WHO: Host Neil Patrick Harris (via satellite from Canada where he’s shooting a movie) and exec producers Don Mischer and Emmy chairman John Shaffner.
PREDICTIONS: Lots of funny courtesy of NPH.
4:49 pm/PST: Discussing the controversial decision to eliminate certain writing awards from the telecast, Mischer says it’s all part of an effort to “protect the Emmys as a major television event.” Research found that “potential viewers were not tuning in because it featured shows mainstream viewers didn’t know or weren’t interested in.” The result will be a focus on more popular programs via clip packages spotlighting high points and memorable moments of the past season. “We’re [still] going to honor the best in television,” he insists. “That’s not going to change.”
4:50 pm: We interrupt this panel for some How I Met Your Mother scoop. Here’s the season premiere’s semi-official logline: “Robin and Barney resist their friends’ pressure that they should have ‘the talk’ about their relationship. Meanwhile, a panicky Ted, about to face his first college class, decides he must keep control of his students by releasing his ‘inner douche’ — a tactic that backfires miserably.” Okay, back to your regularly scheduled press tour panel…
4:51 pm: NPH just got a laugh merely by scratching his head. Man, this guy knows how to work a room — even when he’s not in it!
5:01 pm: NPH describes his award show hosting philosophy thusly: “It’s like your hosting a big dinner party, Dean Martin-style.”
5:02 pm: Mischer just plugged the big Giants/Cowboys game that will be airing opposite the Emmys this year, adding, “It’s the first game in the new Texas stadium.” Sounds awesome! I’m totally watching that!
5:08 pm: Mischer says the telecast will pay attention to non-nominated shows as well. I hope that means what I think it means: Rules of Engagement blooper reel!
5:20 pm: Panel comes to an end, much to NPH’s surprise. “Wow, that was fast,” he says. Even that gets a laugh! Unbelievable!
Off to get scoop at CBS’ all-star party. Coming up tomorrow: The CW!
I understand that the Emmys are a business endeavor as well, and viewers need to tune in. But they did this with the Oscars last year too, and I saw more clips of “Space Chimps” than I did of “Frost/Nixon.” If the point of the show is to honor the best in TV, then it’s really dumb to sacrifice opportunities to praise the best in TV to highlight the more popular shows. That’s what the People’s Choice Awards are for.
It’s incredibly lame to see that they sacrifice the merit of the awards for ratings. This actually lowers the credibility of Emmys. If I want to see clips of pop shows I can in another way. If Emmys are not there to show appreciation of “best writing”/”best acting” in REAL sense they can make the viewers vote as well which would result in sh**. Sorry but since when the popular things represent the “best”??? Everything is losing their meaning thanks to greediness.
Two comments: (1) Oh, how I love NPH. I can’t wait for HIMYM to start again next month. (2) For the love of all that is good and right, PLEASE change “your” to “you’re” in 5:01 PM paragraph! This is NOT OKAY!
NPH the next Carson? Could be….a pretty busy body lately. Was just in Philly shooting a film 2 weeks ago, now in Canada doing same, plus his show, plus hosting chores. And here I thought Seacrest was the next Dick Clark…..
Jen & Harrison – You clearly don’t get it. If the Emmy awards broadcast doesn’t get better ratings, there will be no Emmy awards on TV anymore. It’s not about greed, it’s about defraying costs. No one makes a profit on this show. Never have.
5:01 pm – bad grammar alert. Should read, “It’s like you’re hosting…” FIX PLEASE.
I never said anything about it being greed, in fact the first sentence of my post was my stating that I understood that the Emmys need to break even. But a montage of “Two And A Half Men” clips is not going to make me tune in, either.
first of all, if it was honoring the best in writing, performance etc. bsg should have been nominated and grey’s anatomy should be given the boot. second of all, in reagards to the summary of the himym premiere – ted’s “inner” douche? last time i checked that wasn’t bottled up inside – the douche is on full display. if he has more douche to unleash i am kind of frightened.