I love award shows. I know, it’s a bit ridiculous. These awards are for those who entertain us. They didn’t cure cancer, they didn’t fix global warming, they didn’t even design the perfect mascara – sorely needed my friends! But I can’t help it; when the award season rolls around each year you’ll find me once again planted squarely in front of the TV, mesmerized for several hours.
The Emmy’s® in particular have a very interesting history. For example, did you know that they were almost called the “Immys”? That’s right, way back in 1948, when these awards were first conceived by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences as a way to bring attention to this new-fangled medium, future (1949) Academy president Harry Lubcke suggested they be called “Immy,” a nickname for “the image-orthicon camera tube instrumental in the technical development of television” (for additional Emmy history check out http://www.emmys.com/content/history-emmy-1940s). “Immy” was feminized as “Emmy” because the statuette, designed by engineer Louis McManus (whose wife Dorothy modeled for its creation) depicts the winged “muse of art uplifting the electron of science.”
[I would love to include here an image of the Emmy statuette, but she’s big time copyrighted! So instead I’ll include this fun picture of a winged hood ornament, which is kinda close…]
Image provided courtesy of Gratisography, http://www.gratisography.com/
Why I Love Award Shows & Other Fun Facts
The Host With the Most. It’s always entertaining to see if the host/emcee will be a hit or a flop. Just because someone is a brilliant entertainer doesn’t mean they’ll be able to successfully steer a program that can drag on for hours. This year’s host is Andy Samberg and I’m eager to see his herding of cats prowess. By the way, there have been years when there was NO specific host, including 1988, 1998, and 2003. There have also been actors I didn’t even remember having served as host including Bruce Willis (1987), Tom Selleck (1984), and Alan Alda (1978). Speaking of Bruce, I just can’t pass on this really fun tidbit: In 1987, “The Facts of Life” was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling. It lost to “Moonlighting,” starring a still-had-his-locks then Bruce Willis.
The Dresses. Every year there are big hits and a few serious misses. These are beautiful, successful, creative women and I love to see their personal style choices. I’m a sucker for anything red – it just screams confidence.
Image provided courtesy of Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/en/gown-red-robe-wedding-150290/
The Trivia! Award shows provide a goldmine of opportunities for trivia geeks like myself. Here’s just a sampling of some trivial Emmy facts:
- Most Nominations: Cameraman Hector Ramirez has been nominated a whopping 71 times!
- Most Losses For An Actor For Performance: this dubious distinction goes to Jon Hamm with 11 nominations, but nary a win. I’ll be pulling for him to break the streak by winning this year for Mad Men.
- Most Total Wins By a Network: NBC by a mile. With over 1,000 wins, it’s going to take HBO, the current network nomination darling, quite a while to catch up. But, they’re certainly giving it their all in that this year HBO has the most nominations (126) with NBC not even getting a third of that number (41).
My Favorite Category. Not surprisingly, my favorite nomination category is best lead actress in a comedy series. The 2015 nominations do not disappoint and I’ll be thrilled to see any of these wonderful women take home the prize:
- Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie)
- Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback)
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)
- Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)
- Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer)
- Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie)
One of my all-time favorite moments in Emmy history was when Julia Louis-Dreyfus won last year (2014) in this category and received a fabulous bonus with her statuette:
Provided courtesy of YouTube: youtu.be/CQ_H9BzYedc
So folks, time to fill out your ballots, grab some snacks and the adult beverage of your choice, and join me on Facebook this coming Sunday for a viewing gabfest. I might even wear some red socks!
Do you watch award shows? What’s your favorite part?
Cheers,
Kimba
CAROL CASSARA says
September 22, 2015 at 9:21 amI love them, too, but none as much as the Oscars … the drama! The dresses! The drag queens!
Kimba says
September 22, 2015 at 9:35 amYeah, sometimes there is a fine line between avant garde stylish, and Tim Curry’s Dr. Frank. N. Furter.
Roz Warren says
September 21, 2015 at 4:25 pm“… his herding of cats prowess.” Great line! I only watch Awards Shows when my next door neighbors hold one of their fabulous Awards Show Dinners. Then the fun part is listening to everyone’s snarky (or admiring) comments. I’m with you when it comes to those red dresses.
Kimba says
September 21, 2015 at 4:34 pmThrowing a fabulous Academy Awards party is on my bucket list. Everyone will come as their favorite Oscar winner and their will be prizes for the best dressed. Oh, and movie quotes trivia!
Lisa at Grandma's Briefs says
September 21, 2015 at 3:12 pmI love award shows, too. My husband not so much. Luckily, he indulges me (and watches with me) much of the time. I typically root for the underdog. I’m thrilled for Viola Davis… but wish a bit that the gal from Orphan Black were recognized for her incredible work on the show.
I think what I love most about the award shows is simply seeing the actors NOT in character. Some impress, others disappoint. Of course they all look rich and beautiful and from a world far, far from my own.
Kimba says
September 21, 2015 at 4:37 pmI’m always intrigued by the actors who seem very uncomfortable being in public. To pick a career that is so connected to a public audience, and yet to be uncomfortable being in front of people, seems counter-intuitive to me.
