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emmys 2011
September 19, 2011

The Best Frozen Moments From This Year’s Emmys

By Josh Wolk

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Chris Colfer.

There were many big moments that flew by in this year’s Emmys — the welcome upsets, the funny speeches, the confounding Canadian a cappella group providing an encomium to Tom Bosley — but there were some that needed to be slowed down to truly be appreciated. As such, we stopped time throughout the ceremony to capture expressions that spoke volumes louder than any acceptance speech or comedy bit. Whether instances of joy (Melissa McCarthy), confusion (someone wake up Lorne Michaels!), or Jack Benny–like timing (Mrs. Steve Levitan, everybody!), here are our twenty favorite captured moments from the night’s big show.

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1 / 20 Photos
The whole beauty pageant skit was all a big joke to Melissa McCarthy until she won. There's no faking a joy-induced fugue state. The whole beauty pageant skit was all a big joke to Melissa McCarthy until she won. There's no faking a joy-induced fugue state.
The whole beauty pageant skit was all a big joke to Melissa McCarthy until she won. There's no faking a joy-induced fugue state.
For a minute, it really looked like Eric Stonestreet was going to be the only one to get a hug out of Julie Bowen as she headed up to get her Best Comedy Actress Emmy. But then...in your face, Fizbo! For a minute, it really looked like Eric Stonestreet was going to be the only one to get a hug out of Julie Bowen as she headed up to get her Best Comedy Actress Emmy. But then...in your face, Fizbo!
For a minute, it really looked like Eric Stonestreet was going to be the only one to get a hug out of Julie Bowen as she headed up to get her Best Com... For a minute, it really looked like Eric Stonestreet was going to be the only one to get a hug out of Julie Bowen as she headed up to get her Best Comedy Actress Emmy. But then...in your face, Fizbo!
Jack McBrayer is pretending to be grossed out about being kissed by Tina Fey. But why exactly does the woman in red behind him seem legitimately disgusted on his behalf? Jack McBrayer is pretending to be grossed out about being kissed by Tina Fey. But why exactly does the woman in red behind him seem legitimately disgusted on his behalf?
Jack McBrayer is pretending to be grossed out about being kissed by Tina Fey. But why exactly does the woman in red behind him seem legitimately disgu... Jack McBrayer is pretending to be grossed out about being kissed by Tina Fey. But why exactly does the woman in red behind him seem legitimately disgusted on his behalf?
For fans of Louie, this cutaway after Louis CK lost the Best Comedy Actor Emmy brought two questions to mind: First, is his vigorous hand motion some sort of new gesture meaning masturbation? And second, why is he with Pamela Adlon? Was that whole arc with him pining for her autobiographical? Did he wait for her? And if so, did he also sleep with Joan Rivers? What is real? For fans of Louie, this cutaway after Louis CK lost the Best Comedy Actor Emmy brought two questions to mind: First, is his vigorous hand motion some sort of new gesture meaning masturbation? And second, why is he with Pamela Adlon? Was that whole arc with him pining for her autobiographical? Did he wait for her? And if so, did he also sleep with Joan Rivers? What is real?
For fans of Louie, this cutaway after Louis CK lost the Best Comedy Actor Emmy brought two questions to mind: First, is his vigorous hand motion some ... For fans of Louie, this cutaway after Louis CK lost the Best Comedy Actor Emmy brought two questions to mind: First, is his vigorous hand motion some sort of new gesture meaning masturbation? And second, why is he with Pamela Adlon? Was that whole arc with him pining for her autobiographical? Did he wait for her? And if so, did he also sleep with Joan Rivers? What is real?
Little known fact: Other trios who have freaked William H. Macy include Peter, Paul and Mary, 3 Dog Night, and the Andrews Sisters. Little known fact: Other trios who have freaked William H. Macy include Peter, Paul and Mary, 3 Dog Night, and the Andrews Sisters.
Little known fact: Other trios who have freaked William H. Macy include Peter, Paul and Mary, 3 Dog Night, and the Andrews Sisters.
Michael Bolton again proved himself a great sport, giving it all in a beard that looked like someone threw it at his face from twelve feet away. Michael Bolton again proved himself a great sport, giving it all in a beard that looked like someone threw it at his face from twelve feet away.
Michael Bolton again proved himself a great sport, giving it all in a beard that looked like someone threw it at his face from twelve feet away.
