My Emmy Night Memories

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

27 Aug 2006 01:47 PM

It's hailed as "TV's Biggest Night." The 58th Primetime Emmy Awards air tonight on NBC and I can't wait. While it sounds like I will sitting front and center on my couch anxiously awaiting the acceptance speeches of my favorite primetime stars, the reality is that with a toddler to feed, bathe and put to bed (and subsequently a kitchen and bathroom to clean) I will be lucky if I get to see the closing credits. But, it wasn't always this way.

When I was growing up Emmy night was a hallowed tradition. My friend from two doors down would walk over to my house and we would have an "Emmy Party." It was the one night out of the entire year that I got the TV to myself. (Mind you this was back in the late '70s and early '80s when most households only had one TV.) My parents would make my three brothers stay out of the living room so my friend and I could participate in our annual Emmy night traditions.

We would dress up in our Emmy night dresses (borrowed from our mother's closets), apply make-up to one another and braid our hair accordingly. My mother would then let us raid her jewelry box and we would prance around in our faux baubles and ill-fitting high heel shoes. But, the part about Emmy night that I remember with particular fondness was our Emmy party menu. After all, you can't have a party without food. My parents would order us a pizza from Pizza Hut and we would pair that with salami wrapped dill pickles. Sound gross? That's nothing compared to what we would do with the pickle juice. Glasses of pickle juice would be raised, and toasts would be given whenever our favorite actors or actresses won a certain category. (I can't tell you how many years I raised a glass of pickle juice in honor of Michael J. Fox winning for best actor.)

To this day my friend and I remember with fondness our Emmy night parties. And, while we may not live near each other anymore we still call each other on Emmy night and laugh about good times spent decked out in feather boas and costume jewelry. Perhaps I will try to get my daughter to bed early tonight so that I can watch at least part of the show. I wonder if I have any pickles?

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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drdad (503) 28 Aug 2006 11:38 AM

Hi Michele,

Isn't it true you won an Emmy yourself?

Michele Cheplic (37339) 28 Aug 2006 01:56 PM

Yes, but I got mine when I was 7 months pregnant and my pantyhose started to roll down to my knees as I walked up the steps to accept the award. (Thank Goodness I was wearing a long skirt!) Oh, and I don't think a "news" Emmy quiet compares to the bling of the "real" Emmys, but thank you for your comment anyway! :)

Michele Cheplic (37339) 28 Aug 2006 03:45 PM

I forgot to mention they were NOT maternity pantyhose (obviously) I didn't know they made maternity pantyhose until it was too late and the only ones I could find were priced $30-$60--I thought that was a bit steep for pantyhose.