a Drama : Aaron Paul
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for supporting actor in a drama goes to Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad." I'm pretty sure my Arts & Leisure profile of him put him over the top.
Mike Hale: It's like watching Jesse Pinkman accept the award
Dave Itzkoff: Bryan Cranston is crying.
Mike Hale: Interesting that all six nominees were in heavy parts. Would have been nice to see someone like J.K. Simmons in "The Closer" or Willie Garson in "White Collar" in the field. I think the basic-cable light dramas suffer from the category confusion, while the premium cable heavy comedies benefit.
Dave Itzkoff: Yes, the comedy portion of the broadcast was the moment for the networks - now the momentum is definitely shifting over to cable.
9:02 P.M. |Writing in a Drama Goes to 'Mad Men'
Mike Hale: This category represents the first chance tonight for "Friday Night Lights" to win its .... SECOND Emmy Award in four seasons.
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for writing in a drama series goes to: Matthew Weiner and Erin Levy, "Mad Men." Better luck next year, guys from "Lost."
Mike Hale: Probably not a good sign for "Lost" and its chances for outstanding drama.
9:00 P.M. |So Much Drama
Mike Hale: So drama = blood, tears and especially death, except on "Friday Night Lights" and "The Good Wife."
8:59 P.M. |A Note on Hodgman
Mike Hale: After that Ernst & Young thing, I rest my case about John Hodgman.
Dave Itzkoff: This tweet from @ApocalypseHow: "John @Hodgman looks like he's broadcasting a live nightly news show on the Dumont Network. That's former Daily Show - turned - Conan O'Brien writer Rob Kutner so he's allowed to take potshots.
8:50 P.M. |Outstanding Reality Competition: 'Top Chef'
Dave Itzkoff: Presenters Will Arnett and Keri Russell already promoting their new fall show, "Running Wilde." Too soon?
Mike Hale: And the Emmy goes to "Top Chef." At least Will Arnett was funny. The real question is what does either of them have to do with reality tv?
Dave Itzkoff: Is that an upset? I thought "Amazing Race" had this locked up. The "Top Chef" team truly appears to have no prepared speech.
Mike Hale: Apparently 27 awards -- OK, 6 -- was enough for "Amazing Race." Whatever you think of "Top Chef" versus the other reality shows -- and it's very, very well done -- it does feel like a moment where the reality winner is taken as seriously as the comedy and drama winners, from here on out.
Dave Itzkoff: The "Top Chef" team seems to believe their awkward acceptance moment will be edited in post to look slick and prepared.
Mike Hale: Ha! Now we know why Nate Berkus got to co-host the red carpet: every third commercial is for the Oprah Winfrey Network.
8:48 P.M. |Time for Reality
Mike Hale: The academy needs to do some serious thinking about its categories. For instance, including clips of "The Marriage Ref" in the Year in Reality montage when it really didn't qualify as a TV show.
8:44 P.M. |Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Mike Hale: Coming up, one of my favorite categories: where Edie Falco and Toni Collette try to win a comedy award for playing a junkie and a mom with multiple personalities.
Dave Itzkoff: Apparently the only permissible jokes tonight are about Sofia Vergara's decolletage and implying that straight men are gay. And the Emmy for best actress in a comedy goes to Edie Falco in "Nurse Jackie."
Mike Hale: Edie Falco looks honestly surprised, if not a little irritated.
Dave Itzkoff: "I'm not funny," Ms. Falco says from the stage.
Mike Hale: Edie speaks the truth, to a nervous and muffled response.
Dave Itzkoff: Lea Michele, you'll get 'em next year.
8:38 P.M. |Emmy for Lead Actor Goes to Jim Parsons
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for lead actor in a comedy goes to: Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory."
Mike Hale: A very popular victory. For a show that's been on a few years.
Dave Itzkoff: I'm assuming they'll wait until next year to give Steve Carell his farewell trophy.
Mike Hale: The real question is, will Alec Baldwin yell at Parsons backstage?
Dave Itzkoff: I think he's snubbing the show tonight, so Parsons may be safe.
Mike Hale: This had been Baldwin's and Shalhoub's category four of the last five years. Random observation: Are John Hodgman's comments about the winners much less funny than they were last year?
Dave Itzkoff: They're certainly harder to hear in the audio mix.
Mike Hale: Yeah, maybe we're just not hearing them.
8:34 P.M. | Ryan Murphy Wins for Directing a Comedy
Dave Itzkoff: And here to present the next award is Lauren Graham and Matthew Perry's dad, apparently.
Mike Hale: Two dud jokes in a row -- Fallon's "West Wing" and Graham's "Mr. Sunshine/gay guy." Let's just get this out there (during the guest-actor montage): Jon Hamm was not funny in "30 Rock."
Dave Itzkoff: I dispute you, Mike!
