TV critic Matthew Gilbert took your questions
September 22, 2008
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Boston Globe TV critic Matthew Gilbert was online Monday, Sept. 22, at noon to field your questions and comments about the 60th Emmy Awards, which were held in Los Angeles on Sept. 21. Curious how Gilbert felt about this year's ceremony? Catch up here.
The transcript follows.
Englishboy__Guest_: Nice meeting you
Matthew_Gilbert: Indeed.
LittleEthel__Guest_: Some randon Emmy thoughts: Why do the Oscars always win an Emmy? Why do these people walk on stage and act like the found the cure for cancer? Why do THEY neeed to tell me to vote? Who are half of these people, anyway? I've been waiting for something to finally make me stop the madness of watching these shows. This year's excrutiatingly bad and tedious show pushed me over the edge!
Matthew_Gilbert: Thanks for sharing, Ethel.
Matthew_Gilbert: (I agree!)
Matthew_Gilbert: Although I've learned not to mind when the stars spout off about politics. Because, alas, shows like the Emmys and Saturday Night Live are where many Americans get their political inspiration...
Kayla__Guest_: How, how, HOW did Jon Hamm lose to Bryan Cranston of all people!? From everything I've heard about Breaking Bad, it seems like the show is mediocre at best. Although I'm biased toward Hamm, I find it hard to believe Cranston is THAT good. Is this this year's James Spader-esque win?
Matthew_Gilbert: I SO agree with you, Kayla. Breaking Bad isn't awful-- it had potential, although the setup (man with cancer deals crystal meth for money for his family, sympathize with him) is forced. And Cranston was OK, with lots of brooding quietness that made me think of Robin Williams doing dramatic roles.
Matthew_Gilbert: But it was nowhere near the quality of Mad Men, and Cranston was shallow, I thought, compared to the mystery and twistedness of Hamm.
MC84__Guest_: Hi Matt -- am interested in hearing your thoughts on last week's Mad Men (does this count as an Emmy question since the show won?). I never thought Betty would stand up to Don like that, and it looks like Joan really IS engaged...
Matthew_Gilbert: Yes, I was wrong about Joan and the possibility that she invented her engagement. Oh well. I was also wrong in most of my predictions about the Emmys. What, as they say, are you gonna do?
Matthew_Gilbert: But I was glad to see Betty take a stand. I think that's where the show is going, as it moves ahead.
EHBABITT816__Guest_: hello
Matthew_Gilbert: hello.
Englishboy__Guest_: Do you know about China ?
Matthew_Gilbert: No, but I'm an expert when it comes to flatware.
JimRice4HOF__Guest_: Hi Matthew. Three names: Steve Martin, Rick Gervais and Don Rickles. They were the only highlights of the night for me. If they were hosting/commenting the whole night, it would have been a much better show. I never watch reality shows and after seeing the 5 hosts (actually 4 - I'll keep Heidi), I can't see why they wasted this awards show to highlight reality. Anyway, what are your impressions of Martin, Gervais and Rickles? Thanks.
Matthew_Gilbert: I agree with you all the way. Those three guys, mostly Gervais and Rickles, were the highlights for me, too. I loved it when Kathy Griffin told people to stand for Rickles. Damn right.
Matthew_Gilbert: The reason the Emmys went with the reality theme, I think, is to draw viewers to the Emmycast. All of the nominated show were small, and people don't tend to tune in when they don't care who wins. The Oscars had boffo ratings the year Titanic was up for statues, because everyone wanted to see what happened.
Matthew_Gilbert: Reality TV shows may not suit your tastes, but they drawn HUGE audiences, especially Idol and DWTS.
Vincent_the_dog__Guest_: Why is there never any love for Lost? (Terry O'Quinn's win last year is just not enough for me!) Michael Emerson and John Slattery were totally snubbed inthe supporting category! Do you have a theory as to why, maybe they split the vote?
Matthew_Gilbert: I hear you Vince, and I second that. Emerson, who plays Ben Linus, was robbed. I wonder if Emmy voters aren't that interested in a show that's so culty -- you really have to be onboard or you can't tune in.
colonel_mustard__Guest_: Hello Mr Gilbert. As you look at the field for Best Comedy, are there any shows that you put in the same category as "Arrested Development" - that is a hilarious show with a great cast that is doomed to failure for no apparent reason...
Matthew_Gilbert: Hmm. I think 30 Rock inhabits the Arrested Development slot, although it does somewhat better in the ratings and isn't about to go away.
Matthew_Gilbert: It's similarly underwatched, if not underappreciated.
TVfan__Guest_: What did you think of Josh Groban's medley last night? I didn't like it at all. When I see Josh Groban, I expect a big ballad. And I want a big ballad! He just seemed out of place to me last night. I thought it was just plain weird, actually. You?
Matthew_Gilbert: Oh yeah it was weird city. Groban singing "Friends" and "South Park." Oy. I was surprised he did it.
chatty__Guest_: Hi Matthew, what was your favorite part of last night's show?
