Did anyone catch the first ever, super duper, they're the first and isn't it hella exciting AFI Awards show last night?

I don't want to be judgemental, given that it was their first outing and all, but did anyone else think that they were a tad incompetent and error-prone? The whole thing was full of people getting cut off by strange interstitial segments, confusing segues where you thought the winner was going to come up on stage and didn't, an utter lack of winners on hand to accept anything, and bizarre continuous orchestral music that nearly drowned out and visibly confuzzled most of the presenters. Based on that performance, I'm not really encouraged to watch it again next year. What with the stultifying boredom of the awards show in general, you need to give the audience something to make it worthwhile.

I stuck in there hoping that Sarah Michelle Gellar or some other "Buffy" people might have shown up. Hard to say, since we didn't get the camera on anyone during the presentation of the award for Best Drama Series. I'm not too disappointed that "Buffy" didn't win, but I am disappointed that "Six Feet Under" didn't. I haven't seen much of "The Sopranos," but it was enough... and also I'd swear that it's impossible for there to have been a better TV series than "Six Feet Under" last year (heck, in most years).

It was nice that the show and Michael C. Hall got nominated, though. At least these awards seem to be a bit smarter and more clue-ful in their selections than most of the others.

I didn't watch the awards but I did read in another forum that there is a really short clip of Amber Benson and James Marsters being interviewed before the cermeony saying that if Buffy didn't win they'd set some vampires out or something that has been playing on the TV Guide channel today.

There were also some pictures of the two and Joss here:
http://www.wireimage.com/Gallery....=1

On the topic of award shows there's a poll at tvguide.com What should Holywood have as its New Years Resolution and the top vote is nominating Buffy for an Emmy.

I watched it and I was actually kind of impressed with their choices.  I would have loved it if Buffy had won but I think The Sopranos was far and away the best show on television last year.  And I'm glad that LoTR won for best picture even though Mulholland Drive was my favorite film of last year.  

I agree that the show would have been a lot better if more winners had shown up but I really liked the little montages they did for each nominated movie where they interviewed film scholars and critics about why these films were special.  I thought they were really well done and I was sufficiently surprised and impressed to see Jeannine Basinger and Molly Haskel on an awards show.  I wish they had done the same kind of examination for the tv nominees.  But I thought the whole thing was a tad more intelligent than any other awards shows.  It was refreshing.  

Did you watch "Six Feet Under" last year, aberdeen? Just curious... admittedly I haven't watched both to be able to compare. But my gut is screaming (a process that no doubt involves nasty acids) that there's never been anything better on television. Some things that are equal, but I don't know that I could say that anything was better... not even "Buffy."

I've seen it, eej.  And I enjoy watching it but I'm really not passionate about it.  I hated the first episode and so didn't put too much effort into watching it after that.  I saw most of the episodes after that and enjoyed it more but all in all, I could take it or leave it.  I disliked American Beauty, if that helps you understand my indifference towards SFU.  There's no character that I particularly like and I find the style too distancing and...arch maybe?  (sorry)

I liked "American Beauty," but my love of the show isn't about that.  This thing is so different from anything else... I really hated the first episode or two, also. But the acting is just so breathtaking and the show so good and irreverent and surprising that I became wholly hooked, heart and mind, on those characters. By the end I think it was just stunning, gasp-worthy television.

Michael C. Hall is probably the biggest draw. The show's probably not going to click for those who don't like him or for whom his story doesn't resonate.

Lessee, awards. I don't have one.

(Edited by ejg25 at 9:54 pm on Jan. 7, 2002)

Here's some pics of Amber:
http://www.wireimage.com/Gallery....i

And some of Michelle:
http://www.wireimage.com/Gallery....i

and a closeup of Michelle:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h....15.html

They look so very cute.

Except for Trachtenberg, who looks like Stretch Armstrong. Ten bucks says her limbs and neck are actually made out of silly putty.

I think she's doing pretty well for having gone through puberty in the last year.  Next time I have to be sixteen, I want professionals managing my image too!

I don't think this is just normal puberty... she looked that way all along. In a light wind you can see her head bobbing gently on its stalk.

