Show Bits brings you the 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards through the eyes of Associated Press journalists. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.
___
OMG! KIMMEL HIJACKS TWITTER
So this is how time-wasting celebrity rumors get started.
Emmy host Jimmy Kimmel instructed people to go on Twitter and Facebook and write something along the lines of: “OMG, Tracy Morgan just passed out at the Emmys. Turn on ABC right now!” as a prank, just to see how quickly the information would spread (and inspire new viewers). Morgan, who was in on the gag, complied.
And, true to the pack mentality that develops instantaneously on social media, untold thousands of people actually did this. Many others simply read the words “Tracy Morgan” and “passed out” and thought Morgan truly had passed out.
Even Stephen Colbert (at)StephenatHome and Rosie O’Donnell (at)Rosie got in on the action, which prompted thousands more retweets.
Morgan was committed to the act, though: Not only did he lie down on stage, he actually stayed there through the commercial break and was hauled away, rambling to himself.
_ Christy Lemire _ Twitter: https://twitter.com/christylemire
___
CRYER IS NOW TOP DOG
The changing of the guard is complete.
Jon Cryer truly was shocked to win an Emmy Sunday in his first outing as a nominee for lead actor in a comedy series.
That category used to belong to Cryer’s former “Two and a Half Men” co-star Charlie Sheen. But with Sheen famously dumped from the CBS program, Cryer was elevated to top dog status.
“I will be impossible to live with,” he quipped backstage after collecting his award. “I will be brandishing this regularly.”
Cryer said he figured Jim Parsons of “The Big Bang Theory” would repeat as the winner.
“Clearly `Big Bang’ is just at the top of its game right now and unfortunately he’s not gotten any worse,” Cryer said. “I just did not think this was going to happen, so I apologize for my speech.”
_Beth Harris _Twitter https://twittter.com/bethharrisap
___
KAT’S CURVES
It’s a happy fact of life for male viewers that “Mad Men” star Christina Hendricks and “Modern Family” star Sofia Vergara are, well, curvy.
And their curves were on ample display at Sunday’s night Emmy telecast.
But the night’s big surprise: Kat Dennings in a gown that exposed much of what had only been hinted at in her “2 Broke Girls” waitress uniform.
Her bustline had viewers’ jaws dropping and tweeters madly tweeting.
_ Frazier Moore _ Twitter https://www.twitter.com/tvfrazier
___
NO BOW TIE FOR KEVIN COSTNER
Kevin Costner went against the bow tie fashion trend at this year’s Emmy Awards, sporting an open collar look that at least beat the searing heat on the red carpet.
The nominee for lead actor in a miniseries or movie for “Hatfields & McCoys” kept his arm around the waist of wife Christine Baumgartner as he arrived for the show. Asked to describe her gown, Costner said, “I can’t wait to go home and close the door.”
Stephen Colbert whipped out a blotting paper to make the sweat on his upper lip disappear before facing the throng of TV cameras.
Christine Baranski of “The Good Wife” shimmered under the relentless sunshine in a gold-and-silver sequined short dress. She eschewed a gown, saying she didn’t want people stepping on it all night.
“I tried this on and it rocks,” she said.
_ Beth Harris _ Twitter: https://twittter.com/bethharrisap
___
QUICKQUOTE: STEVEN LEVITAN
“I’m a little bit in shock, to tell you the truth.” _ Steven Levitan, who won for directing, comedy, for “Modern Family”
___
STONESTREET WON BUT WHO ELSE WON?
Eric Stonestreet was the first Emmy winner of the night, and the first backstage at the trophy table, but the suspense was still killing him.
“Who won? Who won? Who won the next award?” the “Modern Family” star kept asking as he claimed his statuette for best supporting actor in a comedy.
_ Sandy Cohen _ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/APSandy
___
ZOOEY NAILS IT
Zooey Deschanel played up her “adorkable” persona on the Emmy red carpet with a quirky, sparkly manicure featuring television sets on her thumbnails.
The silver, gold and black accessories were a huge hit on Twitter.
A photo of an (at)ZooeyDeschanel digit was retweeted 964 times and favorite 1,135 times as of this writing. They were the work of nail technician Tom Bachik (at)RedCarpetMan.
Glamour Fashion called it “the mani we’ve been waiting for!” The “New Girl” star, who was a presenter Sunday night, is famous for her red-carpet nail numbers.
_ Christy Lemire on Twitter: https://twitter.com/christylemire
___
A MAD MAN MOMENT IN EMMY LOBBY
It was life imitating art just off to the side of the red carpet outside the Nokia Theatre entrance as “Mad Men” newbie Ben Feldman caught a smoke.
The resourceful first-time nominee discovered a corner tucked away from the scads of cameras and celebrities that was the perfect spot for a quick pre-show cigarette.
Unfortunately, there weren’t any bottles of scotch nearby for him to wash it down with, but just inside the lobby of the Nokia Theatre attendees were lined up at the concession stand for $10 cocktails.
Feldman’s “Mad Men” leading man Jon Hamm held court on the other side of the lobby, attracting a line of attendees who wanted a photo with the veteran nominee.
