The Emmys: And Who Wrote That Opening Number?

Los Angeles Times
The Envelope
‘The Daily Show’ and ‘The Amazing Race’ continue winning streaks at Emmys

“The Amazing Race” has had one amazing Emmy run. The CBS travel competition continues its lock on the reality competition series Emmy with this seventh consecutive win ”“ it has yet to lose since this category was introduced in 2003.

And Jeff Probst repeated as reality show host for his work on “Survivor.” He won the inaugural award in this category last year, though, as he acknowledged tonight, he was also a loser then as one of the quintet of reality nominees who doubled as Emmycast hosts.

By the way, that Emmycast opening number, “Put Down the Remote,” was penned for this year’s host, Neil Patrick Harris, by Tony winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (“Hairspray”). Shaiman also wrote the special material sung by his good pal Bette Midler as Johnny Carson‘s last guest on “The Tonight Show” in 1992 ”“ she won the now-defunct individual variety performance Emmy for her efforts.

And speaking of variety, there was not much of it in that genre this year. “The Daily Show” also made it seven in a row as top variety music or comedy series and reclaimed its hold on the VCM writing award after a two-year break. It first won that race in 2001 and then from 2003 to 2006. However, it was bested by the scripters from “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” in 2007 and then “The Colbert Report” last year.

The Oscarcast added yet another Emmy to its record tally with a win for the opening number penned for host Hugh Jackman. And while “American Idol” dominates the ratings, it has failed to rate with the Emmy Awards. Show director Bruce Gower won only its third-ever Emmy tonight.