An example of using a generator expression

example.py

import csv

def email_next(seq):
    for address in seq:
        try:
            email(address)
        except Exception as ex:
            print('Could not email {}, moving onto the next: {}'
                  .format(address, ex))
        else:
            return
    print ('Ran out of contactable applicants, there will be unfilled places.')

content = csv.DictReader(open('some_long_file.csv'))

applicants = ('"{first_name} {last_name} <{email}>"'.format(**row) for row in content)

for index in xrange(num_places):
    email_next(applicants)