The 44th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
((Sun. (30), 8-11:32 p.m., Fox))
Overlong show was summarized by Garry Shandling at the end when he allowed as how he'd like to "get the hell out of here."
As entertainment, the opus was not magnum, but like most such rites, it did offer poignant moments, as when Beau Bridges, accepting a golden girl for "Without Warning: The James Brady Story," pointed out wheelchair-bound Brady in the audi, or when Hume Cronyn, accepting an award for "Neil Simon's 'Broadway Bound,' " said, "I did my first television show 53 years ago. You see, all it takes is a little persistence!"
Acceptances, which as usual mentioned the loving hands at home, were sometimes wryly amusing. Supporting actor Richard Dysart noted his thanks and, pulling a list out of his pocket, supposedly dismissed the rest of the names. And Candice Bergen thanked Vice President Dan Quayle when she picked up her top award.
Acts flopped, as when an actress playing an oddball audience plant plunked herself down first next to Burt Reynolds, then to Roseanne Arnold. Presenter Richard Lewis wandered off into regions far from the Academy in his moment onstage.
Rosie O'Donnell, after too much talk, grabbed a laugh when she noted how much she thrills over the category she was award-presenting: electronic lighting direction. Electronic lighting directors may not have laughed.
Presenters Susan Dey and Jay Thomas played off one another in superior fashion.
Jerry Seinfeld was a hoot describing what race horses might be thinking, and presented awards to writers of seg from his show -- writers Elaine Pope and Larry Charles, whose words he read aloud--good comedy bit.
Candice Bergen remarked, as she presented the Governors Award to Ted Turner, that "through his own determination and without using a single vowel," he created a series of TV venues.
Confined to a wheelchair because of a stroke, Robert F. Lewine came onstage in an effective moment to receive the Syd Cassyd Founders Award for his service to the Academy.
Program, written by Buddy Sheffield and Bruce Vilanch, went on too long so that final awards were rushed. Opening dance, number finishing with a gag, was staged by Lester Wilson.
Colorful production was designed by Leo Yoshimura, with Tracy Marsh-Nejame acting as art director. Patrice Rushen was the on-target musical director, and Gregory Sills was supervising producer.
Choreography, Lester Wilson; production design, Leo Yoshimura; art direction, Tracy Marsh-Nejame; musical director, Patrice Rushen.
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