September 23, 2013: Emmy Broadcast Disappoints, Vitaminwater Promotion Offends, 'Playboy' Drops Super Bowl Party

1. EMMY BROADCAST DISAPPOINTS: The tone of last night's Emmy broadcast was somber, not celebratory, as tributes to TV stars who passed away and a remembrance of President Kennedy's assassination were spread throughout the entire show. Host Neil Patrick Harris also disappointed. USA Today: "He was as dull and off-kilter as his oddly downbeat show—a talented man who seemed trapped between his desire not to repeat himself and our desire to be entertained. If you don't want to do an opening musical number because you're afraid it will draw Tonys comparisons, fine, but don't make us miss it by substituting a faux battle among former hosts that only reminded us of how ill-served the broadcast has been over the past few years." http://usat.ly/1agX3ir

2. MORE EMMY HIGHS AND LOWS: The evening did have some high points—Julia Louis-Dreyfus accepting her Best Actress award in a comedic bit with co-star and fellow winner Tony Hale—but also lows such as Elton John singing a song from his upcoming album that was supposed to have a connection to Liberace, but didn't. New York magazine's Vulture blog collects the show's highs and lows: http://vult.re/15kgjgT

3. 'PLAYBOY' DROPS SUPER BOWL PARTY: Playboy C.E.O. Scott Flanders said the magazine is dropping its signature Super Bowl party because of financial concerns, and Maxim may opt out of hosting duties. But others are stepping up. New York Post: "AMI’s Shape and Men’s Fitness will be hosting their Super Bowl bash at Cipriani’s in Manhattan, with Comedy Central roastmaster Jeff Ross serving as host and musical performances by Mary J. Blige, John Legend, and Marc Anthony on Jan. 31." http://bit.ly/1ahEdaS

4. VITAMINWATER MARKETING PROMOTION GOES AWRY: A marketing stunt for Vitaminwater in Canada offended consumers when one woman unscrewed her bottle to reveal the words "You Retard" written on the underside of her bottle cap. The idea was to have various words printed on the caps that could be put together to form phrases. But message was lost in translation: "retard" is the French word for "late." Huffington Post: "The company said it has canceled the contest and destroyed the promotional bottle caps in its facilities." http://huff.to/15aTkoy

5. REALITY SERIES FOCUSES ON CONCERT RIDERS: A new reality series from Live Nation will see if contestants can fulfill the sometimes bizarre requests on bands' riders. The Rider Challenge, sponsored by Ford Fiesta, will include the bands Fitz & the Tantrums, Kid Cudi, the Lumineers, Fall Out Boy, and Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros. Winners will receive Ford Fiestas and an all-access pass to any concert at Live Nation's United States venues for a year. The series debuts online September 30. Watch a preview here: www.livenation.com/riderchallenge.

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Beat Hôtel, a 360-seat restaurant and live music venue in Cambridge, has opened. The eclectic fare has global influences, and the decor has a bohemian bent with murals, stage drapery, and woodwork from local artisans.

LOS ANGELES:  The Los Angeles World Airports Art Program will present an original performance work, entitled "Everywhere Nowhere," at the Los Angeles International Airport September 28-29. It was commissioned as part of the Influx: Art at LAX, an ongoing public art festival.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The Burger King McLamore Foundation hosted its first 5K walk and run Sunday at Lummus Park. Activities included a family corner, exhibit booths, and raffles.

PGA National Resort & Spa is adding electric vehicle charging stations to its property.

CluckMiami, September 27 at Studio 255, is a new fund-raising event that pairs fried chicken dishes from local chefs with Veuve Clicquot champagne. It will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.

NEW YORK:  Gothamist: "One World Trade Center is nearing completion and the first dining option inside the new building has been announced. Chef Susur Lee together with the China Center will open a contemporary Chinese restaurant inside the Center's private luxury member club on the 66th floor." http://bit.ly/18CTLbT

The Lungevity Foundation's Celebration of Hope Gala is October 2 at the Pierre Hotel. NBC New York anchor David Ushery will emcee the event.

On October 24, New York City will participate in the global launch of First Light, the New York Festival of Light's inaugural kickoff event. First Light will take place in the outdoor garden of the Elizabeth Street Gallery on Elizabeth Street in Manhattan. The garden will be adorned with lighting installations, lighting sculptures, and dramatic projections.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

WASHINGTON:  The Human Rights Campaign will give Jennifer Lopez its Ally for Equality award at its October 5 gala at the Washington Convention Center. Other special guests will include the plaintiffs and attorneys from the historic Proposition 8 and Defense of Marriage Act cases, and singer Sara Bareilles will perform her song “Brave.”

The 42nd annual Wolf Trap Ball was Saturday at the Filene Center stage at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. This year's event celebrated the arts and culture of France. The organization's other fund-raisers this fall are the Wolf Trap Fall Fest: the Barn Party on September 28 and the 16th annual golf tournament October 21.

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.

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