The Emmys: So much right, so little wrong

OK, who are you and what have you done with the Emmy Awards? Last night was such a good show, from the opening Glee number to the hosting by Jimmy Fallon to almost all of the awards that were handed out that at the end of the broadcast (which was on time, btw) I half expected to find Bobby Ewing in my shower. All a dream! All a dream that Kyra Sedgwick finally won! All a dream that Modern Family rocked the house! All a dream that Jim Parsons now has a statuette! Edie Falco, big part of the dream!!!

But no. It was not a dream. It was all real, and thank you, academy, thank you for finally busting out of whatever hideous rut you were in and making some excellent choices.

Let's start from the beginning. When it became immediately clear that they were going with a Glee opening, I groaned. Actually out loud groaned. How obvious, I thought. But you know what? It was FABULOUS. The choice of Born to Run; the stars who participated (Tina Fey, Kate Gosselin with an actual sense of humor, Jon Hamm, Betty White, Jane Lynch, Hurley, I think the chick from Dollhouse, the dude from Community). When Tim Gunn came out I laughed out loud and when Randy Jackson appeared playing bass, I roared. Bravo.

They split the show up into its genre categories. By 8:47, we had blasted through comedy, giving awards to Eric Stonestreet (Cam in Modern Family), Jane Lynch for Glee, Jim Parsons for Big Bang Theory and Edie Falco for Nurse Jackie. All of those were so richly deserved (and what tough competition).

In the reality genre, Top Chef finally knocked Amazing Race off its Emmy throne. That was fine with me too. The year-in-reality montage was great.

In drama, Aaron Paul finally got an Emmy for his amazing portrayal of Jesse on Breaking Bad. I really can't argue with that, although Terry O'Quinn certainly deserved it as well for a mind-blowing final season as John Locke on Lost. And Archie Panjabi got the Emmy for her great role on The Good Wife as the hot and mysterious investigator. Bad speech though. "Great for my career"? Ouch.

Bryan Cranston snagged his third straight for Breaking Bad. You know I wanted Kyle Chandler or Michael C. Hall in this category, and maybe it's time for Cranston to pull a Bill Cosby and take himself out of the running to give the other guys a chance.

Kyra Sedgwick finally got the recognitition her Brenda Leigh Johnson deserves! Yay!

Then Jimmy sang farewell to 24, Law & Order and Lost. I had no idea Jimmy Fallon liked to sing so much.

Ahhh. And then Ricky Gervais arrived, like he always does, with that little smile, knowing that he is going to slay me. He is upset there is no liquor at the Emmys, and notes that there is no one in the crowd who will get drunk and cause trouble. Like, Russell Crowe. Or Mel Gibson. Oh, he says, I'm not going after Mel. He's been through a lot. (Pause). "Not as much as the Jews, to be fair." Genius.

Then he presents the Emmy for variety show directing, and he hopes the winner is someone named Bucky Gunts, who directed the Vancouver Olympics opening ceremony. "I hope it's Bucky Gunts, because I did not know that you could say that on TV," he notes. "We're all Bucky Gunts." And then the winner is ... Bucky Gunts, and Ricky is so happy.

And really, Hollywood? You had to show your liberal media bias and give the best variety show Emmy to Jon Stewart again? You could not throw Conan one little bone?

George Clooney, who was earlier very funny in a Modern Family skit, received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award. He makes a good point about not forgetting the need once the cameras are gone. Happy 5th anniversary, New Orleans.

We get to mini-series and movies, and I've only seen two of these, including the Temple Grandin movie on HBO, and so I'm glad it won all that it did because it was really good. Claire Danes looks like she is 50 years old.

Al Pacino wins for playing Jack Kevorkian, and Jack Kevorkian was in the audience. I thought he was dead.

The Pacific, which I also saw, won best mini-series. Well-deserved.

Then Tom Selleck announced that Mad Men won best drama, and honestly, that almost wrecked all the good feelings I had built up over the last three hours, and then Ted Danson, looking like the Ghost of Christmas Present, announced that Modern Family had won best comedy, and I was almost all right.

What did you think?

America's Got Talent? Well, some of them anyway

So last night was the beginning of the end on America's Got Talent, and really, after all that - all the cities, all the auditions, all the buzzing, all the Howie - this was the best they could do?

I actually agree with Captain Germaphobe, when he said at the conclusion of the rather boring two hours that two performers stepped up delivered. As for the rest, well, as I like to say: meh.

I thought Michael Grimm did a somewhat good job with a song that required very little talent (You Can Leave Your Hat On, performed with overweight strippers in the background). At least he had tonality, and at least he made the notes. Oh, and the whole IV thing always adds drama.

The other one who was great - and may be a dark horse in this competition - was Prince Poppycock, who was wise enough to leave the opera behind and go mainstream with Bohemian Rhapsody. He really did give ol' Freddie Mercury a run for his money and that was terrific.

As for the rest - like I said, meh. Future Funk is cute but honestly, they can't dance. The fire magician is seriously the biggest fraud I've ever seen. That Goth magician was so lame I actually felt bad for him. The boy singer Taylor and the girl singer from YouTube and the cystic fibrosis sisters were all so off key that again, they evoked feelings of pity.

