On TV

After the Emmys

Post TV Columnist Lisa de Moraes was online Monday, Aug. 28, at 2 p.m. ET to provide post-Emmys analysis of the winners, losers and Conan O'Brien's jokes.

De Moraes has written "The TV Column" for The Post since 1998. She served as the TV editor for the entertainment industry trade publication the "Hollywood Reporter" for almost a decade.

A transcript follows.

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washingtonpost.com: Lisa will begin today's chat in 15 minutes.

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washingtonpost.com: We are still having techinical difficulties at washingtonpost.com. Lisa will be online in a few minutes.

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Washington, D.C.: What was going on with Paula Abdul? She looked drunk as she stumbled away from her red carpet interview!

Lisa de Moraes: Hi. She didn't look much more together at the HBO party by about midnight. Pretty dress, though, and that's all that matters..

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Columbia, Md.: Why in the world were we subjected to Conan O'Brien AGAIN. He isn't funny, never has been funne and never will be funny. Conan will be the death of The Tonight Show when Leno leaves.

Lisa de Moraes: See, I love Conan and am looking foward to Conan on Tonight show since it can't be much worse than it is with Leno at the desk. I loved Conan's opening bit last night, though it was pure Billy Crystal-hosting-Oscars ripoff.....

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Ann Arbor, Mich.: Do the reporters who cover tv get to dress up like it's Prom Nite All Over Again too, or is it sweats and tennis shoes for you guys?

Lisa de Moraes: Men were almost all in tux. Women were horrifying mix of Fredericks of Hollywood slutty gowns, nice gowns and cocktail dresses and one woman in pant and a shirt with a man's fedora on her head. Think the press room needs a more clear dress code -- like the one they had at the trade paper I used to work for -- "No nightclub wear at the office, etc." -- which I will remember til the day I die it was so funny.

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Hypothetic, Al: You can choose one hunky Emmy attendee from last night to sweep you away on his limo. Whose ride are you in?

Lisa de Moraes: I don't go for "hunky." I go for "interesting" every time and the ONLY interesting person last night -- at least backstasge -- was Jeremy Irons. Jeremy Piven was extremely amusing, but he would of course consider himself to be prettier than me, so that would not be a fun evening.

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Lisa de Moraes: Oh heck, and you gotta think those are the good facelifts. Apparently it's an art form that has yet to be perfected... On the other hand, maybe there is good work being done and that's the stuff you aren't noticing. Still, you'd think folks with pots of money would go to the best and some of the results on rich folk here would frighten small children.

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washingtonpost.com: Emmys Crash Skit Called Insensitive AP

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Lisa de Moraes: Absolutely not. I know I suffer from acute non-PC-ness. But of course the skit was created long before the crash. If I lose a relative tonight should all references to stroke victims be wiped from the TV landscape lest I be offended? I think people need to put things in perspective and stop with the bashing where absolutely no offense was intended. If they'd made jokes about that crash, sure I'd think it was in poor taste. But it was CLEARLY a reference to the show "Lost" and absolutely nothing more.

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Washington, D.C.: What are your thoughts concerning the controversy over the skit by Conan O'Brien? It was obviously filmed days if not weeks ago as part of a several minute film clip to start the show. I can't begin the understand the inconsolable grief of family members who lost loved ones in a plane crash, but is the network irresponsible for running that clip? I myself never made the connection and I find it hard to believe that any family members of the crash victems would be watching an award that evening.

Lisa de Moraes: Apparently you and I are in the minority...

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Del Ray, Va.: Is it just me, or is Conan O'Brian a human Woody
Woodpecker in a tux? Maybe it's the hair...

Lisa de Moraes: Yes, he's also visually amusing. THe whole package. He should host the Oscars next, only I don't think he's ever been in a movie. Someone give him a cameo in a flick asap, like Jon Stewart.

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Pittsburgh, Pa.: It was very sad to see the tribute to Aaron Spelling - in terms of the obvious estrangement of his wife and daughter. I guess that since my family is so close, I can't imagine not being on speaking terms with my own mother. What a shame.

It was nice to see the original "Charlies Angels" together again, though. Kate Jackson looked fabulous, but jeez, Farrah looked a bit "worn".

Lisa de Moraes: From where I sat, Kate and Farrah looked pretty stretched but Jaclyn Smith looked nice....

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Alexandria, VA: I'm the "24" fan who still questioned Kiefer's "scream and whisper" approach as real acting. Guess I should just shut up and enjoy. Does it come back after football as usual?

