Emmy hangover: Conan's plane-crash sketch

Leo J. Nignalad Wed, Aug 30, 2006 at 10:28 AM EST

Three words: KAREEM ABDUL JABBAR

Lora Wed, Aug 30, 2006 at 08:50 AM EST

In 2004, there were 42,636 deaths from car accidents. That's over 116 deaths per day. If the Emmys that year had done a spoof of a popular TV show involving a car accident, should they have apologized for their insensitivity to those 116 families? Are the lives of those who die in a plane crash somehow worth more than the lives of those who die in car crashes? Is it more tragic just because they die in the same place? I completely agree with Scott Brown's blog. Tragedies happen every day for many families, and you can't expect television shows to adjust their programming so as not to offend any person who might be dealing with a tragedy.

Roxanne Wed, Aug 30, 2006 at 07:15 AM EST

Being sensitive to the suffering of others isn't being PC, it's being human. If you are incapable if seeing that, then I feel sorry for the people that you come into contact with on a regular basis.

Mark Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 05:14 PM EST

i knew about the Kentucky plane crash beforehand, but when i watched the Emmy skit i didn't make a connection because it was OBVIOUSLY a spoof of "Lost" and had NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH THE KENTUCKY PLANE CRASH. seriously, why can't everyone see that ??? i just don't understand it. it's not like the Emmys showed a plane going off a runway and crashing into a field with people on fire inside, for pete's sake. the Emmy skit didn't even show the plane actually crashing, just mainly Conan acting silly by climbing into a overhead luggage bin. how in the world is that offensive ???

Stephanie Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 03:03 PM EST

People have become too P.C. but these things unfortunately do happen, and it's horrible but it was an accident. There should have been a moment of silence. Next time show the Jermey Piven Monologue from P.C.U. where he explains that the students have become too P.C.

ihateukfans Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 02:55 PM EST

it's KY who cares

Big Momma Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 02:19 PM EST

Look, someone at NBC had to have known about the crash as well as what the skit contained. A decision was made to air it without editing it. It was their call, and now they have to pay the piper.

Josh Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 01:40 PM EST

I have to really question how many people directly affected by the crash were actually at their TVs on Sunday night. I doubt I would have been. And even if I had been, I watch the Emmys as a TV fan. Even other fans who do not watch Lost must have known right away that Conan was parodying Lost. As soon as I saw him on a plane, I knew it was going to crash, and could have changed the channel. I'm glad I didn't.

Emmyfan Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 01:24 PM EST

Several months ago in my area, there was a hostage situation going on downtown that the local affiliates were covering literally all day long. And many people were killed (including two children). And later that night, the primetime schedule kicked in, and guess what the topic was on that night's episode of one of the cop shows?

I do not in any way ignore the Kentucky plane crash tragedy, and until I read about the hubbub of people being upset about the skit, I had all but completely forgotten about it and was back to focusing on real news about real events and looking for news about any new developments regarding the crash. Because the skit is not important, nor was the badly-ironic ill-timed nature of its joke important, and wasting time lamenting the insensitivity of the timing is not important.

And as someone below asked in a long post, would I be so easy to dismiss it as "grim juxtaposition" if I knew someone personally in that crash? The answer, in fact, is yes, I would. Because I know perfectly well that it's not intentional and it is, in fact, just that--a horrible irony and bad timing. But I'd let it go at that. And as I said earlier, if I was personally connected to this, I would have far too many other important things on my mind than to be angry at a network about something they created long before this happened, let alone spend time complaining about it on an internet blog.

However, the one thing I will defend and take back, now, is the "people wouldn't have been watching the Emmys anyway" thing. Because that is really bad irony and really, REALLY bad timing if the local NBC affiliates had been airing the coverage and footage right up till 8:00 and cut right to the Emmys and the skit. But I still wouldn't be placing blame on the network for anything. Actually, I'm more offended by the affiliates still resorting to the sensationalist form of journalism of inundating people with horrible gruesome footage ad nauseam for 10 hours straight.

Hugo Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 01:22 PM EST

Like Big Momma and a few others on here, I have a heart. The rest of you can get all upset because someone you don't know didn't win an award that no one will remember in a few months.

All it took was a ten-to-twenty second edit.

Linda Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 01:16 PM EST

Well maybe the rest of you are a little too uptight Hugo.

Hugo Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 01:10 PM EST

The point is, emmyfan and the rest of you soulless sociopaths, is that pople did find it insensitive. It was a major tragedy that happened that day. Comedy is delicate, and timing - as they say - is everything. Timing was bad. And just because you can ignore what happens in the world and blithely laugh away at anything doesn't mean the rest of us can.

