Ariana DeBose was in the house, but the Emmys tonight were no Tony AwardsNot that the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards were lousy, they were certainly not.
However, bereft of the real razzle dazzle of Broadway’s big show back in June and the seemingly inexhaustible exuberance of Oscar winning host DeBose, the Kenan Thompson fronted show on Monday made the small screen feel just that bit smaller in its lack of real ambition.Already dimmed due to this year’s broadcaster NBC moving the ceremony to Monday again to keep the high stakes season opener of Sunday Night Football on schedule, the uneven 2022 Emmys never really found its own unique voice or footing, to put it bluntly.Let’s be clear, avoiding any glaring mishaps as have befuddled the Oscars and others of late, tonight’s ceremony, was a thoroughly acceptable awards show.
Perhaps it is the tone of the times we live in where every day leaves many of us exhausted that saw the 2022 Emmys pin stability as its North Star.
Unfortunately, in going for the middle of the road, the result ended up simply lacking exceptionalism – which is a missed and opportunity with the quality of talent in the room and up as contenders.Having said that, the heart stopping Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series acceptance song and speech by Sheryl Lee Ralph certainly set a new standard of excellence and passion for award shows across the board.
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