Mike Hale: When Tina Fey acts you off the screen, you've got problems.
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for directing a comedy series goes to: Ryan Murphy for "Glee." And not Ryan Murphy for "Eat Pray Love."
Mike Hale: We've now had four comedy awards (on camera) and they've all gone to the first-year shows, "Glee" and "Modern Family."
The new new sensibility has replaced the old new sensibility (represented by "30 Rock" and "The Office") awfully fast.
Dave Itzkoff: Was enjoying the interstitial "Modern Family"/"Family Guy" mashup already -the George Clooney cameo was a nice touch.
Mike Hale: George Clooney, Hollywood's best sport.
Dave Itzkoff: He's great if you can get him.
8:25 P.M. |Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy: Jane Lynch
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for supporting actress in a comedy series goes to Jane Lynch for "Glee"
Mike Hale: Well, that was one of the most expected wins of the night, and it temporarily derails the "Modern Family" train.
Dave Itzkoff: Guess that means Jane Lynch definitely isn't doing that "Funny Girl" revival on Broadway.
Mike Hale: There's always the eight-week-hiatus run, the new standard for Broadway star vehicles. And Jane Lynch thanks her wife, completely casually.
8:22 P.M. |Writing for a Comedy Series Goes to 'Modern Family'
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for outstanding writing in a comedy series goes to Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd for the "Modern Family" pilot.
Mike Hale : The "Modern Family" landslide continues!
Dave Itzkoff: After Eric Stonestreet's very charitable and brief acceptance speech. We're now getting the more traditional recitation of names.
Mike Hale: Backtracking for a moment: Is it possible for the Emmy writers to give Sofia Vergara some lines that don't cast her as Colombian blow-up doll?
Dave Itzkoff: Evidently they don't watch "Modern Family," where she gets to show more range.
8:12 P.M. | Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Dave Itzkoff: And the night's first Emmy goes to: Eric Stonestreet for best supporting actor in a comedy.
Mike Hale: That's No. 5 for "Modern Family" (following the creative arts awards). If it wins out, it ties the record for a first-season show.
Dave Itzkoff: Lots of good choices on that show. Surprised that he didn't split votes with Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Ty Burrell.
Mike Hale: I don't think I'm the only viewer who thinks that the other two "Modern Family" nominees, Ferguson and Burrell, were both more deserving.
Dave Itzkoff: You could say it's an award shared by the ensemble - though only Eric Stonestreet gets to put it on his mantle.
It's a lesson for Emmy hopefuls: if you've got a choice between broad and subtle ... well, you know which way to go.
8:10 P.M. |A Musical Introduction for Comedy
Dave Itzkoff: And we go right from a pre-taped musical number into a live musical number. Don't risk the good will, Jimmy.
Mike Hale: You have to admit, though, that Fallon with guitar is a lot more fun that Ferrell with guitar was on the Conan finale.
Dave Itzkoff: Fallon asks: "NBC asked the host of Late Night to come out to LA to host a different show. What could possibly go wrong with that?" And the first cut-away of the night to a bearded Conan O'Brien.
Mike Hale: Did anyone else think that this endless comedy montage was supposed to be the supporting-actor-in-a-comedy nominees?
Dave Itzkoff: How can you have a Year in Comedy montage without footage of Jeff Zucker ensuring a smooth transition at NBC late-night?
8:03 P.M. |Jimmy Fallon Goes 'Glee'
Dave Itzkoff: Jimmy Fallon's pre-taped Emmys intro is shaping up to be a "Glee" parody. At least it's not him running across the country.
Mike Hale: Here I thought it was so generous of NBC to open with a Fox promo. Until Tina Fey showed up.
Dave Itzkoff: Jon Hamm leads us into our first - and I hope, last - Betty White gag of the evening.
Mike Hale: No, she's presenting.
Dave Itzkoff: Jimmy's pretty decent at singing/lip-synching "Born to Run." Hope we get to hear Hurley on back-up vocals.
Mike Hale: If Bruce shows up, it'll all be worth it.
Dave Itzkoff: Yes! Hurley vocals!
Mike Hale: Best singer: Hurley.
Dave Itzkoff: Is it too soon to start the rumor of the all-Hurley Springsteen cover album?
Nice touch with the "Born in the USA" album cover allusion. Was Randy kind of pitchy?
7:54 P.M. |Nate Berkus, Conan and More Speculation
Mike Hale: I spent the early minutes of the red carpet show wondering what Nate Berkus was doing there. But now he's disappeared. Red carpet Siberia. Of course when you're an Oprah Winfrey protege and her company is producing your new chat show, lots of possibilities open up.
Dave Itzkoff: As best as I can tell, the leitmotif of these red carpet shows seems to be men pretending to act like they do/don't want to see certain female celebrities naked.