Emmyfan Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 01:05 PM EST

"Poke fun of the shows nominated in a montage or pick another show to make fun of."

Again I say, who's to say that what they make fun of in this backup plan or how they satirize it doesn't happen in real life that day, too? I think you missed my point.

Linda Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 01:01 PM EST

Bad things happen everyday. People die in accidents all th time. Conan was not making fun of the plane crash, he nor NBC should not have to apologize.

Stephanie Travitsky Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:54 PM EST

Emmyfan:

The sketch was making Lost so, it could have worked this way:

Poke fun of the shows nominated in a montage or pick another show to make fun of. Is it orginal? Absolutely not, but it worked for Billy Crystal. Personally I would have mocked "The Office" A fake documentary of what goes on behind the Emmys.

mrcr Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:41 PM EST

They could have edited out the plane part and just had Conan coming out of the island onto the beach - it still would've been hilarious.

Wendy Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:39 PM EST

I had been out of town all weekend and hadn't been on the 'net or seen TV, but I made it home in time to see the Emmy's. I had no idea there had even been a plane crash until the next morning and even then I never thought it was in poor taste.

Diggity Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:38 PM EST

This is rediculous. Obviously, it was not meant to insult anyone but was part of a collage of SPOOFS of TV shows. People are so overly sensitive these days I can't stand it. It was funny. Conan was funny. And someone correctly pointed out that if your loved one died in that crash in Kentucky, you were most likely not watching the Emmys. If you were, maybe YOU are the one who needs to get their priorities straight!

R.O.B. Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:31 PM EST

I can see how it might have offended, but it was such a small part of an overall awesomely funny sketch. If they thought about it, they totally could have shown him on the plane, say "nothing bad is gonna happen", and then just skipped to him being on the beach - people wopuld have gotten it. Just sad that the rest of the sketch isn't getting any credit. Awesome ending, too.

Billy D. Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:18 PM EST

The tragic events that occurred within hours of the Emmys should have slated NBC to not run the pre-recorded skit, mainly out of respect for the victims of the plane crash. The skit was pre-recorded and everyone knows it was not aimed at the tragedy, but meant to be a funny spoof of a popular television show. This does not make up for its lack of taste in light of the recent events. NBC had ample time to change this; instead they went straight from their all day coverage of the tragedy, right into the plane crash spoof. Scott makes a very interesting point when he says, “the live Emmycast [would be thrown] into significant confusion and perhaps necessitating a statement from the host”, well I am sorry the Emmys would have had to suffer from the loss of a five minute pre-recorded spoof. It does not matter that forty-nine people are dead as long as there is no confusion at the Emmys.

Scott Brown makes another very fascinating point when he says, “My guess is, anyone intimately involved in the Kentucky air tragedy wasn't watching the Emmycast anyway.” Since Scott obviously has the nerve to speculate such a statement, let me point out a second time—NBC went straight from their live coverage of the tragic plane crash into the Emmys. I guess everyone just changed the channel.

The obviously knowledgeable journalist Scott Brown then compares the likeliness of the plane crash to that of a fatal car pileup. Sure this was no September 11th and it does not compare in size to the last plane crash in Queens, NY (God bless their soles), but I have not heard of a car crash incinerating forty-nine people in minutes (let alone Conan O’Brian doing a funny stunt about a car crash on the same day). In that light, I will do a little speculation of my own. Scott Brown’s heart on this subject is comparable to the Grinch. Sure, Scott is correct, life gives us many grim juxtapositions, but people deserve respect and compassion. What if you knew one of the victims, would that change your reasoning on the subject? That is a question that can not be answered.

With this being said, I have a confession. I am from Kentucky and personally knew two of the passengers aboard the plane. Does this make me bias on the subject? Maybe so, but I would like to think it does not. If I saw a meaningless spoof, such as Conan O’Brian’s at the Emmys that had a connection to the day’s events, I would deem it as tasteless. I know it had no meaning, but it is the thought that counts and the beginning of the Emmys was thoughtless.

Emmyfan Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:14 PM EST

That's a great idea about having an alternate sketch. Just one problem: Who's to say the second sketch won't be unintentionally mocking something else going on? Things happen everywhere and can happen any minute. What if the opening sketch started with House and followed all-day coverage about the arrest of a corrupt doctor in Missouri who misdiagnosed hundreds of people? What if the opening sketch started with 24 and showed Conan avoiding a huge explosion, right after the station showed all-day coverage of a bombing in a factory in Arizona? I'm sure somewhere there was a family whose loved one was kidnapped this weekend who was probably offended by the To Catch a Predator spoof; should they have pulled that, too?

