Andy DehnartWe already know that the voting members of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences don’t really watch TV, and now we know they don’t watch reality TV. Just as they continue to award scripted actors and shows that have long past their prime, they do the same thing with reality TV.
The Amazing Race was named the best reality competition program for the fifth year in a row. Fifth. No other show has ever won the award, since it was created five years ago. “We are so proud to win this again; it’s extraordinary,” executive producer Bertram Van Munster said.
The show defeated American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Project Runway, and Top Chef. Because the Academy can’t figure out how to honor reality shows, they’re not awarded for specific seasons; this past year, however, included Top Chef‘s disappointing second season and American Idol‘s ratings- and talent-challenged season.
Still, The Amazing Race, again? It was a groundbreaking show, and while it remains watchable, it’s not as good as it used to be. Meanwhile, a new generation of reality shows have broken new ground, but alas, the Emmys stick with what they think they know. Last year the show won for the season that included its horrific family edition.
As Phil Keoghan got up to accept the award with the rest of the crew, Seal and Heidi Klum looked at each other, as if to say, really? Again? It’s time to give Heidi’s show Project Runway an Emmy, but that will likely happen once the show jumps the shark and people stop caring.
Meanwhile, American Idol host Ryan Seacrest did not sing as host of the Emmys, and was just being a big tease, but he did make a Paula Abdul drug reference, and also made a gay joke, which he’s apparently contractually required to do. Dressed as Henry VIII, he said the outfit “looked a lot less gay on the rack”–a line he delivered sometime after opening the show by running around the audience identifying the designers of women’s gowns and shoes. Protest too much?