Mike Hale: News flash: on the backstage webcast, it was just announced that if Conan O'Brien wins, Ricky Gervais has promised to carry him around the stage on his back.
Dave Itzkoff: Any legitimate contests that you're keeping an eye on tonight?
Mike Hale: Well, I think the most interesting category will be the last, best comedy. Whether one of the first-year shows, "Glee" or "Modern Family," breaks through. Which seems likely, given down seasons for "30 Rock" and 'The Office." And, will "Lost" get the retirement Rolex of an outstanding-drama win. What will you be watching for, Dave?
Dave Itzkoff: For pure schadenfreude, I'm most excited about about the variety/music/comedy series where Conan O'Brien is nominated for his all-too-brief "Tonight Show" run though I wonder if "Saturday Night Live" might edge him out on the Betty White factor alone.
Mike Hale: For me the whole Conan-Jay-Dave situation has taken on a real car-crash quality -- I have to watch, but I'd really rather not.
7:47 P.M. |Live From Our Living Rooms
Dave Itzkoff: Hey, Mike, welcome to the chatosphere. How's the crowd control in your living room?
Mike Hale: It's quiet here, Dave -- my wife cooked dinner and then headed out for drinks with friends, so she wouldn't get caught in the crossfire. How does it look at Emmy Central on Eighth Avenue?
Dave Itzkoff: I'm filing from a remote location myself up on La Salle Street. But you could cut the tension with a knife. How will my DVR manage all the shows I'm asking it to record tonight?
Mike Hale: That's right -- "Mad Men," "Drop Dead Diva," "Big Brother." And of course the one I'm recording, "Inspector Lewis" on "Mystery!"
Dave Itzkoff: For me the witching hour is when "Kourtney and Khloe" kicks in. Tough choices all.
11:05 P.M. |Bright Spots and Last Thoughts on the Show
Dave Itzkoff: So that's the show, Mike. "Modern Family" the big winner here, naturally, and so were Jimmy Fallon and Ricky Gervais. Any other bright spots for you?
Mike Hale: HBO will get the usual headlines for its abundance of awards, but you were absolutely right, Dave, that the positioning of the miniseries and movie awards practically killed the show -- the drama and comedy series awards felt like afterthoughts. But the 12 people who watched "Temple Grandin," "You Don't Know Jack" and "The Pacific" were very happy, I'm sure.
Dave Itzkoff: It felt like an awards show sandwiched between two variety shows. The industry may love the awards, but viewers are coming for the variety.
Mike Hale: was happy to see Jim Parsons win for outstanding actor in a comedy. I'm not sure why, but it was one of the few moments that actually felt like a traditional awards show. Persistence rewarded, or something like that.
Dave Itzkoff: Tell that to "Friday Night Lights"!
Mike Hale: Ha! Well, they get one more chance. Maybe they'll get the final-season bonus that "Lost" didn't get this year.
Dave Itzkoff: Did someone say "Mad Men"? No? Well, it's time for me to watch "Mad Men" anyway.
Mike Hale: I'm recording it right now. First I want to go back and figure out that Tina Fey hand gesture.
Dave Itzkoff: Have a good night, Mike. See you at the Golden Globes?
Mike Hale: I wouldn't miss it. We can say we predicted the Scorsese directing win for "Boardwalk Empire." Always a pleasure, Dave, and good night to you.
10:57 P.M. |Outstanding Comedy Series: 'Modern Family'
Mike Hale: When was Max von Sydow on "Cheers"?
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for best comedy series goes to "Modern Family."
Mike Hale: The new show breaks through (and beats "Glee").
Dave Itzkoff: And snapping the win streak of "30 Rock" at that.
Mike Hale: I think some major "30 Rock" fatigue has set in. Larry David has to feel like the Emmys boat has passed, though.
Dave Itzkoff: We did mathematically prove, though,
that the comedy category belongs to the networks.
Mike Hale: Definitely. The "Curb" record: 34 nominations, 1 award (for directing). 11 p.m. exactly! Someone deserves an award for that.
10:51 P.M. |Outstanding Drama Series: 'Mad Men'
Dave Itzkoff: I love Tom Selleck, but his contribution to the past TV season was, what, exactly?And the Emmy goes to "Mad Men." The three-peat is complete.
Mike Hale: Yawn.
Dave Itzkoff: With any luck, AMC is in commercials right now. Matt Weiner pulls a James Cameron by starting his speech with, "So where was I?"
Mike Hale: The "Lost" crowd had to know this was coming. But if I were involved with "Breaking Bad" or "Dexter," which were both more entertaining shows than "Mad Men" last season, I'd be disappointed.
Dave Itzkoff: Again, I think you have a lineup of extremely worthy series. The acting wins for "Breaking Bad" made me think the show might triumph here, too.
