JamesG
08-29-2010, 06:47 PM
Top 10 Emmy Snubs
Sunday, Aug. 29, marks the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards.
TIME takes a look back at some of the most egregious oversights and insults in the award show's history:
1. Unlucky Lucci
While the Los Angeles branch of the Academy hosts its sensational prime-time awards, the New York branch hosts the less talked-about daytime, sports and news Emmy Awards.
Perhaps the most famous face of the daytime awards — and the entire soap-opera world — is Susan Lucci, who has played mercurial Erica Kane on "All My Children" since Nixon was President.
Unfortunately for Lucci, it's not the longevity of her role that has brought her Emmy fame, but rather the epic string of snubs she suffered before finally sealing the deal in 1999.
After being first nominated for (and then losing) best daytime actress in 1978, she was nominated and disappointed an additional 17 times over the next two decades.
As the presenter opened the envelope that 19th time to announce the winner, he yelled, "The streak is over!" Rosie O'Donnell cried. Oprah threw her hands in the air. And everyone else in the place offered a heartfelt standing ovation as Lucci finally got her hands on the statue.
"I truly never believed that this would happen," she told the audience through her tears. Presumably she later partied like it was 1999.
2. Too Gritty for Emmy?
Critics dubbed "The Wire" one of the best shows on television — ever. (TIME included.)
Its portrayal of Baltimore's decline, told from the perspective of police, gangs, schoolkids, journalists and politicians, gained zealous fans during its run from 2002 to 2008 on HBO.
Emmy voters did not agree, giving the show only two nominations for writing.
Some blamed the show's low ratings, others blamed complicated plots, some spoke of a bias against the primarily black cast and others blamed Hollywood's inability to relate to Baltimore's drug scene.
No matter the motivation, the Emmys firmly ignored a show that was one of the highlights of the 2000s.
3. The Snubbed Fight Back
In 1986, future Die Hard star Bruce Willis and model-actress Cybill Shepherd starred in "Moonlighting", a screwball detective show that had garnered an impressive 16 nominations, including Outstanding Drama, lead actor and lead actress.
Yet the cast and crew went home with only a single award for editing.
Rather than sulk, they quickly shot a new opening sequence to let their feelings be known.
In it, the sickly mother of David Addison (Willis), calls him up and Addison speaks to her doctor. "Hi, Doc. Really? You think with some encouragement she might be able to pull through?"
Addison says. "I know. I'm really excited about the whole thing, too. Don't worry, Doc. Sixteen nominations. There's no way we can lose."
Then the program cuts to a darkened screen: "This program is dedicated to the memory of Irma Addison, Nov. 2 1922—Sept. 21 1986."
Genius.
4. Loving Lucy, Not Desi
"I Love Lucy" was nominated for a slew of Emmys during its run from 1951 to 1959.
Stars Lucille Ball, Vivian Vance and William Frawley were often nominated, with Ball, Vance and the show itself taking home trophies. But Desi Arnaz, who played bandleader Ricky Ricardo, went ignored year after year.
Sure, it wasn't the biggest acting stretch — Arnaz was Ball's real-life husband and an actual bandleader before the show. But it's striking that the man behind iconic catchphrases like "Lucy, you've got some 'splaining to do" was never up for a statuette.
Arnaz's real legacy, though, was as a producer: he headed production studio Desilu and ensured himself a financial windfall through the show's endless reruns.
5. Team Coco Emerges Victorious
After a long-awaited yet ill-fated turn as the host of "The Tonight Show", Conan O'Brien left NBC in January.
Jay Leno, the show's previous host, had been given his old spot back when his new, earlier slot hadn't fared so well. It was the equivalent of a boy finally being given keys to the family car, only to have them snatched back and returned to his older brother.
Viewers and critics generally rallied behind O'Brien, and it turned out the Academy was on the side of Team Coco as well.
Following a campaign by TBS (O'Brien's new employer), the seven months of Conan's "Tonight Show" scored a nomination, while Leno's name was conspicuously absent.
And if that wasn't vindication enough, David Letterman, who had been O'Brien's main competition during his short stint, was also missing from the list for the first time since "The Late Show" debuted in 1993.
6. SAG Does the Snubbing
The Emmys got a taste of their own medicine in 1980, when most nominees and presenters boycotted the event as part of an ongoing, pay-us-more Screen Actors Guild strike.
The glamourless evening was like a carousel that, despite losing its menagerie and having only poles, continued to spin round — though there was one dark horse who showed:
Powers Boothe, who won the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie. "This is either the most courageous moment of my career or the stupidest," he told the audience as he accepted his accolade.
He was called "Benedict Arnold" following the event. And given that his last major role was in the "SNL" flop MacGruber, one imagines he's gotten familiar with the concept of being snubbed since that not-so-prime evening.
