Amidst the gazes of the audience, the famous comedy superstar Jim Carrey took the stage as a presenter.
Some people are just that strange, or perhaps the audience is already familiar with his style; even if he stands there motionless, he still makes people want to laugh.
Jim Carrey and Stephen Chow are both such people. Although they are quite serious in real life, the audience is more familiar with their on-screen personas.
"Tonight, I stand here to present the Oscar for Best..."
A background voice suddenly sounded backstage: "Emmy Awards, this is the Emmy Awards!"
Jim Carrey froze, his expression turning blank, as if he had just come to his senses. A close-up shot clearly captured this moment.
Everyone knows he desperately wanted to win an award. The Truman Show and Man on the Moon were both made for awards, but unfortunately, they couldn't get the favor of the Oscar.
Looking around the world, no matter which country, award ceremonies seem to have a prejudice against comedians.
Hahahaha.
Seeing Jim Carrey's self-deprecating daze, the audience, both in the hall and in front of their televisions, burst into laughter.
Ashley and Mary, who favored sitcoms, also clapped their hands happily. This was the kind of awards ceremony they wanted to see.
"Really? Sorry. Sorry, I'm a bit confused! Emmy Awards, Emmy Awards, remember it, you blockhead!"
Jim Carrey patted his head a few times: "Winning an Emmy Award is a great honor, but if I could win an Oscar... OMG! Don't get distracted!"
Hahahaha.
Amidst the laughter from the audience, Jim Carrey lowered his head and wiped away tears, accompanied by his sobs.
"I'm not in the best state today, but please don't worry, especially the Academy, don't worry. Finishing the presentation shouldn't be a problem."
After speaking, he looked up and suddenly flashed a brilliant smile: "How do you think my performance was? Can it add some points for my next award run?"
"Emmy Awards, this is the Emmy Awards!" The background voice sounded again, seemingly a bit angry.
Jim Carrey quickly took two steps back, waving his hands repeatedly, and said in an exaggerated tone: "OK! OK! Do you really think I don't know if you don't say anything? Heh."
His control over emotion, tone, rhythm, and feeling instantly turned a wronged complaint into a burst of laughter from the entire audience.
Why is it that a comedy master can make the same line funny? This is the reason: they know how to stretch emotions, pulling the audience along like stretching noodles.
"Alright, enough with the antics. Next, we will present the award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. The nominees are Terrence Winter for the sopranos, Robin Green for the sopranos, Mitchell Burgess for the sopranos, Matthew Weiner for the sopranos, and Eric Cooper for house of cards."
On screen, Eric's photo was in the center, surrounded by the four writers from the sopranos.
That's right, the sopranos was that strong; one show almost swept the nominations.
"Hahaha, this shot looks so funny."
"One handsome guy and four old men, even a fool knows how to choose."
"My dear, you are surrounded."
Eric patted Elizabeth Olsen's bottom: "Think of it another way, I'm not surrounded, they are surrounded by me!"
"Hmm?"
"Uh?"
"Wow! Eric, listening to you speak always gives me a sudden realization."
Countless people stared at their televisions, at the envelope in Jim Carrey's hand. They watched him slowly open it, and after a glance, he immediately showed an exaggerated expression.
Seeing his expression, many people instantly understood that the young man had indeed created a miracle.
"I announce that the winner of the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series is..."
"Eric Cooper — house of cards!"
As Jim Carrey announced the result, the house of cards crew instantly stood up and cheered. Another heavyweight award was in hand, and applause came from all around.
The four writers from the sopranos were either helpless or wryly smiling. What else could they do?
Four against one, and they were counter-killed. Sometimes it's not that they don't know how to play, it's just that the enemy is too strong.
Neill Blomkamp quickly walked onto the stage and accepted the trophy: "Everyone knows Mr. Cooper couldn't make it, so I'm accepting the award on his behalf. Now I'll read his acceptance speech."
"Did I win? Did I win Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series again?"
"Hahahaha. If it's true, it's a good thing I'm not there, otherwise I'd be so happy I couldn't control myself and make a big fool of myself."
"Because this is a very happy thing, and I seem to have created history again, don't you agree?"
Oh!
The audience immediately booed. Who in Hollywood is more prominent than him right now? Young people should dare to speak their minds.
