Top Emmys moments: A proposal and the Fonz
LOS ANGELES: The 70th Emmy Awards featured some old favorites back for more glory (“Game of Thrones”), some new entries in the television history books (“The Marvelous Mrs Maisel” – and an on-stage marriage proposal.
‘Marry me’
Emmys organizers were looking for ways to boost declining audience ratings but they could have never have planned for this: one of the winners asked his girlfriend to marry him from the stage as he accepted his award.
Glenn Weiss, who took the prize for best director of a variety special (“The Oscars”), stunned viewers when he proposed to Jan Svendsen, who was sitting in the audience.
“You wonder why I don’t like to call you my girlfriend? Because I want to call you my wife,” he said to cheers, applause and a few tearyeyed actors in the audience.
Weiss explained that his mother had passed away just two weeks ago, adding poignancy to a moment that brought the audience of A- listers to their feet.
The ring he offered Svendsen? The one his father gave his mother 67 years earlier.
‘ The Fonz’ is back
Henry Winkler, a household name in the 1970s when he brought Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli to TV screen on nostalgic 1950s sitcom “Happy Days,” finally brought home his first Emmy.
The 72- year- old actor was named outstanding supporting actor in a comedy for his portrayal of an acting coach in HBO’s dark comedy “Barry.”
Winkler had previously been nominated three times for his breakout role as the Fonz and once for a guest spot on legal drama “The Practice” in 2000.
“Oh my God, oh my God,” said the elated actor as he accepted the award, joking that he had written the speech “43 years ago.”
Winkler said he had been told years back that if he persevered in the game long enough, “the chips come to you.”
“Tonight, I got to clear the table,” he added to joyous applause from his peers.