...and no Community.
The day after the Emmys, the media drools all over the glamorous winners and the first-time trophy holders with exuberant thank-you speeches. But I'd like to draw your attention to another major player at the Emmys. One who never quite made it into the spotlight, but was dancing on its cusp through the whole Emmy ordeal.
Joel McHale, your valiant efforts did not go unnoticed.
The star of Community was all over the Emmys except for the winner's circle or even the nominees' circle. But even though he didn't have to bite his nails in anticipation of earning his first Emmy, he did all his chores with a smile and in good spirit.
Let's start almost two months ago, before the nominees we even knew who was up for what award. McHale, along with Modern Family's Sophia Vergara, woke up at the buttcrack of dawn to announce the nominees--a job that's been typically rewarded with an Emmy nomination. McHale was not nominated. Vergara was. It was a bit of a slap in the face.
Last year, The Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons and Grey's Anatomy's Chandra Wilson read off the nominations. They were both nominated. The year before that, Pushing Daisies' Kristin Chenoweth and How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris announced the nominations. They were both nominated. And the year before that, The Closer's Kyra Sedgwick and Two and a Half Men's Jon Cryer gave us the scoop on nominations. You can guess what I was going to say next. The last time a host of the nominations announcement wasn't given an Emmy was in 2006, when Brad Garrett handled the duties. But Garrett wasn't even on a show at the time. His co-host, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, was nominated.
Cut back to yesterday, and guess who is out there dancing with the cast of Glee, Jimmy Fallon, and Tina Fey in the questionable opening of the Emmys? It's Joel McHale.
Then we see McHale, with his Community classmates, leading the way in a series of hilarious adverts for Infiniti that played during the ceremony.
And finally, when it's McHale's turn to present an Emmy, he's trotted out alongside... Survivor host Jeff Probst? Everyone else got to run out with some super smokin' hot babe, and McHale gets Probst? Totally weaksauce, man.
All this in the face of Community--arguably the freshest network comedy on television--getting zero Emmy nominations.
Obviously the presentation was an NBC affair and McHale was probably just doing what he was told, but he deserves a shout out to know that his efforts were recognized.
Follow TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
Comments (37)
Now that BBT is opposite Community, the only way it won't get canceled due to poor ratings is if it gets better critical reception (of course, these days that isn't enough as well).
Yeah IndianaMom I'm upset with CBS moving Big Bang Theory opposite of Community. Say what you want about NBC with the Conan scandal but in the last 20 years they have put out shows like Seinfeld, Frasier, Friends, The Office, Chuck, 30 Rock, ER, etc....while CBS put the same rehashed sitcoms and crime shows. I honestly think that CBS is an "Stupid Persons HBO." Other then Big Bang and Dave why is this America's Most watched network?
will this comment drop an old one?
interesting :)
Much love to Joel McHale! We love you!
It's SoFia.
Thanks for the article I am Joel's biggest fan adore Community and worship at his feet and he so should have gotten some recognition for his work the only award I agree with this year is Jim Parsons win!
I feel so Happy for Brayan cranston and Aaron Paul I think they well deserved the emmy , they did an amazing job on breaking Bad , I love them and their show . I felt so so so so Bad for Lost specially Terry , Matthew Fox and Michael Emerson I hoped that at least one of them could win , I predicted that Terry would win for his amazing job at portraying 2 different characters at one time , He was brilliant playing John Locke and the villain MIB . I feel really bad that Lost ended and walked empty handed ;(
It was great to see True Blood being nominated I hope they could win next year . Also I hope True Blood's cast could get nominations next year and win too . I wished that Breaking Bad would win Best Drama series this it is 10 times better than Mad Men . Also I hoped Lost "The End" or Breaking Bad "One minute" would win best directing or writing .
I don't watch big bang theory but I was happy for Jim for winning best lead actor in Comedy :)moreless
Great article -- damn straight! Joel, you have class, and it's just a matter of time before your amazing talent is recognized by all. We love you!!!!
He is the definition of a gentleman. I still think he should have presented the "best reality competition" award at least. /Somebody/ at the academy must not like him...