Even my sweet kite boy, Connor Doran, who was brought back by Howie in the wild card round, was disappointing. I'm not sure why, since I love that Fireflies song and I love that kid, but it was, dare I repeat myself? - meh.

The rock wall dancers were also not as good as they have been. And really, that woman needs to stop weeping.

As for the electric band nerd guys, well, I just don't get it. And I certainly would not pay money to watch them.

The ballroom dancers are quite good, but honestly, they creep me out. It's like they are 65 years old, trapped in tween bodies. Like in Cocoon.

I watched this show with my parents and sister last night since we are all on the Cape together, trapped in a monsoon, and their beloved Red Sox were finally, mercifully rained out. For two hours I endured endless mocking for being a fan of AGT. I guess based on the quality of last night's performances, the mocking was deserved. What did you think?

So You Think You Can Dance: They are all winners! No, really. They are.

OK, that was the best performance finale in the history of reality television talent competitions. And as prone to overstatement as you know I am, you know I'm right about that.

We open last night's show with the montage, the journey, the freaks and geeks and losers and those who at the time made us swoon but now we can't even remember their names. And then we get to it. Tonight the three finalists are each doing FOUR dances, which even by SYTYCD torture standards seems extreme. I expect there are IVs and oxygen tanks all over backstage.

Kent and all-star Lauren get Bollywood to start and I'm all, meh, because I am so over Bollywood and I still have the upsetting image of Billy's gay pride Bollywood from a couple of weeks ago burned into my brain. Luckily, Kent is wearing boy clothes and the story behind the dance is about a boy and a girl getting married - or something. Anyway, it's actually fun to watch.

Then Lauren and Twitch have a Nappy-Tab hip hop routine that is a presidential debate. I am not making that up. It is FABULOUS. Seriously. They turned a debate into dance. Lauren is so fun to watch with Twitch.

Robert and Mark get a Tyce jazz routine set to Devo. It's far more Frankie Say Relax than it is Whip It, but it is oddly mesmerizing, in part because they look like the same person.

Kent is interviewed by Cat, and then solos. I love Serious Solo Kent. I love his "finish line" bit at the end.

Then Lauren and Robert do a lovely contemporary with a pillow that is, well, honestly it's soothing. I feel at peace while watching it, and after the week I've been having, that's saying a lot.

Then Kent and Lauren have a Mandy Moore jazz routine that is really a Dork Duet, and the judges are correct that it is Mandy Lite but it is ridiculously fun and I love it. So there.

Robert's interview and solo. He really has turned into a different person over the course of this show.

Kent and Allison do a gorgeous Stacey Tookey contemporary about a couple breaking up and it really is breathtaking. Breathtaking. Kent is so overcome at the end, for real, I think, that this is the moment when whose who were on the fence about him are deciding they are going to text their brains out for him. Really magnificent. "I just want to dance." For once, Cat does not spoil the moment.

Lauren interview and solo. I am a fan.

Then Robert and Kathryn do this great Spencer routine that is very Basic Instinct on Kathryn's part and it is great. Great, great, great. Holy cow does she have legs. Robert too. Very hot.

Pasha and Lauren do the cha cha and really, I hope he was wearing a condom during that because I don't care what anyone says, they were having sex. Sex, sex, sex. She is strong and athletic, but she is so hot when she needs to be. She says she can't understand why the choreographers always want her to be a man eater. Honey, it's because they can see down into your soul, and you ARE a man eater. You're just too nice to know it.

Kent and Robert close the show with some sort of South American gangster dance that is part Argentine tango, part paso doble, and part World Wrestling Federation. It is fantabulous.

And then we are done, and I am sad because this season has been killer, killer, and I don't want it to end. I did not vote for anyone because who wins tonight is really a decision for King Solomon. I love all three of them. I think it will be Kent, but like Nigel, I'll be happy with whoever it is. How about you?

Friday Night Lights: Thanksgiving, indeed

Last night was the network season finale of Friday Night Lights on NBC. Our friends who have DirectTV already know how the gang in Dillon fared, since they saw it last fall. For my cable friends who have yet to catch the episode because they were out enjoying last night's spectacular summer evening, stop reading now. Starting in the next graph, there are spoilers galore.

OK. Seriously. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose? My eyes were full last night, friends, full and then brimming over, as storyline after storyline was wrapped for what is likely this drama's penultimate season.

I want to get to the most emotional one first, our dear sweet Tim Riggins, but I'm going to save that for last, because that's what seems like the right thing to do.

So let's start with football, OK? The Cat Collision or the Cat Crash or the Cat Fight, whatever they were calling the Lions vs. the Panthers, the ramp up to the big Friday night game - the day after Thanksgiving - that was all great. Vince's self-doubt, Coach Taylor's super-steely resolve, Luke, the continuous shots of the pillaged Lions' field, the Thanksgiving morning practice. Fabulous.

And then the game. Tanker's touchdown hearkened back to Coach Taylor's Hail Mary days during Season 1, when Dillon won the state championship. Bringing Luke in. Landry and the failure followed by the epic success. I guess I knew in my heart that good (Lions) would triumph over evil (Panthers) but still ...