"Thank you to the Academy for choosing me among the competitors. the sopranos is an excellent show, and I watch it every week."
"Thanks to Michael Dobbs, he provided an excellent novel, which led to an excellent script."
"As for everyone else, I won't thank them for now. If I have another chance to go on stage later, I'll continue."
Hahaha.
Everyone was amused by the humorous acceptance speech. Not to mention the Emmy Awards, in the century-long history of major awards ceremonies, this kind of speech was heard for the first time.
The young man is bold and talented. Is he so confident that he will win more major awards later?
At the Olsen villa, Nicole frowned: "My dear, is it okay to speak like that? Some people will be unhappy."
"And it gives people the impression that I've already arranged everything, and the Academy will definitely give me the award," Theron also shook her head slightly.
"Is that so? I think it's very interesting. I'm tired of those formulaic thank yous," Elizabeth said, raising her little head. Eric took the opportunity to suck her tongue.
"Exactly, everyone likes to see different acceptance speeches, especially those that aren't prepared in advance, as they are the most touching."
"But old-fashioned means safe. Millions of people are watching; no problems means the best speech."
"What's there to be afraid of! When I eventually acquire The Big Six, you can give out whatever awards you want and thank whoever you want."
"Heh heh. It seems my Best Actress award will ultimately depend on this matter. Wait, wouldn't that create a monopoly? The law wouldn't allow it, would it?" Gadot said.
"Anti-monopoly law is certainly an obstacle, but where there's a will, there's a way. It's not entirely impossible to circumvent it."
"Acquiring The Big Six is just talk; it's indeed unlikely to happen. But acquiring two or even three, as long as the channels are cleared, is still achievable."
The awards ceremony then presented the awards for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series and Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series. The former was won by Brian Gordon for Curb Your Enthusiasm, and the latter was taken by Mike Nichols for angels in america.
When it came to the award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, renowned director David Fincher, who had directed Seven and Fight Club, took the stage as the presenter.
"You all know I'm a director who likes to explore the dark side of human nature. I think it's cool; having a dark side makes a person real."
"And this year's nominees are all masters of this art. There are no absolutely good people, no absolutely bad people. I love their work."
"Nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series are Eric Cooper for house of cards, Allen Coulter for the sopranos, Timothy Van Patten for the sopranos, and Walter Hill for Deadwood."
There were only four nominees, and the sopranos once again occupied half the nominations, making it the most likely to win.
They had been called out too many times tonight, yet hadn't taken home a single trophy. Everyone was holding their breath.
Come on, just one.
It would be too much not to give them one! They're being played with!
David Fincher opened the envelope, a smile appearing on his face. Yes, it was his favorite show.
"The result is in my hands. When I saw the name, I wanted to say I'd love to work with him. This show really captivated me."
"The winner for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series is house of cards — Eric Cooper!"
After speaking, David Fincher led the applause. There was no falsehood; he truly loved this show to death.
While watching, he even had a feeling that he would handle some shots in the same way.
He felt that Eric Cooper's style was somewhat similar to his own, and if they could collaborate, it would definitely be a great experience.
※_24_⛬ quickly went on stage again, and after receiving the trophy, he pulled out a second piece of paper: "Here is Mr. Cooper's acceptance speech. He asked me to read it word for word."
"WHAT? I won an award again?"
"Oh my! Then I must thank the Academy on behalf of the Academy, my parents, friends, and colleagues."
"That's right, I want to thank the Academy on behalf of the Academy, because if the Academy didn't give me this award, it wouldn't hear my thanks to it."
"Aha! This is called a potential threat. Have you learned it?"
Hahahaha.
A tongue-twister-like joke instantly made the entire audience burst into laughter.
Potential threat, how could this kid say that? No wonder his stand-up comedy always manages to create a stir. Perhaps this is talent.
"But if you give me a big award, will you hear my thanks?"
"Of course not. You invited me to attend, did I attend?"
Hahahaha.
The laughter that had just subsided erupted again. Sandra Bullock even snorted and sprayed the water she was drinking. Someone next to her quickly patted her back. This scene was naturally captured by the keen cameraman.
