Grousing about the Emmy nominations is an annual rite of summer and this year is no exception: Where’s the love for “Sons of Anarchy”? What has Courteney Cox done to tick off Hollywood? And why Tony Shalhoub? Again?
But the voters did make several encouraging moves.
I’m proud of Emmy for showering lots of attention on “Glee” and “Modern Family.” By doing so, they have struck a blow for artistic ambition and freshness, and sent a message to the broadcast television: It’s still OK to take some creative risks.
Both “Glee” (Fox) and “Modern Family” (ABC) deserve loads of credit for shaking up their particular genres. They’ve vigorously rattled our notions of what television can be.
“Modern Family” came along at a time when the domestic sitcom was so lame and stale that it had viewers ready to gouge their eyes out. But “Modern Family” won us over with its “mockumentary” approach and a wildly offbeat extended brood. It didn’t hurt, either, that the show was blessed with a stellar cast and razor-sharp writing.
“Glee” was even more risky. It took another tired genre — the teen drama — and dared to blend in earnest song-and-dance numbers and broad satirical humor. The result was a dizzyingly fun show that got America singing and became the television phenomenon of the year.
“Glee” and “Modern Family” are proof that scripted network shows can still rock our world, garner good ratings and win Emmy love.
Of course, the Emmy voters have the power to make an even bolder statement by lavishing these shows in glittery hardware. We’d like to urge the academy to set aside some of its affection for three-time winner “30 Rock” and save a few trophies for “Glee” and “Modern Family,” and thus encouraging the industry to do a little less flying on creative autopilot.
Watch the show
Primetime Emmy Awards show is at 5 p.m. Aug. 29 on NBC.
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