The Disjointed Emmys 2013 Broadcast

This year's Emmy broadcast was, across the board, disjointed. There was no rhyme or reason to absolutely anything. For every down moment (death tributes), there was an up (Bob Newhart). For every predictable win (Candelabra), there was a surprise (Meritt Weaver - I gotta go.) It was kind of jarring.

The biggest problem with last night's show, without question, was the focus on sadness. While beautiful, the special tributes to various industry members who've passed on brought the show down in a big way. And the worst part was they didn't have to. Edie Falco's tribute was especially moving. But honestly, why were there no clips? It felt as though they kept setting up for snippets of Mork & Mindy and Family Ties, but no. If I were Jean Stapleton, I'd be like, "If you think I'm so great, show my stuff!!" I would have loved to see some genius Edith Bunker moments.

Then there's the whole controversy over who was left out of the "special tribute" moments - Jack Klugman and Larry Hagman particularly. These guys were TV legends with Emmy wins in their past, yet no mentions, no clips, just a photo in a RIP reel. 

Television in particular is at a time where it's history is so rich. Why not celebrate it? That's what I thought was happening when they kept promising a look back at an important year in TV history - the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. Yes! What a great moment! ... except that it started with Walter Cronkite announcing Kennedy's death. Then, a briefest of clips of The Beatles singing away. Then Carrie Underwood crooning Yesterday...? Wha....?

I will always watch awards shows. But I won't always like every broadcast. And this was not one of my favorites. 

Best Moments:

Julia Louis-Dreyfus's in-character acceptance speech, accompanied by Tony Hale.
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, heckling NPH, then rolling and stumbling up the stairs to the stage.
Meritt Weaver's brief acceptance speech.
Stephen Colbert's series win.
Kevin Spacey's House of Cards hijack in the opening.
Bob Newhart. Every time.

Worst Moments:
Shemar Moore. Every time.
The cut-off music. It was scary sometimes.
Speaking of, cutting off winners a little too early and a little too often.
Some of the other stuff mentioned earlier.