Reading up to this point, ※_24_⛬ couldn't hold back: "To hear my thanks, I need a third chance to go on stage."
"Just a reminder, you've already given me two awards. You only need to give me one more, but if you give up, you'll get nothing."
"This is called sunk cost plus potential threat. Have you learned it?"
After reading, ※_24_⛬ added: "That's all. Mr. Cooper's acceptance speech ends here."
Amidst light laughter, he quickly stepped off the stage. He had initially thought he had landed a good gig, a chance to show his face.
Now, he felt his face burning. Damn it, the credit for humor went to him, but the awkwardness of the scene was left for me to bear.
Sitting back in his chair, a new trophy was added to the house of cards crew's table.
On the director's side, a group of people also had expressions of both amusement and helplessness. They certainly didn't know the content of the presenters' acceptance speeches, as these things could be changed at any time.
But someone playing it like Eric was a first.
Through his earpiece, a reminder suddenly came from backstage: "Viewership is soaring, it has already surpassed 28 million, and is still growing rapidly."
Hearing this, the director was stunned. Holy cow, that's intense!
Although the Emmy Awards are hailed as the Oscar of television, their viewership cannot compare to the actual Oscars, usually hovering around 25 million people.
Clearly, the sudden surge was definitely attracted by Eric Cooper's acceptance speech. Everyone wanted to know if he could win another major award.
Go for it! Push it hard!
As Outstanding Limited Series was taken by angels in america, the viewership had already broken the 30 million mark.
When Outstanding Comedy Series was presented, there was an even bigger jump, directly surging to 33 million people.
In just a few minutes, the numbers soared more dramatically than a Kweichow Moutai stock chart!
The ceremony finally reached its climax with the presentation of Outstanding Drama Series, which, like Best Picture, is the highest accolade for a show.
The presenter was Ray Romano, the star of everybody loves raymond, which had won Outstanding Comedy Series at the previous Emmy Awards.
Having been sitting in the audience, Romano hadn't expected his turn to suddenly become so important.
Just as he went on stage, the directing team told him he could appropriately stall for a few minutes. Overtime was fine; the key was to push the viewership even higher.
"Nominated for Outstanding Drama Series are the sopranos, the west wing, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 24, and house of cards."
Slowly opening the envelope, Romano's movements were as deliberate as possible, making the audience in front of their televisions eager to rush in and open it for him.
After some antics and rambling for half a minute, unable to stall any longer, Romano loudly announced: "The winner is house of cards, congratulations!"
OH!
In an instant, cheers and shouts almost tore the roof off the theater.
They did it, they really did it! Best Actor and Actress, Writing, Directing, and Series—all five of the most important awards were won. house of cards had truly created a miracle.
At this moment, viewership soared again, reaching 35 million people. Even in the golden age of television in the 90s, it was never this exaggerated.
Under the expectant gazes of everyone, ※_24_⛬ ascended the podium for the third time.
He pulled out the last piece of paper and cleared his throat vigorously.
"This is absolutely insane; this piece of paper actually got used!"
"Although, well, it is indeed well-deserved, it's still too crazy."
"Sunk cost and potential threat, did you learn it?"
Hahahaha.
Emphasizing it again instantly drew a burst of laughter from the entire audience. It was already predictable that these two terms would definitely make headlines tomorrow.
"You know, I actually feel it might be a bit much. Is house of cards perhaps overrated? I don't think I deserve so many awards."
Hearing him suddenly become humble, some people thought this kid still knew how to be tactful and wasn't going to go too far. The normal thank-you segment should follow.
To everyone's surprise, ※_24_⛬ paused for a moment, then suddenly rolled his eyes and spoke in a very affected manner: "But not tonight!"
That saucy dramatic pause instantly caught many people off guard. This guy!
"house of cards is really great. My original intention for making it was 100% to make the audience happy."
"As for the remaining 900%, of course, it was to make myself even, even richer!"
Hahahaha.
"In short, what the audience likes is what we should do. This is the original intention of every filmmaker, and we will continue to do so."
"This is my acceptance speech."
"What? You haven't thanked the Academy yet?"
"Then let's save that for the Oscar. You've already given me so many awards. I promise, give me one more, and I'll say it."
"Sunk cost plus potential threat, have you learned it?"