Emmys Renovate to Increase Viewership
Prime Time Emmy Organizers Plans More Entertainment, Less Handouts
Aug 2, 2009
The 2009 Primetime Emmy Awards may have increased their number of nominations from five to six for major categories, but they are taking away the number of televised award winners. Scheduled to air on September 20, 2009 on CBS, Emmy planners are finding ways to make the show more interesting after last year's Emmys, hosted by all five outstanding reality show host nominees, became the least watched in its televised history.
According to Variety, organizers are remaining mum about the details of the changes, but promises that it will include highlights from the past year, more time for host showmanship and will include some kind of interactive element into the show such as text voting for favorite shows.
Viewer Interest
A poll by the TV Academy of Arts and Sciences show that viewers tuned away from past Emmy shows after lack of interest. The Academy also conducted research on home viewers who were more curious about what happened in between award presentations and during commercial breaks. Since there is less of an audience for cable shows, viewers are merely amused about winners such as Mad Men, Flight of the Conchords or Weeds because they are less likely to watch it.
Hosting Duties
Neil Patrick Harris has become in demand after critics applauded him after hosting both the TV Land Awards and the TONY Awards. Funny and Charismatic, Harris proves that he has the ability to carry a three-hour show, unlike last year. The Acadamy thought it would be entertaining for five nominees to share hosting duties in 2008: Ryan Seacrest, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Tom Bergeron and Jeff Probst. However, reality hosts do not translate well to award show hosting making it the least watched Emmy's in their 60 years.
And the Nominees Are...
30 Rock leads the pack with a record 22 nominations including best comedy series, best comedy actress for Tina Fey and best comedy actor for Alec Baldwin followed by 16 nominations for AMC drama, Mad Men. Family Guy is nominated for Best Comedy Series, a rare nomination for an animated series. HBO original movie Grey Gardens starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange earned 17 nominations. Fey is also nominated for her impression of Sarah Pain on Saturday Night Live. Justin Timberlake is also nominated for his role in SNL as host. Farrah Fawcett, who lost her battle with Cancer in June, is posthumously nominated for her documentary, Farrah's Story. For a full list of nominees, visit www.emmys.com/nominations
Viewers and critics are sure to tune in this year to see how well the plans have been executed. With Neil Patrick Harris as host and more focus on entertainment, the 2009 Primetime Emmy Awards may grab an award themselves - most watched award show.
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