Well, that was a nice surprise.
Anthony Anderson eschewed the traditional awkward monologue on Monday night’s 75th Emmy Awards — delivering a clever salute to several classic TV shows accompanied by a piano and a “small, inclusive choir from Compton.”
(“Kevin Costner is from Compton!” he joked.)
That, in itself, meant the show was off to a good start — and miles away from Jo Koy’s disastrous opening monologue on last week’s Golden Globes.
For a second, I thought the opening shtick, “Mister Anderson’s Neighborhood,” would rip off Eddie Murphy’s classic “SNL” sketch (“Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood“), but it didn’t — as Anderson crooned theme songs from “Good Times,” “The Facts of Life,” “Miami Vice” (with Travis Barker on drums …and Anderson was sockless, just like Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas in that landmark ’80s series).
And he got the walkoff music bugaboo out of the way, joking that whoever didn’t follow the acceptance-speech timing rules would have to deal with his mother and “We Are Family” co-host, Doris Bowman (“Thank Jesus and your family and wrap it up,” he implored nominees).
“The Bear” star Ayo Edebiri won Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy series — repeating her Golden Globe victory — and gave a nice speech thanking her parents.
Ditto for her co-star Jeremy Allen White (Best Lead Actor, Comedy), who included one-too-many “I love yous” in his.
It was great to see 90-year-old Carol Burnett on stage to present the Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, won by “Abbott Elementary” star Quinta Brunson, who gave a teary acceptance speech. She also thanked her immediate family and her cast mates.
Jennifer Coolidge (who went overtime on her acceptance speech) won for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (enough already — she wasn’t that good), and Pedro Pascal made the evening’s first bleeped remark — referring to his bum shoulder (in a sling) and joking that it was “Succession” star Kieran Culkin’s fault.
Culkin got his revenge later, snaring a statuette for Best Lead Actor in a Drama — repeating his Golden Globes victory — and accidentally dropping his tux jacket from hugging too many people on the way up to the stage.
I liked the many show reunions — including Lorraine Bracco and Michael Imperioli from “The Sopranos,” “Martin,” the “Cheers” cast (Kelsey Grammer, Rhea Perlman, Ted Danson, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger) and the “Grey’s Anatomy” cast (Ellen Pompeo, Justin Chambers, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens and, somewhat surprisingly, Katherine Heigl, who left the ABC series in 2010 under a black cloud).
And nice job by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reprising their old “Weekend Update” from “SNL.” Short and sweet. A bit embarrassing: the “Ally McBeal” cast doing a really awkward dance number. Reminded me of Elaine from “Seinfeld” (memo: should’ve planned that one better).
It was all a nice touch to celebrate the medium’s 75th anniversary by reminding us how special a TV series can be.
That was illustrated in some quick-hit clips from the 75 most memorable TV moments chosen by the TV Academy (including Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream,” speech, the Apollo 11 moon landing, The Beatles on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” the “MAS*H” finale and “The Simpsons”).
Anderson did what a host is supposed to do — he kept the show moving along and let the winners’ words speak for themselves.
When he interjected himself into a bit, it did not feel awkward or forced — though he did throw the action back to his mother a bit too much.
I could have done without watching Paul Walter Hauser, who won for “Blackbird,” chewing on whatever he was chewing on — even when accepting his award — but he wins the night’s award for originality, delivering his thank-yous via rap (which he read off his iPhone — and gave a shout-out to late co-star Ray Liotta). He was visibly nervous but obviously touched.
I usually go into these award shows figuring it will be three hours (or longer) of my life that I’ll never get back.
But Monday night’s Emmy Awards clipped along at a fast pace — and I’m glad I spent the time watching the telecast.
And, hey, it ended on time! That, in itself, was enough to celebrate.