It was unfortunate timing. Perhaps they should have edited it, but let's not focus our blame on a network showing a silly little two-minute skit on an inane "awards" show and start directing our concern back to the families who have no doubt either not even watched the darn Emmys in the first place or if they did have already moved on to infinitely more pressing matters in this difficult time, and to the authorities responsible for and investigating the actual matter, hmm?

Roxanne Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:13 PM EST

Television is a very invasive medium. It's in our living rooms, our kitchens, our bedrooms. You cannot just brush it off as "just a TV show." If people can get so upset over who won or didn't win, then wy can't you understand why people would be upset over seeing a comedy skit that reflected a terrible news event that people had just been watching.

Alex Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:08 PM EST

Why is this the central focus? I find this all disturbing. Is it PC to show the footage of planes crashing over and over again in order to add "shock and awe" value to the story? Let's not loose focus folks - I was lucky enough to survive 9/11 and I empathize with the poor families in Kentucky and wish them well. I just think the priorities have placed incorrectly... life is too short to put much thought in a show that congratulates and rewards the rich and famous...

Alexa Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:08 PM EST

I live in Lexington and I was watching it as it aired. The news just went off and the Emmy's came on and let me just say, it was disturbing. I don't get upset about most stuff like this, but it did bother me in that moment. I think NBC should have atleast told local KY affialites about it, so that they could just have some dead air for a few and then jump to the live telecast. It was tasteless, though, I'm sure unintentional...and if they were to redo the opening, that prob. wouldn't have been a quick fix, considering the way they were filmed were like the actual show. I do think that NBC should have notified local affiliates.

Big Momma Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:02 PM EST

I have never in my life been immune to the suffering of others. However, it just seems that lately(it started with the Oklahoma City Bombing)I am unable to shrug off the sorrow as quickly as I once did. Does anyone else feel this way?

Stephanie Travitsky Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:59 AM EST

OK, so next time when these type of award shows are on, the writers should have an alternate sketch to show just in case something like this would happen. I feel awful about the crash and the ones who risked thier lives, and my heart goes out to their families. However, people make mistakes. Let it go. It is just a program.

EP: People don't watch intelligent comedies anymore. This is why A.D. was pulled off the air. I am glad that J.L.D. won because now she does not have to be known as "just Elaine". BTW: Brad Hall should make a comeback to SNL just to do the news. He was a decent anchor.

Emmyfan Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:53 AM EST

Oh, I know about that. I certainly would have thought of the Kentucky crash immediately when the skit started if I was living in an area that had endless, uninterrupted coverage of the horrible tragedy. I don't, and even though I had been following the news about it all day, had just read another series of articles online about 45 minutes before the Emmys started, the first thing I still thought of was Lost because I knew darn well what it was about.

However, I do see how it would come across as insensitive and really, really, stupid and bad timing if I had just been watching the news about the real tragedy all day and literally minutes before. But I still would not be wasting my energy blaming the network for a skit that I know was filmed weeks ago. I would notice the irony and wonder if they thought about changing it, but I would let it go. And really, having lived through many well-covered stories and events about tragedy, both national and somewhat localized, the thing I would REALLY be finding insensitive is the news affiliates' seeming need to sensationalize a terrible story by playing footage over and over and over and over as if people really want to see such horrible things again and again when they're grieving and in shock.

jordan Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:41 AM EST

Cheapshot, I know. I apologize, but I couldn't resist myself.

What is not understood is the timeline in everything. The emmy awards were patched straight through RIGHT AFTER live coverage of learning that people's families incinerated alive in a fuselage of a plane. You probably would understand Emmyfan that it was atrocious timing for such an skit to happen. But you couldn't fathom, nor I, the effect it had on grandparents, mothers, fathers, best-men of these individuals who were watching the uninterrupted coverage of such a gruesome event.

Jelle Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:35 AM EST

I get randy by these kind of story's.. keep laughin' for both act's...

RayT Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:31 AM EST

And we're all missing the most important point here: Conan's plane didn't CRASH, it was magnetically drawn to an island hatch by an Australian guy who didn't push a button! Come on, people!

Jordan Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:30 AM EST

What's even more appalling than that is the staggering number of illiterate people in today's world. Youda thunk Slim might have gotten past 3rd grade english.

RayT Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:29 AM EST

How about instead of demanding an apology from NBC, they demand an apology from the airline?! Or the drunk pilot who took off on the wrong runway? Maybe they should apologize first before Conan et. al. has to!

Big Momma Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:28 AM EST

And don't forget brains!!!!

Where y'at, Dawlin"! Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:26 AM EST

Thank goodness for posters like Laura,Big Momma, Roxanne,Jordan and even you, CA......the rest of you, go see the Wizard and ask him to give y'all a heart.

Slim dutchie Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:17 AM EST

Hey grow up people... it's television!!! you don't have to watch it there is a button which turns the television off.

