posted on October 1, 2001 01:15:21 PM new
This producers of this year's Emmy Awards show originally planned to take a lighthearted, comic approach to the show. But not anymore. Now the show will be opened on a somber, serious note by Walter Cronkite.
Another staple of the Emmy's -- celebrities dressed to the nines -- has also been tossed out the window. Formal wear has been banned. Instead the celebs are required to dress in "business attire" (which is kind of ironic when you consider that glitz and glam is their business). Lapel ribbons will also be provided for them.
Whether or not the stars' "red carpet" arrivals will be permitted is still up in the air. There is talk of a "scaled down red carpet arrival."
One thing's for sure, though -- no fans will be allowed to watch the celebrities enter the auditorium. No lining up outside waiting to catch a glimpse of your favorite star, none of that breathless anticipation as the limousines pull to the curb. All fans are banned.
These changes have been made so that the Emmy's appear sensitive to the tragedy of the terrorist attacks.
But I wonder. Is it truly sensitivity, or is the industry in the grip of a paranoia that someone out there is going to cry "INAPPROPRIATE!!!" if they dare to return to some semblance of normalcy.
Our national leaders tell us we should return to normal life, have fun, spend money, (but just watch what you say, right Ari?) -- yet at every turn those in the public eye are under scrutiny, being monitored for the slightest perceived slip in decorum which, if detected, might lead to a crusade of protest against them.
I could really care less about the Emmy's. I don't usually watch them, nor do they influence what I watch. But it greatly disturbs me that political correctness has cast such a fearful shadow across the entertainment industry and, in a broader sense, creative expression.
I'm tired of "revered" newscasters like Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, etc., being called upon as though they are shamans who have to convey their blessings upon a show and by doing so give permission to the audience to enjoy what's on the air. I don't need Walter Cronkite to tell me it's all right to have a good time.
I doubt the terrorists ever imagined that they'd be able to hold free speech hostage as a result of their attack. But the evidence is all around us. How long will this continue? How many shows will never be produced or aired because network execs don't want to take the slightest risk in this climate? How many movies will never get past script approval because they may seem unsympathetic? How many books will never be published because they don't say the right thing?
It seems to me the Emmy's could have gone on as planned but with a moment of silence and/or visual tribute to the victims. I think that would have been tasteful and appropriate. But the fear of being politically incorrect has not only got everybody in entertainment and media second-guessing themselves and editing away anything that someone might possibly construe as "inappropriate," but overcompensating with "appropriateness." It's out of control. Whether we realize it or not, we're living in an environment of fear -- not fear of the terrorists, but fear of other Americans.
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TV's Emmy Awards get subdued look after attack
By Steve Gorman
LOS ANGELES, Sept 25 (Reuters) - The stars will dress in business attire instead of formal wear and flashy gowns and the arrival carpet may not be red when television's Emmy Awards are belatedly presented on Oct. 7, organizers said on Monday.
Security is being tightened and producers are taking a somber approach to the usually glittery and upbeat annual telecast to reflect the nation's mood following the Sept. 11 attacks on New York City and Washington, said Bryce Zabel, chairman of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
"Our goal all along has been to do something that is tasteful and appropriate and respectful of the tragic events that happened on Sept. 11," he said.
Comedian Ellen DeGeneres, whose new sitcom premiered this week on CBS, is hosting the show, but veteran CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite has been asked to open the ceremony, a network spokeswoman said.
The 53rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards originally were slated to take place on Sept. 16, but were postponed for three weeks after hijackers flew two airliners into the World Trade Center, a third plane into the Pentagon and crashed a fourth into rural Pennsylvania.
"We had a great light, comedy show ready to go on the 16th. That show was torn up," Zabel said.
Zabel said precise plans for the three-hour CBS telecast were still evolving, as producers deliberately prepare more than enough material to fill the show.
One decisive change is that participants will be asked to wear "dressy business attire" rather than the traditional tuxedos and evening gowns, and the academy would make red-white-and-blue lapel pins available for the stars who wish to wear them.
"I think the sensational type of gowns that would usually be a part of this kind of event, there will probably be less of that," he said.
He said one segment producers plan to include will recognize "the power of television in holding people together following these events" and a tribute to the news coverage of the tragedy.
The academy also has decided do away with the usual spectator bleachers in the arrival area, though members of the media will still be allowed to interview and photograph the stars as they enter the Shrine Auditorium, Zabel said.
"By removing the stands and the fans, you're changed the nature of the arrival to one that is little less of a big party and a little more respectful," he said.
As for the color of the carpet, Zabel said that has not been decided, though a CBS spokeswoman said there would be a "scaled-back red-carpet arrival."
