Focus on ‘oldies but still golden goodies’ boosts Emmys

FOX. Hearteningly effective treatment and therapy. AFP

Last Monday, we were all set to catch the pilot telecast of a new teleserye—but, the 2013 Emmy awards show got in the way! The three-hour special telecast was so full of “star value” and diverting spot numbers that it held sway on our TV set from start to finish, so all other viewing prospects had to be, uh, deferred.

The special viewing incentive on our part was decidedly nostalgic, because some “long-lost” albeit still well-loved luminaries “reappeared” during the show and triggered rich memories of their past stellar triumphs.

Topping the list for us was Michael J. Fox—despite his continuing, decade-long battle with Parkinson’s disease, he launched into a long posthumous tribute to ace director Gary Goldberg.

Speech

Yes, his speech was not as firm and focused as it could have been, but it was better than on some of his past public appearances or interviews—which shows that his ongoing treatment and therapy are turning out to be hearteningly effective.

Similarly inspiring was the appearance of “comedian emeritus” Bob Newhart, who helped set the standard for comedic performance that serial generations of new comics have tried hard to rise up to.

For her part, Diahann Carroll got an ovation when she came out of retirement to present a key award with another African American star, Kerry Washington. Carroll’s presence was deemed symbolically significant, because she was the first black star to be nominated for an Emmy—way back in 1963, for her performance in “Naked City”!

Moving tributes

Many of the most moving tributes at the awards show were for departed stars—from James Gandolfini, Jean Stapleton and Liberace, to the much younger and most lamented “departee,” Cory Monteith.

It was his “Glee” costar, Jane Lynch, who eulogized Monteith, and his many fans empathized with her expression of bereavement and loss.

Speaking of Liberace, he’s been gone a long time, but he was remembered anew, because the TV film about him, “Behind the Candelabra,” starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, romped off with the 2013 Emmy for Best Miniseries or Movie. To make the tribute even more special, Elton John performed a song written in Liberace’s honor.

Daring portrayal

Best of all, Douglas got an acting award for his daringly graphic portrayal of the “gloriously gay” pianist in his acclaimed film bio.

Veteran stars also dominated some of the Emmy’s other categories, like Laura Linney’s victory as lead actress, miniseries or movie, for “The Big C: Hereafter,” and Ellen Burstyn’s supporting actress honor for “Political Animals.”

While younger performers like Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) and Claire Danes (“Homeland”) romped off with their fair share of the awards, the “oldies but still golden goodies” clearly set the triumphant tone for the evening!

That tone having been firmly set by the 2013 Emmys, our hope is that they will continue to be appreciated and honored by the usually forgetful and neglectful global TV audience—from here on in!