BTW: there are worser problems in the world than a fake plane crash on television, for example!!! your president!!!

Roxanne Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:16 AM EST

I agree that it was tasteless that NBC aired that part of the skit, when it so easily have edited it. I grew up in Lexington and had been watching tthe coverage all day. I turned on the Emmys for something light to take a break from the news (I also live in South Florida, so I'm ealing with an oncoming tropical storm).

I was frankly appalled that they showed that part of the skit, and it ruined any intention they had of being funny. If this had happened in NY or LA,, the skit would have been edited. And don't give me the excuse that they were too busy with the telecast. If you're dealing with live TV, you have to be sensitive to what's happening in the world that day.

Emmyfan Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:14 AM EST

How would I feel is this were my family or friends? One, if my family and friends were killed in a horrible accident, chances are, I probably wouldn't be sitting on my couch watching a Hollywood glitz-and-glamour awards show later that same day in the first place. And two, even if I was, I would take note of the tragic irony of the timing of the broadcast, look up at the ceiling and say "Ha ha, good one," and then move on--because I am well aware that that this is a spoof about a television show, not a satire about real-life accidents. And I would probably have more problems going on than to waste my energy being mad at a television network.

Okay, there's a 20-car pileup tonight and every driver and passenger is killed. Are you going to feel guilty for ever laughing at a deliberate tongue-in-cheek spoof poking fun not at car crashes in general, but a well-known car-crash-themed television show or a movie?

This was not at all like mocking 9/11. The skit was not mocking plane crashes; it was mocking a television show, and I think everyone is forgetting this. Mocking horrible real-life plane crashes, the real-life Kentucky tragedy or not, would be a horrible and insensitive thing. If this was a skit making fun of aviation tragedies, then I would be in line to complain to NBC, too. But this was about a television program, and nothing more. Could they have started the skit at the beach and skipped the whole plane scene? Sure. But I would hardly put them under fire for going ahead and playing it the way they did. It was just unfortunate timing. Life is full of wacky ironies that, in the immediate situation, seem cruel. But it's just bad irony. Let it go. It's just a stupid skit on a stupid awards show.

Big Momma Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 11:07 AM EST

Great country America....freedom of speech for all!!

Where y'at, Dawlin"! Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 10:58 AM EST

Well put,Laura. I truly hope all those who feel this is unimportant or equal to a mediocre awards telecast never have to experience the pain of losing loved ones or having their lives disrupted......no, completely ended for all intents and purposes........by a catastrophe, whether it's an act of God or an act of war.

koerbagh Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 10:50 AM EST

Seriously, I don't know what's worse, the KY plane crash, Conan's skit, Lost or the Emmy-show.
I rate all of them almost equally high on the universal disaster scale and equally low on the universal importance scale.

Laura Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 10:47 AM EST

How would you feel if this was your family or friends? While immediate family might not have been watching, I'm sure others connected did. While I understand that there wasn't much they could do, I do agree they should have started it with him on the beach. It's not like this was a little crash - all but one person was killed. It would be like mocking September 11th right after it happened (on a smaller scale and without the intent). I don't understand how it's ok for us to laugh at something while other people are mourning the loss of loved ones. Shame on us for thinking our entertainment is more important than others' pain. What a desensitized culture we have become.

Emmyfan Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 10:45 AM EST

I do hope that Kentucky news anchor is proud of himself for trying to create an idiotic controversy out of the EMMYS in the middle of these families' grief, because the only person who has intentionally stirred up trouble in all of this is HIM.

julie Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 10:43 AM EST

I cannot believe the uproar about what...a few seconds of a COMEDY SKIT on TV? These people have nothing better to do than complain about something on TV? Maybe they should spend some time donating something to the families of the crash or teaching a class in airline crash survival or something?? If you dont like it, CHANGE THE CHANNEL and QUIT YOUR WHININ....

Big Momma Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 10:33 AM EST

Well said....thank you Dawlin.

Where y'at, Dawlin"! Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 10:30 AM EST

I remember being appalled when regular programming came back after 9/11........it just all seemed to pale in significance to the colossal tragedy that was the WTC.And, now, one year after Katrina, I don't read the newspapers or watch much tv at all. Having gone through what amounts to being reincarnated without having actually died, mundane actions lose their appeal and lsitening to, or reading, reports by third party observers can never supplant the experience of having lived the event.

Big Momma Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 10:22 AM EST

Some of us were still not watching regular TV a few weeks after September 11th.

