Posted on 09/22/2008 6:41:37 AM PDT by Big Guy and Rusty 99
Emmy got political Sunday night. Big winners included HBO's historical docudrama "John Adams," which scored the top miniseries Emmy, and the channel's take on the 2000 presidential election "Recount" -- which won the top TV movie prize.
Awards gave producers and stars ample opportunity to make subtle (and some not-so-subtle) references to this year's hotly contested race between John McCain and Barack Obama.
"The election between Jefferson and Adams was filled with innuendo, lies, a bitter partisan press and disinformation," said Tom Hanks, whose Playtone shingle produced "John Adams." "How great we've come so far since then."
"John Adams" scribe Kirk Ellis, who won for outstanding writing in a longform, also took a dig at the current campaign when he thanked HBO and Playtone execs for "this amazing opportunity to talk about a period in our history when articulate men articulated complex thoughts in complete sentences."
Ellis had more to say -- but was cut off by an Emmy director with an itchy trigger finger.
"John Adams" star Laura Linney, who won for lead actress in a mini or movie, threw some support toward Obama, although not by name. Referencing recent Republican attacks on Obama's stint as a community organizer, Linney said the miniseries made her "so grateful and thankful for the community organizers that helped form our country."
With this year's election likely to be tight, "Recount" producer Paula Weinstein and director Jay Roach both warned that the events depicted in their telepic could once again reemerge in 2008.
"It's going to get close again, this election," said Roach, clutching his outstanding directing in a longform Emmy. "Keep your local officials honest and please vote, vote, vote."
Interestingly, Obama's name wasn't uttered once -- but Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin came up a few times during the kudofest. The Emmycast's five hosts began the show by yammering on about not having a show open -- leading Howie Mandel to compare their stage time to "Sarah Palin's bridge to nowhere."
Later, Kathy Griffin cracked another Palin-McCain gag.
Then there's Jon Stewart, who picked up the Emmy for outstanding variety/music/comedy series -- and couldn't resist mentioning that he looks forward to a White House transition.
"I have nothing to follow that up with," he said. "I'm just saying I really look forward to the next administration, whoever it is."
by the way, cable broadcasts beat the emmys. But they still don’t get it.
That's actually good advice- except for the part about voting multiple times.
Yep. Adams. Hamilton. Jefferson. Alinsky. All the same crew. ;)
And to think, I wasted my evening watching a great football game and grilling filet mignons.
We watched Dallas/Green Bay - but I would have watched someone playing chess over watching liberals pat each other on the back.
Emmy? What is that? Something on during the commercials of the Cowboys destruction of Green Bay?
"John Adams" scribe Kirk Ellis, who won for outstanding writing in a longform, also took a dig at the current campaign when he thanked HBO and Playtone execs for "this amazing opportunity to talk about a period in our history when articulate men articulated complex thoughts in complete sentences."
I think these are both fair. Hanks is right about this current election - I don't see that as terribly partisian. Ellis seems to have a problem with the "soundclip" culture currently existing in our country. I agree with both of them.
No, it isn't! Most people who go and vote have no idea for whom or for what they are voting. If people are not familiar with the candidates or the issues at stake in an election then they should stay as far away from the voting booth as possible.
I wonder how the Emmys did in the ratings up against the Dallas Cowboy vs Greenbay Packers game last night?
That is why I never watch that trash tv. Actors and actresses think they are so important and smart. What a bunch of idiots!
I’d be curious what the ratings were; seems like they tank more and more each year. I don’t care to watch these people fawn all over themselves and put down everyone else. Who actually watches this crap?
I'd love to see the next GOP President and Congress radically alter copyright laws so that they do not continue to enrich Hollywood.
Scheduling the Emmys against a Cowboys Sunday Night game, and the last game at Yankee Stadium....brilliant!
mmmmmmmm filet mignons.
who watches this crap? Just a bunch of self serving party goers who have more money than brains speaking about things they know nothing about. Proof that scripts for them are much needed otherwise they can’t speak with any kind of intelligence. We don’t watch anything involving any of those award shows anymore. Our time is much more precious and we use it to do things that are constructive and make us happy. Hollywood and award shows are definitely not on our “to do” list. Taking out the garbage is more exciting.
I called all the Recount wins before they were announced. I should have bet it in Vegas.
“this amazing opportunity to talk about a period in our history when articulate men articulated complex thoughts in complete sentences.”
He should have added: WITHOUT A TELEPROMPTER!
Discounting people actually in the building, and relatives of the presenters....did anyone watch it?
Don’t watch the Emmies. Don’t watch the shows they give awards for, either. I’m a happy man.
