The Greatest Showman

Chapter 128

“Sorry, sorry, sorry.”

Renly muttered apologies as he made his way past the rows of seats, finally finding the dark red seat with his name on the backrest. The awards ceremony was set to begin in less than five minutes.

Earlier outside, Renly had unexpectedly run into Hugh Laurie, and the two hit it off immediately. Both were British, both alumni of Eton College, and both graduates of Cambridge University. Hugh had majored in archaeology and anthropology before venturing into Hollywood, gaining worldwide fame through ‘House’. Their shared background provided plenty of common ground.

Renly was especially enthusiastic when he mentioned Hugh’s talent as a singer, praising his raspy voice and its ability to deliver soulful blues. Their lively conversation made them lose track of time.

Once inside the Nokia Theatre, Hugh, being a seasoned actor, had a seat assigned closer to the front. Renly, a newcomer, was placed further back in the middle section.

After sitting down, Renly peeled the name tag off the backrest. Rami, sitting to his right, leaned over with a half-joking remark, “Did you hook up with someone? You’re late!”

On Rami’s right, James leaned in as well, his face brimming with curiosity. Renly couldn’t help but chuckle, replying, “I was chatting with Sophia until now. How about that?” James immediately rolled his eyes and muttered something along the lines of “Good looks always win,” slumping back in his chair with a frustrated expression. It seemed his attempt at striking up a conversation with Sophia earlier hadn’t gone so well.

Rami hesitated, unsure if Renly was joking. Renly offered a faint smile and gestured to the front. “The ceremony is starting.”

Turning to his left, Renly greeted Merritt Johnson, the writer of the TV movie ‘Temple Grandin’. Merritt nodded back politely, and the two then focused on the stage as the house lights dimmed, signalling the start of this evening’s Grand Event.

Watching an awards ceremony in person is an intriguing experience. The suspense of waiting for winners to be revealed is one aspect; observing the reactions of the attendees is another. And, of course, the various humorous moments that unfold on stage are not to be missed. This is why the role of the host is so crucial—not just to keep the show flowing but also to keep the audience engaged.

This year, the host, Jimmy Fallon, did an excellent job. Compared to watching at home, the atmosphere on-site was exponentially more tense and thrilling. Even for awards unrelated to oneself, it was impossible not to feel a pang of nervousness.

In the fiercely competitive race for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Hugh Laurie was nominated for the fifth time but, once again, left empty-handed. For the third time, he lost to Bryan Cranston, who achieved a three-peat Emmy win for ‘Breaking Bad’. The result felt almost fated, and Renly couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret for Hugh. (T/N – Sorry, really sorry dear readers I made a mistake while translating, so Renly wasn’t nominated for a Lead Actor in a Drama Series, actually he was nominated for an award – Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie…)

Also among the nominees were Michael C. Hall from ‘Dexter’ and Jon Hamm from ‘Mad Men’. Like Hugh, Michael faced his own “nemesis” and was defeated for the third consecutive time.

When the winner’s name was announced, the emotional rollercoaster of joy and disappointment swept through the venue, leaving everyone exhilarated, even as just spectators.

Similarly, the battle for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series was equally intense. Alec Baldwin, who had won the past two years for his role in ’30 Rock’, remained a strong contender as the show continued its streak of winning awards for Outstanding Comedy Series three years in a row. However, he faced fierce competition from Matthew Morrison of ‘Glee’ and Jim Parsons of ‘The Big Bang Theory’. The latter had risen to dominate ratings in comedy. And let’s not forget Steve Carell, who earned his fifth consecutive nomination for his role in ‘The Office’.

In this fierce showdown, Jim Parsons emerged victorious, clinching his first Emmy award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Not only did he end Alec Baldwin’s hopes of a three-peat, but he also left Steve Carell in the same boat as Hugh—five nominations and no wins.

The Emmy Awards tonight were undeniably exhilarating. In the drama category, the competition revolved around shows like ‘Mad Men’, ‘Breaking Bad’, ‘Dexter’, The ‘Good Wife’, and ‘The Walking Dead’. Meanwhile, the comedy category was thrown into disarray with the arrival of ‘Modern Family’. Established shows like ’30 Rock’, ‘The Big Bang Theory’, ‘Glee’, and ‘The Office’ were all vying for dominance.

Before long, the ceremony was halfway through. While it may not have been a nail-biter, the emotional highs and lows kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

“Which loss do you think is the most regrettable?” Rami asked during the intermission as he, Renly, James, and a few others headed to the restroom.

Without much hesitation, Renly replied, “Hugh Laurie, definitely.”