Dave Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 10:12 AM EST

I'm glad to hear NBC issued an apology. I don't think the skit should have been changed at the list minute because obviously it was about Lost, not intended to have anything to do with the crash in Kentucky, and just an extremely bad coincidence. They could have preempted it for the Kentucky affiliates or at least informed them in advance of the skit, however I don't think it was in poor taste to air it since everyone knew it was poking fun at Lost. We should move on to more important things, such as helping the victim's family's, figuring out what went wrong, and punishing those responsible. By the way, 24 premiered a few weeks after 9/11, and the first episode involved a terrorist blowing up a plane over LA. I remember some people being upset, but I don't recall any huge backlash or FOX having to apologize.

Big Momma Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 09:49 AM EST

Glad to hear it Heather, thanks!!

Where y'at, Dawlin"! Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 09:46 AM EST

I missed the NBC apology......glad to hear they issued one. I'm sure no offense was ever intended, especially since NBC is attempting a ratings comeback.

Heather Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 09:43 AM EST

NBC did go ahead and issue an apology anyway yesterday but I don't think they should have pulled the skit. A case of tragic irony? Definitely. Meant to hurt people? Not at all.

Big Momma Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 09:36 AM EST

I am in total agreement with both of your posts Dawlin.

Where y'at, Dawlin"! Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 09:34 AM EST

Big Momma, with officials like Nagin in charge, you can understand why New Orleans is still in a world of hurt one year after Hurricane Katrina. From our incomparable Governor "Blank" right down to "Willy" Nagin and all the fools on the city council, there isn't a complete brain among the group.

Where y'at, Dawlin"! Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 09:31 AM EST

What or whom could it possibly hurt for NBC to issue an apology for an unfortunate coincidence? A simple heartfelt "We certainly did not mean to offend anyone and we offer our condolences to the families and friends of the victims of Sunday's tragedy" would suffice, costing NBC nothing but a piece of paper and the time of the employee who typed it.

Big Momma Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 09:31 AM EST

Yeah, like we here in NYC had a heads up about the SIXTY MINUTES interview with that dope Ray Nagen.

kel Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 09:18 AM EST

Hey, the crash happened "nowhere" (Kentucky) to 49 "nobodies" (not famous people) so everyone should quit being so sensitive.

I do wonder what NBC's reaction would have been if a similar skit was scheduled to have run on 9/12/01 or right after Dick Ebersol's crash.

Actually, while I don't think that NBC should have dumped/cut the skit, they should have at the very least given a heads-up to the local affiliates that the skit was happening.

Big Momma Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 09:10 AM EST

Hmmm....it is very hard for me to believe that the director of the Emmys DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE CRASH. It was the first thing I heard on the radio Sunday morning.

Stephanie Travitsky Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 09:03 AM EST

The parody was a take off on the begining of "Lost", an Emmy nominated show for best Drama. It had absolutley nothing to do with the Kentucky plane crash and I don't think that the director of the Emmy's knew about the crash at the time. If he did perhaps that skit could have been omitted and Conan could have improvised or there should have been a "Plan B skit". However, let's be honest here, no one can predict these things. It was just bad timing that's all.

Just Me Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 08:59 AM EST

It was bad timing. This was obviously a skit of something else. Unfortunately, the coincidence was strong, so people have understandably taken off with it.

jordan Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 08:58 AM EST

If by handful you mean the entire region, then you are correct. As they would in any plane crash, that section of Blugrass Airport was closed off and the NBC news affiliate had run all-day non-stop coverage of the accident. Because WLEX's coverage went right up to the start of the Emmys, why wouldn't you think its possible that lots of people who were at greatly affected by the crash were watching at the time? I can see how families, best friends, etc. might get offended.

A lot of the families only connection to the crash was what they picked up off the news and from telephone calls. To have a spoof like that "rubbed in their face" even if it was unintentional, is salt in the wound. Apologies? To the families and friends? Undoubtedly. To some weasel looking for attention, no.

Jill Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 08:34 AM EST

Although I don't think it is THAT big of a deal, I DID think about it when I was watching the sketch. I would think that they easily could have cut from "What could go wrong?" to Conan emerging from the ocean and skipped the whole plane 'turbulence' sequence....this would have taken nothing from the skit and probably alleviate the criticism.

nic Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 08:28 AM EST

This was a parody of a TV plane crash...it had nothing to do with real life. I understand if it was hard to watch for people in the KY region, but something that NBC should apologize for? No way. Only a handful of people even made the connection between the fake TV crash and the real one.

EP Sato Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 08:13 AM EST

Bootsy-Thanks for putting things into perspective. There are much worse things than Lisa Kudrow gettin' robbed.

Peter Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 07:31 AM EST

ITS A PARADOY OF THE PLANE CRASH IN LOST FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!! Should LOST have to appologize as well for being the basis of the skit??? If 30 people in Alabamba fell out of their chairs and died, should the emmy audience have to stand for the whole show???? Jesus, get a sense of humor. It's the best way to deal with tragedy anyhow.

