The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards are upon us just as the Fall season readies itself for consumption. More importantly, however, is the return of E!’s red carpet coverage and Ryan Seacrest, the master of cheese. Oh how I’ve missed our pre-Awards show relationship. You know, the one in which I laugh as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie diss the ‘American Idol’ host while walking the red carpet.

But, tonight is not about mundane red carpet interviews rather it is an evening to celebrate the best television offerings from last season. The uber-talent Neil Parick Harris is hosting the evening fresh off his stellar Tony Awards front man duties. ’30 Rock’ has the best shot of taking home an award this evening — the NBC show has 22 nominations tonight — while HBO and all of its late night goodness has 99 nominations. ‘Family Guy’ might even snag a statuette making it one for the history books. No animated series has ever won a primetime Emmy.

So sit right back, catch the Emmy Awards live on CBS and make sure to check back here on SofaSnark.com for live blogging throughout the night. You can also follow me on Twitter @columbiajames

– LIVE BLOGGING COMPLETE –

11:05 PM That’s a wrap. And how wonderful to see the stunning January Jones on stage during the last acceptance speech. ‘Mad Men’ takes the big win and the Emmy telecast is complete.

10:55 PM Curse it all. ‘Family Guy’ fails to make history. ’30 Rock’ had to go and spoil the animation tension. Stewie might just have to get medieval on Tina Fey‘s ass. But stop the presses… Tina delivers a major slap to Jay Leno by highlighting the fact that her show is more expensive to produce than a talk show. Tina, you are my HERO.

10:51 PM The big guns have finally come out. And Bryan Cranston knocks everyone else out of the running for best actor in a drama. Wow. John Hamm, Gabriel Byrne, Hugh Laurie and Michael C. Hall are all worthy opponents. Sorry, Simon Baker. You’re not even on my radar. Cranston’s ‘Breaking Bad’ truly is a great program but I’m not sure his performance tops Hamm or Byrne’s roles.

10:40 PM Yes, Matthew Weiner just mocked actor Ken Howard for his spare kidney comment. Love it! From a fantastic drama program, ‘Mad Men,’ to a wry acceptance speech. Matt is my kind of guy. Although, I still want to call him Weiner, as in Oscar Mayer. Just embrace the fact that your ancestors screwed the family line with a ridiculous surname.

10:28 PM In memoriam. Always touching and now accented by Sarah McLachlan. Karl Malden, Dom DeLuise, Dominick Dunne, Ron Silver, Natasha Richardson, Bea Arthur, Ed McMahon, Army Archerd, Paul Newman, Michael Jackson, Patrick Swayze, Walter Cronkite. Some of the many legends that passed away. This moment gets me sad every time. You will ALL be missed.

10:22 PM ‘Lost’ star Michael Emerson gives a perfect speech that all character actors can savor. This wonderful actor didn’t abuse his moment in the spotlight to ramble through a list of bulleted thank you nods. Nobody cares about your kids that have stayed up past their bedtimes or your power hungry agent.

10:12 PM Ricky Gervais rubs all of our faces in his syndication riches and his slightly better than Rainn Wilson looks. He’s just keeping it real. Rainn truly does remind me of a ‘Deliverance’ extra. And Jon Stewart reminds everyone why the Emmy Awards is certain to get dismal ratings… Sunday Night Football is on right now. In full disclosure, I just had to look at a TVGuide to see if there was in fact a sports game on tonight.

10:03 PM How did I miss a new Muppets Christmas special and a Stephen Colbert holiday episode? I’m actually a bit saddened by that. I love the Muppets. Almost as much as I love Jimmy Fallon harmonizing a back spasm.

9:50 PM Bruce Gowers seriously just accepted his award while chewing gum into the microphone. Just like a freaking cow. How appropriate that he was representing ‘American Idol.’ I have a strong feeling that Ryan Seacrest is going to flog this man backstage.

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