Finally Getting It Right

With a few minor exceptions, for the first time in a long time, the Emmys got it right.

Instead of going with the old standbys, the performances that might have once been stellar but are now old hack or the shows that while still entertain are no longer fresh and exciting, the Emmys have ushered in a new era for TV recognition.

It was an evening of finallys for several of the categories. After a season that would make anyone's head spin, "The Sopranos" finally won for Best Drama. Probably an emotional vote as well as a deserved one, Sarah Jessica Parker won for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy for "Sex and the City", a show which also picked up a Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy for Cynthia Nixon who's character Miranda just seemed to bloom during this last season. (And she ended Doris Robert's winning streak.) And though not exactly the same sort of "finally", "Frasier" ended this season, finally allowing someone other than David Hyde Pierce to be able to win a Best Supporting Actor/Comedy in the future.

The biggest finally was the recognition of "Arrested Development", which won Best Directing/Comedy, Best Writing/Comedy, and Best Comedy Show. Throwing off the shackles of conventional sitcoms, "Arrested Development" lacks a laugh track and has no problem allowing the viewer to despise or seriously pity pretty much every character on the show. Describing the show as "offbeat" or "quirky" doesn't do it justice. These wins come at a crucial time for the show; even though it has become a cult favorite and critical darling, the ratings are still very very low. FOX has renewed it for a second season, but the hope is that these Emmys boost the ratings and let everyone involved breathe a bit easier about being kept on the air.

On a side note, "Arrested Development"'s win was made all the sweeter since I met one of the actors this past weekend. While browsing in one of LA's many malls, I saw Tony Hale, aka Buster Bluth. Not only was he a total doll and seemed to be genuinely happy to be recognized, but he introduced me to his wife who was also seemed happy to talk to me. I think I gushed a bit too much about how much I love the show, but I guess for a show that has been on the verge of cancellation for months, there no such thing.

The 2 shows which seemed to dominate the Emmys were "Angels in America" and "The Daily Show", both deservedly so. "Angels in America" was a stunning mini-series that, while slightly dated, still resonantes as a stunning work that interweaves fact, fiction, and a searing look at AIDS and the connectivity of the human race. "The Daily Show"'s political coverage during this oh so politically tumultuous time made it an easy choice for this year's pick. Not only is Jon Stewart my fake boyfriend, but the show has some of the best and most pointed humor around. Though they constantly claim to be "fake news" and they are, "The Daily Show" is still the leader in credibility in today's media glutted society. Thankfully, the Emmy voters agree.

As for the show itself, it was OK. Gary Shandling tried his best not to embarrass himself and overall I think he succeeded. Most of the presenters seemed to be able to read and without any dance or musical numbers, the Emmys are far more watchable than the Oscars.