7. Less-Than-"Happy" Emmy Days
The Fonz got nominated three times, but what about Richie Cunningham?
From 1974 to 1984, Ron Howard carried sitcom "Happy Days" as its leading man. He and Henry Winkler, who played bad boy Fonzie, both gained national fame and their share of screaming fans.
But when it came to the Emmys, Winkler was recognized with three nominations, while Howard got zilch.
(He also never received a nod for playing Opie Taylor on "The Andy Griffith Show".)
Still, Howard's career hasn't been too shabby since, winning acclaim — and statuettes — for directing films such as A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon, and Apollo 13.
8. No Love for This "Girl"
For seven years, Lauren Graham starred as Lorelai Gilmore in "Gilmore Girls", a dramedy loved by fans and critics, but not by Emmy voters, who only gave the show one statuette — for makeup.
Graham's portrayal of the cool mom, with her fast-paced dialogue and even quicker wit, went unnoticed by the Academy despite loud protests from supporters, though the role did land her a Golden Globe nomination in 2002.
She even got snubbed this year, missing a nomination for her role on NBC's "Parenthood".
9. An Unfriendly Oversight
"So no one told you life was gonna be this way," begins the "Friends" theme song.
One imagines Courteney Cox, the only cast member to never be nominated for an Emmy, singing those lyrics through tears in the shower as the show came to an end after 10 seasons.
In an issue of Emmy magazine that (rather ironically) featured her on the cover, she discussed the snub. "My ego got really bruised. When everyone did but me, that doesn't feel good at all," said Cox. "There were certain years I thought, 'Maybe I have a shot' ... Maybe I wasn't ready."
Then, as she started her new role as a hot, older woman on "Cougar Town", hopes were renewed, only for her to be snubbed again. Some have been more sympathetic to her plight than others.
While critics have cried injustice, sassy blogger Perez Hilton took another perspective. "No one cares," he wrote in the wake of the Emmy interview. "Just be happy you're still working."
10. To the Moon, Emmys
A show as iconic as "The Honeymooners" ought to have taken home tons of trophies.
Yet the Emmys only recognized its actors, nominating Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows, and giving Art Carney the win.
The show itself, its directors and writers didn't take home a thing.
Why the oversight? Chances are it's because the show only ran for one year, from 1955 to 1956, and only shot 39 episodes. Yes, hindsight is 20-20, but failing to recognize one of history's most memorable sitcoms?
One of these days, Emmys. Pow! Right in the kisser!
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2014000_2014056_2014053,00.html
Sunday, Aug. 29, marks the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards.
TIME takes a look back at some of the most egregious oversights and insults in the award show's history:
1. Unlucky Lucci
While the Los Angeles branch of the Academy hosts its sensational prime-time awards, the New York branch hosts the less talked-about daytime, sports and news Emmy Awards.
Perhaps the most famous face of the daytime awards — and the entire soap-opera world — is Susan Lucci, who has played mercurial Erica Kane on "All My Children" since Nixon was President.
Unfortunately for Lucci, it's not the longevity of her role that has brought her Emmy fame, but rather the epic string of snubs she suffered before finally sealing the deal in 1999.
After being first nominated for (and then losing) best daytime actress in 1978, she was nominated and disappointed an additional 17 times over the next two decades.
As the presenter opened the envelope that 19th time to announce the winner, he yelled, "The streak is over!" Rosie O'Donnell cried. Oprah threw her hands in the air. And everyone else in the place offered a heartfelt standing ovation as Lucci finally got her hands on the statue.
"I truly never believed that this would happen," she told the audience through her tears. Presumably she later partied like it was 1999.
2. Too Gritty for Emmy?
Critics dubbed "The Wire" one of the best shows on television — ever. (TIME included.)
Its portrayal of Baltimore's decline, told from the perspective of police, gangs, schoolkids, journalists and politicians, gained zealous fans during its run from 2002 to 2008 on HBO.
Emmy voters did not agree, giving the show only two nominations for writing.
Some blamed the show's low ratings, others blamed complicated plots, some spoke of a bias against the primarily black cast and others blamed Hollywood's inability to relate to Baltimore's drug scene.
No matter the motivation, the Emmys firmly ignored a show that was one of the highlights of the 2000s.
3. The Snubbed Fight Back
In 1986, future Die Hard star Bruce Willis and model-actress Cybill Shepherd starred in "Moonlighting", a screwball detective show that had garnered an impressive 16 nominations, including Outstanding Drama, lead actor and lead actress.
Yet the cast and crew went home with only a single award for editing.
Rather than sulk, they quickly shot a new opening sequence to let their feelings be known.
In it, the sickly mother of David Addison (Willis), calls him up and Addison speaks to her doctor. "Hi, Doc. Really? You think with some encouragement she might be able to pull through?"
Addison says. "I know. I'm really excited about the whole thing, too. Don't worry, Doc. Sixteen nominations. There's no way we can lose."