It looks like Michelle is having her grow four inches in a year stage, couple that with the pressure to stay bone thin and voila Stretch Armstrong!

####, Joss never looks quite composed on camera. He looks so...rumpled in those photos with James and Amber.

I love Rachel Griffiths, and can't wait to see what they do with her on Six Feet Under. (I just got cable so I'm currently rewatcing the first season)

Topic: Award shows pretty much suck. More often then not, I despise everything that wins.

Anyone else watch/watching the Golden Globes tonight? I'm such an award-show ho.

Cate Blanchett is just so breathtakingly beautiful, and that dress is gorgeous and perfect... me wanty. Ditto Carrie Ann Moss' dress, but definitely not hair. Ewan McGregor has the sexiest accent — I'd never really heard his own accent before. And Ben Affleck looks lovely, if sleepy.

Aww, Rachel Griffiths gave the best speech. And kudos to her on using "disparate" in an acceptance speech. Now there's an intelligent woman. I'm so glad she won... And is it just me, or is this one the Globes Down Under? When did all the actors and actresses turn Australian?

"Six Feet Under" won! And now my neighbors are wondering about the loud football yells emanating from my apartment. The best show won... since when does that happen? I love the Golden Globe people. Get down with your recognizing-talent selves.

Also, what exactly were the Oreo people thinking with, "Twist, lick, and dunk with someone today"?

Ewan McGregor is hot like a thing that is hot, even though purely objectively he's not my physical type.  (This is partly due to me being a sucker for a Scottish accent, admittedly.)

Not too many desperately unfortunate choices on the evening wear end, except for Sela Ward with that red thing with the bows.  Watched some of the coverage on E! beforehand, and was entertained by the number of times Joan Rivers misidentified what show someone was on.  (To Christine Lahti:  "So, you're on the West Wing!"  CL:  "Uh, no, I'm not.")  Was surprised by Jennifer Garner's win in the actress category, but I've only ever watched one episode of _Alias_, so I probably can't judge.

Question for the group:  Is it naturally possible to have C cups and ribs showing, or is that, as I assumed, a sign of assistance?  (Which is no skin off my nose, but I was curious.)

Also, is it just me or did the voiceover in that promo actually say "The Count of Monte CrisCO"?

... starring Florence Henderson.

Yes, Sela Ward's dress was a god-awful thing. Looked like there wasn't enough fabric and she had to stretch it... or Boy Scouts were practicing their knots on her stomach.

Joan Rivers and her daughter are the Antichrist (and Unholy Daughter). I wring my hands in glee every time they look stupid or are dressed poorly (which, happily, is always). Joan also told a surprised Andie McDowell that she was in "CSI."

I've never found Ewan McGregor more attractive... or pretty. He's pretty in a feminine way, but it's still good.

Whose C cups and ribs were you referring to, kmm?

Ewan McGregor is pretty in all ways.  Mmmm....

Ahem.  I generally avoid awards shows, but I did manage to catch a bit of People's Choice.  What a horrible, horrible sham of a thing.  I mean, Reba??  Seriously?  Also, they appear to contractually obligate all their winners to end by thanking the fans.  Most of them aren't good enough actors to bring that off as either sincere or heartfelt.  Yick.

Hey, did Moulin Rouge win at the Globes?  That would explain a cryptic IM I received earlier.....

It did. Win something. I'm not sure what, because you can't pay full attention to awards shows or your brain atrophies.

Another thing I forgot. I read an interview with Harrison Ford in "TV Guide" which seemed to allude to him having some bad feelings about the new Jack Ryan movie. And then Ford seemed so stonefaced when Ben Affleck was announcing him... I couldn't tell if it was just Ford being "humble" or a really painful cold shoulder to a young actor who was praising Ford as his hero. I mean, dude, cut the poor alcoholic a break.

And while we're on the subject, I couldn't be more disgusted than to hear about Harrison Ford and Minnie Driver.  I know I have no right to judge, but there's something wrong about that pairing.

Anada:  Nicole Kidman won for best actress in a musical or comedy film and the movie won for best soundtrack.

I was rooting for The West Wing to win best television drama but I really can't judge whether Six Feet Under is better since I don't have the movie channels so I'm not bitter, or anything.  

