"Sorry, sorry, sorry."
Renly murmured apologies as he maneuvered through the seats, finally locating his dark red chair with his name affixed to the backrest. The start of the award ceremony was less than five minutes away.
Earlier outside, Renly unexpectedly encountered Hugh Laurie, and they had a delightful conversation. Hugh, also a Briton, had graduated from Eton College and Cambridge University, just like Renly. Hugh's field was archaeology and anthropology. He chose to make his mark in Hollywood and gained international fame with "House". They had plenty of common ground to discuss.
Especially when Renly mentioned that Hugh was an impressive singer with a raspy voice, humming soulful blues tunes, the two appeared to regret not meeting earlier. Unintentionally, they lost track of time.
Inside the Nokia Theatre, Hugh, a long-established actor, was seated in the front row, while Renly, a fresh face in the industry, occupied a seat towards the middle and back.
After taking his seat, Renly removed the nametag from the backrest and leaned over to his right, where Rami was sitting. Rami half-jokingly remarked, "Did you charm someone? Are you in a fling? You're late."
James, seated to Rami's right, leaned over as well, his expression filled with anticipation. Renly couldn't help but chuckle. "I was just chatting with Sofía. How's that?" James rolled his eyes in response, muttering something about "handsome guys being popular." Clearly, his attempt to strike up a conversation with Sofía didn't go well.
Rami hesitated, unable to discern if this was a joke. Renly offered a faint smile and nodded forward. "The ceremony's starting."
Turning his head, Merritt Johnson, the screenwriter of the TV movie "Temple Grandin", was seated to Renly's left. Renly courteously nodded in greeting, and Merritt returned the gesture in a friendly manner. Then both of them gazed forward because as the stage lights dimmed, tonight's grand event was about to begin!
Watching an award ceremony was an interesting affair. The suspense of the winners was one aspect, observing the reactions of the attending guests was another, and of course, the variety of live comedic moments couldn't be missed. That's why the hosts were so crucial. They weren't just emcees; they should also enliven the atmosphere.
Jimmy Fallon's hosting this year had been well executed. The tension and excitement of being there in person were magnified tenfold compared to watching on television. Even if the award didn't concern oneself, nervousness couldn't be avoided.
In the fierce contest for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Hugh Laurie had received his fifth nomination but once again missed out, the third time he lost to Bryan Cranston, who achieved a three-time Emmy reign with "Breaking Bad". Fate seemed to be at play. Renly couldn't help but feel regretful for Hugh.
Also facing defeat were Michael C. Hall from "Dexter" and Jon Hamm from "Mad Men", both nominated for the third consecutive time but continuously falling short.
Just this one category, as the winners were announced, the mingled feelings of joy and regret gripped all the attendees, providing them with a rollercoaster of emotions.
Similarly, the battle for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series was brimming with excitement. Alec Baldwin, who had clinched the Emmy for the past two years, was still a strong favorite this year. "30 Rock" had won the Outstanding Comedy Series award for three consecutive years, and Alec was poised to vie for a three-peat.
However, this year he faced formidable competition from Matthew Morrison of "Glee" and Jim Parsons of "The Big Bang Theory". The former was from last year's most-talked-about new show, while the latter had become the kingpin of comedy ratings. And of course, nobody could forget "Steve Carell", who had been nominated for the fifth consecutive year for his role in "The Office".
In this fierce competition, Jim Parsons emerged victorious. He not only claimed the title of Emmy's Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for the first time, but also thwarted Alec Baldwin's dream of a three-peat, and handed Steve Carell a fifth consecutive defeat.
It had to be said that tonight's Emmy Awards were truly exhilarating. The battle for Outstanding Drama Series primarily revolved around shows like "Mad Men", "Breaking Bad", "Dexter", "The Good Wife", and "Lost", while the competition in the comedy category was thrown into chaos with the emergence of the new show "Modern Family". There was no clear favorite among shows like "30 Rock", "The Big Bang Theory", "Glee", and "The Office".
In the blink of an eye, the award ceremony was halfway through. Even if it couldn't be deemed thrilling, it was filled with ups and downs, captivating the audience's attention.
"Which award do you feel the most regretful about?" During the intermission, Renly, Rami, James, and the others grouped together to fulfill their physiological needs in the restroom. Curiosity piqued, Rami asked.
Renly didn't hesitate much, promptly replying, "Hugh Laurie. Absolutely."
"But I think Bryan Cranston was truly outstanding!" James countered.
