If you’re like most of us, you were glued to your television set on February 24th watching the 85th Academy Awards, or as we all call it, The Oscars. With all the build-up and hype weeks before—through the three hours of red carpet interviews with the perennial question: Who are you wearing?—to the actual ceremony that always runs long and breaks into the wee hours of Monday morning—and the endless reviews on the morning shows and entertainment programs throughout the week. We never seem to get enough. So that got us thinking: How did this start, anyway?

The first Academy Awards ceremony, organized and overseen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), took place on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel (the Academy started giving out awards in 1927 but this was the first ceremony they held). Far from being broadcast, it was actually a private party with about three hundred people attending the dinner and award ceremony. Not much of a ceremony, really just a few speeches, AMPAS President Douglas Fairbanks handed out the statuettes, and then back to partying. And why not, the winners had already been notified three months before, so the suspense was gone.

But, the newspaper reports of the ceremony grabbed everyone’s attention and the Academy realized it had a hot commodity on its hands. So, the next year they changed two things to glam it up a bit (this is Hollywood, after all): first, they broadcast the ceremony “live” on radio; and second, they kept the winners a secret until the final moment. Interestingly, they gave the winners list in advance to newspapers to print on the night of the Awards, so early commuters could read the morning edition and know who had won. But in 1940, the L.A. Times tried to “scoop” the world and snuck out an evening edition of their paper with the winners’ names the same night as the awards. In fact, the story goes that the ceremony guests were actually reading who had won (or lost) as they walked in. Needless to say, the Academy has kept the names of the winners in a sealed envelope ever since.

By 1942, the ceremony had outgrown the Roosevelt Hotel and the Academy moved the ceremonies to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. In 1953, the first telecast of the Academy Awards was broadcast on TV, and millions of viewers tuned in to watch the proceedings. Color broadcasting began in 1966; and since 1969, the Oscars have been broadcast internationally, and now reach hundreds of millions of movie fans in over 100 countries. As the ceremony grew, it needed larger and larger venues. In 1969, AMPAS moved the Oscar ceremony to the new Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles; and for the last decade it has been held at The Dolby Theatre (formerly known as the Kodak Theatre).

So there you have it, a brief history of the Oscars broadcast. From the very first award ceremony until now, the mystique and grandeur of the Oscars has grown and grown. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why we love watching the ceremony; it could be the glamour, it could be the chance to see our favorite stars, but we think it is because we get very attached to the films that move us emotionally, and we want to see the people who made them get the credit they deserve. So with such a hold on our emotions, it’s no wonder film fans around the world are glued to the television on Oscar night.

Sources:

Photo1:   http://timelines.latimes.com/academy-awards/

Photo2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oscar1_(2).jpg

http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/about/history.html

http://oscar.go.com/oscar-history#/oscar-history/year/2012

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolby_Theatre

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.179389-Poll-how-many-people-will-watch-the-oscars

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_award

http://timelines.latimes.com/academy-awards/

Most of us over the age of 13 (HBO’s “The Sopranos” debuted in 1999) grew up in a television world where network programming reigned supreme. A lot of debate has been given to network-programming quality versus cable programming. And for the most part, during the first half of the aughts, the Emmys’ Drama Series category nominations were dominated by network shows, with the exception of the peppering of a “The Sopranos” here and a “Six Feet Under” there.

Last night’s Emmys showcased a Drama Series category completely devoid of any network nominations. And, here is how the rest of the cable vs. network saga breaks down.

9 total wins for the networks; 22 total wins for cable

NBC won zero(!) awards

Not one network show was even nominated for Best Drama this year

Out of the 9 network wins, “Modern Family” won 4 of the awards

4 out of the top 5 total award winners came from cable:
Cable
“Game of Thrones” 6
“Homeland” 6
“Game Change” 5
“Hatfields & McCoys” 5
Network
“Modern Family” 5

Wins for programs (as opposed to individuals starring in programs) were split: networks 2, cable 3
Cable
– “Homeland” (Drama Series)
– “Game Change” (Miniseries or Movie)
– “The Daily Show” (Variety Series)
Network
– “The Amazing Race” (Competition Program)
– “Modern Family” (Comedy Series)

Wins for individuals were split networks 7, cable 18

Network with the most cumulative awards is ABC, 5

Cable network with the most awards is HBO, 6

Granted, Emmy awards are not a definitive judgment on the quality of a television show. But, they are significant indications of the shift in what people are watching, and what viewers and pundits consider to be quality television.