Mike Hale: You know, Tom Selleck should have asked Jimmy Fallon who his mother is.
Dave Itzkoff: They can save it for backstage if it means the show ends on time.
Mike Hale: Oh, and for the record, Tom Selleck did appear in his annual "Jesse Stone" TV movie this season. But that was on CBS -- as is his fall series "Blue Bloods" -- so it doesn't explain how he made it onto this NBC show.
10:49 P.M. |Made-for-TV Movie: 'Temple Grandin'
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for made-for-TV movie goes to: "Temple Grandin." Now back to our discussion of the lack of suspense.
Mike Hale: Will Temple Grandin stand up again? I'm pretty sure we have a new record-holder "for most times called a hero."
10:46 P.M. |Outstanding Mini-Series: 'The Pacific'
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for Mini-Series goes to: "The Pacific." Not sure Laurence Fishburne even had to look in the envelope for that one.
Mike Hale: OK, that was the least surprising category of the night. Even less suspense than Jane Lynch.
Dave Itzkoff: The surprise was bringing out Laurence Fishburne to present the award. Also, Tom Hanks calling his crew "bodacious."
Mike Hale: You knew they wouldn't mess with their chance to get Tom Hanks onstage.
10:39 P.M. |Al Pacino, Lead Actor in a Mini-series or Movie
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for lead actor in a miniseries or movie goes to: Al Pacino, "You Don't Know Jack." May I just say: Hoo-ah!
Mike Hale: As does HBO. This will really allow them to brag about the depth of their programming, with so many wins spread among "The Pacific," "Temple Grandin," "You Don't Know Jack."
Dave Itzkoff: Who replaced Al Pacino with this soft-spoken, contemplative actor?
Mike Hale: He's resting his voice before "Merchant of Venice" transfers.
Dave Itzkoff: Nicely played, sir.
Mike Hale: He looks great for a 70-year-old.
Dave Itzkoff: Jack Kevorkian stands up in the audience and gets applause from the Emmys crowd.
Mike Hale: And HE looked pretty good for an 82-year-old.
10:36 P.M. |Best Directing for a Miniseries or Movie
Mike Hale: Wait a minute -- the "True Blood" actors are wearing clothes!
Dave Itzkoff: Oh, that's why I didn't recognize them. And the Emmy for directing a miniseries or movie goes to: Mick Jackson, "Temple Grandin."
Mike Hale: This "Temple Grandin" sweep is seriously cutting into the total for "The Pacific." But HBO has to be happy regardless.
Dave Itzkoff: For reasons I cannot explain, I was pulling for Bob Balaban. But at the end of the day, he's still Bob Balaban, so that's a win in its own way.
Mike Hale: Whitney Houston fans may recall that Mick Jackson directed "The Bodyguard."
10:28 P.M. |Outstanding Actress in a Mini-Series or Movie
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for lead actress in a movie or mini-series goes to: Claire Danes, "Temple Grandin.
Mike Hale: This will almost certainly be the only time I ever say this, but Claire Danes deserved it more than Dame Judi.
Dave Itzkoff: Wow, them's fightin' words!
Mike Hale: Now if this had been the original "Cranford," no way, but the sequel was pretty dreary.
Dave Itzkoff: This is just killing the momentum of the show. I'm actually yearning for one more Jimmy Fallon in-the-aisle-with-a-guitar number.
Mike Hale: Yeah, it's surprising they haven't moved all the mini/movie awards into the creative arts. Maybe HBO dug in its heels.
Dave Itzkoff: I suppose it would be a moment worth televising if "The Pacific" doesn't win.
Mike Hale:Against its one competitor.
Dave Itzkoff: @DamonLindelof just tweeted " Seriously people, do NOT GIVE UP!" So clearly he's pulling for "Return to Cranford" too.
10:26 P.M. |Outstanding Mini-Series or Movie
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy goes to: Adam Mazur, "You Don't Know Jack"
Mike Hale: Interesting, neither the momentum of "The Pacific" or the snob appeal of Peter Morgan won out. It's Mazur's first award, and probably his last after that crack about his kids' switching to the Disney Channel.
10:22 P.M. |Tribute to People-We'll-Miss
Mike Hale: Many fondly remembered faces in the people-we'll-miss montage. But did we really need to be told that Jewel wrote it for a friend who died of cancer?
Dave Itzkoff: On Twitter, Alan @Sepinwall writes: No David Mills in the In Memoriam clip reel. So "The Wire" gets snubbed again.
10:15 P.M. |Outstanding Actor in a Mini-Series Movie
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for supporting actor in a miniseries movie goes to: David Strathairn, "Temple Grandin."
Mike Hale: That was the most distinguished field of nominees of the evening. At least until lead actress in a miniseries or movie, two awards from now. Temple Grandin is at the Emmys. Maybe she can design a chute to get the winners offstage faster.
