2021 Emmys -- Scaled Down

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Sun Sep 19, 2021 at 08:52:15 PM EST
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The Emmys Awards are on. There is something very different about this year's production. It is so scaled down, and many of the nominees are celebrating and appearing from London.

I'm watching on my desktop and there seems to be a time delay of a few seconds during which you get to see the exact moment the nominee hears their name and their entire expression changes. I like that.

The London room seems like an intimate bar, with just a handful or two of tables. It's a more intimate setting than even the Golden Globes.

So far, the awards are going to a handful of shows like The Crown, Ted Lasso, The Handsmaid's Tale, Pose, Ted Lasso to name a few.[More...]

Mare of Eastown is in a different category, "limited series". The show has had two winners for supporting actors. I thought the series was great, but I would have given the supporting actress award to Jean Smart as Mare's mother or Angourie Rice who played Mare's daughter Siobhan Sheehan. I think John Douglas Thompson as the police chief was more authentic that the "aw, schucks" detective played by Evan Peters. I'm surprised he won.

Jean Smart won best actress in a pilot show.

Most emotional moment: Debbie Allen accepting her well-deserved award from the "Academy" for her lifetime of achievements.

Best director in limite series went to Queens Gambit instead of Hamilton or Mare of Eastown.

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2021 Emmys -- Scaled Down | 46 comments (46 topical)

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It seems like Queen's Gambit was like 10 years ago (5.00 / 2) (#5)
by ruffian on Mon Sep 20, 2021 at 06:11:00 PM EST

It won Golden Globes last year. I guess it must have been released just before the start of this year's Emmy window. I could not wrap my head around it even being up against Mare or the other shows that were actually in the 2021 calendar year.

I'm just gonna say it (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 22, 2021 at 04:52:01 PM EST

I'm loving Impeachment.

The casting is wonderful. The acting is amazing. I love what they are doing to Michael Isikoff, Ann Coulter, Laura Ingram, George Conway, Matt Drudge.

I love it.

I didn't want to love it! (5.00 / 1) (#41)
by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 30, 2021 at 12:45:15 AM EST

It was the last story I wanted to revisit, but the acting is incredible.


: It might be the best casting ever (none / 0) (#42)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 30, 2021 at 07:36:37 AM EST

Paula Jones, Ann Coulter, Drudge, Isikoff just stellar.
Even Monica. And Sara Paulson and Clive Owen can do anything.

: Are you watching the other (none / 0) (#43)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 30, 2021 at 01:46:21 PM EST

Falchuk and Murphy on FX? AHS Double Feature. Sara Paulson and the whole gang. I think AHS just gets better and better.
I loved part one, vampires in P Town. The ending was a little abrupt but part 2 looks awsum.

As soon as CDC approved, our county dept (5.00 / 2) (#37)
by Peter G on Tue Sep 28, 2021 at 11:01:59 AM EST

of public health opened their vaccination clinics to seniors wanting boosters. The next day, so did the local hospital where our family doctors are affiliated. Six months after my second Pfizer shot is tomorrow (Wednesday). I'm scheduled to get a booster Friday afternoon.

: Booster went smoothly Friday (5.00 / 2) (#44)
by Peter G on Sun Oct 03, 2021 at 03:08:13 PM EST

In and out in 1/2 hour. Sore arm that evening. From 24-36 hours later, I had a moderate headache and annoying muscle aches in my legs. Took some ibuprofen and went to bed early. Next morning (Sunday) all symptoms were gone.

Disappointed (none / 0) (#1)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 20, 2021 at 07:22:54 AM EST

but not surprised WandaVision was snubbed. I was surprised it was nominated. 23 times.

I didn't watch it but was expecting it (none / 0) (#4)
by ruffian on Mon Sep 20, 2021 at 06:07:50 PM EST

to win something based on what I heard about it.

I was disappointed that Lovecraft Country didn't win anything. I thought at least Michael K Williiams and Jussie Smollett would be serious contenders.

