I was right where all the action was at the Emmys [1] last night, and it was totally exciting to be in the press room [2], chatting with the winners and watching the ceremony. Yet, as fun as that experience was, I felt like this year they somehow sucked a lot of the fun and energy from the show. At times I almost (almost) found myself wishing for Ryan Seacrest's Tudors costume [3] of yore. Check out what I thought was in, as Heidi would say, and what was owt:

• I really enjoyed that little montage of all the actors saying famous TV lines, and I thought it meant promising things for the rest of the intro. Sadly, it was followed up by the five hosts taking the stage and uselessly telling us that they didn't plan anything and then William Shatner ripped off Heidi Klum's clothes. Awk-ward.
• Speaking of awkward, I'm a huge fan of Ricky Gervais, but his whole bit with trying to get Steve Carell's Emmy went on for so long and almost felt a little too real at times. For a moment or two I wondered if Carell was truly ticked off. I was grateful when that bit was over.
• There seemed to be quite a few technical difficulties/strange decisions on the production end, from cutting away from Kirk Ellis's speech [4] to having the microphones go silent when Vanessa Williams tried to introduce the nominees for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama.
• I must say, however, that I am very glad they did away with the theater-in-the-round thing that they tried last year. So, improvement points there.

For more of the best and worst — and there is some positive stuff — .

• The "Sock it to me" bit made me cringe, a lot — partly because it was obvious that something unfortunate was going to befall the person saying it, partly because very few people managed to pull off an amusing reading of the line.
• On the other hand, I did appreciate the idea of recreating iconic sets. Wouldn't it have been cooler if the whole show had been done from the Seinfeld diner, the Simpsons couch, etc.?
• One of my favorite moments of the evening: Mary Tyler Moore introducing "our eternally 'golden girl,' Betty White!" I love both those ladies, and it was sweet to see them onstage together. Well, it's always sweet to see Betty White.
• Another favorite moment: Sally Field calling Tom Hanks "son," and Hanks calling Field "Mom." So cute!
• And Best Speech goes to. . . Tina Fey. She was funny, smart, self-deprecating and gracious. In general I was so happy to see all the awesome Tina Fey love at this year's Emmys.

Source [5]