"Of course, no one can deny that," Renly nodded affirmatively. "But besides him, is there really no one else worthy of recognition? Hugh Laurie deserves an Emmy, no doubt." This was an honest opinion, not influenced by their previous conversation.
Renly noticed Rami gesturing at him with his eyes. He turned around to see Michael C. Hall, who had a playful smile. "Carry on, I'm not part of this conversation. Don't mind me."
Michael's self-deprecating humor, which hid a subtle jab, left James and Rami somewhat awkward. However, Renly remained composed. "Everyone only has one chance to vote, and each award has only one winner. That's what makes awards precious, isn't it?"
There were no apologies or defenses. Instead, he candidly reaffirmed his viewpoint. Michael chuckled in response, "Hehe," and extended his right hand, teasingly remarking, "Besides, I'm an observer without voting rights." So, the previous conversation didn't count, and it couldn't influence the outcome.
Michael burst into genuine laughter, gripping Renly's right hand, and jesting, "Cunning fellow."
Seeing Michael off, all three of them discreetly wiped their brows, including Renly. "Is this what it feels like when we're caught gossiping behind someone's back, just like in "Gossip Girl"?" Renly sighed, prompting not only his companions but also those around them to burst into hearty laughter. Someone nearby quipped, "This is the men's restroom. If you want gossip, turn left at the next corner." The women's restroom was located there.
Rami and James simultaneously turned to face the source of the voice, raising their middle fingers in response, igniting another round of merriment in the restroom.
Attending such a grand event as observers might bring a sense of disappointment, as everyone wished they could be contenders for the awards. However, it held a unique pleasure—a mix of excitement, frustration, regret, exhilaration, and thrill. This blend showcased the awards ceremony in a distinctive light.
For Renly, this experience was novel. Not only because he had never attended such a party in his previous life, let alone grand celebrations like concerts, but also due to the rush of emotions after being nominated. The roller coaster of emotions, alternating between excitement and apprehension, inevitably affected him. Additionally, it was his first time stepping into the spotlight of the fame and fortune world as a participant. Everything was tumultuous, stimulating, vibrant, and bright. Whether participating or observing, winning or losing, each individual's perspective presented a different hue of the awards ceremony.
Shortly after the second half began, the awards for the Mini-Series and TV Movie categories were presented. The competition this year was particularly fierce, centered around "You Don't Know Jack" and "Temple Grandin".
The former, directed by Barry Levinson, who had previously worked on "Rain Man", raked in nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor, Outstanding Supporting Actor, and two Outstanding Supporting Actress awards in the acting categories alone. The star-studded cast included top-tier names like Al Pacino, John Goodman, and Susan Sarandon. The show was leading in momentum before the Emmy Awards.
The latter was an autobiographical film directed by Mick Jackson, known for "The Bodyguard". It had received critical acclaim after its release and garnered multiple nominations, including Outstanding Lead Actress, Outstanding Supporting Actor, and Outstanding Supporting Actress. The film relied on performances and emotions to tell its story. Claire Danes, David Strathairn, and Julia Ormond's performances were highly acclaimed. They were undoubtedly the favorites for the evening.
The results affirmed this. "Temple Grandin" triumphed in both the Outstanding Supporting Actor and Outstanding Supporting Actress categories, defeating the powerhouse "You Don't Know Jack" as well as notable actors like Kathy Bates, Susan Sarandon, and Michael Gambon, who were at an Oscar level. It was a delightful surprise.
Following that, in the competition for Outstanding Leading Actress, Claire Danes unquestionably defeated seasoned actors like Judy Dench and Maggie Smith, securing the victory and continuing the absolute dominance of "Temple Grandin" for the evening.
"You Don't Know Jack", which had been touted to sweep the awards, suffered a major setback and lost across the board. It was not a favorable outcome. Next up was the award for Outstanding Leading Actor. It was undoubtedly one of the most certain categories for "You Don't Know Jack". Al Pacino received unanimous praise, with many expecting him to clinch the Emmy for the second time after Angels in America in 2003!
However, the competition this year was intense. Jeff Bridges was considered the strongest contender. Despite his three-decade-long presence in Hollywood, luck had often eluded him. He had finally won his first Oscar at the beginning of the year for "Crazy Heart". This time, he was nominated for Best Actor for "A Dog Year", riding on a wave of well-deserved recognition after many years.
Moreover, "You Don't Know Jack" had suffered consecutive defeats in several previous award competitions. This did not bode well. Suspense suddenly surged skyward!