Tina Fey's Emmy Night: Humble, Wants To Stop Playing Sarah Palin

LOS ANGELES — Isn't it just like Tina Fey to have something go haywire on the night she's recognized for her many talents?

"If anyone's seen my purse," Fey announced to reporters backstage after winning three Emmys, "I left it under my seat."

It might have been the first thing the "30 Rock" mastermind did wrong all night after picking up trophies for outstanding comedy writing, comedy series and lead actress in a comedy.

When prodded by reporters, she humbly dodged praise and questions about her contributions.

"I think our cast is diverse and talented," she said in one breath.

"We've had the greatest guest stars," she said in another.

"Alec (Baldwin) elevates the show to another level with his abilities," she said.

She even shrugged off her resemblance to Gov. Sarah Palin, whom she won raves for portraying on the season premiere of NBC's "Saturday Night Live."

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"But then my kid saw her on TV and said, `That's Mommy!'" she said.

She was more open about her thoughts on reprising the "SNL" role. As in, she'd prefer not to.

"I want to be done playing this lady Nov. 5," she said. "So if anybody can help me be done playing this lady Nov. 5, that would be good for me."

Television comedy's Jill-of-all-trades has always been self-deprecating, mining her apparent struggle with life's chaos for her character on "30 Rock," her self-portrayal in a new series of American Express commercials and the persona she presents to the public.

But to win TV's top honors for creating, writing and starring in her own television show might've been more than even Fey can deflect. When cornered to say how she felt about the different Emmys, she finally turned off the modesty. Kinda.

"They look identical," Fey quipped. "Alec was just saying to me backstage that maybe this means I can now stop apologizing for being an actor and writing on the show. The one for the show, that really belongs to everybody, so I don't like it as much."

During his acceptance speech for lead comedy actor for "30 Rock," Baldwin noted that Fey was this generation's Elaine May, the director, screenwriter and actress who famously partnered with Mike Nichols onstage.

"We have the greatest writers, but the show was created by one woman," Baldwin said backstage. "This was Tina's idea. This was Tina's thing. She is the head writer. She is there every day, even when she's not shooting as an actress. She goes back and forth between acting and writing. We're very, very lucky."

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NBC is owned by General Electric Co.

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On the Net:

http://www.nbc.com/30_Rock/

(This version SUBS graf 9 to correct to `kid' from 'kids.' )

Comments

[LutherBrixton]

Tina, I think anyone with a functioning brain &/or making less than 250K a year hopes you'll be done having to portray Sarah Palin on Nov 5th.

The last thing this country needs is another clueless, reactionary twit who never reads or second guesses their "gut feelings" and believes the laws don't apply to them because they're doing "god's" will.

[luvangelHussein330]

So basicaly Tina Fey...what your are trying to say, without being political is hopefuly Abuse of power barbie will not get into office...cause if she does...you will defiantly have to play her...

[lizr]

Um was it really that hard to follow?

[SENATORCALLENBOWE]

YOU DONT WANT 2 BE LABELED AS A HOCKEY MOM :)

[wetliver]

PBS affiliate KCET in Los Angeles has a poll that asks: Is Sarah Palin qualified to be VP? Let's turn this around..... You don't have to give your name or email address in order to vote. It's very simple.

Here's the link: http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html

[dcswampfox]

Thanks, i just votes YES! let's face it the MSM always gets it wrong. Palin is HOT in more ways than one, just like Obama was and i guess IS still hot to the libs. Obama has been white hot in the MSM and in people's minds for 1 to 2 years if not more, surely Sarah can stay hot for 4 more weeks, piece of cake

[q3w49087dfkjh]

Palin's record as governor includes: Abuse of power. Cronyism. Lying. We don't need any more of that sort of thing in the Vice President's office!

[DrediKnight]

You can't turn that poll around. The results are hardwired in.... View the source....



Yes52%

No46%

Not Sure 0%

[freedomfighter1]

Tina Fey looked AMAZIng in that picture!

[Bitsko]

Enough with the Palin references when writing about Tina Fey! She's obviously much smarter, funnier and cuter than the Frost Queen of the Tundra.

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

I don't think she like moose momma.

[redsongia]

Tina would make an awesome VP. If something were to go wrong and the repubs steal the election, I suggest quietly making the switch. McCain wouldn't notice and I would feel much much safer sending Tina to the UN. Doesn't she already know Bono? There, she's met with a "world leader" so much more qualified than the original.

