Award shows sometimes get a bad rap for being overly long and predictable. But every so often something unexpected happens, an award honoring a longshot, underdog or first-timer that validates the premise that in Hollywood all things are possible.
And that was the case at the 2012 Emmy Awards Sunday’s which were broadcast from the Nokia Theater. While many of the favorites took home their gleaming statuettes, some of them, like The Daily Show, on a winning streak of several consecutive years, there were enough surprises and curveballs to keep the show suspenseful during the all major category awards.
With Jimmy Kimmel hosting, the ceremony kicked off with a little bathroom humor: A filmed sketch showed Kathy Bates, Zooey Deschanel and other nominees prepping themselves in a backstage restroom, only to discover a weeping Kimmel traumatized by Botox gone hideously bad, which he said would keep him off the show. “You look beautiful,” he was told. “You look like a Real Housewife.”
As the ceremonies proceeded, Showtime proved that it had come a long way in producing quality programming when its drama “Homeland” upset AMC’s “Mad Men” as television’s best drama series. “Mad Men” was seeking its record fifth-straight Emmy, and was thought to be in competition with its AMC rival “Breaking Bad,†but was beaten by the first-season drama involving domestic terrorism starring Claire Danes as a CIA agent and Damian Lewis as a Marine and person of interest. Both Danes and Lewis also received Emmys for their roles in the drama. Lewis’ win prevented Bryan Cranston of “Breaking Bad†from winning his fourth Emmy Award as lead actor in a drama series, and denied long-nominated “Mad Men” star Jon Hamm his chance for a first time Emmy. The drama category marked the first time that not a single broadcast network programs was nominated. Aaron Paul won best supporting drama actor for “Breaking Bad,” and “Homeland” took home another statuette for best writing.
“Game Change,†HBO’s series based on Sarah Palin and the Republication campaign of 2008, earned awards for best actress, writing and directing wins, as well as the Emmy for best movie/miniseries.
In the comedy categories, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jon Cryer were honored with wins. Dreyfus had been an Emmy favorite during her Seinfeld days, and picked up the outstanding lead actress in a comedy series award for “Veep,” while Cryer took home the comedic acting award for “Two and a Half Men,” beating out two-time winner Jim Parsons of “The Big Bang Theory.” “Modern Family” earned a predictable win for best comedy series, and stars Eric Stonestreet and Julie Bowen both won supporting actor awards for their roles in the popular ABC show. Standup comic Louis C.K. won the Emmy for best comedy writing for “Louie” and for the special “Louis C.K. Live at the Beacon Theatre.” The comedian thanked the “audiences around the country who still go to see live comedy.”
Kevin Costner was named best actor for the History Channel’s miniseries “Hatfields & McCoys,” with co-star Tom Berenger earning the Emmy for best supporting actor for the series. Jessica Lange took home supporting actress honors in the category for “American Horror Story,†Maggie Smith won best supporting actress in a drama for “Downton Abbey†and Aaron Paul got an Emmy for his supporting role in “Breaking Bad.â€
“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” proved one of the more predictable, and invincible, winners, earning its 10th consecutive Emmy for best variety show.
In the unscripted category, “The Amazing Race” continued its juggernaut and was honored as best reality series, its ninth time in 10 nominations for the award. Tom Bergeron of “Dancing with the Stars” was honored with an Emmy as best host of a reality series, a first for him.
Following the tradition that honors colleagues who have passed away in the previous year, the broadcast used a taped segment honoring fellow industry members. Ron Howard, who played Andy Griffith’s son Opie in “The Andy Griffith Show,” said in tribute that Griffth belonged “in the pantheon.” Phyllis Diller, Davy Jones of “The Monkees,” Sheman Hemsley and Richard Dawson were among the others honored in the montage.