Even when the people I was rooting for lost, I was generally happy with the people who won (except Sarah Jessica Parker.  Get. Off. The. Stage. Now!) that it didn't really bother me.  I mean, it's not like Calista Flockhart won or anything.

What I like about the Golden Globes is that it does tend to recognize some of the shows that have a younger audience.  I mean, you have Kiefer Sutherland winning as well as that girl from Alias and Rachel Griffith winning for Six Feet Under.  All new shows which have attracted a younger demographic than the stuff you see winning the Emmys.

I am surprised, however, how much respect these awards have earned considering this used to be an award show that paid the winners to attend and the fact is that most of the Hollywood Foreign Press are part-time journalists/part-time waiters.  Within the past few years, though, it seems like this is a good pre-cursor to how the Oscars might go.

I agree about Sela Ward's dress (I thought it would have worked if it were solid red instead of that ridiculous cutting and tying a bow) and I thought Nicole Kidman's hair was awful, as well.  Okay, I am a huge Russell Crowe fan and at least he smiled some this time around but what, he couldn't wash his hair for the event?  He look bedraggled.  Generally, speaking though, everyone else looked nice.  Jennifer Connelly was stunning.  I am going over to the smackdown thread to call her as my girlfriend because not only was she looking flawless but her speech was one of the nicest of the evening.

Overall, this show tends to be more lighthearted and easy-going than the Emmys or the Oscars but this year it seemed a bit subdued and frankly, kind of boring.

Uh, Moulin Rouge also won best Movie:  Comedy or Musical.  Hence, cryptic im's.

When it won my mom and I both hollerred our excitement, scaring the bejeesus out of my poor nephew.

Did everyone catch my boyfriend Ralph Fiennes, who somehow managed to be the only genuinely FUNNY presenter?  Ok, his hair looked awful, but dude!  Ralph Fiennes!  Being *funny!*

Ralph:  ::that deadpan British accent:: My agent told me that if I didn't smile tonight, he'd kick my ass.
(Audience cracks up, Ralph does that, "I'm smiling but my incisors stick out so much it looks more like I'm baring my vampire fangs" thing.)
Ralph:  See?  It's this stiff upper lip thing, hard to get rid of.
(Audience still laughing)
Ralph:  It's not CGI or anything.

Something to that effect.  I'm in love all over again.

eej, I heard that Ford doesn't want to talk about the new Jack Ryan movie because..well we all know the adage about not having something nice to say.  But according to my mother who watched the pre-show, Dick Clark interviewed Affleck who said that he had approached Ford asking for advice, the two actually became friends, and Ford ASKED him to present the award for him.  Which is really surprising, considering Ford's Hollywood friends are George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.

I missed Harrison Ford coming in.  Did he attend with Minnie Driver?

Oh, I don't remember.  One of the women coming in who had one of those dresses where you think her breasts are going to fall out the side.

Theme for the women's wear for the evening was "cleavage to the bellybutton," wasn't it?  Though hey, if you can do it, why not.

Just want to say, the Aussies kicked ass.

Oops! I missed it! I was spending the day on the other side of the state with my giving-birth-any-day-now best friend and her brilliant two-year old son. I figure my time was better spent that way, anyway.

So, anybody do anything embarrassing?

I think Joan Rivers probably won Most Embarrassed By Self. But then she's a ringer.

I'm glad to hear that that wasn't tension between Ford and Affleck... What was it, then? Ford did refer to it as the "Old Geezer Award" in that interview, so maybe he's just ambivalent about the whole thing. Then again, he's always had a flat and dull personality off-screen; maybe that's him ecstatic.

I agree on Nicole Kidman's hair. Her normal look is so beautiful... but that's the thing: women always want to depart from their normal look now and then.

And, mj, don't you know that it took four hours, eight stylists, and six tons of product to get Russell Crowe's hair to look like that? Grease would be good enough for an ordinary man, but not — gasp, swoon — Russell Crowe.

I don't like Russell Crowe. I'm going to take a stand and say that he's not good.

