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HBO’s ‘Behind the Candelabra’ Is the Big Winner at the Creative Arts Emmys; 45-Second Rule Creates Hassles, Unrest

Sep 16, 2013  •  Post A Comment

HBO’s Liberace biopic "Behind the Candelabra" was the big winner at the 65th Annual Creative Arts Emmys, in a ceremony that spanned what the Los Angeles Times calls a "grueling 3.5 hours" Sunday evening.

"Candelabra," which starred Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, won eight awards, while the Tony Awards telecast and HBO’s "Boardwalk Empire" each earned four Emmys.

Please click here to see the full list of winners of the Creative Arts Emmys.

The event, which honors the best behind-the-scenes work in television, was marred by a 45-second rule for acceptance speeches, which blasted loud music in winners’ faces before they were done with their remarks, the story reports.

That rule apparently relaxed as the evening went on, notes Nellie Andreeva at Deadline.com.

Andreeva reports that Creative Arts Emmys producer Spike Jones Jr. warned participants just before the start of the ceremony: "You have 45 seconds to get from your seat all the way down the aisle, up the steps, and do your acceptance speech. I’m not kidding."

Andreeva adds: "He indeed was not, and the strictly enforced acceptance time limit rubbed many attendees the wrong way as winner after winner had to make a dash for the the stage for a 10-second out-of-breath speech before they were cut off."

Andreeva also reports: "Possibly due to the backlash, the producers seemed to start [to] somewhat relax the strict 45-second limit as the show went on. For instance, comedy great Bob Newhart was not interrupted when accepting his first Emmy. But the worst offenders have been the presenters. Comedian Gilbert Gottfried went on and on for 7-8 minutes before introducing the variety categories."

The Deadline report quotes one unidentified multiple Emmy winner, who was unhappy with the rule, saying: “It’s disrespectful and it’s offensive to the professionals in this room to treat them like cattle. You’ve got women in gowns literally sprinting down the aisle after winning.”

Andreeva adds: "Indeed, one winner with a low-cut top was seen nearly coming out of it. Another winner had to remove her shoes to get to the stage in time. Numerous winners were drowned out by music after speaking for a few seconds, and several others had their mics cut altogether."

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