Matthew_Gilbert: The end.
Matthew_Gilbert: Ha.
Matthew_Gilbert: No, I liked the pre-made intros for the best writing in a variety-musical-comedy category. They were amusing, especially Dr. Phil on David Lettermen.
Matthew_Gilbert: Also, when Kathy Griffin made everyone stand for Rickles, and then just Rickles. He is amazing. And ahead of his time, in terms of where comedy is right now.
talkinghead__Guest_: Heidi Klum as host? Did you like her? I thought she pretty good.
Matthew_Gilbert: I laughed out loud when she introduced David Boreanaz from "the Bones."
Matthew_Gilbert: But I don't think the reality-host experiment worked at all.
luckycoal1: How awesome did Christina Applegate look? I didn't see the show...what type of reception did she get when she came out with Christian Slater?
Matthew_Gilbert: She got a very warm welcome, and Slater paid homage to her. It was a sweet moment. I don't think she deserved to win -- Tina Fey is better -- but I was pleased to see her there, as was the audience.
Jax__Guest_: Any thoughts on why the brilliance of Dexter was ignored? Also, although the Office had a somewhat uneven season, I was surprised it didn't win anything.
Matthew_Gilbert: I think Dexter may just be too dark and disturbing and bloody -- although, I don't know. Breaking Bad is pretty dark, too. But a show about a killer who kills killers -- may be a little to edgy for the wholesome Emmy stalwarts.
Matthew_Gilbert: The Office has fallen from grace, I'm afraid. It's still good, but 30 Rock is showing it up bigtime. Also, NBC spoiled the mystique of The Office by running too many episodes -- and especially too many hourlong episodes -- last season.
madmenfan__Guest_: What were your biggest disappointments of last night's winners/losers?
Matthew_Gilbert: Biggest? If the voters weren't going to go with Jon Hamm for "Mad Men," they really should have given the prize to Hugh Laurie. He is really amazing, and someday the Emmys will be embarrassed about never having given him one.
Matthew_Gilbert: Also, Amy Poehler. I love her. With all due respect to Jean Smart, Poehler deserved that statue bigtime.
hello__Guest_: I love Tina Fey! She is so cool.
Matthew_Gilbert: Yes, she is cool. She's having her moment, and yet she's not gotten annoying yet. That's really something.
zzzzzz__Guest_: Matthew, I thought the show was so boring. Sooo boring. Did you like?
Matthew_Gilbert: No, I no like.
madmenfan__Guest_: I don't know anyone who has seen Breaking Bad? Is it worth watching?
Matthew_Gilbert: It's an interesting show that ALMOST works but, as far as the first season went, doesn't work. I'm curious to see what AMC does with it during season 2, which is shooting right now, which is why Cranston's head was shaved last night. He plays a guy with cancer.
Vincent_the_dog__Guest_: Matt, why do you think Emmy voters get in these voting ruts (for lack of a better word). The constant Jeremy Piven (who is nauseating, IMO) love, the 2.5 Men Love, the James Spader Love... why!
Matthew_Gilbert: That is a great question, Vince. It really is. I'd love to find a therapist who could analyse the psychology of the voters as a group -- why they can't let go of certain shows and people, why they perseverate. Are these annual repeat wins and nominations the award equivalent of a beloved teddy bear?
Matthew_Gilbert: OK. Maybe not. But the repeat voting is a strange phenomenon peculiar to the TV awards.
madmenfan__Guest_: I do like Entourage but think that Neil Patrick Harris deserved to win last night. Your thoughts?
Matthew_Gilbert: I agree full-heartedly. Piven was great, a revelation even; but last season on Entourage he was as played out as the series itself. Harris has been amazing, creating a sitcom character who is as classic in his way as Piven's Ari Gold.
JimRice4HOF__Guest_: As for the awards, I was surprised by Jean Smart from Samantha Who, I expected either Chenowith from Pushing Daisies or Amy Poehler from SNL. Anything surprise you last night, other than how bad the show was?
Matthew_Gilbert: I was surprised, just because Poehler seemed destined for that award. God love Jean Smart, but really. REALLY?
Matthew_Gilbert: I was also surprised -- and pleasantly so -- that Dianne Wiest won. I didn't think the voters would bother much at all with "In Treatment." A great show, but a challenging show that didn't create a lot of mainstream buzz.
Matthew_Gilbert: I was surprised about Zeljko Ivanek from "Damages," too. I like his work in general, but his accent on the show was just bizarre. And, well, Michael Emerson deserved that win.
luckycoal1: Was the SueAnn Nivens and Mary Richards reunion uncomfortable???
Matthew_Gilbert: MTM just keeps getting narrower and narrower, you know? She's great, but her mouth spans her width....