Oh, but he used to be.  I'm just going to suggest that everyone go out and see Proof, or even The Crossing.  Russell Crowe wasn't always the fathead you see before you.  Or, maybe he was, but he didn't seem so fatheaded on screen.  He was also prettier.  mmm....Proooooof.

And very good and disturbing in the notorious Romper Stomper (notorious not only for being banned in some parts of Britain, but in being the catalyst which split up me and an ex-boyfriend after we argued about it).

I get the impression Harrison Ford is having a midlife (okay, 3/4 life?) crisis.  Why else would he think doing another Indiana Jones movie is a good idea?

Yay Jim Broadbent.  Haven't seen Iris yet but he's generally fab.

Does Joan Rivers watch any television besides her stupid fashion awards shows?  I mean, she asked Andie McDowell how she was enjoying the success of CSI, for Christ's sake.  At least Melissa seems to be getting the hang of asking some decent questions besides "who are you wearing?"  And this is the third awards show where I have looked at both Rivers women and thought "she's famous for snarking on what people are wearing and she walks out of the house in that?"

I liked the moment in the pre-show where Ewan McGregor couldn't concentrate on a thing Melissa Rivers was saying because he was too ensorcelled (hee, I watch West Wing) by Halle Berry.  HB did look good, though.  But I was waving my hands "Ewan, honey, I'm over heeerrrrreee." *sigh* He couldn't see me, though.  damn the one way nature of modern television.  Why hasn't somebody fixed that yet?

*looks at spaghetti sauce stain on sweatpants*

*looks at Ewan McGregor in Trainspotting poster*

Perish that thought, mj!  Throw it in a ditch and leave it for dead.

Hee!

Pandrea, what specifically was the argument? You liked the movie and he didn't? He thought it should be banned, etc.?

Oh, and to go farther back, I don't think Ford came with Minnie Driver (and that relationship is news to me, which is such a disappointment, because I'm so plugged in, dahling). She usually dresses to get noticed, and I didn't see her anywhere in the arrivals or during the show.

(OT: Oh dear, well, for those who haven't heard of it, Romper Stomper is a 1992 movie about a group of particularly nasty neo-Nazis in Australia, sort of seen sympathetically from their point of view.  There is a lot of brutality and rape, a lot of racism and it's not clear-cut good vs evil as in American History X (but you can't fault Crowe's performance, though the movie is flawed).  At the time I agreed with people who said that the movie should be restricted because it would be seized upon by Nazi elements and give them credence.  Now, though, I probably wouldn't argue that any film should be banned and have changed my mind somewhat, but then the boy completely slammed over me with the civil liberties, no-censorship-ever-ever-ever line and we had a very awkward public disagreement.  In retrospect, though, I think he kind of wanted shot of me anyway.)

Back to the Globes.  Possibly because of not being noticed enough, I see that Minnie 'Mouse-brain' Driver has decided to start slagging off British actresses for not being pretty enough.  I'm sure Kate Winslet, Kate Beckinsdale, Catherine Zeta Jones et al are weeping into their tea.  Oh, and Minnie?  You're not actually American, yet.  She also reckons Judi Dench is a middle-aged, mothering type who would melt into the crowd in Hollywood.  Except for the Oscars and the acting talent making her stand out, of course, which is not something Minnie will ever have to worry about.  Bah.  Hate her.

Watching the MTV Movie awards.  

I think the first music group to play is on, not sure their name, the lead singer looks like a 16 year old kid.  Anyway, where else besides MTV would you see moshers in costume on the stage as part of the performance?  Crazy.

The White Stripes, I think. Yeah, they must be a joke, right? They pulled some kid out of his basement for a gag. They call that music?

This is just an awful awards ceremony, all around. Everything to do with Jack Black is making me nauseous. Those dancers are ridiculous and annoying. It all just intensifies the awkward paralyzed-presenter phenomenon of any awards show. Say what you will about Natalie Portman, but she and Ewan McGregor were the only presenters who were together and relaxed and natural.

Much as I like all things Osbourne, Kelly isn't ready for primetime.

In fashion news, the George Hamilton look is in, I see. Mandy Moore, Gellar (who has completed her transformation into a Malibu Barbie... plastic, tan, blonde, feathered).

Ewan McGregor is kind of beautiful and sexy, though, isn't he?

