Winners at the Emmy Awards 2010 included a lineup of recognizable celebrities: Jim Parsons, Jane Lynch, Kyra Sedgwick...and some guy named Bucky Gunts.
Gunts' name was one of the most memorable parts of an awards show that began with a strong opening number, but eventually fizzled into predictability. Gunts won an Emmy for directing the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
"Modern Family" won best comedy series and "Mad Men" won best drama series. "Temple Grandin" pretty much swept the movie/miniseries categories.
The night's biggest surprise? "Top Chef" beat "The Amazing Race" in outstanding reality TV series category. Previously, "Amazing Race" had won every year since the award was first handed out in 2003.
Host Jimmy Fallon did a decent job, occasionally entertaining guests with musical numbers. However, he should have saved his opening bit -- a star-studded performance of "Born to Run" -- for the middle of the show, when things seemed to get really boring really quickly.
Here's a full recap of Sunday's show:
***
The show kicks off with a pretty cool pre-filmed musical number starring host Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Betty White, Jon Hamm, the "Glee" kids and tons of other celebs. They sing Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It continues as Fallon takes the stage during the live show while accompanied by "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson on guitar.
I think it's my favorite opening "Emmy" number in recent years, dawg.
After a short introduction, Fallon takes his guitar and cracks a few jokes, including one aimed at Conan O'Brien. Fallon quips, "NBC asked the host of Late Night to come to LA to host a different show. What could possibly go wrong?" Then, the cameras go to Conan.
8:11 - Jon Hamm and Betty White present Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Winner is Eric Stonestreet from "Modern Family." He says he wanted to be a clown in the circus when he was a kid. "I'm most proud of all the people I've met in this business," he says.
8:19 - Jim Parsons and Sofia Vergara present the award for writing for a comedy series. The award goes to the writers from "Modern Family."
8:23 - Stephen Colbert presents Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. The award goes to Jane Lynch from "Glee." She thanks her parents from the south side of Chicago. She also thanks the "Glee" cast and says, "When I'm not seething with jealousy I'm so proud of you."
8:31 - Lauren Graham and Matthew Perry tell who won best guest actor/actress in a comedy series earlier this week. Betty White won for "SNL" and Neil Patrick Harris won for "Glee." Also, best directing in a comedy series goes to Ryan Murphy for "Glee." While accepting the award, he pushes for arts education in schools.
8:36 - In a pretty cute comedy sketch, the gay duo from "Modern Family" adopts Stewie Griffin from "Family Guy." George Clooney also ends up in bed with those two guys.
8:38 - Eva Longoria Parker and LL Cool J present Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Winner is Jim Parsons from "The Big Bang Theory." Wow, that was a surprise and I love it.
8:44 - Neil Patrick Harris thanks the Emmys for letting gay men host the show two years in a row. Haha. He presents Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series to Edie Falco from "Nurse Jackie." She vows, "I'm not funny."
8:47 - Jimmy Fallon is back with his guitar, singing with Kim Kardashian to let us know we're in for some reality TV honors. After each of these introductions, we get a montage of the TV genre's best moments. I love this reality montage, but I'm not sure if "Real Housewives of New Jersey" has any place at the Emmys. Even as a joke.
8:49 - Will Arnett and Keri Russell present Outstanding Reality Competition. The winner is "Top Chef." Wow, this is a shocker. It's the first year that "The Amazing Race" hasn't won. "Amazing Race" won every year since this award was first handed out in 2003.
8:57 - Jimmy Fallon sings with Julianna Margulies and tells us it's time for some drama honors.
9:00 - Mariska Harigitay and Christopher Meloni present the award for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series. It goes to the writers from "Mad Men."
9:04 - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series goes to Aaron Paul from "Breaking Bad."
9:10 - Emily Deschanel and Nathan Fillion present the award for Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Winner is Archie Panjabi from "The Good Wife."
9:11 - Edie Falco presents the award for Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Winner is Bryan Cranston from "Breaking Bad." It's his third consecutive Emmy. He jokes his fellow nominees just received a text message: "You were robbed." Cranston says, "I cannot argue with that."
9:20 - We're reminded that John Lythgoe and Ann Margaret won Emmys this year for their guest spots on dramas. They present the award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. It goes to Steve Shill from "Dexter."
9:24 - Jimmy Fallon poses as Elton John and sings a version of "Candle in the Wind" aimed at "24." Next, he goes into Boyz II Men mode and sings a version of "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" aimed at "Law & Order." Then, he poses as Green Day and sings "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" aimed at "Lost."
9:32 - Matthew Morrison and Tina Fey present Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series. Kyra Sedgwick wins for "The Closer." Finally. It seems like she's been a nominated in this category FOREVER. But sorry TV fans, I won't remove her from my worst-dressed list.
9:35 - Fallon sings with Stephen Colbert and tells us it's time for variety show awards.
9:38 - Joel McHale and Jeff Probst present the award for writing for a variety, music or comedy show special. It goes to the 63rd Annual Tony Awards.
9:46 - Ricky Gervais makes a Mel Gibson joke, then says, "I'm not going to make fun of the guy. He's been through a lot." Gervais adds, "Not as much as the Jews." With that, servers hand out beer to audience members. Gervais hands out the award for directing for a variety, music or comedy show special. It goes to Bucky Gunts for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Ricky Gervais loves his name and jokes that it sounds like something you can't say on TV.
9:51 - The award for outstanding variety show goes to "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." I'm happy, but I kind of wanted Conan to win. Jon Stewart couldn't make it to the Emmys.
10:00 - Julianna Margulies presents the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award to George Clooney. His speech is awesomely inspiring. And frankly, I'm happy he ditched that shaggy look from the Oscars.
10:04 - Fallon sings beside Tom Hanks and tells us it's time for some miniseries/movies awards.
10:07 - John Krasinski and January Jones present the award for supporting actress in a miniseries or movie. Winner is Julia Ormond for "Temple Grandin."
10:15 - Claire Danes presents the award for supporting actor in a miniseries or movie. Winner is David Strathairn from "Temple Grandin."
10:18 - Jewel performs a song she wrote for a friend passing away from cancer. She sings during the "in memory" montage.
10:26 - Maura Tierney and Blair Underwood present the award for outstanding writing in a miniseries or movie. Winner is Adam Mazer for "You Don't Know Jack."
10:28 - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Movie or Miniseries goes to Claire Danes for "Temple Grandin."
10:35 - Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer and Alexander Skarsgard present the award for directing in a miniseries or movie. It goes to Mick Jackson for "Temple Grandin."
10:38 - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Movie or Miniseries goes to Al Pacino for "You Don't Know Jack." He also wins my award for most scatterbrained acceptance speech.
10:46 - Laurence Fishburne presents the award for outstanding miniseries to "The Pacific." The Emmy for outstanding TV movie goes to "Temple Grandin."
10:50 - Tom Selleck presents the award for Outstanding Drama Series. Winner is "Mad Men." Of course it is. No offense, but I really wanted "True Blood" to win.
10:58 - Outstanding Comedy Series goes to "Modern Family." Well deserved.
10:59 - Fallon signs off and invites everybody to a party at Betty White's house.
E-Mail
Print
Blog: Dawn Minty weighs in on the night's surprises
