"Shmemmys" Handed Out

Over the weekend, the Creative Arts Emmys, or the Shmemmys, were handed out at a ceremony hosted by Kathy Griffin. The awards show was taped and will air next weekend on the E! channel, so I do look forward to watching it. Sadly, Kathy did not win the prize for Best Reality Series, losing to A&E's Intervention. I suppose you can't win every year, unless you're named The Amazing Race, and last summer's season of My Life on the D-list wasn't the strongest, so its not too big of a loss. It will definitely provide her with a lot of fodder, and she'll most likely win again next year if she submits either the Prop 8 or Maggie's bucket list episode. In the other categories, Tina Fey deservably won for Best Guest Actress for her appearance as Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live, and Pushing Daisies was a big winner, taking home three trophies for Costumes, Make Up, and Art Direction. It's kind of ridiculous the show didn't recieve a nomination for Best Comedy Series. Mad Men, on the other hand, only picked up one trophy for Hairstyling, which makes me worry it doesn't have enough support to win Best Drama Series next weekend. Though really, the Emmy awards often make very little sense.

Design Star "Celebrity" Episode

On last night's episode of HGTV's Design Star, the final three contestants designed rooms for celebrities - Tiffani Thiessen, Jason Priestly and my girl Kathy Griffin. The episode was a hottie showcase, beginning with contestant Dan getting out of bed shirtless, and featuring Mr. Priestly, whom I've had a crush on since the early days of 90210, and Tiffani Thiessen's husband, actor Brady Smith. The guy is in almost every commercial on television and he always grabs my attention. Someone really needs to cast him on a series, preferably one on HBO which features nudity. It was also fun to watch the producers and editors trying to make sure Kathy didn't hijack the episode, which she can do so easily. Her room makeover was probably the least well done, but her designer Antonio stayed because of his personality. I actually don't disagree with the judges decision. Lonni, who was kicked off, did a better room, but she doesn't have a personality that could carry a series. Dan, while pretty, probably couldn't carry one either, unless of course, he did every episode in his underwear, which I wouldn't be opposed to. Plus HGTV already has a hot gay Design Star winner with David Bromstad. That leaves Antonio as the inevitable winner, as long as he doesn't completely botch the final challenge, and I have to admit, in his own sort of way, Antonio is kind of sexy. I'm guessing the accent and tattoos are probably what do it for me.

Kathy and Levi

I know this happened a week ago, but it still has me laughing my butt off. He's seems so scared of her.

Oh, Kathy I'm Gonna Miss You

It seemed Kathy Griffin was everywhere the last few days. She attened the taping of the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday, with date Levi Johnston - a hilarious publicity stunt. Also on Sunday, Comedy Central aired The Roast of Joan Rivers, which was hosted by Kathy. It was funny, with relativlely unknown comic Whitney Cummings and the roasted Rivers herself having the two funniest sets. Then last night, Kathy guest-hosted Larry King Live, interviewing Joan Rivers and her date Levi Johnston. In a bizarre sort of way, I love the fact Levi is becoming a male equivalent of Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian (famous for being famous), as admittedly he's nice to look at. I just wish he'd have a more engaging personality. To top off the past couple nights, the season finale of Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List aired on Bravo, and I'm going to miss the show. I originally had qualms about the series being so filled with celebrity guests this season, but I have to admit it might have been its best season yet. I smell another Emmy. But now, sigh, we're going to have to wait until next year to see Kathy's further adventures. That's too far of a wait! I also wonder where the show will go from here. I suppose next season could center around Kathy promoting her upcoming tell-all book, which will be released next month. How great is that book going to be? Hopefully Kathy will actually be able to do the talk show circuit, considering how many shows she's banned from.