I thought the awards show itself was a mess. The staging just looked amateur. The London people were smart to stay home. But I guess there is not a TV or movies awards show I won't watch.


I think you would like it (none / 0) (#6)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 20, 2021 at 06:47:20 PM EST

It's about the medium as much as anything. And the history of sitcoms.


I thought the show felt (none / 0) (#9)
by Militarytracy on Tue Sep 21, 2021 at 06:10:30 AM EST

Strange, but everything feels strange at the moment.


: I'm pretty sure (5.00 / 1) (#10)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 21, 2021 at 08:26:26 AM EST

it's supposed to feel that way. It is strange. And not always in a "good" way. Hard to pigeon hole or even describe.
I love that it hooks a lot of people at the beginning looking like a wacky sit com parody and becomes something quite different.

Fiasco (none / 0) (#2)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 20, 2021 at 05:49:13 PM EST

started last night on EPIX

I just watched the first episode. I was not bored.

NYTimes review

One of the anecdotes studded like candied fruit throughout "Fiasco," a six-episode documentary about the Iran-contra affair, involves the C.I.A.'s prepping of Ronald Reagan for his first summit with Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985. Knowing that reading was not Reagan's preferred method of absorbing information, the agency prepared, to his delight, a film biography of the Soviet leader with whom he was about to negotiate the fate of the world.
Four decades later, we're all Ronald Reagan, getting our knowledge through screens and speakers. You could criticize "Fiasco" as lightweight for its reliance on personalities, piquant details and staged visual motifs (like a reconstruction of Oliver North's office that frequently serves as a silent, eerie mood setter). It makes more sense, though, to praise it for the trouble it takes to make meaningful history digestible and entertaining, and to appreciate both the scrupulousness and the artfulness that it brings to bear.

It really is about how we got where we are.

I wasn't sure if it was a documentary or a drama (none / 0) (#3)
by ruffian on Mon Sep 20, 2021 at 06:03:25 PM EST

I'll watch a good doc, thanks!

I really did follow it closely in real time - I remember listening to the hearings on my headset at work. Will be interesting to see how they put it together.

Also Lawrence Walsh's book Firewall was a good recounting of the ins and outs of his investigation.


It begins (none / 0) (#7)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Sep 20, 2021 at 06:48:54 PM EST

talking about how we, the CIA, caused a revolution in Iran with a disinformation campaign.


Sounds very good (none / 0) (#8)
by Militarytracy on Tue Sep 21, 2021 at 05:56:50 AM EST

I watched the first episode early this (none / 0) (#11)
by ruffian on Tue Sep 21, 2021 at 05:27:32 PM EST

morning when I couldn't get back to sleep. I was hoping it would put me back to sleep, but it did not. Very well done with footage and just enough narration.

The first was free but I think I have to subscribe to Epix to get the rest? Or is it done in weekly installments and the next is not out yet?


I have EPIX (none / 0) (#12)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 21, 2021 at 05:37:45 PM EST

and only 1 is available now.

On a different subject, I'm watching For All Mankind on Apple+.

It's really well done. One of the most interesting parts is how they use existing historical figures and have them saying things they never said. I guess it's a kind of deep fake. The alternate history is great. John Lennon lives, John Paul dies and Roman Polanski is caught fleeing to Canada. Among other things. Like president Teddy Kennedy.


EPIX (none / 0) (#13)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 21, 2021 at 05:38:46 PM EST

Is worth it IMO. Chapelwaite is excellent.


You watched Domina? (none / 0) (#15)
by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 22, 2021 at 05:41:55 PM EST

Yes (none / 0) (#16)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 22, 2021 at 06:09:40 PM EST

and Pennyworth is excellent


: Epix came with our package (none / 0) (#18)
by Militarytracy on Wed Sep 22, 2021 at 07:23:38 PM EST

It's really good.