10:08 P.M. |Supporting Actress in a Mini-Series or Movie
Mike Hale: I think January Jones meant, "Jon and I and my dress are honored ...
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for supporting actress in a miniseries movie goes to Julia Ormond for "Temple Grandin."
Mike Hale: And now Julia Ormond brings a little bit of film-actress neuroticism and embarrassment to the proceedings. Did they show Catherine O'Hara's face when Ormond said "O'something"? I couldn't look.
Dave Itzkoff: Pretty sure January Jones and Julia Ormond have the same diction instructor.
10:01 P.M. |Bob Hope Humanitarian Award to George Clooney
Dave Itzkoff: "Tonight, we honor George Clooney for being an all-around awesome guy who was once on television."
Mike Hale: With me! (I'm channeling Julianna Margulies here.)
Dave Itzkoff: So, really, not one clip of his stint on "Facts of Life"? To say nothing of his time on "Roseanne"? I'm reminded by our film editor, Lorne Manly, that George Clooney also has a new movie being released on Sept. 1
Total coincidence.
Mike Hale: Who were the previous three recipients of this award, you ask? Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby and Danny Thomas.
9:52 P.M. |Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series
Mike Hale: Here we go: Conan's chance.
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series goes to:"The Daily Show With Jon Stewart."
Mike Hale: HUGE anti-climax. Though, sure, "The Daily Show" was a much better show than Conan's.
Dave Itzkoff: Yes, definitely an upset. I actually thought "Saturday Night Live" might pull this one out. But "The Daily Show" has been on top of its game all year round.
Mike Hale: I thought early in the year that Colbert had really pulled ahead, but Stewart has been making up ground lately. Interesting to note that Conan's montage included no overt Jay-bashing.
Dave Itzkoff: I think people are more sympathetic to his self-deprecating, why-me shtick.
Mike Hale: He was more restrained than the academy itself, which included some sharp anti-Jay moments in its year-in-variety montage. Now a commercial for the 500-pound gorilla of the fall season, HBO's "Boardwalk Empire."
Dave Itzkoff: Admittedly, I'm more excited for that than some variety-show Emmy.
Mike Hale: There's an awful lot riding on that show. It'll be interesting to see how Steve Buscemi fares as leading man.
Dave Itzkoff: Save it for 2011, Mike!
Mike Hale: OK, OK. After all, we've got outstanding supporting actress in a mini-series or movie to look forward to.
Dave Itzkoff: Who wouldn't be excited?
Mike Hale: Kathy Bates all the way!
9:49 P.M. |Best Directing of a Variety, Music or Comedy Series
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for directing a Variety, Music or Comedy Series goes to: Bucky Gunts, for the Olympics
Mike Hale: But what's his real name?
Dave Itzkoff: He was, shall we say, gently ribbed by Ricky Gervais before winning the award.
9:46 P.M. |A Commercial Break for Clooney
Mike Hale: Regarding that commercial for "The American": Yeah, George Clooney has a secret. It's that he looks eerily like Cary Grant.
Dave Itzkoff: George Clooney IS the American. You don't say? Irony: Ricky Gervais' walk-on music is "Time Is Tight."
Mike Hale: Best joke of the night!
Dave Itzkoff: Which one?
Mike Hale: "Time Is Tight." Until Gervais's line about Mel Gibson and the Jews.
Dave Itzkoff: Oh, I thought you meant Gervais. Thanks, Mike.
9:40 P.M. |Writing for Variety, Music or Comedy Special: The Tonys
Mike Hale: You have to love a category that pits Wanda Sykes against the Kennedy Center Honors.
Dave Itzkoff: The Emmy for writing in a variety, music or comedy program goes to: the 63rd Annual Tony Awards. In its own way, that's a huge victory.
Mike Hale: OK, Dave, you actually watched it. What put it over the top?
Dave Itzkoff: Just an incredible hosting job from Neil Patrick Harris and hilarious spot writing throughout the night.
Mike Hale: Unlike tonight, you mean?
Dave Itzkoff: Ha.The Oscars writers are put on notice to stop importing their jokes from 1973.
Mike Hale: It was kind of amusing that the Oscars and the Tonys were nominated for this award, but not the Emmys. Do they recuse themselves?
Dave Itzkoff: I'll go out on a limb and say this year's Emmys will be a nominee at next year's Emmys, if that doesn't cause the universe to collapse on itself.
9:32 P.M. |Best Actress in a Drama: Kyra Sedgwick
Mike Hale: There's an air of disappointment around this category -- not that the best-actress-drama nominees are unworthy, but there's just no one to get really excited about this year. Which may leave the field open for Julianna Margulies.
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy goes to Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer." I'm with you, Mike - I thought either Julianna or Connie Britton would take this one.