Then the program cuts to a darkened screen: "This program is dedicated to the memory of Irma Addison, Nov. 2 1922—Sept. 21 1986."
Genius.
4. Loving Lucy, Not Desi
"I Love Lucy" was nominated for a slew of Emmys during its run from 1951 to 1959.
Stars Lucille Ball, Vivian Vance and William Frawley were often nominated, with Ball, Vance and the show itself taking home trophies. But Desi Arnaz, who played bandleader Ricky Ricardo, went ignored year after year.
Sure, it wasn't the biggest acting stretch — Arnaz was Ball's real-life husband and an actual bandleader before the show. But it's striking that the man behind iconic catchphrases like "Lucy, you've got some 'splaining to do" was never up for a statuette.
Arnaz's real legacy, though, was as a producer: he headed production studio Desilu and ensured himself a financial windfall through the show's endless reruns.
5. Team Coco Emerges Victorious
After a long-awaited yet ill-fated turn as the host of "The Tonight Show", Conan O'Brien left NBC in January.
Jay Leno, the show's previous host, had been given his old spot back when his new, earlier slot hadn't fared so well. It was the equivalent of a boy finally being given keys to the family car, only to have them snatched back and returned to his older brother.
Viewers and critics generally rallied behind O'Brien, and it turned out the Academy was on the side of Team Coco as well.
Following a campaign by TBS (O'Brien's new employer), the seven months of Conan's "Tonight Show" scored a nomination, while Leno's name was conspicuously absent.
And if that wasn't vindication enough, David Letterman, who had been O'Brien's main competition during his short stint, was also missing from the list for the first time since "The Late Show" debuted in 1993.
6. SAG Does the Snubbing
The Emmys got a taste of their own medicine in 1980, when most nominees and presenters boycotted the event as part of an ongoing, pay-us-more Screen Actors Guild strike.
The glamourless evening was like a carousel that, despite losing its menagerie and having only poles, continued to spin round — though there was one dark horse who showed:
Powers Boothe, who won the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie. "This is either the most courageous moment of my career or the stupidest," he told the audience as he accepted his accolade.
He was called "Benedict Arnold" following the event. And given that his last major role was in the "SNL" flop MacGruber, one imagines he's gotten familiar with the concept of being snubbed since that not-so-prime evening.
7. Less-Than-"Happy" Emmy Days
The Fonz got nominated three times, but what about Richie Cunningham?
From 1974 to 1984, Ron Howard carried sitcom "Happy Days" as its leading man. He and Henry Winkler, who played bad boy Fonzie, both gained national fame and their share of screaming fans.
But when it came to the Emmys, Winkler was recognized with three nominations, while Howard got zilch.
(He also never received a nod for playing Opie Taylor on "The Andy Griffith Show".)
Still, Howard's career hasn't been too shabby since, winning acclaim — and statuettes — for directing films such as A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon, and Apollo 13.
8. No Love for This "Girl"
For seven years, Lauren Graham starred as Lorelai Gilmore in "Gilmore Girls", a dramedy loved by fans and critics, but not by Emmy voters, who only gave the show one statuette — for makeup.
Graham's portrayal of the cool mom, with her fast-paced dialogue and even quicker wit, went unnoticed by the Academy despite loud protests from supporters, though the role did land her a Golden Globe nomination in 2002.
She even got snubbed this year, missing a nomination for her role on NBC's "Parenthood".
9. An Unfriendly Oversight
"So no one told you life was gonna be this way," begins the "Friends" theme song.
One imagines Courteney Cox, the only cast member to never be nominated for an Emmy, singing those lyrics through tears in the shower as the show came to an end after 10 seasons.
In an issue of Emmy magazine that (rather ironically) featured her on the cover, she discussed the snub. "My ego got really bruised. When everyone did but me, that doesn't feel good at all," said Cox. "There were certain years I thought, 'Maybe I have a shot' ... Maybe I wasn't ready."
Then, as she started her new role as a hot, older woman on "Cougar Town", hopes were renewed, only for her to be snubbed again. Some have been more sympathetic to her plight than others.
While critics have cried injustice, sassy blogger Perez Hilton took another perspective. "No one cares," he wrote in the wake of the Emmy interview. "Just be happy you're still working."
10. To the Moon, Emmys
A show as iconic as "The Honeymooners" ought to have taken home tons of trophies.
Yet the Emmys only recognized its actors, nominating Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows, and giving Art Carney the win.
The show itself, its directors and writers didn't take home a thing.
Why the oversight? Chances are it's because the show only ran for one year, from 1955 to 1956, and only shot 39 episodes. Yes, hindsight is 20-20, but failing to recognize one of history's most memorable sitcoms?
One of these days, Emmys. Pow! Right in the kisser!
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2014000_2014056_2014053,00.html