Primetime Emmys Live-Blogging

Live Backstage At The Emmys REFRESH FOR LATEST: We’re off and running. The much talked about opening number of host Jane Lynch features the Glee star in a massive pre-taped production number having her sing and dance through the stages of a slew of hit TV shows. It opens with Leonard Nimoy, who, as network president, introduces Lynch to the house of TV where all shows are housed. The part was originally taped with Alec Baldwin but was re-done after Fox cut a line about the News Corp. hacking scandal.

The elements are uneven but the best bit is Lynch’s walking into a scene of AMC’s period ad agency drama Mad Men where Lynch was schooled to “go learn how to type and fire the guy who gave her that men’s haircut.” Lynch tells them that she comes from a time where women can marry each other, nodding, “Hi Peggy.” “Does it mean we don’t have to sleep with men to get to to the top anymore,” wide-eyed Peggy asks. “No, you still need to do that.” When Lynch suggests that where she is from people can skip commercials, ad man Dan Draper turns to her and gives her a steely look. “You’re gonna turn around and go away and we are going to pretend that we never met you.” The number spilled into the stage with a big live finale featuring Lynch hoisted up by male dancers. “Try doing this with triple Spanx,” she said after getting down.



ABC’s Modern Family is on an early roll in the supporting comedy series acting categories, dismissing some projectionists that, with all 6 cast members nominated in the 2 categories, they may cancel each other. First winner of the night is the show’s Julie Bowen for best supporting actress in a comedy series. “I don’t know what I am going to talk about in therapy next week now.”

A second after she thanked her TV husband, Ty Burrell, he too walked to the stage to pick up his trophy for best supporting actor in a comedy series. Burrell talked about his dad who passed away before his son got into acting, doing a job where he gets to wear makeup all the time.

Ricky Gervais presents the director for a comedy series category in a pre-taped segment. “Sorry. I can’t be live and in person. Not after the Golden Globes. I’m not even allowed on American soil if I say something rude or offensive.”

Modern Family is going 3-for-3 with a comedy series directing award for director Michael Alan Spiller.

And how it’s 4-for-4 as Modern Family also wins for best writing in a comedy series for the Caught in the Act episode written by Steve Levitan and Jeffrey Richman.

Lynch came back from commercial with “Welcome back to the Modern Family Awards.”

Then it’s Charlie Sheen, presenting the lead actor in a comedy series category. Like on The Tonight Show earlier in the week, it was not the Warlock but the old Sheen — cool, collected and gracious — who showed up. “Before I present the award in my old category I wanna take a moment to get something off my chest and say something to all my friends form Two and a Half Men,” he said. “From the bottom of my heart, I wish nothing but the best for this upcoming season. We spent 8 wonderful years together, I know you will continue to make great television. Now onto the Emmy.”

The Big Bang Theory‘s Jim Parsons repeats as a winner in the first major upset of the night. Steve Carell has been considered the sentimental favorite as this was his last chance to win an Emmy for his signature role as Michael Scott on The Office. “This is so odd for so many reasons,” were the first words out of Parsons’ mouth. He, of course, stars on a show, which like Men, is executive produced by Chuck Lorre, the object of Sheen’s insults early in the year and a multimillion dollar lawsuit.

The best actress in a comedy series category is being presented like a beauty pageant, with all nominees walking up onstage and holding hands while the winner is announced. And it’s also a surprising one — Mike & Molly‘s Melissa McCarthy. She broke down while accepting her Emmy and a sparkly tiara and a big bouquet to keep with the pageant theme. She thanked series co-creator Chuck Lorre who “fought for me” and called Peter Roth, president of Warner Bros. TV, which produces the show, “cheerleader in a suit.”

It seems like the TV Academy members themselves were shocked that The Amazing Race‘s 7-year winning streak in the best reality competition series category ended last year. The veteran unscripted series is back with a win. That means that the globe-trotting reality show has now won 8 out of the 9 times since the category was launched. Top Chef was the only show to ever beat Race when it nabbed the Emmy last year.

The Daily Show won for best writing in a comedy/variety series, a category where it seems to alternate with fellow Comedy Central program The Colbert Report. The Colbert Report won last year, The Daily Show the year before.

The Lonely Island guys did a rousing and outrageous number of the all Emmy nominated songs with guests Michael Bolton aka Captain Jack Sparrow from his hilarious Saturday Night Live bit, as well as Maya Rudolph and Akon and others.

Don Roy King is the winner in the best director for a music/comedy/variety series for the James Timberlake/Lady Gaga episode of SNL.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart had won the best comedy/variety series for 8 consecutive years, prompting presenter Scott Caan to iuntroduced the nominees with: “here is a look at the shows that will lose to The Daily Show this year. He was right as Stewart & Co. won again to make it 9 in a row.

Final hurray for Friday Night Lights as developer/executive producer Jason Katims wins best writing in a drama series for the series finale. By upsetting Mad Men in the category, is the football drama poised for another upset tonight?

Actress Margo Martindale wins the supporting actress in a drama series award for her season-long gig on FX’s Justified. Some things take I love you Graham even though you killed me. The producers, especially Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly for getting me another job. (She is a regular on the new CBS drama A Perfect Man) ( From www.deadline.com)