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2009 Emmy Awards Live

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Live-blogging the 2009 Emmy Awards

8:05 p.m.: Closing thoughts. Whoever has the Emmys next year should break with tradition and hire Neil Patrick Harris to host. Might be time to ban ’30 Rock’ from further nominations. Bryan Cranston is finally getting the recognition he deserved from ‘Malcolm in the Middle.’ Keep the movie and miniseries awards. It isn’t that taxing to the telecast. And lastly, don’t schedule it opposite a Giants-Cowboys game. You can turn the channel now.

8:04 p.m.: Backstage buzz: Cherry Jones says she didn’t expect to win while Amy Poehler lets us in on a little secret. Everyone wants to win.

8:03 p.m.: NPH closes show hoping we’ll see everyone on broadcast TV next year. I think that’s pretty much assured.

8:02 p.m.: Matt Weiner says he worked very hard not to have ‘Mad Men’ stink in the second year. What about the third year? Hey, just kidding!

8:01 p.m.: Best drama coming. Will Philip Morris Co., uh, I mean ‘Mad Men’ win? YES! It’s ‘Mad Men.’

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7:56 p.m.: Backstage update: Alec Baldwin asked why he didn’t thank Jeff Zucker. Baldwin says you can’t thank everyone and noted that he didn’t thank the person at Starbucks who makes his coffee either.

7:54 p.m.:And it’s ’30 Rock.’ Tina Fey says, ‘that was a nail-biter.’ Wonder if she was being sarcastic. Naah, we’ll give her the benefit of the doubt. Not sure there are enough people up on stage. Whoa, Tina gives the first Ben Silverman shout of the night!

7:52 p.m.: Bob Newhart about to give best comedy Emmy to ... any guesses folks?
7:52 p.m.: Nope, we’re on time.

7:50 p.m.: Cranston says he is thankful Glenn Close is actually a woman.

7:48 p.m.: Can’t tell if this show is running late. Bryan Cranston wins for second year in a row. ‘Mad Men’ star Jon Hamm being restrained in his chair.

7:40 p.m.: Best actress for drama is next. While it would’ve been funny and ironic if Holly Hunter won just because the studio that made ‘Saving Grace’ canceled the show, it’s Glenn Close for FX’s ‘Damages.’

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7:35 p.m.: Best writing on dramatic series is up. Lots of ‘Mad Men’ jokes since it is nominated for four of the five awards. ‘Mad Men’ wins and Matt Weiner thanks AMC for his complete creative freedom. Thank them for that new big deal they gave you too, Matt!

7:31 p.m.: Just saw ad for final season of ‘Nip/Tuck’ and Julian McMahon looks a lot like ‘Family Guy’ creator Seth MacFarlane, who himself tries acting on ABC’s ‘FlashForward,’ premiering this week. How’s that for trivial?

7:30 p.m.: We’re entering the final turn folks. In the meantime, Giants just missed a field goal and still lead by only 3.

7:22 p.m.: Cherry Jones wins best actress for drama for Fox’s ‘24,’ don’t know if that is a surprise to Emmy watchers, but I’m surprised. Lame joke about her being next the Republican nominee but anyway ...

7:21 p.m.: Michael Emerson wins best supporting actor for ABC’s ‘Lost.’ Guess AMC’s ‘Mad Men’ can’t win everything.

7:18 p.m.: CBS uses Emmy telecast to hawk ‘NCIS Los Angeles.’ Kind of tacky even if it is a tradition.

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7:16 p.m.: Time for the drama clip montage. Not sure ‘Mad Men’ translates to clip music but we’ll see.

7:08 p.m.: ‘Daily Show’ wins best variety show. Jon Stewart seemed almost sedate.

7:06 p.m.: Just a few awards away from the ‘Mad Men’ section of the show, or as it is usually known, drama awards.

7:02 p.m. Jimmy Fallon doing his Black Eyed Peas impression but he sounds a little more like Peter Frampton with a pulled hamstring.

6:57 p.m.: Giants just retook lead from Cowboys on amazing catch.

6:55 p.m.: Waiting for Stewart to deliver some attitude but instead he delivers grace. He lets one of his writers accept the award. Classy!

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6:53 p.m.: Billy Crystal sings Letterman’s writing team while NBC’s Brian Williams reads list of SNL team. All for naught as Jon Stewart wins for ‘Daily Show.’

6:44 p.m.: Time for outstanding miniseries and it goes to PBS for ‘Little Dorrit’ That had to be a surprise to HBO.

6:43 p.m.: HBO wins made-for-TV movie for ‘Grey Gardens.’ Maybe they should’ve just held this part of the show at their party.

6:35 p.m.: Lange aside, anyone else noticing fewer shout-outs to executives, agents, writers, producers, etc.? Of course, Lange just made up for all of that.

6:34 p.m.: Another shocker (not) as Jessica Lange wins for HBO’s ‘Grey Gardens.’ Come on, say something controversial. Hmmm, slight crack about parts not coming around as often anymore. That might have to do for now.