Now let's have Thanksgiving. The awkward dinner hosted by the Taylors, which was like The Ragamuffins Get-Together, was solidified beautifully by Billy's even more awkward "toast," which was really an apology, to Mindy and most especially to Tim, for being the big dumb stupid loser that he is. You could watch the wheels turning in Tim's head through this entire episode, a testament to Taylor Kitsch's acting ability.

Matt comes back, makes amends, Julie makes the first grown-up decision of her life, and Landry finds a way out of town. Poor Landry. I know in Chicago he will meet the right girl.

Jess loves Vince, Vince loves Jess, Vince succeeds at football, Vince's mom is clean. But I'm guessing there's more trouble around the corner for these folks.

Tami doesn't sell out, she finds a way out, Mr. and Mrs. Coach will be working together again, they are awesome, awesomer, awesomest as a couple, God I love them. I was worried for them this season, but strong and silent prevailed.

And then Tim. Dear sweet Tim, who always does whatever his friends or his family need him to do; the king of stepping up to the plate and then somehow stepping in something bad on the other side. No matter who it's been, Jason, Lyla, Tyra, Matt, Billy ... Tim does the right thing. Last night, he sent himself to prison so Billy could be with his family.

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose. Full eyes, clear hearts, can't lose. Amen, Friday Night Lights. Amen.

So You Think You Can Dance: Bye, bye Adechike

Last night's So You Think You Can Dance reinforced all my beliefs of this season - except one - and underscored my desire to smack Mia Michaels in the head. Except now I'd like to use Tyce D'Orio to do it. Seriously, can those two just go back to junior high and start over?

The one belief I have that got a tad shaky last night during the Top 4's performances is that the final two will be Lauren and Kent. Of course it will be Kent (and he will win) but now I'm not so sure about Lauren. After Robert's two great dances last night - and the judges' near unanimous swooning every time - I'm thinking the gangly "prince" might just be giving Lauren a run for her money.

Of course tonight we will say goodbye to Adechike. The judges tolled his bell after his second performance, and his tearful and heartful expression of gratitude showed that he knows it too ... and is fine with it.

While I agree that it is an excellent top 4, I did not think it was excellence across the board last night. Let's review, shall we?

We open with a group Tyce Broadway number - Guys and Dolls, except there was only Lauren. Meh.

Then Lauren and Pasha got a tango choreographed by a skinny and shiny couple, both of whom may have been named Leonardo. This dance was sloooooooow. And while I agree that it was great the way they were locked into each other, I sort of started equating sloooooow with booooooring. Judges swooned. Pasha is so hot when he dances and so not really hot when he just stands there. Kind of like Ellen Barkin.

Then we see what Lauren was like in high school, which is exactly like she is now.

Adechike and Lauren (all-star version Lauren) get an Afro-Jazz-Caribbean routine. The first half is OK, the second half is better and Mia again makes up a new word during her take-down of Adechike: "celebrational." Mia: You are an idiot.

Robert and Anya get a Viennese waltz choreographed by my beloved Jonathan Roberts from Dancing with the Stars!!! What!!! Yes!!!! Jonathan has put on a few pounds since DWTS, but he works magic with these two. As hot as I did not think Lauren's tango was, I think this waltz is. A hot waltz! Have you ever heard of such a thing? Fabulous.

Then we learn that Robert thinks his dumb stepdad is hilarious and he lives with the manly Channing from season 6. It's a small world.

Kent and Courtney get a Doriana Sanchez disco routine, and this worries me because I'm not sure Kent can do this. Luckily, Doriana dumbs it down a bit in terms of the insanity (which Nigel calls her out on) but there is still enough death-defying stuff to make it fun to watch. That last spin when he had her on his shoulders was something.

Then we learn that Kent is very Ohio and once loved soccer.

Lauren and Ade get a Sean Cheeseman jazz routine and all I can say is holy crap. Holy crap to her outfit. Holy crap to those moves. Holy, holy crap. That was amazing.

Adechike and Kathryn get a Desmond and Dwight routine and we certainly know this was not an accident, since Adechike has already told us Desmond is why he dances. It is nice they did this for him, and it's nice that Double D choreographed their routine just for Adechike. It's kind of a mess, but in a good way. I could watch that guy jump all day long.

Then we learn that Adechike grew up in a Spike Lee movie, and it was tough.

Then Robert and Dominick get a Nappy Tab routine that involves angry clowns. FABULOUS. Seriously. How great was that? Magnificent. This is why I think Robert might squeak his way into the finale. He is peaking at the right time.

When we think it can't get any better, Travis Wall does a a contemporary for Neil and Kent that is the closest man-to-man dancing ever on this show, and yet it is so masculine as to be breathtaking. I love this about SYTYCD this year - the embracing of same-sex dancing. This routine is spine-tingling. And luckily for us, it renders Mia wordless.

So, I have been saying Lauren and Kent for weeks, but now I'm thinking Robert and Kent, and of course Kent is going to win, win, win. What do you think?