* Wins are considered the awards awarded during the primetime telecast

The 64^th annual Primetime Emmys is upon us, and TV fans will be glued to their La-Z-Boys, hoping to see their favorite actor and actress take home the coveted award. As reality TV became prevalent in the early 2000s, so did its representation at award shows. In 2008, the Emmys decided to celebrate the genre and its ringmasters (the hosts) by introducing the category of “Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality Competition Program.”

All four years of its existence, Jeff Probst (“Survivor”) has taken the trophy for Outstanding Host over perennial nominees like Ryan Seacrest (“American Idol”), Tom Bergeron (“Dancing With The Stars” and Heidi Klum (“Project Runway”).

This year’s nominations don’t include Jeff Probst. So, we’ll see a battle between Cat Deeley (“So You Think You Can Dance”), Phil Keoghan (“The Amazing Race”), Ryan Seacrest, Betty White (“Betty White’s Off Their Rockers”) and Tom Bergeron. Will Seacrest remain shutout in a category he’s been nominated for every year it’s existed? Will Betty White take the cake as a first-time nominee in this category? Will anybody not be going to the bathroom or making a sandwich when they announce the winner? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, let’s recognize the variety virtuosos who paved the way for the modern-day TV host. Without these ground-breakers, this category would not exist:

Dick Clark (Nov. 30, 1929 – April 18, 2012) American radio and television personality best known for hosting American television’s longest-running variety show, American Bandstand, from 1957 to 1987. He also hosted the game show “Pyramid” and “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” which transmitted Times Square‘s New Year’s Eve celebrations worldwide.

Ed McMahon, Jr. (March 6, 1923 – June 23, 2009) American comedian/actor, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson sidekick, game show host and announcer. He also hosted the original version of the talent show “Star Search” from 1983 to 1995. He co-hosted “Bloopers & Practical Jokes” with Dick Clark from 1982 to 1998.

Stephen Valentine Patrick William “Steve” Allen (Dec. 26, 1921 – Oct. 30, 2000) Allen first gained national attention as a guest host on “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts.” He climbed the ranks to become the first host of “The Tonight Show,” where he contributed greatly to the concept of the television talk show. He also hosted “The Steve Allen Show,” “I’ve Got a Secret,” “The New Steve Allen Show,” and was a regular panel member on CBS’ “What’s My Line?”

Bob Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) Noted for his numerous United Service Organizations (USO) shows entertaining American military personnel — he made 57 tours for the USO between 1942 and 1988. In 1996,  Congress declared him the “first and only honorary veteran of the U.S. armed forces.”

Edward Vincent “Ed” Sullivan (Sept. 28, 1901 – Oct. 13, 1974) An American entertainment writer and television host, best known as the presenter of the TV variety show “The Ed Sullivan Show.” The show was broadcast from 1948 to 1971, which made it one of the longest-running variety shows in U.S. broadcast history.

So, no matter which host walks away from the Emmys with the gold, let’s not forget the pioneers who were never afforded the opportunity to win an award for the hard work they put in to create one of the most durable television genres of all time.

Photo Source: Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

Nominees for the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards were announced this morning.

While the nominees obviously haven’t won anything yet, they certainly represent the best and brightest in the television industry today.

See the link below to find out which stars received the joyous call from their publicists this morning alerting them that they can now add to their credentials: Emmy Nominated Actor/Actress.

Maybe it’s all a little bit of a dog and pony show, but these performers and series all have some special something that is making them ‘darlings’ in the eyes of critics and viewers.

They are smart, daring, pushing boundaries and challenging our notions of what is funny, dramatic and qualifies as outstanding programming.

Sure there will always be somebody out there in La-La Land who is unhappy, feeling snubbed by the nominations, but there’s always next year, right?

What we do know is that with so many shows and channels, and with the television landscape continuing to evolve and grow increasingly competitive, just being nominated IS quite an honor.

How many times will you hear that sentiment on Emmy night? Plenty, but mostly because it is absolutely the truth.

Here are the main categories:

Emmy nominations for TV drama series

“Boardwalk Empire,” ”Breaking Bad,” ”Downton Abbey,” ”Game of Thrones,” ”Homeland” and “Mad Men.”

Emmy nominations for actress in a TV drama series

Glenn Close, “Damages”; Michelle Dockery, “Downton Abbey”; Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”; Kathy Bates, “Harry’s Law”; Claire Danes, “Homeland”; and Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men.”