Idris Elba's look toward Jimmy Fallon after Late Night loses the Best Writing Emmy says, "I told you you weren't gonna win." Idris Elba's look toward Jimmy Fallon after Late Night loses the Best Writing Emmy says, "I told you you weren't gonna win."
Idris Elba's look toward Jimmy Fallon after Late Night loses the Best Writing Emmy says, "I told you you weren't gonna win."
We include Margo Martindale's stumble up the steps not to mock her (bravo to her deserved win!), but rather to spotlight the gallantry of Ed O'Neill, who rushes to her aid moments before Jon Hamm. And this is why People's title of "Most Helpful Man Alive" remains locked up by O'Neill for the thirteenth year in a row as young bucks like Brad Pitt and Hamm remain relegated to the ghetto of "Sexiest." We include Margo Martindale's stumble up the steps not to mock her (bravo to her deserved win!), but rather to spotlight the gallantry of Ed O'Neill, who rushes to her aid moments before Jon Hamm. And this is why People's title of "Most Helpful Man Alive" remains locked up by O'Neill for the thirteenth year in a row as young bucks like Brad Pitt and Hamm remain relegated to the ghetto of "Sexiest."
We include Margo Martindale's stumble up the steps not to mock her (bravo to her deserved win!), but rather to spotlight the gallantry of Ed O'Neill, ... We include Margo Martindale's stumble up the steps not to mock her (bravo to her deserved win!), but rather to spotlight the gallantry of Ed O'Neill, who rushes to her aid moments before Jon Hamm. And this is why People's title of "Most Helpful Man Alive" remains locked up by O'Neill for the thirteenth year in a row as young bucks like Brad Pitt and Hamm remain relegated to the ghetto of "Sexiest."
As star of Vampire Diaries, Ian Somerhalder is contractually obligated to sneer at all times. As star of Vampire Diaries, Ian Somerhalder is contractually obligated to sneer at all times.
As star of Vampire Diaries, Ian Somerhalder is contractually obligated to sneer at all times.
When Jason Katims wins for Outstanding Writing for Friday Night Lights, Connie Britton cheers effusively (like Tami from the stands!) while Kyle Chandler quietly smiles, just as Coach Taylor would do when his boys brought another title home. Thank you for letting us pretend that Coach and Mrs. Coach are still out there in the world, occasionally getting dressed up in formalwear but usually just bickering over the barbecue at home. When Jason Katims wins for Outstanding Writing for Friday Night Lights, Connie Britton cheers effusively (like Tami from the stands!) while Kyle Chandler quietly smiles, just as Coach Taylor would do when his boys brought another title home. Thank you for letting us pretend that Coach and Mrs. Coach are still out there in the world, occasionally getting dressed up in formalwear but usually just bickering over the barbecue at home.
When Jason Katims wins for Outstanding Writing for Friday Night Lights, Connie Britton cheers effusively (like Tami from the stands!) while Kyle Chand... When Jason Katims wins for Outstanding Writing for Friday Night Lights, Connie Britton cheers effusively (like Tami from the stands!) while Kyle Chandler quietly smiles, just as Coach Taylor would do when his boys brought another title home. Thank you for letting us pretend that Coach and Mrs. Coach are still out there in the world, occasionally getting dressed up in formalwear but usually just bickering over the barbecue at home.
Just in case membership in the Emmytones wasn't embarrassing enough, Zachary Levi decides to seal the deal. Just in case membership in the Emmytones wasn't embarrassing enough, Zachary Levi decides to seal the deal.
Just in case membership in the Emmytones wasn't embarrassing enough, Zachary Levi decides to seal the deal.
Jon Stewart engages in a deep conversation with Wyatt Cenac on their way to receive the Best Variety Series Emmy. Has his show's winning streak gotten to the point where an Emmy win is just a brief interruption into Stewart's daily routine? Next year, watch as Stewart catches up on headlines on his iPad on the way to the podium. Jon Stewart engages in a deep conversation with Wyatt Cenac on their way to receive the Best Variety Series Emmy. Has his show's winning streak gotten to the point where an Emmy win is just a brief interruption into Stewart's daily routine? Next year, watch as Stewart catches up on headlines on his iPad on the way to the podium.
Jon Stewart engages in a deep conversation with Wyatt Cenac on their way to receive the Best Variety Series Emmy. Has his show's winning streak gotten... Jon Stewart engages in a deep conversation with Wyatt Cenac on their way to receive the Best Variety Series Emmy. Has his show's winning streak gotten to the point where an Emmy win is just a brief interruption into Stewart's daily routine? Next year, watch as Stewart catches up on headlines on his iPad on the way to the podium.

