My Thoughts on the 2018 Emmy Awards

Here’s the deal with the Emmy Awards. This is my fourth year to cover them and I still manage to walk away feeling sorry for network television, who never gets any love. But for the first time in a very, very long time, I actually recognized eighty-percent of the shows nominated.

Do I watch them? Of course not. But I recognize the name thanks to the people in my life (read: podcast friends) who prefer high brow television. Don’t worry about The CW, folks. I’ve got it covered! Leave Jane the Virgin and The Arrow to me!

I also experienced an “ah-ha” moment during the telecast and understand the weight behind the “limited series” category. It’s a way for movie stars to join in on the fun! Why else would Penelope Cruz be in that auditorium?

And by the looks of this year’s fall TV lineup, we will see a lot more silver screen actors gracing our presence next year. Julia Roberts, Emma Stone, and Jonah Hill are all on television and it’s blowing my mind.

There wasn’t much #MeToo movement dialog, but we did have several jokes about diversity. And on this 70th anniversary, the opening act celebrated the fact that…

“We Solved It.”

I have to say when Ricky Martin scooted across that stage, I lived la vida loca.

It’s Weekend Update
Michael Che and Colin Jost did what they do, which is make people sort of laugh and steep in uncomfortable moments. Here are some of their best one-liners:

Colin: “We come together tonight celebrating the talented people who haven’t been caught yet.”

Colin: “NBC has the most nominations of any broadcast network.”
Michael: “Which is kind of like being the sexiest person on life support.”

Colin: “It is believed that Netflix will spend eight billion dollars on programming. They have seven hundred original shows. It just makes me realize that the show I pitched them must have really sucked. It’s like being turned down for a CVS rewards card.”

Michael: “How is Netflix getting all that money? It’s nine dollars per month and everyone I know is sharing the same account.”

Colin: “A comedy is a drama that’s just thirty minutes long.”

Your Royal Highness
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip (Claire Foy and Matt Smith) had the honor of presenting the first award. Just when I was about to comment on how boring they appeared, Claire quipped, “If we don’t’ sound thrilled, it’s because we are very, very British.” Noted.

Aaaaaaaaaayyyy!!!!
Henry Winkler, the Fonz himself, won his very first Emmy (supporting actor in a comedy) for a show I’ve never heard of until recently. It’s called Barry. Bill Hader, who plays Barry, won too. Figure out a way to infiltrate HBO and give it a whirl! PS: I adore that the audience gave him a standing ovation.

Can you say sweep?
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel practically won everything. Alex Borstein for best supporting actress. Rachel Brosnahan for best actress. Amy Sherman-Palladino for writing and directing (an Emmy in each hand) and the show for best comedy. My roommate Lara and I discuss our thoughts on this week’s podcast. Are we the only two who don’t love this show? PLEASE DON’T HATE ME!

Additionally, do you think Alex Borstein’s decision to go braless on national television was throwing caution to the wind because she thought she wouldn’t win and have to face the entire auditorium and viewing audience with her headlights beaming?

Shows We Need To Watch
Silicon Valley, Barry, Godless, Black Museum, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Looming Tower, USS Callister (Black Mirror), Twin Peaks, Patrick Melrose, Westworld, and Killing Eve. Someone tell me where to begin!

My Least Favorite Dress
Someone please tell Millie Bobby Brown’s stylist to tell Millie that she needs to stand with her feet together if she’s going to wear a dress like this. Or perhaps the Dragon Mother should intervene. Bottom line: No m’am.

2018 Emmy Awards

My Favorite Dress
Tiffany Haddish. All day.

2018 Emmy Awards

My Favorite Face
Angela Bassett. All day. She’s drinking the elixir found in the Fountain of Youth. It’s the only explanation.

I also loved when she and Tiffany gave each other the Wakanda sign across their chests.

Grandfatherly Advice
Michael Douglas, another actor who will be on TV this fall, gave the young whippersnappers some advice if they happen to lose the Emmy this year:

“Carry that rage. Let it fuel everything you do from this night forward. You were cheated. That’s a fact. Let the fire burn until your cold dead body is in a pine box six feet deep clutching all its Emmys to its chest.

EGOT
Did you know John Legend is one of fifteen who has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award? Thanks to Jesus Christ Superstar! (Another “limited series” we should have watched.)

Biggest Bomb
Whatever Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen were trying to do as the “comic relief” fell woefully flat on its face. Multiple times. Bless it.

National Treasure
Betty White can do no wrong. Yes, she spoke forever and sort of said the same thing twice, but she is 96-years-old and absolutely charming. LET HER HOST NEXT YEAR!

It Ain’t Easy Being Green
Chartreuse was the color of the night.

Landry’s Got a Girlfriend
Did y’all know that Jesse Plemmons is dating Kirsten Dunst?

Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious!

Guess what trailer dropped yesterday? Let the countdown begin!

BFFs
Most all presenters held hands while walking up to the microphone. I found this strangely comforting.

Will You Accept This Rose?
A guy named Glenn Weiss won for best director (of the 2018 Oscars) and practically no one cared. Then he proposed to his girlfriend who was cheering for him in the audience and the crowd lost their minds! I loved every second.

In Memoriam
Aretha Franklin singing “Amazing Grace” as the background loop. Gorgeous.

Photo By: NBC.com
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Kelli
Kelli
September 18, 2018 10:42 am

You MUST watch Killing Eve. It is so creepy/suspenseful. Kevin gives it 2 paws up, so y’all know it’s good.

kristin
kristin
September 27, 2018 11:50 am
Reply to  Kelli

Completely agree on this one. Sandra Oh is a treasure and Jodie Comer is fantastic. It’s also only 8 episodes for Season 1 so it’s easily binge-able. A drama/mystery for sure but there are definite moments of dark comedy as well.

Tasha
Tasha
September 18, 2018 11:24 am

Thank you for the recap so I don’t have to watch. You should be watching Jack Ryan on Amazon Prime. I know that has nothing to do with this article but it’s the truth.

Megan
Megan
September 22, 2018 6:15 pm
Reply to  Tasha

I heard Jack Ryan was good but I don’t have Prime

Lori
Lori
September 18, 2018 11:37 am

I just watched the first two episodes of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel this week and I thought it was just so-so. I’m not sure I even laughed once.

Kate
Kate
September 18, 2018 11:40 am

I loved Mrs Maisel until the last two episodes, when the characters started doing things they would not have done (her mom at the synagogue, for example). I understand that Midge had to mess up and blow her big chance so she could stay “scrappy” and keep the show going, but it rang so false to me!!

I am looking forward to season two!

P.S. – I don’t mind when movies like The Equalizer or Taken go off the rails because they are sort of fantasies and I don’t expect logic to prevail, but when a show is supposed to be realistic and the characters are completely illogical – that drives me crazy!

Ruby
Ruby
September 18, 2018 2:27 pm

I tried to watch Maisel with all the hullabaloo about it. I didn’t find it funny and I thought it was foul. I sure loved Gilmore girls, so my hopes were high.
But your recap was awesome! Thanks for summing it up for those of us who didn’t watch it. #wedidit

Megan
Megan
September 22, 2018 6:17 pm

Love the video you posted of we solved it. That was funny. I have watched the Marvelous Ms Maisle good to know you’re thoughts. I didn’t watch the Emmys so thanks for the recap!

Laura Jean
Laura Jean
September 24, 2018 11:30 am

I didn’t have an interest in the Emmys until I read this. That proposal was so wonderfully lovely! Bah!

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