Lisa de Moraes: You bet and according to the producers last night it will pick up around 2 years -- maybe a little less, they said -- after this season's finale, Jack Bauer haven't taken, the said "the slow boat from China."

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Hugh Laurie in Person?: Hi Pookie --

Your blog gave the impression that Hugh Laurie was not exactly to die for in person (and, speaking of people who are apparently wonderful in person, I was thinking of you when Ron Livingston took the stage). Say it isn't so!

Along the same lines, did you like his french bit with Helen Mirren? I thought it was cute, but was disappointed I didn't get to hear his yummy accent -- hearing it prerecorded over the nominees didn't cut it for me.

Lisa de Moraes: He's starting to make me tired. Not clever at parties. I'm crying buckets inside.

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Boston, Mass.: In your opinion, what was the biggest surprise last night?

Lisa de Moraes: No kidding I was absolutely shocked at the stupidity of the questions asked in the press room. There are about four "reporters" who get a stranglehold on the microphones and don't let go; one of them said to every single female presenter and winner who came back stage "you look gorgeous, who are you wearing and how did you choose that dress?" and it was the ONLY question that "reporter" ever asked. Another asked every single person "What was the best advice you ever gave an aspiring actor/actress" or, a variation on the them, "What was the best advice you ever received" and that was the ONLY question that "reporter asked. No one appently felt the need to have done ANY homework on the nominees or the presenters to ask more interesting questions. It was mind numbing.

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Columbia, Md: Do the reporters who cover tv get to go to the cool parties after the show and if so, which ones were worth attending?

washingtonpost.com: Post-Emmy Revelry

Lisa de Moraes: The HBO party was great, because it was set up with an idea that people might want to talk to each other and many of their winners turned up -- and they were an interesting crop of people including Helen Mirren, Annette Benning, etc. People mag and TV Guide had parties at which I saw few Emmy winners, and they were jammed with people who'd not attended the Emmys, didn't even know who'd won, and were just there to see Prince or Pink for free. Those were pretty dull....did not make the other parties.

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Baton Rouge, La.: Best acceptance speech of the night: Was it Jeremy Piven, Greg Garcia, or Helen Mirren?

Lisa de Moraes: Greg Garcia, hands down...

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Ashburn, Va.: I saw Simon get booed when he was introduced. Do you think people genuinely dislike him, or were they kidding?

Lisa de Moraes: I think people were joking if that actually happened. Backstage we had to listen to what was going on on-stage through earphones which weren't great, so I didn't catch things like that....

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San Luis Obispo, Calif.: In the South Park segment of the introduction, who is the Bruce still in the closet?

Lisa de Moraes: it was Tom Cruise, or did I just dream that?

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Worse injustice . . . : Alan Alda over The President from 24 (Gregory Itz-something?) OR Tony Shaloub over, well, everyone else in his category?

Lisa de Moraes: It's time for them to retire Tony Shalhoub from the competition. It's gotten very very old.

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Intro Montage: Pookie, it sounded like the audience reaction noise had been sweetened during that incredibly inappropriate plane-crash intro. Please tell me that the audience was shocked into silence at the unbelievably poor taste, or better yet, that they cheered wildly because they hate Americans.

Lisa de Moraes: Like I said, I was backstage, listening through earphones and watching on a flatscreen at the front of the cavernous room so details like that were totally lost on me.

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Burbank, Calif.: I heard that the only reason Kelly Macdonald won over Ellen Burstyn was because Jack Palance read the wrong name off the card. Is that true?

Lisa de Moraes: I wish....

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Rockville, Md.: Gillian Anderson needs to fire her stylist. I know she is pregnant, but that dress was horrible!

Also, regarding face lifts, what I love is when they have their faces all nicely nipped and tucked they leave their skin below the neck untucked and wrinkly! Some looked like leather for skin, but the face wrinkle free!

Lisa de Moraes: That's why God gave us turtleneck sweaters and shirts....

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Cubeville, USA: How hot was it in the auditorium last nite? Steve Carrell looked sweaty, Steven Merchant didn't wear a jacket and Simon Cowell looked like he came from a bad 70's movie.

Lisa de Moraes: I was in an enormous tent into which they were pumping air that was so cold we were freezing back there. I think some of the people in the audience got very overheated during red carpet arrivals. YOu sould read Bill Booth's fab coverage of the red carpet in our paper or on our dotcom. It was hot, hot, hot out there.

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I lost to Barry Manilow!: I was bummed beyond belief at the Colbert loss...but it may have been worth it to produce that line. I assume Barry will soon be on notice!

