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  3. Emmys '09: Best and Worst Moments

Emmys '09: Best and Worst Moments

23 scenes last night that made us cheer, laugh, or scratch our heads -- including Ricky Gervais, dancing, and Dr. Horrible
By Marc Bernardin Updated September 21, 2009 at 07:00 AM EDT
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BEST Neil Patrick Harris' opening number/monologue

Neil Patrick Harris | BEST: NEIL PATRICK HARRIS The Emmy Awards and Tony Awards: 2009 2009 was Neil Patrick Harris' year when it came to hosting awards shows —…
Credit: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters/Landov

Smart, funny, delivered with perfect pitch — Neil Patrick Harris opened his first Emmy hosting gig with a song-and-dance-and-joke delineation of his duties. ''It's my job to make sure things run smoothly. So let's hope that Kanye West likes 30 Rock.''

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WORST Ocular actress humor

Kristin Chenoweth, Vanessa Williams | Apparently, it was Amy Poehler's bright idea for all the nominees in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy category to wear wacky eyewear when…
Credit: CBS

Apparently, it was Amy Poehler's bright idea for all the nominees in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy category to wear wacky eyewear when their names were announced. Not only was it not funny, but Vanessa L. Williams wouldn't play ball — and scowled when the camera turned to her.

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BEST John Hodgman's random trivia

John Hodgman | The author/ Daily Show correspondent was tasked with providing color commentary for the winners as they made their way to the stage. ''I'll be making…
Credit: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

The author/Daily Show correspondent was tasked with providing color commentary for the winners as they made their way to the stage. ''I'll be making up a lot of it as I go along'' he warned as the night began, and his inventions were inspired. When the Oscars' ''Hugh Jackman Opening Number'' won Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, Hodgman explained, ''This is, apparently, the first time a musical number has been written for a wolverine.''

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BEST Kristin Chenoweth's squeaky, heartfelt acceptance speech

Kristin Chenoweth | The Pushing Daisies veteran, who won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy, tearfully let it all hang out: ''Thank you for recognizing me for…
Credit: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni/Landov

The Pushing Daisies veteran, who won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy, tearfully let it all hang out: ''Thank you for recognizing me for a show that's no longer on the air.''

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WORST Jon Cryer's sweatervest

Jon Cryer | Plus, him beating everyone else in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy category, including Harris. Gah.
Credit: CBS/Monty Brinton/Landov

Plus, him beating everyone else in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy category, including Harris. Gah.

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BEST NPH, post-loss

Neil Patrick Harris | ''Well, the night could've gone in two directions. We are now in the second direction.... It's not awkward...I won't let it get awkward.'' Then, Harris…
Credit: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni/Landov

''Well, the night could've gone in two directions. We are now in the second direction.... It's not awkward...I won't let it get awkward.'' Then, Harris interviewed Cryer while the winner was in the backstage press room. It was awkward, in the best possible way.

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BEST Sarah Silverman's mustache

Sarah Silverman | Hot.
Credit: CBS

Hot.

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BEST The ultraviolent ''vote for Family Guy'' shakedown

Family Guy | This is something of a remix — it's a tweaked clip from the 2006 episode ''Patriot Games,'' in which Stewie beats the snot out of…
Credit: CBS

This is something of a remix — it's a tweaked clip from the 2006 episode ''Patriot Games,'' in which Stewie beats the snot out of Brian for money — but it doesn't make it any less funny.

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WORST Maksim and Karina's dance interlude

Karina Smirnoff, Maksim Chmerkovskiy | Debbie Allen should've sent up a flare: Dance has NO place in an awards show that isn't specifically about dance.
Credit: CBS/Monty Brinton/Landov

Debbie Allen should've sent up a flare: Dance has NO place in an awards show that isn't specifically about dance.

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BEST Jeff Probst's neck

Jeff Probst | Future nominees: If you're not gonna wear a tie when you win for Outstanding Host for a Reality program, at least be in this kind…
Credit: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni/Landov

Future nominees: If you're not gonna wear a tie when you win for Outstanding Host for a Reality program, at least be in this kind of shape.

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WORST Shohreh Aghdashloo's wheezing

Shohreh Aghdashloo | Hard to concentrate on how awesome she looks and how much she deserved to win Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for House…
Credit: CBS/Monty Brinton/ Landov

Hard to concentrate on how awesome she looks and how much she deserved to win Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for House of Saddam when it sounds like she's going destroy Alderaan.

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BEST Dr. Horrible

Neil Patrick Harris | Big ups to Joss Whedon and the Sing-Along Blog crew — who won one of those Creative Arts Emmys — for artfully interrupting the accountants'…
Credit: CBS

Big ups to Joss Whedon and the Sing-Along Blog crew — who won one of those Creative Arts Emmys — for artfully interrupting the accountants' schpiel with Dr. Horrible (Harris) and his hijacking of the awards. Bonus points for Nathan Fillion, who pops up as Captain Hammer to surreptitiously swipe at CSI: Miami (Castle's timeslot rival), and Felicia Day, who chimes in with the chorus. Oh, and the buffering gag killed.

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BEST The late-night writers' introduction videos

Jon Stewart | Always the smartest bits of the night. The Late Night with Conan O'Brien writers Facebook bit was particularly inspired (but The Daily Show won).
Credit: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni/Landov

Always the smartest bits of the night. The Late Night with Conan O'Brien writers Facebook bit was particularly inspired (but The Daily Show won).

