Posted on 08/29/2006 4:59:53 PM PDT by HIDEK6
E! Online News - Tue Aug 29, [2006] 12:34 PM ET
Latest News & Gossip - E! Online
Manilow's Emmy Scrubs In
Maybe Barry Manilow should have used his Emmy acceptance speech to thank his fellow nominees for contributing to his hip factor.
In a surprise victory for his PBS special, Barry Manilow: Music and Passion, the "Copacabana" crooner trumped favored contenders Stephen Colbert, David Letterman, Craig Ferguson and Hugh Jackman Sunday night.
Hoisting his newly earned statuette, Manilow announced it would accompany him into the operating room for luck the following day while he underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage tears in both hips.
It seems to have done the trick. According to Manilow's rep, the 60-year-old singer came through the surgery "swimmingly" and headed home to his Palm Springs abode to recuperate.
No word on whether any of his Emmy competitors have sent their wishes for a speedy recovery just yet.
After Manilow was announced as the winner, both Colbert and Ferguson used the Emmy stage to express their mock anguish at losing to the '70s sensation.
"I lost to Barry Manilow! Barry Manilow!" Colbert wailed while presenting an award alongside Jon Stewart. "I lost to the 'Copacabana'! Singing and dancing is not performing!"
Ferguson echoed Colbert while presenting an award later in the show.
"It's the Manilow thing. I can't stand it either," he joked.
Even the "Mandy" singer himself expressed shock at his win.
"Holy mackerel! I can't be more surprised," he said in his acceptance speech.
Manilow had departed the stage moments before his victory after performing the American Bandstand theme, "Bandstand Boogie," as part of a tribute to Dick Clark.
The singer had postponed his surgery in order to be able to participate in honoring the World's Oldest Teenager.
Manilow's recovery is expected to take six to eight weeks. He is scheduled to perform in Atlantic City on Oct. 14 and Chicago on Oct. 21, before returning to Las Vegas to resume his show at the Hilton on Nov. 8.
His upcoming album, The Greatest Songs of the Sixties, is due for release in early November.
Besides, I think a healthy proportion of our chick freepers are Maniloonies
I like his music. I like hearing the lyrics. He is a skilled composer of popular songs and a fine singer.
Rock and rap leave me cold.
Craig Ferguson is a VERY funny man.
The trouble is, most performers are Leftists. It is double-agony to be lectured by a no-talent Leftist who hates America but loves making millions.
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