c/o etonline.com

This past Sunday, awards show host Neil Patrick Harris added another formal affair to his résumé. On the evening of the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, America waited anxiously to see whether “Breaking Bad” would finally win its much-anticipated “Outstanding Drama Series” award, if “Modern Family” would triumph yet again in the “Outstanding Comedy Series” category, and, most importantly, if song-and-dance-man NPH would dazzle us with a TV-themed musical number.
Only one of these ­­­­­prospects failed to align with the expectations of the masses, and barely so. NPH did offer a musical number, but as a halfway marker rather than as a hook to reel in the audience from the onset. He set an amusing tone for the night, yet for those of us who have been following his awards ceremony hosting career, his opening act was a bit of a letdown after his performance at the 2013 Tony Awards. While a few jokes went stale on his lips, Harris’ likable personality pulled the show through three long hours of slideshows, ballads from ’70s stars, and awards we’ve never heard of.
However, not even Harris’ upbeat hosting could counteract the despondency that colored much of the ceremony. While it is traditional to honor a TV star who died in the 12 months prior to the broadcast, my entire supply of Kleenex was depleted during the tributes dedicated to no fewer than six deceased stars: Jonathan Winters, Jean Stapleton, Liberace, Cory Monteith, Gary David Goldberg, and James Gandolfini. In addition to these solo accolades, a slideshow presenting additional actors who passed this year was presented. Carrie Underwood’s rendition of the Beatles’ “Yesterday” added to the depressing mood, and tipped me over the edge into full-on despair.

Luckily, the evening was salvaged by some hilarious moments that will undoubtedly go down in Emmy history. First and foremost was Merritt Wever of “Nurse Jackie” giving her short and sweet acceptance speech. Upon reaching the microphone after winning “Best Supporting Actress,” Wever smiled uncomfortably, cleared her throat, and said, “Thanks so much…thank you so much…um, I gotta go. Bye.” It was delightfully awkward, and one could only hope that all Emmy recipients could come across as humbled and make their point as quickly.

Will Ferrell later garnered many laughs when he hurried onstage out of breath with three kids in tow and explained that he was asked to announce the “Best Drama” and “Best Comedy” winners at the last minute and couldn’t find childcare. His T-shirt and shorts were at stark odds with his tuxedoed counterparts, and his effortless humor created a happy atmosphere around the otherwise tense and suspenseful final award categories.

Michael Douglas of “Behind the Candelabra” topped off the slew of one-liners when he accepted his award for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Movie or Miniseries.” He thanked his on-screen lover Matt Damon, saying, “You really deserve half of this award,” and then adding the quip, “so you want the bottom or the top?”

Among the sensitive and comical moments, there were also some strange occurrences. Comedian Sarah Silverman and Nathan Fillion of “Castle” made an inexplicable appearance in NPH’s “middle of the show” dance performance. Their performance certainly made for an interesting interlude.

Another strange moment involved a seemingly lost, random man photobombing NPH’s introduction of Jimmy Fallon. The man was caught on camera behind Harris, and spent ten seconds sidling self-consciously out of frame. The man turned out to be Paul Greenberg, a writer for the Emmys. He has since appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and has achieved fleeting Internet fame for his brilliant awkwardness.

While highlights of happy, sad, strange, and musical variety peppered the ceremony, the quality of the work represented did not go unremembered. With countless television shows of every genre reaching the caliber and thematic development of great Hollywood films, it’s easy to understand why the new college dorm routine of Netflix binging is on the rise. It is no longer embarrassing to admit to watching exorbitant amounts of TV (well, maybe a little) given the high quality of so many shows.

As Vince Gilligan of “Breaking Bad” put it, we are living in a “golden age of television,” and the Emmys let everyone know it.