From The Hollywood Reporter · Daniel Fienberg · · 1m 20s
The Emmys ran short, so two pals vamped
An awards show with time to burn at the end is a rare problem, and the 78th Emmys handed it to the two guys least likely to panic.
In brief
An awards show with time to burn at the end is a rare problem, and the 78th Emmys handed it to the two guys least likely to panic. When a telecast needs someone to fill dead air on live TV, pick presenters with rapport and no shame, not a script. Originally reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Hargitay hosts the 78th
Mariska Hargitay fronted the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, a telecast that lurched through its running order and ended in an unusual bind.
Short, not long
Heading into the final category, the show had time to spare instead of time to cut. As the critic dryly notes, that never happens.
“this is a thing that has never happened before, so it's a strange hypothetical”
The closers were a gift
Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson were the night's last presenters, which turned a producer's nightmare into a blessing.
Pals, possible siblings
Years of friendship and collaboration gave the two an easy chemistry, plus a willingness to look silly that most stars do not have.
“The longtime pals, collaborators and possible siblings have an undeniable rapport and a total lack of shame.”
Told to go vamp
Point them at a live camera with no script and they can babble for five or ten minutes without flinching. That is a real skill.
“Go out there and vamp”
No regrets by morning
The other half of the skill is amnesia. Neither one is likely to wake up replaying what he said, which is exactly why it works.
“there's almost no risk that they're going to wake up in the morning and feel any regrets”
In short
When a telecast needs someone to fill dead air on live TV, pick presenters with rapport and no shame, not a script.