6:30 p.m.: NPH makes fun of trying to watch TV on the Internet. Nice crack about buffering.

6:27 p.m.: Dearbhla Walsh (no, that’s not a typo) wins Emmy for PBS’s ‘Little Dorrit’ She says she’s sleeping with award tonight. That could hurt.

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6:23 p.m. We’re back. Lead actor for movie and miniseries is up. Brendan Gleeson wins for HBO’s ‘Into the Storm.’ Keep waiting for someone to chide CBS and TV Academy for trying to push these awards off the show but so far all are mum.

6:22 p.m.: Nice long commercial break. Cowboys near the goal line.

6:17 p.m.: Giants are beating Cowboys, 13-7.

6:12 p.m.: Ken ‘The White Shadow’ Howard wins for ‘Grey Gardens.’ Howard says he hopes speech isn’t interrupted by a congressman or a rapper. Then he makes joke about new media and renegotiating. Howard is running for president of Screen Actors Guild.

6:09 p.m. Well, it’s time for the awards we almost didn’t see, movies and miniseries.

6:05 p.m.: Tracy Morgan stumbling through introduction of beset reality show. Can never tell if he does that on purpose. ‘Amazing Race’ wins.

5:58 p.m.: Jon Cryer back on stage to present reality TV host award. Should show five comedy and drama producers for reaction instead of the nominees. Survivor’s Jeff Probst wins.

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5:53 p.m.: Reality clip introduced and NPH (that’s what we’re calling Neil Patrick Harris from now on, lets see if catches on) says it is a new form of TV. I guess almost 10 years is new.

5:51 p.m.: Update from the press room ‘Gossip Girl’ stars Leighton Meester and Blake Lively blow off press. Not a way to win over fans.

5:50 p.m.: Big shock (that’s sarcasm). Alec Baldwin wins for ’30 Rock.’ He says he’d trade award to look like Rob Lowe. Hope he doesn’t watch DVD of his old movie ‘Miami Blues.’ Baldwin dedicates award to Lorne Michaels.

5:49 p.m.: Rob Lowe introducing best actor in comedy series says he took ‘Dr. Vegas’ over ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ Wow now we’re getting some clips. Cool. 5:44 p.m.: Jon Cryer was rushed through press area much to chagrin of reporters. But was it for that bit with Neil Patrick Harris (who I want to call NPH to save space)? Maybe he’ll be back. He better; the press wants their Cryer.

5:43 p.m.: Commercial break so time to look at football. Giants just kicked a field goal. It’s 3-0. George Bush and John Madden sitting together at game.

5:40 p.m.: Tina Fey doing her Taylor Swift impersonation.

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5:38 p.m.:Backstage update: Kristin Chenoweth is still crying.

5:38 p.m.: Confirmed in our newsroom. Toni Collette winning is a big surprise.

5:36 p.m.: Justin Timberlake going for serious look with glasses as he presents best lead actress for comedy. I still wish they showed clips for nominees.I know it eats up time but it would add something to the show. Sarah Silverman steals it with fake mustache on her face. I digress. Award goes to Toni Collette for Showtime’s ‘United States of Tara,’ that has to be a surprise. Sorry Tina!

5:33 p.m.: Neil Patrick Harris notes that he lost for best supporting actor in a comedy. ‘Change in plans, we’re going to go a little bit faster,’ he cracks.

5:24 p.m.: Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Amy Poehler joke that they are presenting on ‘last official year of broadcast television. Winner for best supporting actor in a comedy series goes to, oh wait, they are still running through the nominees. And it goes to Jon Cryer for ‘Two and a Half Men.’ Is that an upset? Well, it is one less for ’30 Rock.’ It’s his first win after four nominations so he was due. Cryer says Charlie Sheen needs an Emmy too!

5:22 p.m.: And the Emmy for outstanding writing in a comedy goes to ... ’30 Rock,’ this will be the first of many so get used to it. Matt Hubbard, who wrote ‘Reunion,’ wins it. Actually one of my favorite episodes of the show, for what it’s worth. He’s on-and-off stage in under 20 seconds, not bad.

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5:20 p.m.: Neil Patrick Harris, wearing a white jacket, says he won’t spend the entire night plugging his own show and then introduces costars of ‘How I Met Your Mother.’

5:13 p.m.: Kristin Chenoweth wins for the canceled ABC show ‘Pushing Daisies’ and says she’d like to be on ‘Mad Men’ or ‘The Office’ or ‘24’ since she is now unemployed. She’s really having a water main break.

5:10 p.m: Tina Fey and Jon Hamm together again to present best supporting actress in a sitcom. Fey cracks lets linger in this special time when ‘everyone is still a winner and (‘Family Guy’ creator) Seth McFarland is only a little drunk.

5:02 p.m.: Neil Patrick Harris says he hopes Kanye West likes ’30 Rock,’ no doubt the first of many Kanye jokes tonight.