Steve Levitan's wife: Even John Krasinski wants reaction-shot lessons from her. Steve Levitan's wife: Even John Krasinski wants reaction-shot lessons from her.
Steve Levitan's wife: Even John Krasinski wants reaction-shot lessons from her.
Never before has one man's smirking facial expression had so little in common with the words of praise tumbling out of his mouth. Never before has one man's smirking facial expression had so little in common with the words of praise tumbling out of his mouth.
Never before has one man's smirking facial expression had so little in common with the words of praise tumbling out of his mouth.
This is what happens when you've produced the same show for the last 25 years: When an SNL
             director wins an Emmy and thanks him from the stage, Lorne Michaels 
            makes the same face he would if someone asked him, "Excuse me, sir, did 
            you drop this quarter?" This is what happens when you've produced the same show for the last 25 years: When an SNL
             director wins an Emmy and thanks him from the stage, Lorne Michaels 
            makes the same face he would if someone asked him, "Excuse me, sir, did 
            you drop this quarter?"
This is what happens when you've produced the same show for the last 25 years: When an SNL director wins an Emmy and thanks him from the stage, Lorne... This is what happens when you've produced the same show for the last 25 years: When an SNL director wins an Emmy and thanks him from the stage, Lorne Michaels makes the same face he would if someone asked him, "Excuse me, sir, did you drop this quarter?"
The Jersey Shore boys are entrusted with some shtick, and they handle it like it's uranium. The Jersey Shore boys are entrusted with some shtick, and they handle it like it's uranium.
The Jersey Shore boys are entrusted with some shtick, and they handle it like it's uranium.
When Kate Winslet wins Best Actress in a Movie or Miniseries, she reacts as if everyone in the audience had bet money against her and individually rubbed their betting stubs on her forehead right before her category. When Kate Winslet wins Best Actress in a Movie or Miniseries, she reacts as if everyone in the audience had bet money against her and individually rubbed their betting stubs on her forehead right before her category.
When Kate Winslet wins Best Actress in a Movie or Miniseries, she reacts as if everyone in the audience had bet money against her and individually rub... When Kate Winslet wins Best Actress in a Movie or Miniseries, she reacts as if everyone in the audience had bet money against her and individually rubbed their betting stubs on her forehead right before her category.
Mrs. Steve Levitan has taught you well, Chris Colfer. Mrs. Steve Levitan has taught you well, Chris Colfer.
Mrs. Steve Levitan has taught you well, Chris Colfer.
You will get a smile out of Hugh Laurie when you pry it from his cold dead mouth. You will get a smile out of Hugh Laurie when you pry it from his cold dead mouth.
You will get a smile out of Hugh Laurie when you pry it from his cold dead mouth.
It was poignant to see Minka Kelly bow at the feet of Kyle Chandler, costar of her late, lamented, critically-beloved series Friday Night Lights. But things quickly took a dark, Chinatown-like turn when she was then pulled away and offstage by the costars of her new show, Charlie's Angels. It was poignant to see Minka Kelly bow at the feet of Kyle Chandler, costar of her late, lamented, critically-beloved series Friday Night Lights. But things quickly took a dark, Chinatown-like turn when she was then pulled away and offstage by the costars of her new show, Charlie's Angels.
It was poignant to see Minka Kelly bow at the feet of Kyle Chandler, costar of her late, lamented, critically-beloved series Friday Night Lights. But ... It was poignant to see Minka Kelly bow at the feet of Kyle Chandler, costar of her late, lamented, critically-beloved series Friday Night Lights. But things quickly took a dark, Chinatown-like turn when she was then pulled away and offstage by the costars of her new show, Charlie's Angels.
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