_ Derrik J. Lang _ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang .
___
MOMS GOT THEIR DUE FROM THE RED CARPET
Moms weren’t forgotten on the red carpet.
Rico Rodriguez, young star of “Modern Family,” brought his mother as his date, presenting her to the world as “the beautiful ma-ma.”
The pair were even featured in a prerecorded bit that tracked their progress in a limo from home to the Emmycast.
And earlier Stephen Colbert, while being interviewed with his wife at his side, took a moment to phone his 91-year-old mom on his cellphone to say hello.
“I’ve shouted at her `We’re on ABC!’” he told interviewer Josh Elliott.
_ Frazier Moore _ Twitter https://www.twitter.com/tvfrazier
___
A RED CARPET PROPOSAL
One Emmy attendee used the red carpet for more than just walking _ he got down on one knee and proposed to his date.
Security initially tried to shoo him off, but saw him reaching into his pocket for a ring and let the moment happen. With throngs of people cheering, he presented the ring and received a kiss, and presumably an answer “Yes,” as those nearby applauded the mystery couple.
_ Anthony McCartney _ Twitter https://twittter.com/mccartneyA
___
EVEN CELEBRITIES SWEAT
With temperatures topping 90 degrees on the Emmy red carpet, the stars were doing everything they could not to let you see them sweat.
“Dancing With the Stars” host Tom Bergeron sucked down a bottle of water as he walked the carpet. Others clutched hand fans and discreetly dabbed their brows as they made their way into the Nokia Theatre.
Ashley Judd of “Missing” went a different route, toting an umbrella as she sashayed between interviews.
_ Anthony McCartney _ Twitter https://twittter.com/mccartneyA
___
FROM 1 JIMMY TO ANOTHER
Jimmy Fallon is playing musical chairs at this year’s Emmy Awards, in more ways than one.
The 2010 Emmy host, interviewed on the red carpet, noted he has passed hosting duties on to another Jimmy this year, name of Kimmel.
As a result, Fallon said, he doesn’t even have a ticket to the 2012 show.
“But Clint Eastwood said he was going to save me a chair,” Fallon cracked.
His advice to this year’s Jimmy: “Don’t make out with Betty White. There’s cameras everywhere and you’ll get caught. And definitely go to Honey Boo Boo’s after-party, cause that’s gonna be where it’s at.”
_ Frazier Moore _ Twitter https://www.twitter.com/tvfrazier
____
SEEING STARS ON THE RED CARPET
At the Emmys there’s the red carpet and then there’s _ well _ the other red carpet.
As the main red carpet fills up, security tries to keep the line moving by directing the big stars down the carpet where cameras are lined up to film them and entertainment journalists are waiting to interview them.
Meantime, the less famous are directed down a parallel red carpet closer to the fan bleachers.
“Please continue walking,” security guards continuously say.
Sometimes they’ll also give a gentle nudge to someone on the B-list red carpet who lingers too long taking pictures of the folks on the A-List red carpet.
_ Anthony McCartney _ Twitter https://twittter.com/mccartneyA
___
QUICKQUOTE: JESSE TYLER FERGUSON
“It’s so warm I thought a nice flannel tux would be appropriate.” _ Jesse Tyler Ferguson of “Modern Family” on the Emmy red carpet.
___
GETTING THE STARS’ ATTENTION
“Jesse Jesse Jesse!” the crowd chants trying to get the attention of “Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson. He obliges with several waves to the bleacher crowd.
Before the first stream of stars arrived on the Emmy Red Carpet, a show producer told them to “make everything personal” if they wanted to get their attention.
It may take several chants, but the stars often answer with a wave, a smile or the occasional fist pump.
_ Anthony McCartney _Twitter https://twittter.com/mccartneyAP
___
KEEPING COOL IN THE FAN BLEACHERS
Fran and Elmer Armstrong are awards show veterans, joining throngs of fans for at least their sixth Emmy Awards Show on a sweltering Sunday afternoon.
The retired St. Louis couple’s quest for a front row seat in the fan bleachers beside the red carpet began when they lined up outside the Nokia Theatre around 7:30 a.m. Sunday. As the day progressed, and temperatures rose, they hung in there, cheering as the cameras from E! Entertainment television filmed pre-show segments.
“Goodbye Giuliana,” 70-year-old Elmer Armstrong shouted to anchor Giuliana Rancic as the E Entertainment crew wrapped up.
With temperatures topping 90 degrees, he and his 71-year-old wife were like many in the stands _ trying to keep cool with water and wet paper towels. At least this year’s stands are shaded. Elmer Armstrong recalled one year when fans were forced to sit in the blazing sun.
That’s not the only change to this year’s fan seating _ a tall wall keeps fans from glad-handing or even getting autographs from cooperative celebrities.
Elmer Armstrong remains at the ready, however _ keeping his digital SLR camera and telephoto lens handy to get shots of the stars.
_ Anthony McCartney _ Twitter _ https://twitter.com/McCartneyAP
____
EDITOR’S NOTE _ Show Bits brings you the 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards through the eyes of Associated Press journalists. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.