“But I think Bryan Cranston was truly outstanding!” James countered.

“Of course, no one can deny that,” Renly nodded in agreement. “But is there really no one else worthy of recognition besides him? Hugh Laurie deserves an Emmy.” His tone was sincere, not influenced by their earlier conversation.

Renly noticed Rami winking at him. So, he turned around and saw Michael C. Hall standing there. Michael wore a playful smile and said, “Go on, keep talking. I’m not part of this conversation anyway, so I don’t mind.”

That veiled self-deprecation made both James and Rami feel awkward, but Renly remained composed. “Everyone only gets one vote, and each award can only have one winner. That’s precisely what makes awards so valuable, don’t you think?”

There was no apology, no defence—just a candid assertion of his perspective. Michael didn’t get angry; instead, he chuckled aloud. Renly extended his right hand. “Besides, I’m just a spectator without voting rights.” In other words, their earlier discussion was irrelevant and had no impact on the results.

Michael burst into genuine laughter, shaking Renly’s hand. “You’re a sly one,” he teased.

After Michael left, all three of them discreetly wiped their foreheads in relief, Renly included. “Is this what getting caught gossiping feels like in ‘Gossip Girl’?” Renly quipped. The remark prompted hearty laughter from those nearby, including someone jokingly chiming in, “This is the men’s restroom. If you want to gossip, turn left for the ladies’ room.”

Rami and James simultaneously turned around and flipped off the source of the comment, triggering another wave of laughter in the restroom.

Attending such a grand event as an observer certainly carried a tinge of disappointment—everyone secretly wished to be part of the competition. But there was also a unique sense of enjoyment. The excitement, the frustration, the regret, the exhilaration, the emotional highs—they gave every awards ceremony a distinctive charm.

For Renly, this experience was a first. It wasn’t just that he had never attended such glamorous events, let alone a concert or a major awards show, in his previous life. Nor was it solely the excitement of being nominated and the inevitable mix of hope and anxiety. It was also his first time stepping into the spotlight of the entertainment world as a participant. Everything felt electric, thrilling, vivid, and dazzling. Whether participating or spectating, whether winning or losing, each perspective offered a different colour to this awards ceremony.

Shortly after, the second half began, the awards for the miniseries and TV movie categories were presented. This year’s competition was particularly fierce, primarily between ‘You Don’t Know Jack’ and ‘Temple Grandin’.

The former was directed by Barry Levinson, who had also helmed ‘Rain Man’. It garnered four acting nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor, Outstanding Supporting Actor, and two Outstanding Supporting Actress. Its cast included A-list stars like Al Pacino, John Goodman, and Susan Sarandon, making it a strong frontrunner before the Emmy Awards.

The latter was a biographical film directed by Mick Jackson who garnered fame with ‘The Bodyguard’. This series was critically acclaimed upon release, with its acting categories earning three heavyweight nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress, Outstanding Supporting Actor, and Outstanding Supporting Actress. As an acting and emotion-driven story, its cast—Claire Danes, David Strathairn, and Julia Ormond—delivered outstanding performances and became strong contenders for the evening.

The results reflected this. ‘Temple Grandin’ won Outstanding Supporting Actor and Outstanding Supporting Actress awards, not only beating the heavily favoured ‘You Don’t Know Jack’ but also besting Oscar-level actors like Kathy Bates, Susan Sarandon, and Michael Gambon. It was a delightful surprise.

Next, Claire Danes won Oustanding Lead Actress award, triumphing over veteran stars like Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. Her victory continued ‘Temple Grandin’’s dominant streak for the evening.

Meanwhile, ‘You Don’t Know Jack’ faced an unexpected losing streak. Initially expected to sweep the awards, it suffered repeated defeats, creating an atmosphere of growing unease. The next category—Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie—was seen as ‘You Don’t Know Jack’’s best shot at redemption. Al Pacino had received universal acclaim for his performance, and many anticipated that he would win his second Emmy, following his victory for ‘Angels in America’ in 2003.

However, this year’s competition was exceptionally tough. Jeff Bridges was considered Pacino’s biggest challenger. After over 30 years in Hollywood with little recognition, Bridges finally won his first Oscar earlier this year for ‘Crazy Heart’. This time, he entered the Emmy race with ‘A Dog Year’, marking a triumphant return.

Compounding the tension was ‘You Don’t Know Jack’’s earlier string of losses—a troubling omen. Suddenly, the suspense reached a fever pitch!

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T/N – AND the winner of the 62nd Emmy award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie is…find out in the next chapter of The Greatest Showman.

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