4:57 p.m.: E! wrapping up their show. Time for the real deal. Giants-Cowboys! Kidding!
4:56 p.m.: ‘30 Rock’ star Tina Fey says staff works hard to keep quality up. Co-star Jane Krakowski says playing a bad actress ‘comes naturally’ to her.

4:55 p.m.: That Cat Stevens song is playing again. Suddenly I’m alone on the playground in third grade again. Five minutes to show time.

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4:51 p.m.: Seacreast talking to Leighton Meester. She says she’s picked a single for her new release and asks, ‘Are you following me on Twitter?’ Seacrest says that he thinks so.

4:50 p.m.: Is Seacrest getting paid by Twitter. Just wondering?

4:48 p.m.: Told via Twitter that Chevy Chase has T-shirt on with tux. Confirmation anyone?

4:42 p.m.: Update from the carpet. Tina Fey marches down carpet chanting, ‘Tina Fey all the way.’

4:41 p.m.: Julia Louis-Dreyfus just made a snarky comment about someone but we don’t know who. She’s wearing Jimmy Choo and says ‘Seinfeld’ reunion on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ never missed a beat. ‘No, we’re not going to bring the show back,’ she says.

4:40 p.m.: Seacrest with another Twitter mention while talking to Jon Cryer, who calls ‘Two and a Half Men’ filthy. ‘HBO’s got nothing on us,’ he says.

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4:39 p.m.: Analysis of Leighton Meester’s dress includes 48 cameras taking pictures at same time. Must be a better use of technology, no?

4:36 p.m.: Ryan Seacrest again mentions Twitter. Is anyone keeping tabs?

4:32 p.m.: Update from the carpet: Glenn Close is sweating! Fortunately, ‘Extra’ is there with a fan.

4:30 p.m.: Here comes the Stewie clip. Stewie says he’s not taking questions but is plugging his ‘clothing optional’ summer camp for young men. ‘It’s just for young men,’ Stewie says.

4:27 p.m.: ‘30 Rock’ star Alec Baldwin says the cast brought soap with them for good luck. Not sure what that means. Baldwin says he is sure there will be a lot of Kanye jokes in the opening. Lorne Michaels is wearing shades and looking cool.

4:25 p.m.: Another mention of Twitter. Sarah Silverman talking in little girl voice while Jimmy Fallon looks awkward. Wonder what Jimmy Kimmel is thinking.

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4:21 p.m.: Jon Hamm is nervous about presenting with Tina Fey and hints that his ‘Mad Men’ salary isn’t enough to buy a nice engagement ring. In that case, we suggest he hit up creator Matt Weiner, who has a pretty sweet deal on the show.

4:20 p.m.: Commercial break: Ravens still beating Chargers, sports fans.

4:19 p.m.: Ryan Seacrest and Kara DioGuardi flirting. Seacrest says he’ll get to second base. Wait, can I write that here? We’ll find out soon enough.

4:18 p.m.: Nice risque comment from Kyra Sedgwick about showing a little more than leg on the red carpet. She also spins and does yoga and has been with Kevin Bacon for 21 years. They don’t work out together, that might be the secret.

4:17 p.m.: Dana Delany compares growing up in Connecticut to Wisteria Lane. She’s in purple. Is she a Viking fan?

4:16 p.m.: Jon Stewart says, ‘We’re like turtles behind a radiator here.’

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4:12 p.m.: Cat Stevens song actually touches me during commercial break. Now have sudden desire to watch ‘Harold & Maude.’

4:10 p.m.:Ryan Seacrest is interviewing Kevin Bacon, whose hair is looking a little ragged, about his HBO movie ‘Taking Chance.’ Now Seacrest is getting ready to ambush ’30 Rock.’

4:08 p.m.: Wondering how many times we’ll hear the word Twitter tonight.

4:05 p.m.: Tuning in E!’s pre-show. Alec Baldwin is making his way up the carpet. Meanwhile inside CBS concern is no doubt setting in about how late the Ravens-Chargers game is running. Look for a super-short ’60 Minutes’ tonight if they go with it at all.

While everyone is sweating out on the sweltering Red Carpet at the 2009 Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre, we are sitting here in the luxury of our air-conditioned newsroom. Air-conditioning, by the way, is about the only luxury we are afforded here. There’s no craft services here for us and the soda machine is down on the first floor. We are toughening it out here just as much as our colleagues at the Nokia. But these are the challenges facing today’s modern-day journalist in a 24-hour, non-stop, Twitter-obsessed world and we will do our best to keep you up-to-date on what matters and what doesn’t, what’s trivia and what’s trivial and who won and maybe even who should have won. And we’ll make some fun along the way.

Our hard-working and sweaty colleagues from the Nokia will also be sending us their observations from the carpet and inside the theater as well so this will be your one-stop shop.

So keep refreshing and don’t beat me up for the typos!

-- Joe Flint

Photo: Lindsay Price on red carpet at 2009 Emmys. Credit: Matt Sayles/Associated Press

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