I don’t watch any of these award shows for the simple reason they are just not what they use to be..Most are liberals that win the awards and in Hollywood or New York if you are liberal you can bet you will win big..It doesn’t matter how much talent they have just as long as they are liberal..The shows that win are not ones I would watch anyway..No talent most of them.People of America stop watching these no talent Hollywood weirdos...and stop spending your money at the movies..
More people were watching reruns of “My Three Sons.”
"We're beyond thrilled at this unprecedented 350% surge in viewership," said Academy chairman John Shaffner. "It's a testament to the hard work of the entire television creative community that more AMC employees tuned in this year than ever before."
Shaffner said that the tremendous ratings growth amongst AMC employees was a more useful statistic in judging success of this year's Emmy Awards than the 83% drop in viewership amongst HBO employees and overall 46% decline across the nation.
The Emmys: television for zombies.
I bet it was just like the South Park episode where they had Whoopi Goldberg saying nothing but “Republicans are stupid” all night, and having the audience applaud every time.
Battle 360 on the History Channel was far more interesting than watching the entertainment industry pat each other on the back.
They can’t help themselves, they must make fools of themselves while preaching to the choir.
The silver lining is that revenge is best served cold and these elites will be punished with 8 more years looking in from the outside and another 8 years of jokes that I will gladly put up with while Obambi is forced to take orders from hillary when her returns to the senate.
So now The Messiah is on par with both Jesus and the Founding Fathers. What next, Gov. Palin == George III?
Re; AMC viewers, is that a parody? I hope so because it is indeed comical.
I wonder what their overall ratings will be. These award shows usually do not do well.
I am not surprised the lefties would unleash their haughty views. Remember the 1992 award show, after all that Murphy Brown silliness? The hollywood elites were incensed at the award show turned into a 3 hour long ad for the Democrats. I didn’t hear any screeching about “fairness” then though. But it certainly proved Dan Quayle’s point about a “cultural elite.”
How were the ratings for the show? Anybody know?
Who cares what these fools think? Those of us who are clinging to religion and guns were watching the Dallas/Green Bay game anyway.
Intelligent men talked about complex thoughts using complete sentences. Unlike today? So who was this dig aimed at, President Bush? Sounds more like Obama!
The shriveled prune skit does not sound very funny but at least it was not too disrespectful towards McCain.
I watched very little of the show since I was at a church event. That was more enjoyable than it would have been if I had watched this whole drawn out “entertainment” show. But it does not surprise me to hear the lefties could not keep their thoughts to themselves. Maybe there should have been more of it. Anger the GOP base even more and we will contribute more, and work harder.
I think Linney’s line is inherent with sexism. Read it again.
“Interestingly, Obama’s name was not mentioned once.” Interesting?? Not the least bit surprising. Who in God’s name would dare make a satirical comment about him? Had I known Tom Selleck was going to be presenting the last award (and he did not look happy doing it) I would have said maybe we should all write him and urge him to get in a nasty dig at the left. That would have been one tiny bit of equal time.
I”m sure it is a parody - never heard of it before. I had forgotten about Murphy Brown - so funny - and of course we expect screeching from the liberal left in Hollywood - that’s why we don’t watch those shows.
So he was making a dig at Obama then, right?
Wait just a minute!
I thought our founding fathers were evil white slave owners?
Now they were “community organizers”?
I think this is my 4th post on this thread but I am fired up. ;) Maybe because I have been angry at the ‘entertainment’ media influencing our society and churning out left wing commentary for about 40 years now! I don’t know how many people will change their votes based on what is said at an awards show. But I have always believed the stereotypes and myths perpetrated by the media reinforce people’s views about greedy, bigoted conservatives and enlightened, well intentioned liberals.
Regarding the “Recount” movie, who was that guy talking about when he said keep your local election officials honest?? Do these Hollywood elites really care about fraud by ACORN and other illegal efforts to help the Dems? I think not.
I think Denis Leary was in that movie. I have to wonder why his show “Rescue me” was not nominated. I think it is the best drama on TV. Not that I watch many others to compare it against.
I did watch the HBO mini series, “John Adams” and thought it was very well done - but I’ve never seen one single episode of “30 Rock” because it stars Alec Baldwin - I won’t watch him. I’ve also not seen Mad Men or Entourage or In Treatment.... as usual, the shows the lefties think deserve awards are not usually things I watch.
HAHAHA.
I had forgotten all about the emmy’s until I just read this tread.
For me at least, they are completely and utterly irrelevant.
slave bosses were community organizers
I was referring to the part about keeping local officials honest.
I can’t believe they got big ratings with the Cowboys and the Packers playing.
It reminded me of that Geiko commerical with James Lipton saying “humans acting humanly”
That was probably because they didn't watch TV.
That was probably because they didn't watch TV.
Nominee for post of the day.
Thanks! I probably won’t win, but I’m sure I’ll get some lovely parting gifts!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.