Emmy preview: Time to get real
Posted: Monday, July 13, 2009 6:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
Filed Under:
TV
Emmy nominations come out on Thursday, so over the next three days, we’ll offer our thoughts on who should be nominated for the major awards in the reality, drama, and comedy categories. First up: The most controversial category of the three, reality shows. Love them or hate them, they’re here to stay.
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Tom Bergeron's contributions to "Dancing With the Stars" shouldn't be overlooked.
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Last year featured the first-ever Emmy for a reality-show host. Nominees were Tom Bergeron of “Dancing With the Stars,” Heidi Klum of “Project Runway,” Howie Mandel of “Deal or No Deal,” Ryan Seacrest of “American Idol,” and Jeff Probst of “Survivor.” Probst won, and deservedly so.
But look at those five names again. Which of these things is not like the other? Come on, Emmys! Any grade-schooler can tell you that “Deal or No Deal” is a game show, not a reality show, so Mandel should not even be in this grouping. And where’s Phil Keoghan of “The Amazing Race”? That show has won the outstanding reality show Emmy ever since the award was created. Keoghan needs to be among the nominees this year. Probst and Keoghan would both be deserving winners, and Seacrest has to juggle a lot and think on his feet. But I think the overlooked nominee in this category is “Dancing’s” Bergeron. Even when the celebs are sniping or Bruno Tonioli is calling rapper Lil’ Kim trampy, Bergeron manages to keep things smooth, family-friendly, and entertaining.
Only one show has ever won the outstanding reality competition award, and that’s “The Amazing Race.” (Which makes it even stranger that host Phil Keoghan was passed over last year. He’s at the heart of that show.)
Now I love “The Amazing Race,” you love “The Amazing Race,” but come on, isn’t it somebody else’s turn? Nominated last year along with “TAR” were “American Idol,” “Dancing With the Stars,” “Project Runway” and “Top Chef.” And yes, while Jeff Probst won for best host, his show, “Survivor,” wasn’t nominated. Does this make sense to anyone? So the Emmys team thinks “Race” is a great show, but that it’s no thanks to Keoghan, and that Probst is a great host, but his show isn’t even worthy of a nomination? “Survivor” isn’t exactly my cup of boiled jungle water, but every time I catch an episode I’m reminded how solidly entertaining it is. The casting is always outstanding and surprising, Tribal Council is smartly edited, and even the reward and immunity challenges somehow stay fresh. The tribe has spoken.
There were rumors that the Emmys would add a category for outstanding reality-show judge, but that didn’t happen this year. I believe it’s inevitable, and if the first award doesn’t go to “American Idol’s” Simon Cowell, the fix is in. You can say good things about “Dancing’s” Carrie Ann Inaba and Mary Murphy of “So You Think You Can Dance” (a show that should probably get its own nomination). Still, no one soars above their show in the same way Cowell does. The "Idols" nod and smile at the comments from the other judges, but it’s Cowell who counts, and everyone knows it.
Any thoughts on reality shows and personnel who should be recognized? Should "Amazing Race" continue to win every year? Does "So You Think You Can Dance" deserve a nomination? Are Bergeron and Keoghan deserving hosts? And is a judges' category a good addition to the show? Share your thoughts in the comments. Dramas and comedies are coming up next.
