The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards: Fallon Ready For His Close-Up

Emmy week officially kicked off with a literal kick as this year’s awards host Jimmy Fallon, telecast executive producer Don Mischer, and Academy of Television Arts and Sciences chairman John Shaffner were on hand at L.A. Live Wednesday morning to roll out the red carpet for television’s biggest night. First time Emmy emcee Fallon expressed genuine gratitude for the opportunity to host this year’s salute to primetime programming by acknowledging the “team of geniuses” on hand to support his maiden voyage. A humble and gracious Fallon recognized the rollout as what “makes this all real” for him, before declaring the Emmy production crew and behind-the-scenes staff as “the best at what they do.” In true Fallon fashion, however, the SNL alum kept the gushing to a minimum and cranked up his trademark winking humor by drolly delivering a fictionalized account of past Emmy shenanigans.

“Hopefully this rollout will be better than last year,” Fallon deadpanned, “when we rolled [the carpet] out and Paula Abdul was found … She’s fine, she’s fine, just a little dehydrated.” Not one to miss an opportunity to self-deprecate, Fallon continued, “Even after that, she’s still a better dancer than I am, which is sad.”

Adding to the early morning hilarity was Fallon’s succinct preview of the glamorous celebrity eye candy viewers can surely expect on the red carpet. “Beautiful women, beautiful men,” Fallon began before pausing to include  “…[and] Seacrest,” as both a perfunctory afterthought and good-natured dig to the omnipotent airwave presence.

After the ice was broken, Fallon got down to the nitty gritty of what will make this year’s Emmys special, excitedly announcing viewers’ opportunity to participate in the telecast via Twitter as they watch at home. By visiting www.nbc.com/emmys/imontheemmys/ and clicking on the “tweet about the presenters” link, anyone’s comment deemed worthy of on-air recitation can be used as an intro to a presenter’s appearance during the show.

As Fallon put it, “If you have a good intro or a good joke, or if you just want to say, ‘My grandma has a crush on Jon Hamm,’ that could be what we choose [to use] at the Emmys.” Fallon continued, eagerly musing that the Emmys’ new partnership with the social media craze “…should be fun. It’s something interactive, it’s something a little different. It just gives all the viewers at home … a chance to be part of the Emmys.”

To include further enticement, Fallon dictated an alluring scenario to aid viewers’ desire to participate. “If you feel like [introducing] the presenters, if you have something you want to say, you can just type it in, and it can go on live television, live on the Emmys. So you could be sitting at home in your sweatpants, drinking a milkshake, and be on the Emmys.” Fallon then used a common exchange heard on the red carpet to illustrate his point that even the coziest of couch potatoes will be given the Emmy treatment: “‘Who are you wearing?’” Fallon mocked. “‘Snuggie.’”

While Fallon had the entire press line in stitches, both Mischer and Shaffner were on hand to keep a tone of seriousness alive amid the palpable mirth. Aside from Twitter’s involvement, both men agreed that a general theme present in this year’s Emmys is an intent to acknowledge the television industry as a whole instead of focusing on the elite nominees. “We are really trying to take a broad look back at the television season,” said Mischer. “We are focusing not just on shows that are nominated, but also on other things that may not have been eligible or did not in fact get [a nomination] … A lot of things have happened that are funny, interesting … powerful and poignant … and we’re really trying to represent that, but we have to do it in a way that’s going to be fun.”

Shaffner echoed this sentiment, adding, “We’ve always struggled with, ‘What is the awards show?’ I think you have to pay attention to what the content is, and I think we really focused … on celebrating the whole year in television — not just the Emmy-nominated programs, but all the programs … Just because a show doesn’t get nominated doesn’t mean there aren’t great moments from that show, so we really made our show about the year in television and that makes a big difference to the audience at home.”

Even Fallon had to take a break in his signature levity to ponder the gravity of his upcoming gig — for a moment. When asked what his preparation plan was for Emmy morning, the comedian shifted back to his funnyman ways:  “Wake up. Maybe throw up a couple of times — that’s more to lose weight, not because I’m nervous – then I gotta put my Spanx on … and then have breakfast with Snooki and come right to the stage.”

No self-respecting television junkie should miss Jimmy Fallon hosting the Primetime Emmys this Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.