Mike Hale: Yeah, it's out of left field, and I say as someone who likes "The Closer" more than other critics. It could be the Susan Lucci effect -- this was Sedgwick's fifth straight nomination.
Dave Itzkoff: And she's on cable, which is an automatic win in drama, apparently.
Mike Hale: It could also be recognition of how good the show's ensemble is, since this isn't the Screen Actors Guild awards.
9:24 P.M. |Musical Tribute to Departed Shows
Dave Itzkoff: A countdown clock says George Clooney's appearing on the show in 17 minutes. Feeling desperate, are we? Meanwhile, in Elton John drag, Jimmy Fallon is paying tribute to shows that departed this year, starting with "24." "Lost & Order," which didn't make it to its 21st season, gets the second musical tribute. And "Lost," of course, a a Green Day/"Time of Your Life" parody, is third.
Mike Hale: I'm speechless.
Dave Itzkoff: "The island it was mythical and in the end they died / I didn't understand it but I tried." That pretty much says it all.
Mike Hale: I think the problem is that Jimmy Fallon sings just well enough that it encourages the producers to do musical parodies. Or everyone just wishes they were working on "Glee."
9:22 P.M. |Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: Steve Shill
Mike Hale: Has guest actor always been the old folks' home of series television?
Dave Itzkoff: I didn't see Dylan Baker on "The Good Wife" - did he play a creepy guy of some sort? And the Emmy for directing a drama series goes to: Steve Shill, "Dexter."
Mike Hale: Three women among the five directing nominees, but it went to one of the guys. That was a good episode, though.
9:14 P.M. |Lead Actor in a Drama: Bryan Cranston
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for lead actor in a drama series goes to: Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad."
Mike Hale: That was a fraught category -- every nominee represented a real constituency. Cranston was the safest choice, not that that affects the voting.
Dave Itzkoff: I'm a tiny bit sorry for Kyle Chandler, but there truly were no unworthy nominees in that pack.
Mike Hale: "Friday Night Lights" is the best show on television and its failure to win Emmys is a shame, but it's also completely understandable.
Dave Itzkoff: I don't think it's bias, just tough competition.
Mike Hale: I wouldn't say bias either, but it's a show that doesn't have the usual easy audience hooks. Chandler's not winning really is a shame. He's deserved it for four seasons.
9:11 P.M. |Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama
Dave Itzkoff: Is it proper Twitter etiquette to say the "@" in front of each name?
Mike Hale: This Twitter thing is proving something about the ultimate incompatibility of television and the internet.
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for supporting actress in a drama goes to: Archie Panjabi, for "The Good Wife." Is it too cynical to assume that all the "Mad Men" nominees canceled each other out?
Mike Hale: But Panjabi was up against a castmate too, Christine Baranski. I think it's the accent.
Dave Itzkoff: Sorry, I've got Mad Men on the brain, it's almost 10 p.m.
9:05 P.M. |Best Supporting Actor in a Drama : Aaron Paul
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for supporting actor in a drama goes to Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad." I'm pretty sure my Arts & Leisure profile of him put him over the top.
Mike Hale: It's like watching Jesse Pinkman accept the award
Dave Itzkoff: Bryan Cranston is crying.
Mike Hale: Interesting that all six nominees were in heavy parts. Would have been nice to see someone like J.K. Simmons in "The Closer" or Willie Garson in "White Collar" in the field. I think the basic-cable light dramas suffer from the category confusion, while the premium cable heavy comedies benefit.
Dave Itzkoff: Yes, the comedy portion of the broadcast was the moment for the networks - now the momentum is definitely shifting over to cable.
9:02 P.M. |Writing in a Drama Goes to 'Mad Men'
Mike Hale: This category represents the first chance tonight for "Friday Night Lights" to win its .... SECOND Emmy Award in four seasons.
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for writing in a drama series goes to: Matthew Weiner and Erin Levy, "Mad Men." Better luck next year, guys from "Lost."
Mike Hale: Probably not a good sign for "Lost" and its chances for outstanding drama.
9:00 P.M. |So Much Drama
Mike Hale: So drama = blood, tears and especially death, except on "Friday Night Lights" and "The Good Wife."
8:59 P.M. |A Note on Hodgman
Mike Hale: After that Ernst & Young thing, I rest my case about John Hodgman.
Dave Itzkoff: This tweet from @ApocalypseHow: "John @Hodgman looks like he's broadcasting a live nightly news show on the Dumont Network. That's former Daily Show - turned - Conan O'Brien writer Rob Kutner so he's allowed to take potshots.
8:50 P.M. |Outstanding Reality Competition: 'Top Chef'
Dave Itzkoff: Presenters Will Arnett and Keri Russell already promoting their new fall show, "Running Wilde." Too soon?
