My thoughts on the 2016 Emmys
As the 2016 Emmys came to an end, I once again felt pressure to watch more shows on the fancy channels and digital outlets. My biggest takeaway from the night was that I should probably check out Veep and The People v. O.J. Simpson.
My biggest revelation? Jimmy Kimmel looks exactly like George Michael circa 1984.
That’s James Corden playing the part of Andrew Ridgeley. Fun fact: If you Google “other guy from Wham,” Andrew pops right up! I love the internet. I also loved his opener:
Here are some other thoughts from the 2016 Emmys. Enjoy!
Best Lines From Jimmy:
Revealing Maggie Smith has been nominated nine times and has never attended the Emmys — “She is treating us like the People’s Choice Awards.”
To Empire’s own Cookie Lyon, Taraji P. Henson — “You’re well known. I think you can drop the P. You don’t have to decide now, but let me know before your intro.”
After Transparent wins the comedy directing category — “Some people don’t think Transparent should be considered in this category. I think it’s important you know it was born a drama but identifies as a comedy.”
Jon Snow is my freebie.
Best Date:
Sarah Paulson, who played Marcia Clarke in the O.J. mini-series, brought the actual Marcia Clarke as her plus one. Both looked amazing. When Sarah won an Emmy for best actress in a limited series, she used her acceptance speech to publicly apologize for judging her so many years ago. “I, along with the rest of the world, had been superficial in my judgment, and I’m glad that I’m able to stand here in front of everyone today and say, I’m sorry.”
Best Reunion:
IT’S COACH AND TAMI TAYLOR!
Funniest Acceptance Speeches
Kate McKinnon’s win for outstanding comedy actress — “Thank you Hilary Clinton. Thank you Ellen Degeneres.” (She forgot to thank Justin Bieber!)
followed by:
“Holy crap. I have a 9:30 a.m. library shift for my son’s school tomorrow morning — if anyone is willing to trade with me, email me,” Veep’s showrunner David Mandel after their best comedy win.
Biggest Head Scratcher Moment
Jill Soloway wins for best directing in a comedy and shouts “Topple the patriarchy!” Cut to Jimmy Kimmel wondering, “I’m trying to figure out if ‘topple the patriarchy’ is a good thing for me or not. I don’t think it is.’”
Tear Jerker Acceptance Speech
Julia Louis-Dreyfus wins best lead actress in a comedy series for the FIFTH TIME IN A ROW. After priming the pump with, “I used to believe that Veep was a satire, but now I believe it has turned into a sobering documentary,” she dedicates the award to her father who passed away two days ago.
Sweetest Acceptance Speech
Patton Oswalt wins for his Netflix special and dedicates the award to his daughter and late wife who passed away five months ago in her sleep. He later said that the world was 50-percent dimmer without her in it.
Best Dynamic Duo
My girls Tina Fey and Amy Poeler take the stage, holding their creative awards Emmy for hosting Saturday Night Live. It had been sawn in half.
Most Chivalrous Moment
Carson Daly helps every woman who works on The Voice (all 800 of them) up the stairs to celebrate their reality show win.
Best Schtick
Jimmy and the kids from Stranger Things handing out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the audience members in brown paper bags, complete with hand written notes on napkins from Jimmy’s mom. Which leads us to…
Best Gag
Amy Schumer’s note: “You are the funniest woman on television! I wish you were hosting this year. Bring back Parks and Rec!”
Cue Jimmy taking the note from Amy Schumer and walking it over to Amy Poeler.
Reboot of Tired Gag
Leslie Jones trying to convince the accountants, who protect something that no one is trying to steal, to put her Twitter account in the vault with the Emmy winner envelopes.
Best Commercial
After a very pregnant Kerry Washington takes the stage to present an award, I wondered what would happen if she went into labor right there. Then this commercial aired and I felt better knowing there were professionals in the audience who could step in at a moment’s notice.
Most Enthusiastic Audience Member
Cuba Gooding, Jr, who had a front row corner seat, gives everyone from The People v. O.J. Simpson who walked down the aisle to receive an award a kiss or celebratory butt slap.
90’s Flashback Moment
Regina King wins her second consecutive Emmy for best supporting actress in a limited series lets us know that teamwork makes the dream work. Also, her Emmy rocks.
Most Random Moment
John Mayor wailing on his guitar with the house band.
Proudest Spouse
Sterling K. Brown’s wife after his supporting actor win. She is the woman who “rocks his chain.”
Most Tangerine-Tinted Actress
Claire Danes
Biggest Display of Boobs
Kirsten Dunst
Best One Liner
When Rami Malek wins for Mr. Robot — “I hope everyone else is seeing this too.”
Best Cameo
Matt Damon walking on stage eating an apple to ask Jimmy if he won for Best Variety show. He did not. Matt Damon hugs it out and says he will see him at the after party. Jimmy: “There’s an after party?”
Biggest Surprise Win
Grease LIVE wins for outstanding direction in a variety special. It beat Beyonce’s “Lemonade” and the bee hive goes crazy on the Twitterverse.
Biggest Question Mark
Has anyone ever heard of a show called The Knick?
Best In Memoriam
We lost a lot of special people this year. The footage was amplified by Tori Kelly’s moving acoustic rendition of “Hallelujah.”
Tori Kelly was the best part of the show. I loved her before, and I’m in awe of her now.
I found the show to be entertaining – probably because I recorded it and started about an hour in to fast forward through the boring acceptance speeches. Well done, Jimmy Kimmel!
I watched “The Knick” on Cinemax. There were two season. The Knick was the Knickerbocker Hospital in NYC in the early 1900’s. I enjoyed it, and was disappointed they didn’t renew it.
Did anybody else see the look of disdain on Julia Louis Dreyfoos’ face during Kate McKinnon’s acceptance speech?
yes!!!! i saw that too!
I was surprised/confused by that look on her face too. Wondered if maybe she was just trying to “be in character?” It was weird!! Usually they can at least fake respect or happiness for the person who won . . .
I don’t think it had anything to do with Kate. Julia just lost her father. Her head was likely elsewhere and the facial expression had nothing to do with what was happening in the moment.
You should absolutely be watching Veep! The language is terrible but it is so Washington spot-on and all the characters are hilarious and the writing is phenomenal!
IMO you don’t need to see Veep. I tried it from the beginning. Made it through about 4 episodes and I couldn’t quit cringing. It was very cringy. I don’t recommend.
3holdings