Smartened up

Thanks to Neil Patrick Harris and the writers and producers of this year's Emmy broadcast for reminding us that an awards show does not have to be a drag.

Although fated to be long and occasionally disappointing by nature (how, exactly, did Kevin Bacon not win for Taking Chance? and did Tina Fey have to make the snarky "wow, that was a nailbiter" when 30 Rock inevitably won best comedy?), Sunday's Emmys introduced a smartly refurbished format. By breaking the awards down by genre - why did no one think of this sooner? - and ending with best comedy and best drama, the show had a welcome sense of narrative sweetened with a smattering of humorous grace notes.

But it was Harris, fresh off his success hosting the Tonys, who set and sustained the smart but light-hearted and convivial tone.

The audience laughed and collectively released the tension from its shoulders; even Steve Carell turned to his wife and said something that looked very much like, "That was good."

Harris effortlessly managed to keep the humour sharp but never insulting - pointing to the almost tuneless musical theme of Lost, Harris ranted that "the last time there were people on a desert island, there was a song about it and dagnabbit, it was awesome" - and as troubling as the invasion of the internet.

Exceptions

Most importantly, Harris created a palpable comfort level among the audience that continued, with a few exceptions, throughout the evening.

Although there were relatively few surprises - Toni Colette beat the unbeatable Fey, Kristin Chenoweth won for Pushing Daises, which was cancelled - there were several lovely moments. The redoubtable Ken Howard, who won best supporting actor in a miniseries or movie for Grey Gardens, acknowledged that the win "was very encouraging" and went on to thank the woman who saved his life by donating her kidney.

Jessica Lange thanked the writer and producers of Grey Gardens for her role as Big Edie Beale, saying "this part was a gift and they don't come around that often for me any more," and Survivor's Jeff Probst, winning best reality host for the second time, quoted Joseph Campbell, saying "the adventure you get is the adventure you're ready for" and carried it off nicely.

The night belonged to television. From Weiner, praising the Mad Men cast for making writing look fun "and it isn't," to Brendan Gleeson (who won best actor in a movie or miniseries) thanking the makers of Into the Storm for showing a rough cut to his parents before his mother died, from Lost's Michael Emerson saying he is "living a character actor's dream" to the welter of compliments Harris received from his peers for his handling of an often unwieldy show, this was a night that celebrated the medium and the community that creates it.