Matthew_Gilbert: The two women were holding hands a little too fiercely.
jam__Guest_: How funny was Ricky Gervais and Steve Carrel? They should host
Matthew_Gilbert: That's a good idea. I'll get them on the phone when I have a chance.
c__Guest_: I've just hopped on the HIMYM bandwagon and watched seasons 1-3 in the last week. Has the show gone downhill in your opinion? If so, what do they have to do in this new season to bring it back?
Matthew_Gilbert: It's about time, c. How I Met Your Mother is still really good, I think. It doesn't have all of the originality it had in the first two seasons, but no show can hold onto that for too long. It's still a standout. It definitely deserved a nomination for best sitcom, and Neil Patrick Harris deserved a win.
TB__Guest_: With a overall horrible show, I thought the 'Laugh In' skit was especially bad. And Mary Tyler Moore looked scary!
Matthew_Gilbert: Yes, that Laugh In business was bad in a troubling kind of way. I don't want to see Ruth Buzzi whomping people with her handbag at this late date, nor do I need to be reminded of Alan Sues, who has become a little less intentionally strange.
Matthew_Gilbert: And Lily. You never should have said yes, friend.
JimRice4HOF__Guest_: I agree with your take on Ivanek from "Damages." I love the show and Close, Danson and Rose Byrne are great. I've always enjoyed Ivanek's character roles, but his accent was distracting, which is a bad thing for a viewer to notice, in my opinion. He was not on my radar for that award. I agree that Emerson deserved it for Loast; he commands your attention when he is in a scene.
Matthew_Gilbert: Well, we won't have to worry about his accent next season.
Matthew_Gilbert: Emerson rocks. I'd love to be his optomitrist.
Matthew_Gilbert: That is, optometrist.
LittleEthel__Guest_: At least they did not trot out Goldie in a bikini!
Matthew_Gilbert: Now I feel better.
bos__Guest_: what new shows do you think will be up for Emmys next year?
Matthew_Gilbert: That's a great question. There's not much that's new this season and obviously destined to be good. I think that if a few shows that premiered during last year's short season gain traction this year, they could be in the running.
Matthew_Gilbert: Damian Lewis on "Life" and Donald Sutherland on "Dirty Sexy Money," for example.
LittleEthel__Guest_: Those old clips just remind me of how inferior al the comedies are today.
Matthew_Gilbert: I know what you mean, but I respectfully disagree. The past 10 years have brought us some amazing all-time great comedy, from Scrubs and Sex and the City and Curb Your Enthusiasm and Arrested Development and The Comeback and 30 Rock to The Office and more.
LittleEthel__Guest_: Maybe Betty was going to fall ...
Matthew_Gilbert: Maybe she was trying to pull Mary down...
bugaboo__Guest_: Just a couple of thoughts on the Emmy broadcast. Who were half those people??? I know cable is doing some good stuff, but really, do most viewers watch those shows or are the big 3 networks still getting the majority of viewers? Josh Groban -- loved it! Thought he showed a lighter side; it was the first time I've seen him so relaxed, and who knew he could do voices? Finally -- the reality host thing was sabotaged by Howie, as was the rest of the show. Seems that lots of "bits" were cut short because, Howie had to be front and center.
Matthew_Gilbert: I know, there's a disconnect because so much of the good television is tucked away in niches like AMC and FX. It's hard for the Emmycast to draw viewers, because so few people are invesed in the awards.
Matthew_Gilbert: Which is why they had reality TV hosts on stage.
Matthew_Gilbert: And I agree, the reality hosts were bad, but Mandel was egregious. He was really awful.
furz__Guest_: Do you think the Emmys were no good this year due to the writers strike and the uncomfortableness of that? It seems that way from the chat so far, but perhaps it was just the lack of an engaging host? LOVE Project Runway, but Heidi is only great in SMALL doses.
Matthew_Gilbert: There was a complex subtext going on about the strike, for sure. Having reality hosts go script-free the first season after the writers' strike was a bit of a hostile gesture.
Matthew_Gilbert: I was glad Jeremy Piven pointed out how ludicrous that unscripted opening was.
Matthew_Gilbert: But maybe it would have worked better with better reality hosts, or one better reality host ... I don't know. I doubt it.
LittleEthel__Guest_: Every time I see Howie I still remember him running around with an inflated rubber glove and cringe!
Matthew_Gilbert: (Sympathetic cringe.)
30Rock__Guest_: They should get Ricky Gervais to host. He provided the funniest moment of the night.
Matthew_Gilbert: I do agree, but I doubt he'd be crazy enough to do it. Hosting an awards show is a losing proposition for someone with his style of comedy, I think.
Matthew_Gilbert: Remember Letterman at the Oscars. Never forget.
30Rock__Guest_: Do you think the Emmy sweep will help 30 Rock survive its third season?
Matthew_Gilbert: I doubt it. But maybe. Also, the show is bringing in a bunch of special guest stars this season, which may help the numbers.
Matthew_Gilbert: Thanks everyone for showing up.
Matthew_Gilbert: MG
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