Julia Louis-Dreyfus Pawns Her Emmy To Aaron Paul And Bryan Cranston In Promo

Entertainment fans can look to the Emmys on August 25, 2014 for their fix of traditional Hollywood talent. And they can start early by watching the show’s decidedly non-traditional online video promo starring past Emmy Award-winners Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Aaron Paul, and Bryan Cranston.

In the video, which you can view on the Television Academy’s YouTube channel, Louis-Dreyfus finds herself in need of some extra cash when she impulsively purchases a personal island after one too many drinks. So she decides to pawn off the Emmy statuette awarded to her in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy for her role in Seinfeld (which is one of only four Emmys the comedic actor has won so far in her career). Arriving at Paul and Cranston’s Barely Legal pawn shop, she’ll have to decide if she can sell the item that means so much to her to a pair of questionable-looking men.

In a unique (and brilliant) move by the Academy, the promo video isn’t afraid to take a few jabs at the industry it’s also celebrating. Jokes about Louis-Dreyfus’ Emmy being “less important” than those from a drama or a lead actress find their way into the discussion. And it’s certainly ironic when Paul and Cranston, famous for their roles as meth dealers, also question the legitimacy of her Emmy while standing in a pawn shop with the name “Barely Legal.”

To get a dose of the Emmys before they air this weekend, check out the promo video and see what Louis-Dreyfus decides to do about her dilemma (and why the shop’s called Barely Legal).