Written by: Maggie Blaha
On Television’s other biggest night, TV-legend Bob Newhart, 84, won an Emmy Award that was five decades in the making for his guest role as Professor Proton on CBS’s primetime hit “The Big Bang Theory.” Newhart was presented the award this past Sunday at the 2013 Creative Emmy Awards Ceremony, which honors the technical and behind-the-scenes aspects of our favorite shows and, perhaps in true behind-the-scenes fashion, are not usually televised.
Newhart’s acceptance speech was truly award-show magic: it was a genuine heart-felt speech recited through real tears. “This is my seventh shot at this,” Newhart said, “I just love this very much.” Best known for the classic television series “The Bob Newhart Show” that ran from 1972-1978, the actor was lucky enough to garner six Emmy nominations but never a win until his turn in a guest role.
Finally winning the gold moved the television veteran to tears, but the meaning behind his statuette, behind his desire to win the award is not only an example of determination and having strength in one’s convictions. Newhart, himself, said that he hadn’t really considered entering his name for this year’s Emmy nominations because he lost hope that he could win an award for what he does after losing out on six previous nominations. What Newhart’s speech really showed is that, despite appearances, the entertainment industry does have a lot of heart. Acting isn’t just about the money or even the awards for those who really love it. Bob Newhart continued acting without a mantle decorated with Emmy statuettes, but his moving acceptance of his well-deserved award on Sunday was an expression of something we all feel about doing something we love: “Oh, thank God I’m doing this right!”
Many great acting careers have gone award-less, but these actors have been no less endearing to the public. The most notorious non-Academy Award winner was Cary Grant, who actually ranks as AFI’s second greatest actor of all time. Grant was so good that most people actually assume he won an Academy Award, but having no Oscar on his mantle did not affect the number of actors, actresses, and directors who wanted to work with him. But on a personal level, the award isn’t so much about career enhancement as it is about personal gratification, about having someone tell you that you’re good at what you do. Bob Newhart’s acceptance speech that was met with a standing ovation by everyone in attendance certainly exemplifies how important winning is on an individual level.
The night’s other winners included Melissa Leo for her guest appearance on the sitcom “Louie,” Dan Bucatinsky for his guest appearance on “Scandal,” and Carrie Preston for her appearance on “The Good Wife.” The biggest winner was HBO’s Liberace biopic “Behind the Candelabra,” which took home eight statuettes for technical achievements and is up for seven more at next Sunday’s Primetime Emmy Awards Ceremony.
Missing from the rundown of the some 88 awards given away is Matt Weiner’s “Mad Men.” Weiner was disappointed last year when his cultural phenomenon went into the ceremony with 17 nominations but came out with zero wins. Weiner loves every aspect of the show and would honestly be happy if it won in any category for which it was nominated. He hoped that some of this season’s great guest stars—Linda Cardellini, Harry Hamlin, Robert Morse—would have taken home an Emmy, or that the show would have finally scored in the cinematography or editing categories. It has already been declared that the seventh season will be its last, and it seems Weiner feels his successful series is deserving of more award wins than it has received.
Not quite as moving as an actor’s obvious dream finally coming true, but Weiner takes great pride in the show and wants everyone and everything involved with it to come out a winner. But let’s not pretend that “Mad Men” is a great series that has gone unnoticed. Since the show first aired in 2007, the show has won 15 Emmys (eight of them being Creative Emmys), four Critics’ Choice Television Awards, four Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Peabody Award, just to name a few. It’s not exactly the same as having a career that spans five decades with numerous nominations before a win finally comes.
The Creative Emmy Awards Ceremony sets the stage for the Primetime Emmys that will be airing next Sunday, celebrating what is seen in front of the camera. It’s doubtful that any acceptance speech will be as moving a display of an actor’s love for his craft as Bob Newhart’s.
The official design [moves] News Site! For any branding and design work please visit:
http://www.dmoves.com
http://www.dmoves.com/news
http://www.facebook.com/designmoves
Twitter @design_moves