Alright, Alright, Alright…

This time every year, the awards shows block off an entire evening on network television to tell me about all the shows I didn’t watch and all the movies I didn’t see in the previous year. There are a few programs that I recognize, and occasionally they seem to humor people like me with nominations for the shows that I enjoy. But usually it looks a bit odd like “one of these things is not like the other” (much like Matthew McConaughey’s acceptance speech verses everyone else’s).

Despite my seemingly lack of connection to most of what is found on television or in the theaters, these shows are rather entertaining. If anything for the reactions of the people who really didn’t expect any recognition. Not for what they say but for the shock on their face at the news and the slight horror of having to get up on stage and thank everyone without a script having been written beforehand. The Golden Globes this evening was a prime example.

Watching The Andy Samberg and Amy Poehler win awards this evening was worth watching. Both of these Saturday Night Live Alumni looked to be in genuine shock when their names were called and even Seth Meyers, who announced Samberg’s win, were filled with a childishness glee (in a good way) when the reality finally hit them. While we were all watching this unfold, Poehler getting a massage from and making out with Bono and Samberg high fiving Leonardo DiCaprio on his way to being mauled on stage by Meyers, the evening seems to take on a surreal quality for the two of them.

On the other side of the spectrum is the simple fact that as you watch the camera cut to different stars, you are faced with the aging, some gracefully and others not so much, of some of the many stars that you grew up watching on television or in the movies. It makes you wonder how much longer they are going to be performing. While some may seemingly go on forever you know that some others, no matter how much you enjoy their work, are probably going to be gone soon. While many were nominated this evening, Michael Douglas and Jon Voigt to name a couple of winners, it is an interesting dynamic to watch the transition to a new crop of actors in the prime of their careers, DiCaprio and Matt Damon seem to be the two that most accurately fit that description.

As you can see, even if the majority of your entertainment comes from life and nonfiction programs (or even those things we call books) you can still get a kick out of watching the Hollywood social experiments known as awards shows. And while this evening proved entertaining and even as a means of prediction for the other two majors, things will surely be a bit more interesting with the raised stakes that come with the Oscars and Emmys. Based on tonight, this should be interesting.

Watching Doogie Howser Host the Emmy Awards… Again

Your host this evening... Doogie!

As I am watching the 65^th Primetime Emmy Awards tonight I am a little thrown off by the format of the show. While the program seems to be moving faster than usual there have been times when everything is brought to a halt when we stop to remember those who have passed on this past year. At least I recognized most of those names.

I have always, for lack of a better word, enjoyed the time in the program when we look back at those who departed this world since the last program but this seems a little disjointed tonight. It might just be me but I would prefer to enjoy the entire program and stop at an appropriate time to reminisce. That has always been a time to remember those who have passed and a means to be informed of some of the people who may have been overlooked in the news.

One of the interesting aspects of this portion of the program for me over the last several years has been the fact that I recognize more of the departed than the ones who are nominated for the awards. Of course, that is not a hard rule but it has been a theme for me lately. And this is an odd situation in that I watch way too much television and yet I have no idea who some of these people are and what some of the shows are about.

Anyone else remember this show?

At the same time, most of the actors that I recognize I know from other shows or movies in the past. Bobby Cannavale won for supporting actor in a drama series for his role in "Boardwalk Empire". I am familiar with the show even though I have never watched it but I had no idea he was in it. The only thing I know him from is the first two seasons of "Third Watch".

Okay, maybe his current role wasn't too much of a stretch... ziggy probably told him he would lose anyway.

Scott Bakula was nominated for supporting actor in a miniseries or movie for his role in "Behind the Candelabra". I heard of the HBO movie but never had any desire to watch it. Again, I had no idea he was even a part of the production. Maybe he leaped onto the set. I wonder what Al’s commentary was during that filming!

Anna was at the Emmys, Macaulay was home alone.

I didn’t know Anna Chlumsky was still acting but there she is nominated for an Emmy. It must be killing Macaulay Culkin to see Vada getting so much attention. It’s nice to see Al Bundy has moved up from selling shoes. I know he has been on "Modern Family" for a few years but I still have no desire to watch it and he will forever be a Bundy!

 

Classic.

This is the kind of thing that goes through my head during these awards programs albeit to a lesser extent during the Oscars. You can tell me all you want that I should watch this show or that one but I think I will stick to my predominantly nonfiction programming although I am looking forward to a few of the new programs starting this week. Who knows, maybe things will be different during next year’s award presentations. 

Look! It's Doogie again. Where's Vinnie?