Mike Hale: And the Emmy goes to "Top Chef." At least Will Arnett was funny. The real question is what does either of them have to do with reality tv?
Dave Itzkoff: Is that an upset? I thought "Amazing Race" had this locked up. The "Top Chef" team truly appears to have no prepared speech.
Mike Hale: Apparently 27 awards -- OK, 6 -- was enough for "Amazing Race." Whatever you think of "Top Chef" versus the other reality shows -- and it's very, very well done -- it does feel like a moment where the reality winner is taken as seriously as the comedy and drama winners, from here on out.
Dave Itzkoff: The "Top Chef" team seems to believe their awkward acceptance moment will be edited in post to look slick and prepared.
Mike Hale: Ha! Now we know why Nate Berkus got to co-host the red carpet: every third commercial is for the Oprah Winfrey Network.
8:48 P.M. |Time for Reality
Mike Hale: The academy needs to do some serious thinking about its categories. For instance, including clips of "The Marriage Ref" in the Year in Reality montage when it really didn't qualify as a TV show.
8:44 P.M. |Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Mike Hale: Coming up, one of my favorite categories: where Edie Falco and Toni Collette try to win a comedy award for playing a junkie and a mom with multiple personalities.
Dave Itzkoff: Apparently the only permissible jokes tonight are about Sofia Vergara's decolletage and implying that straight men are gay. And the Emmy for best actress in a comedy goes to Edie Falco in "Nurse Jackie."
Mike Hale: Edie Falco looks honestly surprised, if not a little irritated.
Dave Itzkoff: "I'm not funny," Ms. Falco says from the stage.
Mike Hale: Edie speaks the truth, to a nervous and muffled response.
Dave Itzkoff: Lea Michele, you'll get 'em next year.
8:38 P.M. |Emmy for Lead Actor Goes to Jim Parsons
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for lead actor in a comedy goes to: Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory."
Mike Hale: A very popular victory. For a show that's been on a few years.
Dave Itzkoff: I'm assuming they'll wait until next year to give Steve Carell his farewell trophy.
Mike Hale: The real question is, will Alec Baldwin yell at Parsons backstage?
Dave Itzkoff: I think he's snubbing the show tonight, so Parsons may be safe.
Mike Hale: This had been Baldwin's and Shalhoub's category four of the last five years. Random observation: Are John Hodgman's comments about the winners much less funny than they were last year?
Dave Itzkoff: They're certainly harder to hear in the audio mix.
Mike Hale: Yeah, maybe we're just not hearing them.
8:34 P.M. | Ryan Murphy Wins for Directing a Comedy
Dave Itzkoff: And here to present the next award is Lauren Graham and Matthew Perry's dad, apparently.
Mike Hale: Two dud jokes in a row -- Fallon's "West Wing" and Graham's "Mr. Sunshine/gay guy." Let's just get this out there (during the guest-actor montage): Jon Hamm was not funny in "30 Rock."
Dave Itzkoff: I dispute you, Mike!
Mike Hale: When Tina Fey acts you off the screen, you've got problems.
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for directing a comedy series goes to: Ryan Murphy for "Glee." And not Ryan Murphy for "Eat Pray Love."
Mike Hale: We've now had four comedy awards (on camera) and they've all gone to the first-year shows, "Glee" and "Modern Family."
The new new sensibility has replaced the old new sensibility (represented by "30 Rock" and "The Office") awfully fast.
Dave Itzkoff: Was enjoying the interstitial "Modern Family"/"Family Guy" mashup already -the George Clooney cameo was a nice touch.
Mike Hale: George Clooney, Hollywood's best sport.
Dave Itzkoff: He's great if you can get him.
8:25 P.M. |Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy: Jane Lynch
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for supporting actress in a comedy series goes to Jane Lynch for "Glee"
Mike Hale: Well, that was one of the most expected wins of the night, and it temporarily derails the "Modern Family" train.
Dave Itzkoff: Guess that means Jane Lynch definitely isn't doing that "Funny Girl" revival on Broadway.
Mike Hale: There's always the eight-week-hiatus run, the new standard for Broadway star vehicles. And Jane Lynch thanks her wife, completely casually.
8:22 P.M. |Writing for a Comedy Series Goes to 'Modern Family'
Dave Itzkoff: And the Emmy for outstanding writing in a comedy series goes to Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd for the "Modern Family" pilot.
Mike Hale : The "Modern Family" landslide continues!
Dave Itzkoff: After Eric Stonestreet's very charitable and brief acceptance speech. We're now getting the more traditional recitation of names.
Mike Hale: Backtracking for a moment: Is it possible for the Emmy writers to give Sofia Vergara some lines that don't cast her as Colombian blow-up doll?
Dave Itzkoff: Evidently they don't watch "Modern Family," where she gets to show more range.