Jim Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 07:19 AM EST

People are a little too sensitive, I could understand if Conan was parodying the actual flight in KY, but he wasn't, it was a spoof on Lost. GEt a life people learn to seperate truth from fiction.

Jakeem Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 04:23 AM EST

Actually, I never thought about the Kentucky crash because I took the Emmys opener for what it was -- a spoof on "Lost."
In retrospect, however, they could have averted controversy by beginning the segment at the part when Conan arrives on the beach.

Snarky Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 02:36 AM EST

Interesting...NBC owned "Bravo" network repeated the Emmy telecast 3 x's on Monday, and left the plane crash scene in. Maybe it was edited out in the Kentucky market, anyone know?

california Tue, Aug 29, 2006 at 12:01 AM EST

Where y'at Dawlin, you are also correct. In this particular situation, due to the fact that the crash was so close to the emmy's being aired, I am inclined to give NBC the benefit of the doubt and forgive. However, I must admit to you that if the emmy's had aired 24 hours or longer after the crash and they aired that segment, I would have been disturbed in all likelihoods. I cannot sit through a movie about Sept 11, and I try to stay away from films about massive earthquakes because it hits too close to home, so I do understand how people who are upset are feeling. I know I come off cold all the time in my life, but I do really have feelings and I want everyone to know that I do think the Kentucky crash is a huge tragedy and never should have happened in the first place. I personally do not ride in airplanes for this exact reason.

Where y'at, Dawlin"! Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 11:28 PM EST

CA, you're correct that it is fortunate more lives were not lost in the KY air tragedy, and your points of focus are well taken. The fact remains, however, that for the families and friends of the 49 vicitms, this tragedy is all too fresh and the wounds too raw to have it replayed in any form on televison. One year ago today, I lost everything I ever owned in Hurricane Katrina. I cannot YET watch a documentary about that disaster much less endure a comic treatment of the subject. It is STILL too soon.

california Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 11:19 PM EST

Where y'at Dawlin, you took my quote of "only" completely out of context. I said:
"Frankly, only 49 people parished in this accident which was tremendously lucky. Hundreds of people in Europe die every year in air crashes. Stop being such PC ninnies!"
In other words, we should stop whining about something that already aired on TV and offended a small percentage of the overall viewing community, and focus on: 1. fixing the problem so this doesn't happen again, 2. investigating the issue to determine who was derelict in their duties and punish them, and most importantly 3. thank our lucky stars that it was not an even bigger plane with even more people on board that crashed, and that we live in America where these things are extremely rare.

Where y'at, Dawlin"! Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 11:12 PM EST

No one here is saying that American lives are valued more than Russian lives, or any other nationality for that matter. How many satires of plane crashes were aired on the same day the Russian tragedies happened? You missed the point,CA

california Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 11:06 PM EST

On August 24th 170 Russians died in an air plane crash. In July, 124 Russians died in an air plane crash. In May, 123 people were killed when a plane flying from Armenia to Russia crashed. I find it insensitive that we value 49 American lives so much more than 417 Russian lives.

jordan Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 11:00 PM EST

I don't watch Lost but I knew what the spoof was about. I am from the area of the crash and was actually pretty good friends with the newlywed couple who parished in this accident. I thought it was a bit distasteful not to edit the skit out of the Kentucky region, but I also see the difference in bad timing so I didn't take it to heart.

To compare this catastrophe to a car pile-up or a drunk driver's accident which happens everyday is ludicrous. 49 people aren't usually incinerated seconds after your typical car crash. But I also realize, its easy for you all to say it's not a big deal. I've been in your shoes before. In many tragedies around the nation, I've wondered when people would quit whining like babies. But I see it clearly now. People around here are hurt about losing loved ones. It's taken 5 years for the 9/11 tragedy to come out in the movies, and America wasn't sure before the release it was time for it. People in Kentucky weren't ready. Just terrible timing.

Where y'at, Dawlin"! Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 10:44 PM EST

It seems to me that NBC, of all networks, would have been more sensitive to the inappropriateness of airing a plane crash spoof on the same day so many lives were lost in one. After all, it was not that long ago that exec Dick Ebersol lost his own son in a similar tragic air crash.

