#EMMYS: “BEHIND THE CANDELABRA” WINS BIG AT 2013 PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS

HBO’s Behind the Candelabra walked away the big Winner at the 65th annual Primetime Emmy Awards tonight, handed out at Nokia Theatre tonight in Los Angeles.  The Ceremony was hosted by Neil Patrick-Harris who entertained the Audience with song, dance and laughter.

With 15 nominations and a total eleven wins, the TV Movie directed by Steven Soderbergh  won top honours of Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series.  In addition to wins in several other categories like Outstanding Single-Camera Editing, Sound Mixing, Hair, Prosthetic Makeup, in addition to the coveted Outstanding Lead Actor in TV Movie or Mini-Series, Michael Douglas was recognized for his widely-praised portrayal of Liberace.  Upon accepting his Award, he was sure to thank his Wife Catherine Zeta-Jones (recently separated) and also his Co-Star Matt Damon, stating to him, “You really deserve half of this. You want the bottom or you want the top?”, poking fun at their on-screen Gay Romance.

Winning for Outstanding Comedy and Drama Series respectively were ABC‘s Modern Family (this year receiving its 57th Emmy nomination and fourth consecutive win in the Category) and AMC‘s Breaking Bad (its first win in four nominations in the Category).

Breaking ground, Netflix Original Series House of Cards was recognized as the first-ever Internet-based Series to win an Emmy, victorious in the Category of Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series.  It also won for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series and Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series too.  Its two Stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright however, despite being nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress in a Drama Series, each lost in their categories to Jeff Daniels (The Newsroom) and Claire Danes (Homeland).

Recently passing away, both Cory Monteith and James Gandolfini each were honoured by their Co-Stars at the Awards with heartfelt Tributes tonight, the former by Jane Lynch and the latter, Edie Falco.

For a complete list of Winners, click here.

(Photo credit: CBS/Associated Press)

FAREWELL, “30 ROCK”

After seven epic seasons including six Golden Globe wins and ten Primetime EMMY Awards, NBC‘s 30 Rock said farewell tonight in an hour-long Finale.  Despite  a continual slip in ratings, acclaim never stopped pouring-in for the Series-within-a-Series Sitcom which debuted in October 2006.

Despite the laughs tonight, there was an underlying current of emotion beneath the Humour.  We  saw an often-quiet Lutz (John Lutz) finally have a Blow-up over what the Crew would have for their final Lunch (he insisted on Blimpies), Jenna (Jane Krakowski) capping everything off with a stirring rendition of the Theme Song to a fictitious Legal-Thriller she starred in prior, named The Rural Juror and of course Liz tying-up loose ends with both Tracy (Tracy Morgan) and Jack (Alec Baldwin).  “I love you too, Jack“, says Liz to Jack after he fumbles to say so in a long-winded Speech aboard a Boat, before having a Eureka! moment in which we learn his next big idea – See-Thru Dishwashers.  They even flash-forward and we see Page Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) running the ship as Liz‘s mixed-race Great Granddaughter pitches a Series to him, while Spaceships fly outside the windows of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

Over the years I had the pleasure of meeting many of the Cast Members of 30 Rock as they came to Toronto for various reasons. Some came to promote their Books, some came for Stand-Up Comedy, some came to film, some came to sing – a perfect Snapshot of just how diversely-talented this Cast was. Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of meeting Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey, but one can always hope!

Farewell, 30 Rock. Thanks for the laughing fits.

xMr. Will

(Photo credit: NBC/Mr. Will Wong)

#SPOTTED: JACK MCBRAYER IN TORONTO FOR “WRECK-IT RALPH”

Funnyman Jack McBrayer is in Toronto for a long-overdue visit in support of his latest Film, Wreck-It Ralph for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada.  The Funnyman known best for his work as Kenneth Parcell on NBC‘s Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe-winning Comedy Series 30 Rock, arrived yesterday after doing a round of Press in New York City  and met some Fans on MuchMusic‘s New.Music.Live last night.

This morning he did the rounds including visits to KISS 92.5 and also CityTV’s Breakfast Television (watch his appearance here). McBrayer was super-nice to stop and greet Fans with a bit of time to spare this morning at CityTV.  Billy even jumped-in for a Photo, staying just enough out of potential Fashion Crisis‘ way, careful not to shed onto his Black Sweater!

With 30 Rock soon concluding after seven v. successful seasons, McBrayer can next be soon in Savannah and Movie 43 alongside an All-Star Cast which includes the likes of Kate Winslet, Emma Stone, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Naomi Watts, Anna Faris, Gerard Butler and many more.  He also has been cast in Disney Animated Series, Wander Over Yonder in the Lead Role of Wander.

Wreck-It Ralph has McBrayer voicing the Character of Fix-It Felix in the Animated Feature about a Video Game Villain – the Titular Character – who wishes to change his ways with the help of Felix.  Featuring also the Voice Work of Jane Lynch, Sarah Silverman and John C. Reilly, the Film opens Friday, November 2, 2012.  Watch the Trailer here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)