Yes, Joel Mchale, should have been nominated hes awesome!
Community got better and better throughout the season. It should have been nominated in place of The Office, which is past its prime. It should be getting more respect this season, except The Big Bang Theory will be airing opposite it. That's a travesty for which I won't easily forgive CBS.
I agree with your praise of Joel McHale and Community. It was great to see him in the opening, and also the rest of the cast of Community on the commercials. But, to call the opening "questionable?" What is your question? I thought it was great!
Could not agree more with this article. I have thought all the same things you wrote about from the moment he and the show were snubbed at the nominations and he had to endure all the awkwardness of everyone around him being congratulated, then being told, "Hey, better luck next time." And even then he was such a great sport. And when he walked out onstage during the telecast with Jeff Probst while every other male presenter was paired with an actress...I mean, can this guy get crapped on any more? But he took it all in good grace like a true professional. I do believe he will get his due. He is a true class act.
Agreed, Community and Joel was snubbed, but the emmy's are over ad nothing can be done about it now. However there are a few positives that can be taken out of this, 1) Nurse Jackie does not belong in the Comedy Category, similar to Desperate Housewives, which was nominated for best comedy it's first year, and hasn't been there since, I can see happening to Nurse Jackie, leaving the door open for Community Next Year. 2) Tony Shalhoub will not be there next year allowing McHale to take the spot he should've had this year. 3) McHale has shown how classy he is by sitting back and not complaining about the academy and participating the opening and commercials during the show. Hopefully that will be remembered for next year, and he will get is due. Because he deserves it.moreless
Yeah Joel and let's not forget Danny Pudi both got screwed by not getting a nomination, I'm a huge fan of both these actors, granted neither of them would have won (Jim Parsons is amazing as well as Eric Stonestreet) they should have both deserved a nomination. Let's see what happens next year. Although if this year Is an indicator of anything, both of them will probably get snubbed in favor of a new actor on a new comedy show.
I agree completely with everything you said about Joel McHale. He is one of the funniest guys around - remember his "soup" show? - and Community is absolutely hysterical. It's such a shame that he or his show wasn't nominated. It's just not right, but maybe one of these days...
Community is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than like Modern Family, and I thought that the Community ad for Infinity was pretty funny. Community snubbed imo and so did Joel McHale. They should've at least been nominated.
Joel McHale is the man, bottom line.
Everyone complains about "Community" and their lack of nominations. "Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia" has been one of the funniest shows on television since its premiere. The episode from last season "The Gang Wrestles for the Troops" was so funny, it even had a pitch perfect cameo by Rowdy Roddy Piper that made it even funnier, it was painful to watch. Yet, it has never been recognized by Emmy. Emmy sucks and the crappy ratings bear out that assessment.
glee is NOT funny. It is entertaining, the songs are great but it's not funny dammit
God dammit Community was better than Glee(totaly sucks and is not such much of a comedy) or Modern Family(good show)... And Joel McHale definitely deserved a Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series nomination... SCREW EMMY !
Community is better than Modern Family is so overrated.
dident watch the Emmys but after reading that i have to agree Joel got shafted, he is great in community and deserved to be treated better
oh yeah, and Glee sucks.
Community was the best new show of the year, better than Modern Family IMO
I wouldn't go so far as to say that Community is better than Modern Family...because it's not. But I do really love the show and especially Joel McHale. He is so talented and funny. I think he would make a really good late night talk show host. He's more funny in real life than when he's acting funny.
the emmys suck but joel totally deserved AT LEAST a nomination. community has to be one of the better comedies out there.
In my mind, Joel McHale was the best part of the show last night. I almost didn't watch because of Jimmy Fallon hosting. Here's an idea for next year's Emmy's: if you don't nominate Joel McHale, at least give him the hosting gig. Now THAT I would definitely want to see!
Community and Joel McHale seriously deserved some nominations. It sort of seems like the Office just got nominated this year because to leave it out would be out of the norm. Season 6 went from decent quality to poor after about 8 episodes. Community on the other hand was consistent and funny the whole season.