Emmy nominations for actor in a TV drama series

Steve Buscemi, “Boardwalk Empire”; Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”; Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”; Hugh Bonneville, “Downton Abbey”; Damian Lewis, “Homeland”; and Jon Hamm, “Mad Men.”

Emmy nominations for TV comedy series

“The Big Bang Theory,” ”Curb Your Enthusiasm,” ”Girls,” ”Modern Family,” ”30 Rock” and “Veep.”

Emmy nominations for actress in a TV comedy series

Lena Dunham as Hannah Horvath, “Girls”; Melissa McCarthy as Molly Flynn, “Mike & Molly”; Zooey Deschanel as Jess Day, “New Girl”; Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton, “Nurse Jackie”; Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, “Parks And Recreation”; Tina Fey as Liz Lemon, “30 Rock”; Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, “Veep”

Emmy nominations for actor in a TV comedy series

Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper, “The Big Bang Theory”; Larry David as Himself, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”; Don Cheadle as Marty Kaan, “House Of Lies”; Louis C.K. as Louie, “Louie”; Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy, “30 Rock”; Jon Cryer as Alan Harper, “Two And A Half Men”



Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/List_of_Emmy_nominees.html?cmpid=138887484#ixzz215IfzTgf


Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com

“The Lost Kennedy Home Movies” is in the running to be nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Nonfiction Special category. Narrated by Liev Schreiber, the special premiered July 6th, 2011 on HISTORY and will run air multiple times (each year) over the next decade.

“Telling the story of a family through their own home movies provides an insight, unlike any other, as to how the members of that family viewed themselves! The combination and uniqueness of ‘The Kennedy Family,’ plus the vast film resource, allows the warmth, humor and even vulnerability of this remarkable group of people to come alive in a way never experienced before!” according to Stanley Moger, Executive Producer.

Produced by SFM Entertainment (our exclusive licensing agent), “The Lost Kennedy Home Movies” includes movies of the young and impossibly handsome president-to-be in his college years, hanging off the running board of a car, flirting with young women and acting carefree on the eve of World War II; European footage of the family during Joe Kennedy’s tenure as U.S. ambassador to Great Britain; film of John and Robert Kennedy recorded by Robert’s wife Ethel; and playful moments of John Kennedy and his family at a farm in Virginia only two weeks before his assassination.

These extremely rare home movies, reveal an emotional portrait of the “first generation” Kennedy family — with warmth and humor in moments of sports and leisure, but also in scenes of reflection and exploration. The movies provide behind-the-scenes footage of the family at their Hyannis Port and Palm Beach homes, and on trips to Europe and Asia. Featured are never-before-seen home movies filmed by Jack, Jean, Pat, Robert, and Ethel Kennedy (1930s through November of 1963). This footage allows viewers to experience the forces and personalities that shaped their lives as never before. – History.com

The 2012 Emmy Awards will air on Sept. 23rd, 2012 on ABC. Check local listings for the time in your area.

The Primetime Emmy® Awards celebrate excellence in national primetime programming, awarding top honors at the annual creative arts and primetime awards ceremonies.

Additional Credits:  Harrison Engle (Director/Producer) & Michael Maizes (Co-Executive Producer)

Okay, here’s the thing: There are too many awards shows. There, I said it.

But, let’s face it… the Oscars are the Super Bowl, March Madness and World Series equivalent of entertainment. But, they don’t come first in the frenzy that is award’s season, and that annoys me. You?

I am so competitive, that I want there to be one clear-cut and non-subjective winner in this entertainment game. I do not like the Hollywood Foreign Press to love somebody and the Academy of Arts and Sciences to love somebody else more. And, then there are the Critic’s over there in the corner making some other Choice and then the People making their Choice… In the end, aren’t we all choosing to hand out too many awards?!

I just have one question: Who is the best?  Is it Clooney or Pitt?  Wow, let’s form a consensus here, otherwise it just all comes down to who has the prettiest dress.

Speaking of fashion, if I catch one more moment of Ozzy Osborne’s daughter critiquing somebody’s outfit, I (okay, I admit I love that stuff…and she’s British, which makes it even better).

The bottom line, there will be winners and losers on Sunday and these are the best winners and losers in the entertainment game. The other awards are nice, but this one is Lombardi-esque. You don’t get nominated because some teenager in Scarsdale voted a whole bunch of times (I’m looking at you American Idol); and you don’t win unless you have major chops.

And the winner is…The Stiletto Showgirl!  (and hopefully George Clooney)

Until Next Time…

Globes Recap

I watched almost every single second of the Golden Globes for you last night. Now, I will throw many observations out for your review and reading pleasure. Perhaps something will resonate, perhaps not. In any event, it is really early or late (I am not sure anymore) and I am writing this in my pajamas.

