The 9 greatest Emmy Award moments

Well known for being more fun than the Oscars (TV stars really know how to let their hair down), there’s always something or someone who’ll be making headline news the next day – like Lena Dunham naked on a toilet eating cake.

Here are the most memorable moments from Emmys history:

1. Jimmy Fallon’s Glee Club performs Born To Run

Host Jimmy Fallon opened the 2010 Emmys with a fantastic Glee parody, set to the iconic soundtrack of Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run. Jimmy called on famous friends including Jon Hamm, Tina Fey and Golden Girl Betty White to help with the show choir skit. See if you can name all the cameos.

2. That time Bob Newhart nearly died

Comedian Conan O’Brien came up with a drastic way to keep rambling winners on track in 2006 – trap Bob Newhart in an airtight glass box with only three hours of air. If the Emmys went over that time, Bob would die – live on stage. Of course he “survived” with just three minutes to spare.

3. When Chandler Bing kissed a pensioner

2003 was the year of Britney and Madonna’s infamous MTV Video Music Awards kiss. So naturally, the Emmys had to top that.

Matthew Perry grabbed a smooch with Everybody Loves Raymond star Doris Roberts (who was 77 at the time), while Doris’s co-star Brad Garrett and  comedian Garry Shandling locked lips.

Last year Bryan Cranston stole the show when he planted a lingering snog on winner Julia-Louis Dreyfus.

4. Ricky Gervais demands his Emmy back

In 2007, Ricky Gervais didn’t turn up to collect his Emmy for lead actor in a comedy series and presenters Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart gave it to their friend Steve Carell. So in 2008, Ricky turned up to demand it back.

It led to some of the Emmys’ best improv.

“I made you what you are and I get nothing back… I sat through Evan Almighty, give me my Emmy! I’ll come down there. I’ll tickle you, I don’t care, I’ve got nothing to lose, I’m a nobody here,” Gervais said to a poker-faced Carell, until Carell whipped the Emmy out from under his seat.

5. The world’s best pageant contest

The funniest ladies in showbiz pulled a memorable stunt at the 2011 Emmys, fooling presenters Rob Lowe and Sofia Vergara by all rushing up on stage when their names were read out.

Cue a brilliant spoof beauty pageant, complete with hugs, tears, girl-power, roses and a tiara for the eventual winner Melissa McCarthy.

6. Billy Crystal’s tribute to Robin Williams

Each year, stars that have been lost in the previous year are remembered. Last year Billy Crystal honoured his friend Robin Williams with a humorous and touching tribute that left the audience visibly moved.

“It is very hard to talk about him in the past because he was so present in all of our lives. For almost 40 years he was the brightest star in the comedy galaxy.”

7. Kirstie Alley’s inappropriate thank you

Remember how everyone thanks their parents and God and the show’s producers when they win? Remember that time when Kirstie Alley decided to thank her husband’s private parts instead?

In 1991, Kirstie caused an audience-wide gasp when she thanked her then-husband Parker Stevenson, aka “the man who has given me the big one for the last eight years”. Some people saw the funny side. Burt Reynolds took to the stage and thanked his then-wife for her giving him “two big ones”. It sure perked up that ceremony.

8. Donald Trump’s “Emmy Idol” audition

In 2005, Donald Trump was just the humble multi-billionaire boss of The Apprentice and gamely took part in a skit where he dressed up as a farmer and sang the Green Acres theme song with Will and Grace’s Karen.

Now a presidential candidate, that’s coming back to haunt him. And where were those fetching dungarees at the Iowa State Fair?

FYI, they won the contest.

9. Ellen DeGeneres’ post 9/11 show

The chat show host had the unenviable job of hosting the first Emmy Awards post-9/11. It had already been postponed twice, but Ellen rose to the occasion and handled the humour with tact and sensitivity. Her deft handling earned her a standing ovation.

“I feel like I’m in a unique position as host, because think about it — what would bug the Taliban more than seeing a gay woman in a suit surrounded by Jews?” she joked.