To be perfectly honest, Jeralyn, ... (none / 0) (#17)
by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Sep 22, 2021 at 07:10:30 PM EST

... I didn't even realize the Emmy Awards were happening until I read your post. I've been almost completely disengaged from pop culture. I haven't seen any movies, and I really haven't seen much TV save for what's on PBS.

Speaking of pop culture and PBS, I have been watching Ken Burns' latest documentary, "Muhammed Ali". It's been interesting, but also admittedly a little ponderous at times. It concludes tonight.

Aloha.

I've been watching it too... (none / 0) (#19)
by desertswine on Wed Sep 22, 2021 at 11:05:52 PM EST

I think the problem is the excessively solemn tone of the narration. It's almost like listening to a Latin mass.


Like all Ken Burns/Sarah Burns documentaries (none / 0) (#20)
by Peter G on Thu Sep 23, 2021 at 03:35:49 PM EST

it is Serious and Important. I enjoyed it though. Learned a little I didn't know and was reminded of a lot I was happy to be reminded of. I really like her/his "A Nation of Drunkards," about Prohibition. That's actually my favorite Burns. Although the music ones are good, too (jazz, country music).


: Well, I like his new (none / 0) (#24)
by desertswine on Fri Sep 24, 2021 at 12:55:38 PM EST

covid hair. It's much better than that tired old Beatles cut.

Look out next month for "My Name Is (none / 0) (#21)
by Peter G on Thu Sep 23, 2021 at 04:12:21 PM EST

Pauli Murray" on Amazon Prime. A documentary about the little-known Black feminist gender-nonconforming/queer civil rights pioneer. Who when they reached retirement age from law and teaching (at Brandeis) entered an Episcopal seminary, and became one of the first "female priests" (the first Black "female"). Now recognized by the Episcopal Church of the U.S. as a saint. I got to see a preview of it Monday, because of a relevant institutional affiliation I have.

Did not know the Episcopal Church annointed its (none / 0) (#22)
by oculus on Thu Sep 23, 2021 at 07:38:53 PM EST

very own saints.


Nor did I (none / 0) (#23)
by Peter G on Fri Sep 24, 2021 at 08:14:23 AM EST

but the list is pretty interesting.


: Now we must research the requirements. (none / 0) (#25)
by oculus on Fri Sep 24, 2021 at 07:46:49 PM EST

Like other elite parties of late (none / 0) (#26)
by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri Sep 24, 2021 at 09:01:47 PM EST

The rich and famous go maskless and pay scant attention to social distancing. The servant class OTOH were all masked. It was all very Democratic.

I am sure (none / 0) (#27)
by Ga6thDem on Sat Sep 25, 2021 at 05:56:23 AM EST

they are all vaccinated. Typical conservative whine though. You are killing tons of conservatives everyday with your mindset


This is a meme (none / 0) (#29)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Sep 25, 2021 at 07:40:29 AM EST

Thanks mostly I guess to Seth Rogan. Who really really thinks he's the funniest thing ever. He is not. And he should STFU about stuff he knows nothing about.

It's laughable how desperate they have become. To cling to Seth Rogan.

Emmy Security Hiding In Plain Sight As Covid Safety Protocols Kick In For Los Angeles-Set Show

: But it got him gobs of clicks (none / 0) (#30)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Sep 25, 2021 at 09:00:31 AM EST

Speaking to Variety this week, Emmys producers Ian Stewart and Reginald Hudlin criticized Rogen's jokes, telling the outlet that they are "still fuming" over the comments.
"We have worked for months and months to make that a safe space," Stewart said. "We've worked with all the health authorities. We were signed off by LA County, we came up with a plan with them. Those tables were distanced. Everyone was vaccinated. Everyone was negative tested in that audience."
He added, "And also he had rehearsed. So he knew exactly what it was. So, I just felt it was an unfortunate misdirect from [Seth Rogen]. Because it wasn't just our decision. This is the health authorities' decision as well, to say that it's a completely safe environment if you do all those things."
Finally, Stewart said, "It made three months of very hard work and many, many discussions to get it absolutely right feel a little bit wasted, really."