Personally, I find the comment that ONLY 49 people died in this crash to be more insensitive than Nbc's airing of the LOST spoof.

california Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 10:32 PM EST

* wildfires areN'T

also I know my post comes off very cold hearted and I am sorry. I do feel for the victims, and think the district attorney's in the area should consider charges of negligence against the airport. Honestly, what morons were working at that airport! Things like this should not happen if people did their jobs properly!!!

california Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 10:28 PM EST

I have never in my life seen an episode of Lost. Before the Emmy's aired I was on CNN.com. When the Emmy's started, I instantly knew a parody of Lost was in progress and I did not even think of the Kentucky air crash until reading about the outrage today. Planes crash all the time in other countries. Just a few days ago over a hundred people, many of them children, died in a crash in Russia. Frankly, only 49 people parished in this accident which was tremendously lucky. Hundreds of people in Europe die every year in air crashes. Stop being such PC ninnies!

And wildfires are aired on TV Drama's because like every Drama on TV takes place in an urban setting (usually New York). Though I remember episodes of CSI and CSI Miami that had wildfires in their storylines for an episode. Anyway, wildfires aren't as dramatic because the death toll isn't high, usually there is no death toll, it's just property damage, and that isn't drama.

california Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 10:28 PM EST

I have never in my life seen an episode of Lost. Before the Emmy's aired I was on CNN.com. When the Emmy's started, I instantly knew a parody of Lost was in progress and I did not even think of the Kentucky air crash until reading about the outrage today. Planes crash all the time in other countries. Just a few days ago over a hundred people, many of them children, died in a crash in Russia. Frankly, only 49 people parished in this accident which was tremendously lucky. Hundreds of people in Europe die every year in air crashes. Stop being such PC ninnies!

And wildfires are aired on TV Drama's because like every Drama on TV takes place in an urban setting (usually New York). Though I remember episodes of CSI and CSI Miami that had wildfires in their storylines for an episode. Anyway, wildfires aren't as dramatic because the death toll isn't high, usually there is no death toll, it's just property damage, and that isn't drama

Kristy Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 10:03 PM EST

I live in the town where the plane crash happened yesterday. I was eagerly looking forward to the airing of the Emmy's (as I do every year) and was actually worried it was going to get pre-empted locally for continuing coverage of the crash. The local affiliate had a half-hour recap leading up to the beginning of the show (they didn't show all the red carpet stuff here). So I went directly from images and stories of lives cut tragically short to scenes of comedy and people (on tv) laughing at a plane crash. I was a bit taken aback that this wasn't edited out. It definitely put a damper on the telecast for me.

I know many are saying that it was a parody and that we can't be too overly sensitive, but had this happened in or near L.A., I don't doubt changes would have been made prior to its airing. How many jokes about wildfires do we see on tv?

jake Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 09:47 PM EST

Agreed, so much overreaction.

oh, and Old Christine is one of the funniest shows on the air-- julia louis dreyfuss is absolutely hilarious and it is guaranteed to give you at least one belly laugh.

Paul Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 09:26 PM EST

I am SO sick of having to listen to stupid people so often. It was an unfortunate coincidence, nothing more. No apology is necessary. Someone should smack this affiliate upside the head and knock some sense into him.

Everybody is falling all over each other to prove that they're more sensitive than the next person, and in doing so they never think of just how ridiculous their demands are.

We need less stupid people breathing our air.

bootsycolumbia Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 09:10 PM EST

Ep Sato, Julia Louis-Dreyfus winning an Emmy isn't THAT bad. Just imagine an alternate universe where According to Jim wins Best Comedy, Beverly Mitchell (7th Heaven) wins Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, and America's Funniest Home Videos wins Best Reality Show. I just finished watching Old Christine, and I agree, it's not great, but Julia -Louis Dreyfus is a talented actor and when this show ends, she'll go on to do something better.

As for the plane crash, c'mon, people. Of course that plane crash in Kentucky was tragic. My heart truly goes out to the families of the victims. But it was so obvious that the opening skit was a reference to Lost. Let's not turn every unfortunate coincidence into a controversy.

BJohnson Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 09:09 PM EST

1st of all I don't think Conan O'Brien is in charge of the entire Emmys so I don't see him as being the final say in if that part of the Lost parody aired. As far as the sketch airing, I laughed through the whole skit, I knew it was a Lost ripoff, but I remembered when they pondered the Lost crash two seasons ago because of 9/11. Then doesn't the CSIs, Law & Orders & Without a Trace play up similar tragedies in hour long episodes "with a twist" so it's not exactly like the original case. That portion of the opening act lasted about a minute b4 it moved on in the Lost parody. If it was all about in good taste, only thing left on tv would be....well nothing.

sam Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 08:47 PM EST

Although the opening was hilarious and I knew that it was a skit about Lost, I still cringed at the beginning plane crash and I wondered why NBC wasn't sensitive enough to start it at the beach. When did it become acceptable to be indifferent to other people's pain? I have seen so many comments today about this issue and Dick Clark's condition from people trying to be funny and cool that it sickens me a bit. What is wrong with Conan that this didn't occur to him?

