Fan & Blog Reactions

Critics, bloggers and fans around the web are busy chiming in on last night's 61st annual Emmy Awards.

The verdict: While the show lacked any major watercooler moments (where's Kanye West when you need him?), most people seemed pleased by the winners and format changes (the telecast organized its awards presentation by genre), with the highest marks going to host Neil Patrick Harris.

Check out what they had to say:

REVIEWS/BLOGGER REACTIONS:

"Neil Patrick Harris: The very model of a smart, funny host, he was the classiest Emmy host since Johnny Carson, with equally good posture. His 'Dr. Horrible' moment, with the stalwart Nathan Fillion, was a high point." [EW.com]

"Harris was affable, charming and simultaneously self-deprecating and comically self-aggrandizing. But it wasn't just him. Everything about the show seemed sharper, faster, punchier: the amusing introductions of the presenters, who mentioned their most embarrassing credits; John Hodgman's witty, deadpan commentary accompanying the winners on their way to the podium; even the acceptance speeches, which for the most part were amusing, moving and mercifully brief." [Hollywood Reporter]

"In general, the show was a marked improvement over last year's, but that's not saying much, since that edition, fronted by multiple reality-show hosts, was one of the low points in the annals of Hollywood's kudocasts." [Variety]

"Host Neil Patrick Harris was a fine choice who pulled off this tough chore with some style, grace, humor and (best of all) efficiency. The telecast also had a jaunty, looser tone - aided and abetted by Harris, a rush of show clips, and a structure that bunched genres together." [Newsday]

"Well, it's about time. I've been pulling for Michael Emerson at the Emmys ever since he first gave me goosebumps as Ben Linus on 'Lost.' I cheered when they called his name." [BuzzSugar]

"By breaking down the awards by genre ... the show Sunday at the Nokia Theatre had a welcome sense of narrative sweetened with a smattering of humorous grace notes ... But it was Harris, fresh off his success at hosting the Tonys, who set and sustained the smart but lighthearted and convivial tone of the evening. From the moment he walked onstage, itself a richer and more evocative setting than last year's bleak theater-in-the-round, you knew you were in good hands." [The Envelope]

On 'American Idol''s Bruce Gowers win for Directing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Series: "WTF? How does guy who consistently failed to get AmIdol episodes finished on time win an Emmy for it?" [Sepinwall]

"Cherry Jones won for 24? What? Just because she's president doesn't mean she was great. There were far better people on that show this season, and they go by the name Annie Werschling." [TWOP]

"It hasn't necessarily been the smoothest career path for Cryer, who went from geeky youthful star to notorious showkiller before landing a hit with 'Two and a Half Men.' Then Cryer lost Emmys three straight years. To Jeremy freakin' Piven. That's why even if you were rooting for Neil Patrick Harris to cap off his big night with a win, it was absolutely impossible not to feel like Ducky's Emmy was a deserved accolade." [HitFix]

"There's no reason that Harris should not have the Emmy hosting gig for life. He was affable and witty, quick on his feet and he brought some old-school razzle-dazzle but could make fun of himself as well." [The Watcher]

"Well thank goodness Neil Patrick Harris and John Hodgman were a kick, huh? Because the list of Emmy winners themselves did nothing to shake up the ceremony this year. While the smooth host won praise and the telecast did seem fresher overall -- loved the way they broke it into comedy, reality, miniseries/movie, and drama, all the better to clean the kitchen during the miniseries/movie segment -- the actual choices were a bit of a yawn." [PopWatch]

"The Emmys, hosted with song and wit by Neil Patrick Harris, was the funniest and most entertaining TV awards-cast in recent memory. But it also seemed, in many ways, like the first Emmy Awards of the post-mass-media era." [TIME]

"I am in love with Neil Patrick Harris ... He did a fantastic job, and even when the jokes fell flat he was able to laugh at himself, which I really, really admire." [DVR Divas]

"In the end, did NPH & Co. deliver the best Emmys cast in recent memory? Sure, the Monday-morning ratings will tell one story. But regardless of those numbers, in comparison to last year's train wreck, as one Barney Stinson would say -- it was a sufficiently awesome night." [Matt Mitovich]

FAN REACTIONS:

"WTF! How could Toni Collette beat Tina Fey? Tina deserved that Emmy!" - StudB

"NPH made the show a lot more fun to watch. He was very good at hosting, keep him for next year. I usually turn off the award shows because they are boring and just wait to see who won the next day on the television, but this show kept my interest and keep me laughing." - KGDug

"I always, ALWAYS look forward to the award shows. But, I actually fell asleep watching last night. The highlight was the beautiful memorial. The rest of the show was boring. The jokes were not funny. The humor seemed a bit simple. I'll certainly be "front and center" to watch again next year... but last night was b-o-r-i-n-g." - BFKORMAN

"Why does 'The Amazing Race' keep beating 'American Idol' & 'Dancing w/the Stars'?!? Clearly those two shows are much more popular & significant to our culture!" - GETGEBBER

"Neil Patrick Harris once again proved he is the premiere emcee for these award shows. Just like he did with the Tonys, NPH brought style, class and humor to a show that sorely needs it. Congrats, Neil!!!" - Geraldr5

"Was it just me or was the cartoon of "Where's my Emmy?" gross and unfunny? It stood out as the worst attempted joke on what otherwise was a fairly decent award show. I was glad to see someone from 'Lost' won. That show deserves more awards." - randytom512

"It was the worst Emmy show ever! It was so boring that I kept falling asleep. All that hype, for what? Whoever planned the show should be nominated for an Emmy as the Worst Awards Show of the Year!" - Nickyell

"I was hoping Jim Parsons would win an Emmy. He is such a talented actor that just does not get enough exposure. He is the best part about the 'Big Bang Theory.' If it wasn't for him, I don't think that show would have survived. It would be nice if they would stop giving the awards to the same people every year." - sophia72073

"I loved the show. It was funny and entertaining. I enjoyed most of all the gorgeous, cute and funny host Neil Patrick Harris who seemed really in his element bringing us all along for the pleasant ride. The winners, I already forgot who won what, but the show is still in my mind as pure entertainment and music and laughs. Thanks NPH for a job well done, I hope to see you hosting the Tonys again and the Emmys again, and why not the Oscars and the Golden Globes too." - Pedro Gay

"This was the best Emmy Show in my memory. NPH was amazing Opening song was brilliant. Loved that they broke up the catagories and I liked the announcer's humor." - CongoBreeze