Quote of the Week

"I think Jeremy Piven raped some chick on Ellen." - Kathy Griffin, My Life on the D-List

Kathy Griffin to Host the Schmemmys

Story at ETOnline. Funny lady Kathy Griffin was chosen to host this year's Primetime Creative Arts Emmys, or as Kathy as has famously called them the "Schmemmys." It's actually a brave decision to choose her as host, particularly considering her "Suck on it Jesus" acceptance speech from two years ago. I can't wait to see how this turns outs, but I'm just hoping she doesn't turn down her brand of humor too much. I understand she doesn't want to anger the voters and award's body, but as proven by her two Emmy wins, they can actually appreciate her jokes. In realted news, Griffin was nominated, again, for two Emmys - one for her reality series My Life on the D-List and one for her special She'll Cut a Bitch. I wonder if Kathy can win three years in a row for Best Reality Series. Her biggest competitor Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, wasn't even nominated this year. However, Mythbusters, which is such a guilty pleasure for me, did finally receive a nomination in the category, after several years of being snubbed, so yay! I'll further discuss this years' Emmy noms either later tonight or tomorrow. There we're actually several wtf omissions and inclusions, both good and bad.

"Thank You for Being a Friend"

I'm still chuckling from Monday night's episode of My Life on the D-List, featuring Kathy's mother Maggie's bucket list. Betty White was, as always, a pistol, The Griffin Girls was a good laugh, and Maggie's genuine emotion at the end was touching. I guess we can all assume the episode will be Kathy's submission tape for next year's Emmys, and she'll probably get another win. In general, I like how this season has turned out so far, and how Kathy has been "honoring" female entertainment legends, who aren't currently grabbing all the headlines - Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin, Stevie Nicks, Liza, Jane Fonda, Betty White...

On My Television Screen

Last night's My Life on the D-List must have been the funniest episode of the series to date. At one point I seriously thought I might pee my pants laughing. This week's celebrity guest was FoodNetwork star Paula Deen, who invited Kathy to spend the night in her Georgian home. During the precedings we were gifted with Kathy accidently wacking Paula in the face with a switch, Paula's dogs pooping and puking all over her house, jokes about Tom's nervous disorder (pulling out his eyebrows and lashes), a drag queen named Paul A. Deen, and Paul Deen uttering the phrase "circle jerk." Hands down, though, the best part was Paula's gay assistant, starting off as this quiet guy in the background, before getting drunk at dinner and turning into an over-the-top Paul Lynde like character. "This is gonna end tragic." After watching the episode (twice in a row, btw) I wish someone would give Paula Deen a reality series of her own.

Also of note, this weekend's episode of True Blood continued a good start to the second season. So far, Michelle Forbes is easily the stand out as Maryann, but Alexander Skarsgard's Eric has become an equally enjoyable character. Thank god they cut his hair; the short, slicked-back look is much sexier on him, and appearing in an ugly tracksuit was a hilarious bonus. The episode also featured a good deal of male shirtlessness, with Bill, Jason, Eggs and Lafayette all bearing their chests. This is by far the gayest show on television.

The Return of Kathy Griffin

The fifth season of Kathy Griffin's My Life on the D-List began last night on Bravo, and like any good gay, I couldn't be happier to have Kathy back on my television screen. Some changes have occurred since last season. Her assistant Jessica has left, which kind of alters the dynamic between Kathy and her other assistants, Tiffany and Tom, and the show has taken on a talk show aspect, as Kathy interviews a celebrity, Bette Midler in the premiere, for half the episode. The show remains hilarious and entertaining - I'm still laughing over Kathy hiding behind the hotel plants, while dressed in a hoodie and sunglasses, though I do miss her struggle through various paid D-list gigs. I do understand her wanting to slightly alter the show, as it must be daunting task keeping a reality series going after several seasons.

Kathy Griffin: She'll Cut a Bitch

Between her hosting gig on The A-List Awards and her stand-up special She'll Cut a Bitch, it was so nice to have Kathy Griffin back on my television screen this week. Yes, I know it's cliche to be a gay man who loves Kathy Griffin, but I find her hilarious. Her stream-of-consciousness narratives of meetings/run-ins with celebrities can be increadibly funny ("She's f***ing Cher!"), but what I enjoy most about Kathy is her tongue-in-cheek grasp at fame. Portraying the role of a media-whore who will do anything for a buck and a little notoriety, she perfectly lampoons the ridiculousness of celebrity culture. Luckily her series, My Life on the D-list returns to air in June, with a Bette Midler appearance - "gay gasp!" I just wish Hollywood would take notice, and give Kathy some supporting roles in comedic films or guest spots on sitcoms, though the studios and networks are probably too scared of her skewering its stars to risk it. At least she's found her niche and found success with it.