The Emmy Awards 2011: What Did You Think?

So what did all of you out there think of this year’s Emmy Awards?

Well given that the night’s two big winners were Modern Family and Mad Men – exactly the same as last year – it’s hard not to feel a certain sense of deja vu.

This was an awards show with few real surprises or moments of spontaneity – but in a way maybe that’s for the best. Whenever the awards bash did move into more unexpected territory I have to admit I found myself cringing! Take the Lonely Island guys for example. The sex-filled songs work fine as part of a video, but on their own and on a giant stage it all became a tad too knowing and uncomfortable. I’d rather the guys had created a brand new song and video to play in during the show’s slower moments.

Speaking of cringe-inducing songs, am I the only one who found Jane Lynch’s opening number a total chore to get through? I understand the need to open a show with a big song and dance number, but coming off the back of Jimmy Fallon’s amazing opening last year  (and Neil Patrick Harris similarly superlative opener the year before) this truly felt like reheated leftovers. Lynch can be very funny with the right material – but aside from a nice moment at the Mad Men offices – the one liners were painfully thin and landed with a total thud.

Which unfortunately pretty much sums up Lynch’s performance over the whole night. Jane didn’t have much to do in the first place but when she did appear it was generally to rattle off a handful of weak punchlines that barely raised a smile from the audience. If only the show’s producers had thought to pair her up with Neil Patrick Harris… imagine the potential!

Elsewhere across the evening. Downton Abbey dominated the ‘mini-series’ category, even though it’s not a mini-series! But I don’t care given how much I adore the show. I was similarly pleased for Mildred Pierce, which took home awards for stars Kate Winslet and Guy Pierce – even though many of the critics out there hated the show (I wonder if Kate’s star power had a hand in deciding these awards?)

Best moment of the night? Probably when the Best Comedy Actress nominees all took their place on the stage in an improvised moment that was the most joyful and spontaneous of the evening. I think a lot of people were also expecting great comedy – and unpredictability – from Charlie Sheen and Ricky Gervais but both played it safe and stuck to the script (could Sheen be any more grovelling over the last week?)

On a fashion note… Gwyneth Paltrow chose another ill-fitting top that made her waistline look flabby; Lynch’s opening dress was like a bad mother of the bride outfit; and OMG Julie Bowen – when did she get so thin? Am I the only one who cried ‘eating disorder’ upon seeing the skeletal Bowen in a far too revealing dress?

Overall last night’s show didn’t feel especially revolutionary or different – but it did the job. The show kept up the pace, finished on time and was nowhere near the drag the Oscars have become. But with a great Fall season ahead of us and so many interesting cable shows on offer – let’s just hope next year’s awards are a little less predictable…

So that’s my take – but what did you think? Who made you laugh – and who made you cringe? Who should have won and didn’t, and vice versa… fire away!