BTW - people need to lighten up on the KY plane crash/Conan gag. He obviously taped it without knowing about it and he obviously meant no disrespect to the victims. There are far more greater things for people to get outraged over.

Lisa de Moraes: Ah, another member of the Non PC club. And yes, Colbert's loss was worth it to get his hilarious bit screaming "I Lost to Barry Manilow!"

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SFU: OK, I admit it. I'm totally in the tank for "Six Feet Under" -- I loved that show, and I thought the series finale was spectacular. I realize that it wasn't necessarily a huge night for shows that have gone off the air, but COME ON!!! Alan Ball was totally robbed!

On a totally different subject, was that Tori Spelling in the audience during the freaky Aaron Spelling tribute? Did Kate Jackson go a little overboard with the Xanax or what?

Lisa de Moraes: I missed Tori, don't know if she was there, but did catch Candy Spelling weeping into her hankie during the tribute. I'm sorry to say I chuckled, which I know is terribly wrong.

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La La Land, Ca.: LdM -

Okay, Conan was magnificent last night, best awards show host in years.

That said, what was NBC thinking? Leading off with a plane crash sequence on the same day that a plane crash kills 50 in Kentucky. Can you say, poor taste? I'm no Emmy-worth editor, but couldn't they have cut out that scene right after Conan says to the stewardess, "What could go wrong?" and then just have him wash up on shore? The opening was great, but I fear the plane crash part will obscure the rest of the act.

Bonus points for skewering La Cruise, too. Don't believe ol' Tommy boy will be visiting Late Night anytime soon.

Lisa de Moraes: Sorry, but I disagree with you. Loved the whole intro and think NBC made the right decision....

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Washington, D.C.: Keifer Sutherland? He only has two lines in each season, and he whispers them both: "There's isn't time," and "I have to do this alone." If he had a third line, or had to modulate the volume, would he get a Nobel Prize?

Lisa de Moraes: He had a third line I thought -- "People are going to DIE!"

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Rockville, Md.: What did you think of Blythe Danner's speech and the numerous Emmys given to shows that were either ending or being cancelled?

Lisa de Moraes: Honestly, I got three hours sleep last night. I don't even remember Blythe Danner's speech last night except that it was scattered. I only remember the look of astonishment on her face when one of the "reporters" backstage demanded she discuss her dead husband...She showed enormous restraint and good breeding by not smacking the chick.

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Washington, D.C.: Can you tell us a heartwarming story about some celeb that stopped and spent a lot of time just being nice to some no one? I mean, a story of someone being down-to-earth?

Lisa de Moraes: uh oh, I sense anger on the part of a Hugh Laurie fan to my comment. I can only speak from personal experience. Let's see, Helen Mirren was very nice when I spoke to her at the HBO party, listening politely and even looking me in the eye like she was actually focused on me and not looking around to see if she could snag another photo or two or spot another celebrity she needed to air-kiss -- even though I was asking her about her hooker heels. Jeremy Irons actually stopped as he was walking to chat about his comments backstage on the swag bags and shook my hand which is a polite thing to do when someone is introducing myself. Honest, they haven't all been raised by wolves...

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Reston, Va.: How in the world did The Colbert Report and Barry Manilow end up in the same category?

Lisa de Moraes: Now THERE's the 64,000 dollar question.....

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Alexandria, Va.: How did Helen Mirren get away with her "falling -ss over t-ts" comment?" Don't some of Carlin's famous 7 words still not get airplay?

Lisa de Moraes: I think if you say it with a Proper British Accent, Brent Bozell's "researchers" don't pick up the words....or the FCC dismissed the complaints as nonsense if the words are spoken with PBA...

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Overland Park, Kansas: Do reporters also receive the "goodie bag" for showing up?

Lisa de Moraes: None that I am aware of...there was swank at the TV Guide party for all guests, but I stayed away.

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washingtonpost.com: Red (Hot) Carpet report from Bill Booth.

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actually watched the whole thing: Closet - it was Cruise. They mangled some of the sound, so it sounded like "bruce" or something else.

Bob Newhart bit - funny? Not?

Lisa de Moraes: I just look at Bob Newhart and I laugh. ditto Conan. Therefore, it went over big, at least in my head...

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Re Spellings: Pookie: Yes, Tori was shown fleetingly last night. But Candy was more with the tears, so I guess that's why the cameras trained on her -- more show.

Lisa de Moraes: I'll definitely have to go back and watch the whole wonderful orgy of excess again. I missed a lot of wonderful stuff by being backstage..

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Ashburn, Va.: Manilow over Colbert? Please explain.

Lisa de Moraes: It's the TV Academy. They recognized Manilow's name. Colbert -- not so much....

