Question: After watching the dreadful Emmys, I'm wondering if there is any thought of eliminating this awards show, or at the very least completely overhauling the format. Who could honestly claim that this year's show celebrated the best in television over the past year? Let's review the problems with the Emmys: 1) The nomination process: When only three networks existed, I'm sure it wasn't difficult to decide who to nominate. But now with five major networks and dozens of free and pay-cable channels, it seems impossible to properly choose the five best candidates in each category. 2) The winners: Every year seems to be this mixed bag of the confusing and predictable. There never appears to be any consistency in their picks. How could 30 Rock win for best comedy and yet Alec Baldwin not win for best actor? 3) The categories: I have nothing against Tony Bennett and I'm sure his special was great, but to lump his one-night special against shows that air every night seems unfair. 4) The ...
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8:50: Seacrest jokes that the cast of Kid Nation is powering the "green" Emmys by running on treadmills backstage. Why isn't Larry Sanders hosting this?8:51: Tony Bennett is singing now for some reason with Donatella Versace. Eek! Wait, no, that's Christina Aguilera doing a Paris Hilton impression (except vocally, thankfully).8:52: The dancing looks slick when we can see it. (Hint, hint, cameramen.)8:52:30 Is it really wise for a pregnant lady like Xtina to stand on top of a piano?8:53: Is it really wise for anyone to wear that much bronzer? Easy, Christina. Easy.8:54: Alec Baldwin presents a directing award to the guy who helmed last season's Tony Bennett special, without making any reference to his recent "troubles." This leaves me only to focus on how bloated he looks. At least now I get why Bennett performed.8:55: Kiefer Sutherland and Ali Larter make a cute couple. And red is her color. But is it just me, or does she always seem a little stiff?8:56: Lead Actor in a Miniseries o...
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Tony Bennett and Christina Aguilera will reprise their duet performance of "Steppin' Out (With My Baby)" at the Sept. 16 Primetime Emmy Awards. But will Xtina step out with a baby belly?.... Carlos Mencia will host the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sept. 8.... ESPN2's telecast of the "Super Classico" contest between David Beckham's L.A. Galaxy and Chivas USA set a new record as the cabler's most-watched MLS game ever.... Oliver Hudson (Rules of Engagement) and wife Erinn Bartlett (How I Met Your Mother) welcomed their first child, a son named Wilder Brooks, on Aug. 23, says People.
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Now that's what it's like to sit on the edge of your seat for two hours. And no, I'm not talking about the endless end of American Idol, whose final episode Wednesday couldn't have been less concerned with crowning a winner, which came several minutes past the 10 pm point on the East Coast, as something of an afterthought. (Pity anyone who taped it and didn’t record it past the two-hour mark. They’d have missed the coronation.) Guess that’s what happens when there’s no suspense. From the moment Jordin Sparks sang this year’s schmaltzy Idol ballad Tuesday night with a catch in her throat, it was preordained that the 17-year-old with the grown-up pipes would win. (I did my part on the phone Tuesday night to make it happen.) Not bad, though, as variety shows go. And I’ll say this about the Idol finale: Tony Bennett sure knows how to stop a show, pure and simple. Forget idols. He’s a living legend.If you wanted surprise and suspense on Wednesday, the f...
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Everyone was in the house for the grand finale of American Idol, as Jordin and Blake opened the show with a long-awaited Beatles tune. "I Saw Her Standing There" was a premonition of things to come. We drifted quickly into a performance by the touring Gwen Stefani singing her song “4 in the Morning.” She looked and sounded fantastic. Red-carpet tidbits — there were lots of Idols both past and present. However, the real stars were ushered past me on the red-carpet press line at the speed of light, as though I had a form of jumping leprosy. I spoke to:The crying girl.Blake’s dad, Dallas.Writers of the song “This Is My Now” (as opposed to my later on).Sabrina Sloan — simply lovely.Constantine Maroulis — all business, currently starring in The Bold and the Beautiful. Kelly Clarkson rocked the heck out of “Never Again” will I put up with Clive Davis yelling at me; I’m a star, damn it! I can’t imagine why Clive doesn’t like ...
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