Will viewers remember this year’s Emmy ceremony more than last year’s? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a good one. Stephen Colbert was arguably better than Jimmy Kimmel’s pre-Oscars stint a year ago, there were a number of impressive upsets (Holy Ann Dowd!) and, for the most part, the winners were incredibly worthy of their just rewards (just don’t get us started on “The Voice” over “Drag Race” in Reality-Competition). The producers lined up some great presenting pairings and the shocker of all shockers – the show ended on time!
Keeping that in mind, some quick takes on the best and worst of the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Best: “Everything’s Better On TV” Opening Number
A musical number tying in the popular shows of the season isn’t exactly revolutionary for any awards show, let alone the Emmys, but Stephen Colbert and his team did their best to make it as memorable as possible. The lyrics were sharp (“Treason is better on TV” when Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys from “The Americans” popped by), it was gender non-conformist (not every CBS program has male dancers in red-tasseled neglige twirling on stage) and including an interlude with Chance the Rapper that worked better in context than some might have thought. It also gave the show some much needed energy considering Colbert’s long and bumpy monologue immediately after.
– Gregory Ellwood
Best: Margaret Atwood’s Standing Ovation
Following the announcement of its win, the cast and crew of “The Handmaid’s Tale” took the stage with a round of applause, but when Atwood took the stage every person in the room was on their feet. A testament to the power of the source material that is Atwood’s novel. The last words of the night, “Go home, we have a lot of things to fight for.”
– Julia Teti
Best: “9 to 5” Mini Reunion
Three screen legends walk on a stage. The three legends here are Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton. The subject of conversation? Vibrators. Hearing three powerful women taking down misogyny, cracking indiscernible jokes, and admiring their work was a wonderful moment. One we wanted more of.
– Julia Teti