: Probably (none / 0) (#31)
by KeysDan on Sat Sep 25, 2021 at 09:50:14 AM EST

all comments about, and responses to, Republicans should be placed in the "Taliban" thread below. More fitting.

So what (none / 0) (#32)
by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Sat Sep 25, 2021 at 12:46:16 PM EST

The hourly workers were required to be masked regardless of vaccination status. Very Democratic.


: Hmm (none / 0) (#34)
by Ga6thDem on Sat Sep 25, 2021 at 07:28:50 PM EST

so they care more for the lowly worker than the stars I would say. Double protection for the help. Very condescending of conservatives to care less for the help but also very typical since most conservatives see them as disposable. You guys are just so pathetic.

: And? (none / 0) (#39)
by Yman on Wed Sep 29, 2021 at 06:44:08 AM EST

I'm required to wear a mask at work regardless of my vaccination status, too. Outside of work, I'm not (although I often do, depending on the circumstances).
When the anti-maskers, ant-science, COVI-deniers are down to imaginary hypocrisy, you just point and laugh at their flailing.

: Masks: another first step (none / 0) (#45)
by jondee on Mon Oct 04, 2021 at 03:31:54 PM EST

on the slippery slope toward complete government control of every aspect of our lives, dogs and cats cohabitating, human sacrifice, and nation-wide mass hysteria.
Don't hold back for our sakes, Abdul.

Meanwhile (none / 0) (#33)
by FlJoe on Sat Sep 25, 2021 at 02:22:04 PM EST

in the "real" America

Some people in groups that formed recently to promote the false cure ivermectin, an anti-parasite treatment, have claimed extracting Covid patients from hospitals is pivotal so that they can self-medicate at home with ivermectin. But as the patients begin to realize that ivermectin by itself is not effective, the groups have begun recommending a series of increasingly hazardous at-home treatments, such as gargling with iodine, and nebulizing and inhaling hydrogen peroxide, calling it part of a "protocol."

So very Republican.


: Yes (none / 0) (#35)
by Ga6thDem on Sat Sep 25, 2021 at 07:30:31 PM EST

and also I am of the mindset of why should we listen to anything from people who are telling others to use horse paste for a virus when they can get a free vaccine.

You mean the outdoor parties (none / 0) (#38)
by Yman on Wed Sep 29, 2021 at 06:38:09 AM EST

... where the staff are following their employer/state mandates?

I guess when the party of science-deniers is finished lying about the pandemic, masks and vaccines, all they can do is try to point to imaginary hypocrisy. Probably works among the uneducated voters that your past POTUS loved so much, but not so much for those with a clue.


Have you seen the promos for (none / 0) (#40)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 29, 2021 at 07:47:05 AM EST

The Last Man?

it looks like The Yman

It looks pretty good actually.


: Hah! I've been watching it (none / 0) (#46)
by Yman on Tue Oct 05, 2021 at 04:26:35 PM EST

... because the promos caught my eye. It's not bad, but not great. Interesting premise, but they did a much better job on the promos than the show.

Foundation on Apple+ (none / 0) (#28)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Sep 25, 2021 at 07:35:55 AM EST

The first 2 have dropped. The reviews are mixed but all agree it's gorgeous. It really is. I'm totally hooked. I read the first couple of books decades ago. So I can't tell how they are dealing with the story compared to the books. But I would watch it with the sound down just for the visuals.

I remember enough to know why it's never been filmed. And I've read they are doing some adapting to make the story filmable. I know some changes have been made to make it less about white men. I'm fine with that.

Netflix has agreed (none / 0) (#36)
by MO Blue on Mon Sep 27, 2021 at 02:17:10 PM EST

to a fourth and final season of Manifest.

I'm glad to see this since I like that series and the 3rd season ended with everything up in the air.