Write On! Review: The Emmys

I wonder if at some point during the Emmys, the guys who make Modern Family got a little uncomfortable with all the Emmy love.

“Please, guys, really, it’s too much. Let someone else win one!”

No, I don’t think so. Because the way they make their show, they surely must know they were going to get their names called a whole bunch.

I’m not just talking about the brilliant writing and acting. I’m talking about the balance they put into every episode every week among the three families depicted.

Usually, the writers, actors, and directors submit one episode for Emmy consideration. But given the quality in each episode, each actor was seen multiple times in all of the submissions, thereby making an indelible impression, leading to Eric Stonestreet’s win last year and nods for Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell this year.

Ultimately, I think familiarity is the determining factor in the Emmys, which is why you seem to see the same people nominated and winning each year.

Familiarity works in other ways, as well. No doubt Melissa McCarthy’s much-praised work in the summer’s top comedy Bridesmaids was in the back of many voters minds when they ticked her name on their ballot. (I’m not saying she wasn’t worthy of winning the Emmy; I’m just saying the timing of the film couldn’t have hurt her chances).

Anyway, I though this year’s broadcast zipped along at a pretty good pace. The Office sketch was inspired, as was the Jane Lynch confrontation with the Mad Men cast in the opener.

And who knew they’d allow Charlie Sheen on live TV?

Most of the picks I thought were pretty good ones. I was glad that the Academy recognized the work of Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) and Margo Martindale (Justified), and Kyle Chandler’s lead actor victory for Friday Night Lights was the most pleasant surprise of the night. (If only the Academy could have also recognized his on-screen wife, Connie Britton).

The only real disappointments I had were losses by Steve Carell for his years of playing Michael Scott and Steven Moffat not winning Best Writing: Miniseries for his terrific work on Sherlock.

Still, the Academy never gets them all completely right. This year was better than most.