8:12 P.M. | Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Dave Itzkoff: And the night's first Emmy goes to: Eric Stonestreet for best supporting actor in a comedy.
Mike Hale: That's No. 5 for "Modern Family" (following the creative arts awards). If it wins out, it ties the record for a first-season show.
Dave Itzkoff: Lots of good choices on that show. Surprised that he didn't split votes with Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Ty Burrell.
Mike Hale: I don't think I'm the only viewer who thinks that the other two "Modern Family" nominees, Ferguson and Burrell, were both more deserving.
Dave Itzkoff: You could say it's an award shared by the ensemble - though only Eric Stonestreet gets to put it on his mantle.
It's a lesson for Emmy hopefuls: if you've got a choice between broad and subtle ... well, you know which way to go.
8:10 P.M. |A Musical Introduction for Comedy
Dave Itzkoff: And we go right from a pre-taped musical number into a live musical number. Don't risk the good will, Jimmy.
Mike Hale: You have to admit, though, that Fallon with guitar is a lot more fun that Ferrell with guitar was on the Conan finale.
Dave Itzkoff: Fallon asks: "NBC asked the host of Late Night to come out to LA to host a different show. What could possibly go wrong with that?" And the first cut-away of the night to a bearded Conan O'Brien.
Mike Hale: Did anyone else think that this endless comedy montage was supposed to be the supporting-actor-in-a-comedy nominees?
Dave Itzkoff: How can you have a Year in Comedy montage without footage of Jeff Zucker ensuring a smooth transition at NBC late-night?
8:03 P.M. |Jimmy Fallon Goes 'Glee'
Dave Itzkoff: Jimmy Fallon's pre-taped Emmys intro is shaping up to be a "Glee" parody. At least it's not him running across the country.
Mike Hale: Here I thought it was so generous of NBC to open with a Fox promo. Until Tina Fey showed up.
Dave Itzkoff: Jon Hamm leads us into our first - and I hope, last - Betty White gag of the evening.
Mike Hale: No, she's presenting.
Dave Itzkoff: Jimmy's pretty decent at singing/lip-synching "Born to Run." Hope we get to hear Hurley on back-up vocals.
Mike Hale: If Bruce shows up, it'll all be worth it.
Dave Itzkoff: Yes! Hurley vocals!
Mike Hale: Best singer: Hurley.
Dave Itzkoff: Is it too soon to start the rumor of the all-Hurley Springsteen cover album?
Nice touch with the "Born in the USA" album cover allusion. Was Randy kind of pitchy?
7:54 P.M. |Nate Berkus, Conan and More Speculation
Mike Hale: I spent the early minutes of the red carpet show wondering what Nate Berkus was doing there. But now he's disappeared. Red carpet Siberia. Of course when you're an Oprah Winfrey protege and her company is producing your new chat show, lots of possibilities open up.
Dave Itzkoff: As best as I can tell, the leitmotif of these red carpet shows seems to be men pretending to act like they do/don't want to see certain female celebrities naked.
Mike Hale: News flash: on the backstage webcast, it was just announced that if Conan O'Brien wins, Ricky Gervais has promised to carry him around the stage on his back.
Dave Itzkoff: Any legitimate contests that you're keeping an eye on tonight?
Mike Hale: Well, I think the most interesting category will be the last, best comedy. Whether one of the first-year shows, "Glee" or "Modern Family," breaks through. Which seems likely, given down seasons for "30 Rock" and 'The Office." And, will "Lost" get the retirement Rolex of an outstanding-drama win. What will you be watching for, Dave?
Dave Itzkoff: For pure schadenfreude, I'm most excited about about the variety/music/comedy series where Conan O'Brien is nominated for his all-too-brief "Tonight Show" run though I wonder if "Saturday Night Live" might edge him out on the Betty White factor alone.
Mike Hale: For me the whole Conan-Jay-Dave situation has taken on a real car-crash quality -- I have to watch, but I'd really rather not.
7:47 P.M. |Live From Our Living Rooms
Dave Itzkoff: Hey, Mike, welcome to the chatosphere. How's the crowd control in your living room?
Mike Hale: It's quiet here, Dave -- my wife cooked dinner and then headed out for drinks with friends, so she wouldn't get caught in the crossfire. How does it look at Emmy Central on Eighth Avenue?
Dave Itzkoff: I'm filing from a remote location myself up on La Salle Street. But you could cut the tension with a knife. How will my DVR manage all the shows I'm asking it to record tonight?
Mike Hale: That's right -- "Mad Men," "Drop Dead Diva," "Big Brother." And of course the one I'm recording, "Inspector Lewis" on "Mystery!"
Dave Itzkoff: For me the witching hour is when "Kourtney and Khloe" kicks in. Tough choices all.
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