Yeah, you can't even tell if it's a boy or a girl ... and you can't hear the words ... they don't write 'em like they usedta.  But the real question is, are they brother and sister (as they claim) or husband and wife (as it's rumoured)?  There's a marriage certificate on the net but is it real?

I can't wait to see this.  I like award ceremonies and the MTV ones have some of the fakiest, hammiest scripted-and-badly-read introductions around.

If you're looking to mock fashion this is the show to watch.  You always get such an odd mix because you've got movie people trying to imitate the edgy musician look that most musicians can't pull off.  

What I really hate about this show is the constant screaming from the audience.  It is so annoying.  I know it's deliberate.  Obviously, if MTV didn't want that screaming in the background (to emphasize how exciting this awards show is), they'd get rid of it but what it means for me is that I have to watch this show in small portions because the high-pitched screams get to me.

I didn't think it was too awful.  They've definitely done worse, that's for sure.  I always kind of like the movie parodies that they do.  While I think Kelly Osbourne needs to spend more time with her voice lesson coach, I thought she had stage presence once she calmed down a little bit.  I did find the fact that Sharon Osbourne was so obviously nervous cute.  And Jack managing to call a cease in the Osbourne sibling war long enough to videotape it was also sweet.  Plus, kudos to Kelly for not lip synching.  That's more than J-Lo and Britney can manage.

One really shallow note:  Didn't SMG used to have breasts?  I mean, I seem to remember a bit of breastage in Season 1.  I know that her weight loss probably has something to do with it but there was that one dress she had on that really emphasized that she has absolutely no cleavage whatsoever.

Yeah, SMG looked awful.  She also seemed to think she was playing a gameshow spokesmodel and not an awards show hostess.  All that gesturing and fake smiling.  Gaah.  

I love Jack Black and loved everything he did.  Honestly, he could read the phone book out loud and make me laugh.

Yeah, this was the first time I felt the Ewan love.  He was fabulous.  Nicole Kidman, on the other hand, looked like a cross between Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton.  I wonder if she had some work done and had to style her hair like that to cover the stitches.  

My favorite part was when Jennifer Garner opened the envelope to announce a winner and her co-presenter Charlize Theron leaned over and read the winner herself.  Way to hog the spotlight, Charlize.  It's okay though.  Jennifer could and should kick her ass.

I enjoyed most of the movie parodies, they were pretty funny but, like ejg, Jack Black really bugs me so that put a damper on the whole thing.  I mean, does anyone besides adolescent boys find the whole Panic Room parody with the bathroom scene comedy?  Maybe I'm just a prude.

I liked the opeing, SMG is a good stage type singer.

I hate the whole rehearsed joke things they do at all award shows though.  Half the presenters think their dumb so they dont' deliver them well.

I did really like Brittany Murphy presenting and doing the whole "I know but I'm not going to tell" psycho thing.  Such a cutie.

Arrival Pictures!!

I didn't watch it. But I didn't realize that The White Stripes were that well-known outside of Detroit. Evidently, Rolling Stone named them "one to watch" or something. I've never actually listened to their stuff, but I was aware that they were around because of EW. I'm less into the Detroit music scene than I am the Detroit video couch. Plus I don't really listen to the radio that much anymore.  For the record, you'd be hard pressed to find any Detroit publication that would refer to them as siblings. That they're ex-husband and wife is the accepted fact around here. I am going through a weird "anything goes" musical phase right now, so I might check them out.

I suppose the show will be re-run this weekend?

They're ex-husband and wife?  That's even weirder.  They're pretty big in Britain with the indie crowd, them and The Strokes were the two biggest American bands to break through last year and the NME music paper has been charting their 'relationship' or whatever it is with some fascination.  In fact there was so much hype, that it ended up in the tabloids with headlines like 'Is this band the future of rock and roll?'  They're not my favourites, but they're cute with their red and white clothes.  It's basically blues, old man blues, but with a slight alternative twist.

And, uh, I guess they got some kind of award at the MTV thing, and hello topic, there you are.

I quite like The White Stripes, better than fellow Next Big Thing The Strokes, honestly.  

