LOS ANGELES – Boy, these Emmys are broken.
What was supposed to be a panel about NBC’s presentation of the 58th Annual Emmy Awards show turned into a justifiably fired-up series of questions to Dick Askin, president of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Host Conan O’Brien sat by, dropping some great one-liners here and there, as Askin was peppered. Critics demanded to know how a system that aims to “honor excellence in television” could leave out among its nominees the likes of “House” star Hugh Laurie, “The Sopranos” stars James Gandolfini and Edie Falco, and the entire program and cast of “Lost.”
The most pointed, and ultimately the most important question was, “Do you honestly believe the Emmy nominations represent the best of TV last season?”
“I believe the Emmy nominations represent the best works that were submitted,” Askin replied.
Therein lies the problem.
The system is broken beyond belief, which is sad because it was modified in an attempt to make the process work better.
The concern was that the same shows and actors were winning over and over again, so the system was changed to have a blue-ribbon panel make the nominations.
The rub? The panel’s decisions are based on viewing one episode – that’s right, one episode – per acting category and program award.
And even those members of the panel who know of a particular actor’s work, or who have seen and enjoyed the bulk of an entire series, are expected to base their votes on the one episode submitted.
But how can one judge an entire series, such as “Lost,” on one episode?
One critic, Risk Kushman of The Sacramento Bee, likened it to “watching the third inning of a baseball game and deciding who won.”
“Have you thought about actually making them watch TV before they vote?” Kushman asked.
“Would that mean that someone would have to watch all 180 episodes that I make throughout the year?” O’Brien interjected. “That would be great. Like they’re sent to some center or camp?”
John Leverence, senior vice president of the Academy in charge of the awards, admitted that “the best electorate is the most informed electorate. And, if we were to have a system in which we were to allow everyone to watch massive amounts of ‘Conan’ or any other program, that would be an ideal situation.”
Alas, it is not an ideal situation. Askin did promise, without getting specific about this year’s snubs or errors, that “we’re going to evaluate the whole process.
“Because there were certain anomalies that we found that we’d really like to dig down into and see if there’s a way to improve the process.”
Other Emmy news
Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of this year’s Emmy broadcast, announced Saturday that the show will include a tribute to Dick Clark, helping mark the 50th anniversary of “American Bandstand’s” arrival on network TV on ABC and noting Clark’s accomplishments since.
Ehrlich also announced the first batch of confirmed presenters at the show, including snubees Hugh Laurie and Felicity Huffman, in addition to Julia-Louis Dreyfus, Matthew Perry and Jon Stewart.
“So, we’re off to a pretty good start,” Ehrlich said.
More announcement will follow in the coming weeks.
Columnist Victor Balta: 425-339-3455 or vbalta@ heraldnet.com.
For more from the TV Critics Association press tour, check out Victor’s blog at www.heraldnet.com/ blogpopculture.
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