[deliriousgod]

Richard Dreyfus could take over for McCain

[bbbbmer]

This was quite possibly the WORST awards presentation for the performing arts EVER! I haven't seen anything quite as bad since the Alan Carr produced Oscars extravaganza complete with Rob Lowe singing Disney tunes. The five 'reality' show hosts and their introductory prattling (nods to Neil Patrick Harris for finding it so) about 'nothing' fell on its face via these inane talentless morons and their attempts at comedy. Unfortunately we were subjected to more of their wasted time at the show's close. In between we saw awards practically thrown at recipients on stage, acceptance speeches drowned out at 10 seconds, and some of the rudest production conduct toward major achievers in the industry, including Tommy Smothers (who gave a dazzlingly ascerbic political lambaste), Don Rickles (who TRIED to be funny but was stifled by the producer's idiotic script), Mary Tyler Moore, and Betty White (who were unruffled and gracious as usual). The final official award of the night, ostensibly the highlight, was presented by an unemployable Tom Selleck, possibly in response the show's heavily Democratic subtext, who mumbled some unintelligible gobbldigook and left... I should rather have watched paint peel, or a rerun of the RNC convention... What a disaster!

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

Why did you stay to watch it. I enjoyed what I did watch. But please don't compare RNC convention to the lovely event. I don't know if you know but I read this morning in USA Today they were told not to say anything political. To me that was boring. I like to hear them tell it like it is on a national stage because we can't do it. But they don't influence my vote. However, they do confirm my opinions. The republicans have their celebs. also. They choose to not express it.

[steve-annie]

They usually are told not to make political comments. It didn't stop Laura Linney from commenting that her Emmy for playing Abigail Adams would always remind her of the community organizers who helped to found this nation! (Bless you, Laura, and thanks.)

[shari74]

So get somebody else to play Sarah Palin - I'm sure there's somebody

[Woodn88s]

The point she is making is don't vote for Palin and McCain.
read her remarks again......it's clear

[Matt7]

Right! Remember she just won awards for her talents with words. We've got to do our part and read (and vote) . . .

Don't worry, Tina. I'll help ya' !

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

Hey what about her daughter after all she is following moose momma's footprint.

[mairs]

The headline should have read, Defeat Palin so Tina Fey doesn't have to play her.

[dogman44]

Get Peggy Hill to play Palin. I doubt most folks today can even tell the difference between
cartoons and really

[JackNasty]

There is so much to like about Tina Fey. She is a talented performer, interesting, productive, organized and bright. II only wish I found her work amusing, as so many people obviously do.

[Cheerio]

You are not that nasty, friend. Christina Applegate should have received that award. Applegate is a brilliant comedic talent.

[BluePride]

Diana CAN'T leave the Supremes yet...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59mOukUZNUo

HomeComing Queen Palin's got a GUN!

[cloudmaker]

Tina Fey is correct not to want to imitate Palin anymore. Why should a talented,
beautiful woman wish to become too identified with a dangerous harridan? The
one skit she did should be enough to show the world what a cipher Ms. Palin is
and what a true talent Ms. Fey is. She left us with the immortal "I can see Russia."
What more could we ask?

[jennyjen]

I had to read that twice to get what she meant. She said she wants to stop Palin starting on Nov 5th. She wants what I want - for Sarah Palin to disappear on Nov 5th. I would like to add: Tina we could use your help between now and then. Your portrayal of her finally got the main stream press to give her a more critical look. Please keep it up.

[AJ39]

Exactly. That's how I read Tina Fey's comments as well. She wants the McCain-Palin ticket to lose so that there will be no need for her (or anyone else) to pay any attention to Palin after Nov. 5.

[doctorwang]

I want her playing Palin from now until election day. Comedy is often the best method of showing absurdity. And the thought of Palin as our veep is absurd.

[Jaybird248]

Tina, you have to go on playing Palin. Consider it National Service.

Hopefully, you won't have to after November 5, because she and her brood will be on the next flight back to Alaska and her beloved mooseburgers, just in time for hunting season.

[GeorgeP922]

Is this headline another misleading smear, this time Tina being the target. Her quote on Palin clearly indicated she didnt want her to win, not that she didnt want to mock her anymore.

This headline is another of many unfair characterizations of hollywood, like the time they said that actress was "afraid" of obama at the dem convention when she clearly hadnt, the editor changed the headline that time, i hope they do it again.

[Tags]

How about Sarah Loopner?

Bring back Jane Curtin as Enid Loopner and Bill Murray as Todd.