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Pookie, I know "Jump the Shark...": But please explain "scenery chewing" from your Sunday column.

Lisa de Moraes: scenery chewing is an old, old expression that means, well, chewing the scenery. It means someone is seriously overacting....

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Just wondering: Are those parties actually fun? The footage I see from them makes me think people just stand around and try not to embarrass themselves.

Lisa de Moraes: Parties can be fun but not always fun -- just like parties in real life.And you're wrong that people at these parties try not to embarrass themselves. I think most of the revelers are blissfully aware of the concept...

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15th and L, Washington, D.C.: I am a faithful '24' watcher, but BEST DRAMA? Not really. I watch it because of its simplicity (i.e. see bad guy, stop his plan, kill him). But for quality story lines, complexity of characters, and depth of issues raised, even Lost's weak second season (yes, I know it wasn't even nominated) was better. I was happy to see 'The Office' win for comedy, though.

Lisa de Moraes: Yes, "24" is not what you'd call a sophisticated show. More like a live-action comic strip...

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Morristown, N.J.: In the 70's, I thought Jacyln Smith was the best looking of the Charlies Angels and 30 years later, she still is. Farah's a big old mess, Kate's face is pulled a little too tight, but Jaclyn looks like she hasn't aged one day. Does she look as good in real life as she does on camera? If she's had plastic surgury, then the doctor's a genius!

Lisa de Moraes: yes, we must all find out who is her surgeon....

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Bluffton, S.C.: That opening bit with Conan in an airplane about to crash - didn't anyone in Hollywood/TV land know the Sunday morning news? Unbelieveably bad taste don't you think?

Lisa de Moraes: Nope....

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Washington, D.C. : Because I worry about you: I just got over my hangover...how's yours?

Lisa de Moraes: Me -- I'm high on life this morning....

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Alexandria, Va.: In light of Ellen Burstyn's nomination for a 14 second appearance in "Mrs. Harris," do you think a time limit will be instituted as part of a requirement for future consideration?

Lisa de Moraes: You clearly do not know any of the members of the TV Academy.....I think they subscribe to the hilarious line somebody -- again, three hours sleep here folks -- said last night that just because a performance is 14 seconds long doesn't mean it wasn't sensational. It was Conan, right? I'm not dreaming?

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Alexandria, Va: The people you describe as the nicest are both English. Any "genuine" Americans out there in TVLAND?

Lisa de Moraes: Ah, maybe the British are better brought up. But then there's Hugh Laurie and his boorish party behavior....there goes that theory....

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Alexandria, Va.: I passed out before the end! Did Newheart make it?!!!!!!

Lisa de Moraes: He's alive, I'm happy to report....

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Keifer: During the opening sketch, I had think hard about whether that was Keifer acting for the sketch, or if they'd used actual scenes from "24." I don't know how it wins for best drama when the writing requires such huge suspensions of disbelief, but I watch every week and can't wait for more of that high-brow dialogue exchange between Chloe and Jack.

Lisa de Moraes: I assume you're kidding about highbrow conversation. Either that or I'm still asleep....

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Baltimore, Md.: Pookie:

I love "24" -- been watching it since the first night of the first season, with its ridiculous plot twists out of the gate.

I think the latest season -- season 5 -- has been particularly strong, and probably deserved an Emmy nod. Jean Smart and Gregory Itzin were terrific.

Kiefer, on the other hand, is a great superhero, which means his acting range is, uh, shall we say, somewhat limited to "brooding" and "grunting". Heck, I love the Jack Bauer character, but it's not exactly like watching Brando.

Did Sutherland deserve the Emmy, or was it just a payoff for five years of yeoman service?

Lisa de Moraes: Maybe a lot of "24" people voted... there is no explanation for Sutherland's win. He has three poses to his acting -- screaming, hissing and panting- while-driving....

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Washington, D.C.: Joan Rivers! She had the celebrity names down but could not for the life of her get the names of the shows correct!! Charming in a cynical, devil-may-care way, if you ask me.

Psstt: What do people -- if I may use that term to refer to the Hollywood crowd -- really think of her red carpet act?

Lisa de Moraes: They think of it like they think of the backstage press room at the Emmys -- an unfortunate necessity....

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Silver Spring, Md.: When most of the best acctress(comedy)nominess come from cancelled shows, I have to ask if the Emmys are still relevant and meaningful, especially since the show was moved for Sunday Night Football?

Lisa de Moraes: They sure as heck better be or I just wasted about eight hours of my life I'm never gonna get back. Far as I'm concerned, they're only slightly less important than the struggle for world peace...

