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Williamsville native Charlie Haykel may not know who is going to win the Emmys on Sunday.
That’s my job.
But as a producer of the NBC telecast, the St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute graduate knows what host Jimmy Fallon is going to be doing.
In a telephone interview from Los Angeles, Haykel said Fallon is going to emulate the act of last year’s critically-acclaimed host, Neil Patrick Harris, and be actively involved beyond the monologue.
“Last year, Neil said ‘if I’m going to be the host I’m going to do it in the Johnny Carson, Steve Allen way in which it is my party,’” explained Haykel. “He was out there more. Instead of having an announcer announce who is going to be up on stage, Neil said ‘let me do it.’ It really gives the show a more cohesive flow.”
“Jimmy has completely embraced that… Jimmy and Neil are pretty similar in that they both are really likable. Their comedy is fun and good-natured. Jimmy is going to be Jimmy, which is a really nice, accessible and personable guy. And he’s that way in person.”
Haykel said the plan is for Fallon to open with a musical number and be involved in two bigger set comedy pieces.
Surprise, surprise. The opening number will involve the cast of the Fox hit musical comedy “Glee.”
It is pretty easy to predict what shows the telecast is going to highlight besides “Glee.”
Haykel said executive producer Don Mischer – who essentially is his business partner – is planning a tribute to three groundbreaking series that ended their runs in May: ABC’s “Lost,” Fox’s “24” and NBC’s “Law & Order.”
And naturally there will be an appearance by Betty White, who already won an Emmy for hosting “Saturday Night Live” and has achieved icon status.
“That would be a safe bet,” said Haykel of White’s appearance. “We plan to give her some business. She is ubiquitous. I couldn’t keep that schedule up and I’m half her age.”
However, he notes there isn’t much time to do too many creative things since 27 or 28 awards are given out in three hours.
“The biggest challenge as a producer with all those awards given out is how do you make it entertaining?’” said Haykel.
The show’s goal is simple.
“The hope after three hours is people should realize there is a lot of good television on the air,” said Haykel. “And they will want to watch programs that they didn’t know about.”
Some likely winners – including AMC’s “Mad Men” and HBO’s “True Blood” – don’t exactly get big TV audiences.
“But the buzz is out there,” said Haykel. “They are very out there in popular culture.”
Haykel said he learns what TV shows are getting buzz from his successful high school friends back in Western New York.
“If I really want to know if something is in the zeitgeist I’ll ask them if they know about it,” said Haykel. “If it is a show like ‘Mad Men,’ they generally, obviously know about it.”
The producer realizes that last year’s Emmy telecast with Harris as host will be tough to beat in entertainment value.
“Don said that was it was the best reviewed show he’s almost ever produced,” said Haykel. “The reviews were amazing. We’re not big fans of high expectations.”
Now on to my dozen predictions:
Best Drama: “Lost” in its final season in an upset over “Mad Men.”
Best Comedy: “Modern Family.”
Best Actor in a Drama: I’m torn between the under-rated Jon Hamm of “Mad Men” and Michael C. Hall of “Dexter.” Go with Hamm in the night’s major upset.
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama: Terry O’Quinn of “Lost.”
Best Actor in a Comedy: Alec Baldwin of “30 Rock.” Again.
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy: Chris Colfer of “Glee.”
Best Actress in a Drama: Julianna Margulies of “The Good Wife.”
Best Actress in a Comedy: Edie Falco of “Nurse Jackie.”
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama: Buffalo’s own Christine Baranski of “The Good Wife.”
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy: Jane Lynch of “Glee.”
Best Miniseries: HBO’s “The Pacific” is the one sure thing.
Best Musical or Variety Show: Wouldn’t it be a great moment if “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” won? O’Brien winning over comic heavyweights Colbert, Stewart, Maher and “Saturday Night Live” on the network that gave up on him. And on a show hosted by Fallon, who only kept his late night time slot because O’Brien refused NBC’s offer to start “Tonight” after midnight when it really would have been “Tomorrow.” It would be one of the most delicious award show moments in history. But sorry, “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” spoils the fun and wins.