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WORST The entire miniseries-telefilm section

Little Dorrit | Seriously, I know you want to have movie stars at your ceremony, Emmy producers, but watching this interminable stretch is like watching ice melt...but nowhere…
Credit: BBC

Seriously, I know you want to have movie stars at your ceremony, Emmy producers, but watching this interminable stretch is like watching ice melt...but nowhere near as cool. A perfect candidate for shifting to that not-televised Creative Arts ceremony.

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BEST Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon | His high-energy intro for the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics award was autotune-iriffic. And the pratfall was expertly executed.
Credit: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

His high-energy intro for the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics award was autotune-iriffic. And the pratfall was expertly executed.

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WORST Teasing the ''In Memoriam'' segment

Sarah McLachlan | During the acceptance speech for the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics award, CBS popped in a little graphic reminding us when we'd be crying. Because…
Credit: CBS/Monty Brinton/Landov

During the acceptance speech for the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics award, CBS popped in a little graphic reminding us when we'd be crying. Because death is worth making sure you're not taking a pee break for.

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BEST Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais | Seriously, this dude should host an awards show. But then he wouldn't be the breath of fresh air he always becomes when his guest spot…
Credit: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni/Landov

Seriously, this dude should host an awards show. But then he wouldn't be the breath of fresh air he always becomes when his guest spot arrives. So we'll just be thankful he shows up every year.

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BEST Michael Emerson and Cherry Jones win

Cherry Jones, Michael Emerson | Classy as hell. There should be a character actors' award show — every speech would be short and awesome. And if there were some British…
Credit: (2) CBS/Monty Brinton/Landov

Classy as hell. There should be a character actors' award show — every speech would be short and awesome. And if there were some British character actors in there...forget it.

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WORST ''Best seats in the house''

Neil Patrick Harris | So, apparently, some poor girl named Barbie sent in a video for an Emmy contest and her prize was to be in on the worst…
Credit: UPI/Jim Ruyman/Landov

So, apparently, some poor girl named Barbie sent in a video for an Emmy contest and her prize was to be in on the worst jokes of the night — all of which involved her sitting behind things. The Harlem Globetrotters used to be somebodies. They coulda been contenders...for handily beating the Generals, anyway.

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BEST The applause for Larry Gelbart during the ''In Memoriam'' segment

Larry Gelbart | No, the cheers for the M*A*S*H creator didn't reach the Paul Newman or Patrick Swayze levels, but it's always nice to see a writer get…
Credit: Evan Agostini/ Getty Images

No, the cheers for the M*A*S*H creator didn't reach the Paul Newman or Patrick Swayze levels, but it's always nice to see a writer get more than cursory love.

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BEST Bryan Cranston drops some Jerry Lewis science

Bryan Cranston | Winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series made the Breaking Bad star ''feel like Cinderfella.'' Well said, sir.
Credit: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni/Landov

Winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series made the Breaking Bad star ''feel like Cinderfella.'' Well said, sir.

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BEST Bob Newhart's Weeds joke

Bob Newhart | ''Incidentally, if Weeds should win, it may take them a little longer to get up here.'' It might've taken Newhart a little too long to…
Credit: CBS/Monty Brinton/Landov

''Incidentally, if Weeds should win, it may take them a little longer to get up here.'' It might've taken Newhart a little too long to mosey up to this bit, but he's still got it.

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BEST Tina Fey's NBC burn

Tina Fey, 30 Rock | ''Thank you for keeping us on the air, even though we are so much more expensive than a talk show.'' That's what she said.
Credit: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni/Landov

''Thank you for keeping us on the air, even though we are so much more expensive than a talk show.'' That's what she said.

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 23 BEST Neil Patrick Harris' opening number/monologue
    2 of 23 WORST Ocular actress humor
    3 of 23 BEST John Hodgman's random trivia
    4 of 23 BEST Kristin Chenoweth's squeaky, heartfelt acceptance speech
    5 of 23 WORST Jon Cryer's sweatervest
    6 of 23 BEST NPH, post-loss
    7 of 23 BEST Sarah Silverman's mustache
    8 of 23 BEST The ultraviolent ''vote for Family Guy'' shakedown
    9 of 23 WORST Maksim and Karina's dance interlude
    10 of 23 BEST Jeff Probst's neck
    11 of 23 WORST Shohreh Aghdashloo's wheezing
    12 of 23 BEST Dr. Horrible
    13 of 23 BEST The late-night writers' introduction videos
    14 of 23 WORST The entire miniseries-telefilm section
    15 of 23 BEST Jimmy Fallon
    16 of 23 WORST Teasing the ''In Memoriam'' segment
    17 of 23 BEST Ricky Gervais
    18 of 23 BEST Michael Emerson and Cherry Jones win
    19 of 23 WORST ''Best seats in the house''
    20 of 23 BEST The applause for Larry Gelbart during the ''In Memoriam'' segment
    21 of 23 BEST Bryan Cranston drops some Jerry Lewis science
    22 of 23 BEST Bob Newhart's Weeds joke
    23 of 23 BEST Tina Fey's NBC burn

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