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Columbia, Md.: There is no way that Keifer Sutherland's performance in "24" is better than Martin Sheen's in "The West Wing." To me, the idea that Sutherland should win is almost as offensive as the plan for this season's "Survivor."

Lisa de Moraes: But wasn't Sheen in about 25 percent of this season's episodes of "The West Wing." Shouldn't he have been up for best supporting actor?

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Van Ness, Washington, D.C.: No one's mentioned the intro for the comedy writing award. The lists of nominees were truly funny. Also loved the guy with his funny bit on people he did not want to thank. And we were disappointed Conan didn't have a closing skit....

Lisa de Moraes: That guy was Greg Garcia, creator of "Everybody Loves Earl" who, turns out, is an extremely funny guy which we never knew, having watched episodes of his other comedy "Yes, Dear."

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Chapel Hill, N.C.: I would tend to agree with what appears to be a general consensus that facelifts getting out of hand. The technology can't possibly be that bad, can it? Did Barry Manilow request to be transformed into a cross between Clay Aiken and Jack Pumpkinhead from the "Nightmare Before Christmas"? If so, consider my faith in medicine reconfirmed.

Lisa de Moraes: Thank you -- I've been sleepless for nights trying to figure out who Barry Manilow reminds me of -- Jack Pumpkinhead!

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Washington, D.C.: Lisa, What was Blythe Danner's response to the question about her husband?

washingtonpost.com: Creepiest Question So Far

Lisa de Moraes: I'm hoping I answered that question in this blog bit because for the life of me I can't remember this morning....

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Arlington, Va.: Lisa, was I the only one shocked that Steve Carrell didn't win best actor in a comedy?? I think Tony Shalhoub is great, but I honestly don't even know what channel airs 'Monk' these days.

Lisa de Moraes: Best actor in a comedy is Jason Lee....alas, not nominated....

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Alexandria, Va.: Any explanation for Candace Bergen's dress? I thought she used to be a model so would at least be able to pick something mildly flattering. Or did it just not translate over television?

Lisa de Moraes: I regret I missed it. What was it? A meringue?

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Capitol Hill: Lisa--Did you see the Emmy pre-show where the reporter
asked Jon Voight about Angelina and her kids? That had to
be the most cringe-worthy moment of the evening--it's
well known that they have been totally estranged for
years, and extremely unlikely that he has seen any of the
kids in person. Voight seemed at a loss to make a
gracious response to what is likely a very painful situation
for him, regardless of the reasons for the estrangement.

Lisa de Moraes: ...and we live for those moments, don't we? I say hooray for celebrity suck-up show reporters....

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Lisa de Moraes: It is of course a crime and a sin that he was not nominated. Maybe that's why he was such a bore at the TV Guide party. All is forgiven....

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Kiefer, Kiefer, Kiefer: He is the cutest of cutie pies... I couldn't be happier of his and the show's win!!!!

Go 24!

Lisa de Moraes: okay, you've had enough coffee today, pookie... we're going to have to cut you off.

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Superior, Wisc.: What was Conan O'Brien thinking? To have a plane crash skit on the same day that a plane really did crash killing 49 people. That was in very poor taste...

Lisa de Moraes: Yeah, and he planned it that way. bad, bad Conan...

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Washington, D.C.: Why is Tony Shalhoub so rude when he accepts an award? I like him but I'm SO over him.

Lisa de Moraes: He was rude? Honestly, your rude-o-meter gets all out of whack when you're out here in LA....

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Columbia Heights, Washington, D.C.: So what's going on with Billy Bush? Does he have a job solely because someone at NBC lost a bet to the President? In the span of five minutes, I saw him in an awkward exchange with Jermey Piven where Piven basically told him he should look for a new job, followed by a conversation with Evangeline Lilly in which BB let slip that he had no recollection of Bjork's infamous swan dress (knowledge of which should be mandatory for everybody on the red carpet).

Lisa de Moraes: It's unforgiveable that he doesn't know about the dead swan dress, especially since there have been pots of jokes about it at other trophy shows since. But I loved it when Piven told him that he had potential as a human being and had he ever considered another line of work. Of course Piven ate him for lunch during that exchange but somebody has to play the straight-man dummy during amusing exchanges like that. Bush plays an important role in our trophy show amusement....

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Washington, D.C.: Why is no one talking about the girl from The Office's nipple coming out on stage? I thought this would be the focus of the discussion today.

Lisa de Moraes: Drat -- I missed that too! I am NEVER going to volunteer to cover the backstage stuff again!...I'm out of time. bye....

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