Episode 6 - Emmys, ‘Runway,’ And General Misanthropy
Title: Emmys, ‘Runway,’ And General Misanthropy (September 3, 2010)
Linda retakes her seat as the host (“a long national nightmare is finally over”) and begins the discussion of the 2010 Primetime Emmys. The panel praises host Jimmy Fallon’s cold open featuring various TV personalities singing and dancing to Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run.” They discuss the way the show flagged somewhat due to the slog of uninteresting categories in the middle of broadcast as well as the inappropriateness of some nominations.
What Is Making Them Happy
Glen - Comedy Bang Bang née Comedy Death Ray, a comedy podcast by Scott Aukerman. He makes a special shoutout to Paul F. Tompkins who comes on as a guest playing Ice-T, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and the Cake Boss.
Trey - Trey recommends an independent South African roadtrip comedy called White Wedding. He particularly enjoyed the surprise inclusion of Brenda Fassie’s song “Vulindlela” and he talks about his special fondness for South Africa and its culture.
Stephen - Stephen started early with his condemnation of things with high approval ratings, including Betty White, Sully, The D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival, and joy. It’s no surprise, then, that he has nothing making him happy. Instead, he begins the Stephen Reads a Book project. He asks the audience to send recommendations of books that are “longer then Goodnight Moon but shorter than Green Eggs and Ham.”
Linda - Linda praises season 8 of Project Runway for coming back stronger after a string of so-so seasons. She goes on to praise Tim Gunn and the way that his participation in the show has deepened.
Some Episode Highlights
- “I spent the summer hosting with a bunch of high school students.” Linda is referencing their previous discussion of Brett Favre.
- List of celebrity cameos in the cold open: Cast of Glee, Tina Fey, Kate Gosselin, John Hamm, Betty White, Jane Lynch, Jorge Garcia, Nina Dobrev, Joel McHale, and Tim Gunn.
- During the cold open discussion, Linda mention’s Kate Gosselin’s Dancing With the Stars experience (link to Youtube). As described by Stephen, “She moved with the live grace of a piece of luggage.”
- Stephen wins the Glen Weldon prize for Most Obscure Reference with The Slap Maxwell Story vs. Hooperman.
- The Closer’s Kyra Sedgwick’s acceptance speech for her win was described by Glen as, “cool and patrician.”
- Stephen recommends a comedy show by Tom Scharpling called The Best Show on WFMU during Glen’s Making Him Happy segment.
- The small resurgence of bubbly, unironic fun as opposed to the arch cringe-comedy that has dominated for the last few years (30 Rock, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Seinfeld). Linda ties this to Jimmy Fallon’ success as an effective awards show host.
- Stephen talks about hanging out with Keith Phipps, Nathan Rabin, and Tasha Robinson from The A.V. Club, the entertainment offshoot of The Onion which he founded.
- During Stephen’s discussion of his conversation about the meeting of the Juggalos, they play Insane Clown Posse’s “Boogie Woogie Wu.” (Warning: extremely creepy clowns)
- “Tim Gunn’s superpower is that he’s right. He’s always right.” - Glen Weldon
- Tom and Lorenzo’s wonderful recap of the Casanova diva meltdown on Project Runway, as discussed by Glen.