Emmyfan Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 08:15 PM EST

Edit: That's supposed to say "9/11," obviously. Stupid keyboard.

Emmyfan Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 08:13 PM EST

I too think everyone is overreacting about the skit. It's very unfortunate timing, but it's not like they knew there would be a real-life plane crash that day. The thing was filmed probably weeks ago. And everyone's comments are right on: one, I doubt many people who were personally affected by the Kentucky tragedy were even watching the Emmys in the first place, and two, what are networks going to do, check news reports to make sure nothing bad happened that day so they don't air something that might offend someone? And you know, apart from all that, the crash happened the same day as the Emmys, literally hours before. I think if there had been a little more time, if the Kentucky crash had happened a week ago, then they would have edited it out. Take 9/1, for example. I remember that Fox had originally scheduled for their Sunday night movie, on Sept. 16, the movie "Independence Day" which as we know features many buildings and landmarks being attacked and destroyed. In light of the WTC attacks, they obviously changed the schedule. But then, they had five days' notice. This plane crash happened earlier the same day, complaining people. Stop making a big deal out of it.

girard Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 07:59 PM EST

I'm sure the families of the victims of the crash gathered around the TV to watch the Emmys last night. Puh-leez! Let's grow a pair here people, my Mom was killed by a drunk driver, but every car crash scene doesn't put me over the deep end.

Manda Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 07:50 PM EST

Unfortunately I'm not the least bit surprised that that manager of WLEX has overreacted about this issue. This is the same man who chose to pre-empt an episode of "The Office" last year because its "graphic nature." Anyone with eyes could see that the Emmy skit was a take on "Lost."

Peggy Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 07:32 PM EST

I'm sure it wasn't intentional, however, they could have avoided this unfortunate coincidence by starting the sketch as Conan walked onto the shore. ( This is how the "Today" show replayed it on Monday). That sketch was brilliant, my favorite part was the "Chris Hanson sting".

Kitty Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 07:23 PM EST

I'm sure nobody wanted to disrespect the families of the Kentucky plane crash. The tragedy is just that, a tragedy and no one was trying to make fun of it.

If you watch lost..........you would have gotten the joke.

brandonk Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 07:08 PM EST

"Old Christine" is hilarious, and she totally deserves that Emmy.
Anyway, I think the sketch was fine. A very small number of people, most of whom probably didn't even watch the show, would have been affected by the plane crash. It was obviously making fun of the first episode of "Lost", not the crash in Kentucky or any of the other real-life airplane crashes that have happened.

Rachel Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 07:01 PM EST

In other recetnt events, I was kind of surprised that they didn't mention Bruno Kirby in the tribute part of the show. Or did I miss it?

Anne Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 06:20 PM EST

I also totally agree that it's just a sad coincidence. Being a New Englander, it was very strange a few years ago when CSI: Miami had an episode centered around a fire due pyrotechnics display in a nightclub which caused many deaths, which IS what happened at the Station Nightclub. It was eire, but I wasn't offended: the episode had obviously been written and shot before the fire. The similarity hurts, but, Scott, like you say, it's not as if networks can or should have to reprogram tv similar to events that are, at the time, sensitive.

Kat Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 06:05 PM EST

Scott, I totally agree.

EP Sato Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 05:59 PM EST

Mike, your point is solid. I am just bummed out that my underdogs stayed underdogs.

And Barry Manilow? He's officially on notice ;)

mike Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 05:57 PM EST

It's a terrible thing about the plane crash, but watching the wires until showtime is a little much.
Ep Sato- How much voting is done based on the actual quality of the show and how much is name recognition. How many Emmy academy voters thought it would be great for Elaine to break the Seinfeld curse? A lot of well known stars won Emmys last night. (Barry Manilow over Stephen Colbert? I know what next weeks #1 Threatdown will be.) How many deserved them this year?

Ep Sato Mon, Aug 28, 2006 at 05:45 PM EST

The Real tragedy was that Julia Louis Dreyfus won an emmy for that piece of crap show "The New Adventures of Old Christine" while "The Comeback" and Arrested Development got totally dissed. Seriously, WTF is up with that?

No offense to fans of "old Christine", but dude, that show TOTALLY SUCKS. The only good post-Seinfeld show to feature a Seinfeld cast member that is even worth watching is Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm. Old Christine feels like an old shoe. Cheesy laugh track, awful plot that makes little to no sense, and one dimensional characters not worth exploring in any way (New christine, the ex husband, the annoying kid, and Old Christine, as examples), and you've got every sitcom from 1980-1995. Why is such an outdated concept winning? Poor choices this year, but I am happy that The Office and My Name is Earl got some wins.