Among the stars confirmed as taking part in presenting awards or introducing various segments of the show were Jessica Alba, Wayne Brady, Andre Braugher, Amy Brenneman, Sally Field, Calista Flockhart, Dennis Franz, Andy Garcia, Kelsey Grammer, Patricia Heaton, Ben Kingsley, Debra Messing, Rob Reiner and Ray Romano, according to Zabel.
posted on October 1, 2001 02:13:43 PM new
Emmy's, Grammy's, movie stars. I think the hype has gone way overboard. They act like kings and queens and strut down the red carpet like they are just it. Guess what? They all sit on the pot, all fart, all burp, all puke when sick and that puke stinks just like what they sit on the pot for. They are people doing a damn job and being paid way too much. It went to their heads, and now they act and think like the whole world revolves around them. Sadly, the public is what made it so, by bowing at their feet.
Long ago, actors were considered lowlife. They best be happy they didnt live in 17th century England, because the elite wouldnt be caught dead kowtowing to any actor.
posted on October 1, 2001 02:28:38 PM new
Oh. Well, he said it much nicer than I did. Still, I picture all those half dressed "stars" in their "stunning" designer wear, naked, on the pot, grunting. All smells the same, lol.
posted on October 1, 2001 02:34:12 PM new
Guess I don't understand what connection the Emmy's have with the attack....
Exactly how does toning it down give respect to anyone that died? And how would dressing fancy insult the memory of anyone?
Sounds like a bad case of exagerated self importance in thinking to me.
Do they want to declare a whole year of mourning and we will all wear black and just stay home and not buy any music or watch any shows for a year? wouldn't be any great hardship for me...
posted on October 1, 2001 02:58:13 PM new
Thanks for dumping all that scatalogical imagery in my thread, hepburn. Jeezus, light a match next time. Yuck.
I wasn't being critical of the celebrities. They're just doing what they do, what the public wants them to do. In this case, my criticism was aimed at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences which in its "wisdom" has decided that this year's broadcast has to be politically correct, and to that end has gone overboard with cutting back all of the stuff that makes the show entertaining.
As I said, I suspect the Academy's goal goal isn't really to show respect and sympathy for the victims and their families, but to cover its own ass against potential criticism from the type of bozos who tried to do a hatchetjob on Bill Maher. If the Academy honestly felt that the broadcast might be inappropriate in the wake of the tragedy and wished to make a genuine show of sympathy and respect, they should have cancelled the show altogether. But that would mean no ad revenues, wouldn't it? Instead they're trying to serve two masters, but neither one faithfully.
posted on October 1, 2001 03:07:29 PM new
Only for you, Spaz. Only for you
Acutally, I only got halfway through your post before I got this red haze drifting down over my eyes and all I could visualize was "movie stars" strutting. Then my imagination went hogwild with the rest, which I wont bother to reiterate since I already made your day
posted on October 1, 2001 05:09:53 PM new
hepburn - Actually I understand and feel the same about self important sports heros and politicians. Said the same about the president once that he is just another man who gets up and brushes his teeth and pulls his pants on like everybody else and my boss just about lost it that I don't get down and beat my forehead on the floor when he comes on TV. He made him sound like the first chapter of Hebrews - substituting the Pes for Christ that is.
posted on October 1, 2001 05:42:47 PM new
I was thinking just what you said in your first post gravid......how does "dressing down" or the tone of the presentation show respect or anything? If they said they'd go on as planned and donate the proceeds to the Red Cross (or whatever), THAT would show respect. It sounds more like we'll get the stars to dress like normal people so they'll fit in during this sad time-type thing. A one-shot deal makes it look like a cheap PR thing.
posted on October 1, 2001 06:15:31 PM new
Gee, uh, um...Thanks hepburn, I think, for your exquisite, unabridged true life account of what goes on behind closed bathroom doors.
posted on October 1, 2001 06:39:53 PM new
Well, I think that the show should go on as usual. An appropriate mention of the tragedy before the award ceremony begins could be made.
I read that the movie industry is in a state of paranoia right now
and has postponed the release of many films.
posted on October 1, 2001 06:57:54 PM new
Wow, I really grossed out a few people, didnt I? LOL! Y'all should have been around RT when the threads were about farts, dead things on the side of the road (terri, remember that thread? LOL), what to put in your bathroom to stop the smells, etc. Has RT changed that much? Too bad. I laughed til I pee'd in some of those old threads.
posted on October 1, 2001 06:58:59 PM newIt sounds more like we'll get the stars to dress like normal people so they'll fit in during this sad time-type thing. A one-shot deal makes it look like a cheap PR thing.
posted on October 1, 2001 07:11:51 PM newY'all should have been around RT when the threads were about farts, dead things on the side of the road (terri, remember that thread? LOL), what to put in your bathroom to stop the smells, etc. Has RT changed that much?
I remember it all too well. I objected to it then, just as I am now. You might want to try your hand at writing teen comedies, though. That sort of thing is big business these days.
posted on October 1, 2001 07:18:45 PM new
LOL..Im busting up again just thinking about it. Lighten up spaz...we all need belly laughs once in awhile. And I think we are all due, dontcha think? Maybe we will laugh so hard that we....well...never mind
posted on October 1, 2001 07:21:39 PM new
Look at all the posts in that thread supplied by Spaz. People were laughing, and having a good time. That one was nothing compared to the fart thread, though. I think it started in EO and the mods had us move it to RT it got so hilarious.