Unfortunately, I don't get MTV, but from the AIM chat, the whole thing sounded pretty funny.  Hello topic my old friend.

I don't recognize at least half of the people in those arrival photos. I feel old.

I'm looking forward to watching this, and got it recorded, so I can fast forward through the boring parts. I typically like the redos of the movies, and I dig the low-brow humor Jack Black puts out- he can make me laugh by just turning his head and coughing.

I think it's great that SMG did this, and I think it will signify her willingness to have more fun in the industry. I think she looks great in the photos I've seen.

Mj, I'm pretty damn sure Kelly was lip-synching. And it was really her stage presence — or lack thereof — that bothered me. Whatever it is that even all those shuffly rock-star types have, she doesn't.

I'm with you, Veda; thought that Panic Room sketch and most of the others were vulgar and stupid and not funny. And I agree that Kidman's hair was too sheepdoggy.



It's like you've already seen it.

I enjoyed Kelly Osbornes performance. I think given that we've just seen her on their show as a whiny 17 year old kid, it would be really hard for us to see her performance as a serious rock singer type, no matter how good she was.

Personally I enjoyed it, but I did have a hard time seeing it as something other than letting Ozzy's popular kid go on stage and perform because of who she is.

Am I the only person who doesn't have a problem with Jennifer Garner being nominated for an Emmy? She must work her ass off, being in almost every scene, and being more physically active than any other actress in any other show. I think she works harder than SMG does, and right now I think Garner's the better actress; she seems fresher, at least, with new emotional material, while it feels like SMG is recycling Buffy's emotions on-screen.

That's inspired me to go and find out who in the world Jennifer Garner is... Back when I've found out.

Meanwhile: Yay for Six feet Under being this year's West Wing! And also yay for West Wing!

ETA: aaah... I've never seen Alias, that's why I've never heard of her. But I have no problem with her on principle, Boliver, so you aren't the only one.

Man, I'm delighted with this year's nominations. A lot of it is the usual blind idiocy, but Peter Krause and Michael C. Hall! If they could only arrange for both of them to win it. It should get best drama series, too. And Lauren Ambrose and Lili Taylor and Freddy Rodriguez... this is too great. I wonder if any other ensemble show has ever gotten every single one of its major actors nominated. And I'm also really happy that Dule Hill got nominated; it's a little odd, since his best work was in the first season, but I think he's the best actor on the show and way underestimated. And I'm happy about the Mark Harmon nomination, as he was really the only thing I enjoyed about The West Wing this year. And good for John Stewart and James Lipton.

The comedy nominations are crap as usual. Not only is it just business as usual, but Undeclared was the best comedy of the year. However, if you're canceled, the industry and the Emmys forget about you. Andy Richter was stupid and unfunny and didn't even deserve writing recognition.

I don't think Jennifer Garner or Alias are Emmy material. It's a fun show, but it's fun cotton candy. Victor Garber, I can see. And possibly Ron Rifkin or John Hannah (mmm, John Hannah).

I didn't watch the VMAs last night. Did they really boo Eminem? Hee! most of the things that guy says make me embarrassed to be a Michigander.

I only saw the end of the VMA's so I didn't see Eminem perform. However, when he accepted an award he came out and was like "Grr, I have anger management issues, I'm trying to control myself. This award means a lot. Thanks" and left. Very strange.

Did anyone else think the quality/lighting/camera work of the show made it seem like you were watching a movie, rather than a live performance? I found it very odd.

And wtf was with the Justin from N'Sync doing this Michael Jackson impression? And what was with Michael Jackson himself? Or Axel Rose?

All very very odd moments. I felt like I was watching a parody of an awards show and not the real thing.

I missed that? Oh, well... I suppose I only had an intention of watching it half-assedly. Was Jimmy Fallon funny?

I gather that Michael Jackson gave a heartfelt thankyou speech for an award that didn't exist and wasn't being given to him. How great is that? I knew there was a reason I should watch these things.

Yeah - apparently Britney told him he was Artist of the Millenium, and gave him a birthday cake. He then said thanks for the award as Artist of the Millenium and gave parts of his nose to the front 10 rows of the audience.

Okay - that last part wasn't true, but it could have happened.