Ines Roe says
September 21, 2015 at 2:49 pmI love watching the awards shows. I think my favorite part are the dresses. I love the glamour. I do watch all the shows although I don’t know much about Broadway to don’t connect much with the Tony but it is still fun.The Emmy is probably my favorite since I watch TV and can have an opinion about who should win. Some of my favorite shows won, some didn’t and some that I never heard of. It does give me something to check out to see if they are worth watching – but frankly I don’t need more TV to watch
Kimba says
September 21, 2015 at 4:40 pmI’m with you! With the coming of Netflix there are just not enough hours in the day to watch all the great shows now available. I find I have to commit to a few and then just ignore my friends when they say “oh you MUST watch [fill in hot new show title here]”. This being said, I learned last night that there is a show called “Drunk History”? Yeah, I’m gonna haveta check that one out!
Mary says
September 21, 2015 at 2:38 pmI love them too! I love the Red Carpet where I get to see a close up of the dresses! And, I love the opening monolog.
Kimba says
September 21, 2015 at 4:40 pmI thought last night’s monologue by Andy Samberg was a bit lame. What did you think?
Tamara Minton says
September 21, 2015 at 12:25 pmWell, I confess, I had no idea the emmys were on. It has been a long time since I’ve watched an award show!
Kimba says
September 21, 2015 at 12:43 pmIf I had to pick just one, I would pick the Golden Globes – tend to be a little more entertaining/lots of potential drunken rants.
Mary Lanzavecchia says
September 21, 2015 at 11:57 amI periodically watch them, but they are usually a “background noise” while I work on something. Last night was no exception, except that I was so glad to see Jon Hamm win for a series I adored as well as Viola Davis’ speech and Tracy Morgan return to the stage. Last night was filled with so many inspiring moments!
Kimba says
September 21, 2015 at 12:23 pmOh, I’m so glad you mentioned Tracy Morgan – made me cry when the camera panned over to Tina Fey and she had tears streaming down her face.
Molly Stevens says
September 19, 2015 at 12:07 pmI enjoy the award shows, but can’t stay up late enough to watch. Now I stay up to date by reading People Magazine at my hairdressers. LOVE the red dress. Keep us informed of the latest winners, okay?
Kimba says
September 21, 2015 at 11:13 amHey Molly. Last night’s Emmy’s were fun. Viola Davis’ speech was inspiring. Loved seeing Jon Hamm finally win – best walk up to the stage. Most of the presenter intros were lame. Favorite dress: Lady Gaga.
Molly Stevens says
September 19, 2015 at 12:06 pmI love awards and if only I could stay up late enough I’d watch them. As it stands, I check out results in People Magazine when I get my hair colored. I LOVE the red dress. Keep us up to date on the latest winners, okay?
Marquita Herald says
September 18, 2015 at 4:00 pmI used to watch the Emmys occasionally, though I preferred the Oscars, and that’s pretty much it. Then a couple of years ago I turned of my television and haven’t turned it on again … I know, simply shocking! But I’d much rather read or be out in the evenings, and I’ve never been one of those people that needed to have the TV on for company, so I don’t miss it. The acceptance speeches are boring, I always feel bad the way everyone rakes the emcees over the coals. and while I do like to check out the fashions I can do that online the next morning. All of that said, the women you listed are all terrific actresses so any wins there would certainly be well deserved!
Kimba says
September 21, 2015 at 11:15 amHiya Marty. Would love to know which was your favorite dress – after you check them out online. I loved Lady Gaga’s elegant black gown. And Sophia Vergara – that woman could look amazing in a hefty bag.
Adela says
September 18, 2015 at 2:01 pmI love award shows, too. For many of the same reasons. I guess I missed that big kiss last year. Wha-wha!
Kim Dalferes says
September 18, 2015 at 2:26 pmLOL – that smooch was a doozie!
Sue Kearney (@MagnoliasWest) says
September 18, 2015 at 1:12 pmI watch ’em. Recorded, with remote in hand. Zooming through the boring and the commercials. And checking Twitter on iPad as I go (to keep up with the snark).
Sad to say, this is still true!
Emmys, Globes, SAGs, and Oscars. That’s probably four too many, but it’s all I can handle.
Kim Dalferes says
September 18, 2015 at 2:26 pmOh yeah, the social media commentary snark is some of the best parts!
Jackie says
September 18, 2015 at 11:24 amI admit that I am an absolute sucker for awards shows — I began “live tweeting” them a few years ago and it’s been kind of a hit with my followers, LOL. I have to work this Sunday, but am already making excuses to leave early — my manager thinks it is because I want to get home to watch The Mets v. The Yankees, but he could not be more wrong! I will miss may daughter, who is away at college, again this year. We always used to watch together…. from the runway to the last award… I already told her to get her studying done and be prepared to stalk my Twitter feed while we text!
Kim Dalferes says
September 18, 2015 at 2:28 pmOh, I used to watch the awards shows with my mom as I was coming up – she got me started! FYI, my twitter handle is @kimdalferes – I’ll look for you so we can tweet connect on Sunday night!
CAROL CASSARA says
September 18, 2015 at 9:06 amThe dresses. I love the dresses. The speeches. I hate the speeches. The nerves–so eas to relate to. The Oscars is my fave show.
Kim Dalferes says
September 18, 2015 at 9:10 amI do like the Oscars too, but my all time fave award show is the Golden Globes because there’s LOTS of alcohol! Fun to see who will give the booziest speech.