COMMENTARY | Why do awards shows think they have to provide entertainment in order to recognize entertainers? We’d all be better off if they stuck to honoring the professionals working in their natural habitat. Even exceptional comediennes like Jane Lynch come off as cheap and cheesy when operating in the strange environs of the award show.
There’s a reason why ’70s variety show-style entertainment has faded from the broadcast schedule: people don’t want to watch it. The tongue-in-cheek, campy production numbers were intended to be hilariously ironic, but copied the original too closely, ditto the vaudeville style singing troop that introduced each category with a kitschy song.
Then there was the bizarre musical number in the middle that featured none other than Michael Bolton dressed as Johnny Depp in “Pirates of the Caribbean” – enough said.
Despite the distractions of presenters who just tried too hard to be funny, the awards were eventually presented. “Modern Family” was the night’s big winner, taking five of the prized statuettes, including Outstanding Comedy Series. Julie Bowen (Clair Dunphy) and Ty Burrell (Phil Dunphy) won Outstanding Supporting Actress and Actor in a Comedy Series. “Family” also collected writing and directing honors.
Rounding out the Comedy categories, Jim Parsons took the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Sheldon Cooper in “The Big Bang Theory.” Melissa McCarthy was touchingly beset with emotion when she won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for “Mike & Molly.”
Second place in the awards count was “Masterpiece Theatre’s” “Downton Abbey,” which took the prize for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie. Maggie Smith won Outstanding Supporting Actress in the Miniseries/Movie category for her role as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, and the series won best writer and director in this category.
The Brits continued their winning streak with “Mildred Pierce.” Kate Winslet took Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for her portrayal of the title character, and Guy Pierce (Monty Beragon) won Outstanding Supporting Actor. Outstanding Lead Actor in this category went to Barry Pepper as Bobby Kennedy in “The Kennedys.”
In the coveted Drama category, Outstanding Lead Actress went to Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick in “The Good Wife.” Kyle Chandler (Coach Eric Taylor) was clearly unprepared for his Outstanding Lead Actor win (“Friday Night Lights”). The Supporting Actress honors went to Margo Martindale (Mags Bennett) for “Justified,” and Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) won Outstanding Supporting Actor for “Game of Thrones.” Sixties throwback “Mad Men” won Outstanding Drama Series.
Jon Stewart won Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series for the ninth year in a row, and took the writing honors in this category as well. Finally, “The Amazing Race” prevailed against fan favorites like “American Idol,” “Dancing With the Stars,” and “Project Runway” in the Outstanding Reality-Competition Program.
Maybe next year they’ll stick to giving out awards and let the comedy nominees handle the humor, but I won’t hold my breath.