The annual TV Land Awards. What can I say? From the typical Kathy Griffin jokes to the incomprehensible choice of Vanessa Williams as host, there's a lot to stomach if you want to get to the good stuff.
Jimmie Walker, Gary Coleman, and Barry Williams were only a few of the actors who were wired to "fly" in the opening sequence of the show. Plus Ms. Williams herself. Goody! Just what I've been waiting for: JJ, Arnold, and Greg Brady in flight. Dyn-o-mite! Watchu talkin' about Willis?! Groovy.
But luckily there are a few golden moments. Somewhere in the sad sea of washed-up TV has-beens, there are a few legends who have managed to retain their dignity over the years. The Golden Girls, Dick Van Dyke, Ed Asner, Jonathan Winters. They are all legends who know what we want from them: just show up, be humbly amiable, and don't ruin the long-cherished, TV-perfect image we have of you in our minds. I guess that's the main reason I'm tolerating all of the corny jokes and mushy bits on this show. After all, that's what the TV Land Awards are about, right? All we want is to see our favorite classic TV stars once a year, crossing our fingers hoping that even without their writers they won't say anything that would be out of character of the beloved, classic roles they play.
Garry Marshall received the Legend Award, presented by Dick Van Dyke, Henry Winkler, Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams, and Jack Klugman. His shows such as The Dick Van Dyke Show, Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, and The Odd Couple prove how much he deserves the honor of the Legend Award. But then again, he was responsible for Joanie Loves Chachi... Oh well. No one's perfect, right?
Lionel Richie performing classics Hello, Easy (Like Sunday Morning), and All Night Long was easily the highlight of the evening. He was one of the few stars on the show who appeared in the same calibur of excellence as in the height of his career. His relaxed vocals, accompanied only by his piano-playing, showed why he was honored with the Icon Award. Although the flame-torch-bearing, salsa-outfit-wearing backup dancers in the finale may have made it seem too much like a Carnival Cruise cabaret, it was very entertaining nonetheless.
"Forget about surviving 40 years in the music business," Richie joked upon receiving his award. "Just surviving 27 years of Nicole Richie has been a struggle and half, I want to tell you."
Wow. Our prayers are with you, Lionel Richie. God bless you.
It seems every star, new and old showed up at the awards show. Even Justin Timberlake came to present his Love Guru co-star, Mike Meyers, with the Laughter Award. His Mike Meyers impressions of Wayne (Wayne's World), Austin Powers, Dr. Evil, and Fat Bastard were actually decent, proving that JT can pretty much do anything and everything.
Vanessa Williams closing the show with her own version of All Night Long was kind of strange, considering how legendary Lionel Richie just sang it himself earlier in the evening. However, considering her opening number, I guess it wasn't too surprising. Oh well. Can't wait for next year's show!