Morgan Freeman

You the man. I am always freaked out by lifetime achievement-type awards; they make me the think the recipient should make an appointment with their cardiologist, STAT. In this case, however, I think Mr. Freeman will be making films that I want to see for a pretty long time. He played my favorite role in my favorite film of all time: Red, in Shawshank Redemption. If he didn’t move you in some way in that film, well, I just don’t know what to say.

The Audience

Have you ever seen so many rich, powerful, beautiful and talented people in one room look so scared to death, thanks to one smallish British guy? Ricky, they fear you.

Ricky Gervais

I thought you kept it pretty clean (minus Jodi Foster). I especially liked this one: The Golden Globes are to the Oscars as Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton. Anything that is geared to take KK down a notch is okay in my book.

Rob Lowe

I love you in Parks & Recreation. You know where the fountain of youth is and you aren’t going to tell us, are you?

British People

In my opinion, they just sound smarter than Americans… no matter what they say.  It is just so polished and sophisticated to have an accent. Kate Winslett could tell Madonna to never act or sing again and it would sound amazing (on many levels). I want to be British.

Kate Winslett

You are British and you are spectacular.

Johnny Depp

You aren’t British, dude.

French Winners

Cute. All of you.

George Clooney

You and that Brad Pitt have the cutest little friendship and you really are a funny dude. You have come a long way from your days on The Facts of Life.  Tick-tock on dating the hotties half your age though… soon it will just look silly.

Seth Rogan

You made me LOL. You are a doll. Funny guys finish first in my book.

Octavia Spencer

Sometimes the stage is just really far away! You are also so wonderful, humble and endearing. Madonna needs lessons, if you are interested.

Michelle Williams

You glow, girl. You are grace personified. You waded through Dawson’s Creek, climbed Brokeback Mountain and I think you might be on your way to being more of an icon than the one you played.

Stuff I Have to See ASAP (this list should be longer…I just can’t remember what else should be on it)

Homeland

The Artist

The Descendants

Breaking Bad

Moneyball

Enlightened

And, I am out…Until Next Time…

If you noticed that I changed the original song lyrics to Ricky from Mickey, then you appreciate fairly bad pop music. Kudos.  But here’s the thing: Ricky Gervais is hosting the Globes on Sunday (aka The Golden Globes) and I am pulling for him to upset some people, and in doing so, make me laugh out loud.

I like Ricky. He’s snarky. He’s rude. He can be dark. And, much to the dismay of shiny, happy Hollywood types, he can be mean-spirited. Gervais has been known to hit below the belt to get a laugh at the expense of others. Deal with it.

It’s not like he makes fun of people who don’t make an art form of rehab stints when they get arrested…yet again. He calls a spade a spade. In fact, being the butt of one of Gervais’ zingers might be the sort of wake-up call some people need… the intervention might be just around the corner. Tick-tock.

Yes, Gervais has been accused of crossing lines. But, I ask you, where are the lines in 2012? The guy just has the guts to say the stuff out loud that we (meaning me and the people who I call my friends) read about in People every week.  He realizes that sometimes funny comes from a dark place. Like it or not.

I like it. And, as a gal who blogs about television and films for a living, I have to watch awards shows. Would I watch anyway? Yes, but with my remote in hand. I would tune in to see which hottie has achieved just the right shade of bronze from her recent spray tan, and whose arms are toned without being too ripped and masculine. You know, I would try to get the highlights.

Actually, I would tune in to watch Ricky Gervais, because he’s funny. I’d also tune in because I love talented actors, good shows/films and brilliant writing…and I believe they should be recognized.

But, what I love best of all about award shows are the really honest, heartfelt acceptance speeches. Many are too long and forced, but the ones teeming with human emotion from dark horse winners are moving. I am one sappy sucker.

For example, when Melissa McCarthy, of “Bridesmaids’” fame, won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for “Mike & Molly” last year, I nearly shed a tear. McCarthy was humble, funny and sincere. It was no act. She gushed.

For me, the real magic of awards season is seeing these shining stars as the very real people they are underneath the spray tans and false eyelashes.

Oh, and watching Ricky Gervais make fun of them, too!

Check back Monday… I’ll do a Globes recap!

Until Next Time … Stiletto Showgirl!

For more information on the event, or any of this year’s inductees, visit http://www.broadcastingcable.com/info/2000-B_C_Hall_Of_Fame_2011.php.