Mad Men looked set to dominate the night, going in with 19 top nominations, and it continued its winning streak for the best drama title for the fourth year in a row.
But the stars of the period drama didn’t fair so well – Jon Hamm was a four-time loser for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Kyle Chandler claimed that prize for his role in Friday Night Lights, while Julianna Margulies beat the likes of Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men), Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) and Kathy Bates (Harry’s Law) to take home the female equivalent for her turn in The Good Wife.
Meanwhile, Modern Family started the Emmys as they planned to go on – TV husband and wife Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen kicked off the celebrations by walking away with the acting honours for Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Comedy Series.
The hit programme went on to earn accolades for writing and directing before being crowned best comedy at the end of the event.
It was a good night for the Brits too – Kate Winslet was named Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Mildred Pierce, while Downton Abbey’s Dame Maggie Smith claimed the supporting actress in a miniseries or movie title.
Justin Timberlake (Saturday Night Live) and Gwyneth Paltrow (Glee) were already winners before the red carpet at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre was even rolled out – they were honoured at the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards last weekend (10Sep11) in the Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy Series category.
Awards host Jane Lynch opened the show with a song-and-dance sequence featuring Star Trek’s Leonard Nimoy and the cast of Mad Men, while Andy Samberg’s comedy rap trio The Lonely Island, featuring crooner Michael Bolton and R&B singer Akon, and rapper/actor LL Cool J, were among the musical acts providing the entertainment in between awards at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre.
The main list of winners at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards is as follows:
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series: Jim Parsons – The Big Bang Theory
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series: Melissa McCarthy – Mike & Molly
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series: Kyle Chandler – Friday Night Lights
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series: Julianna Marguiles – The Good Wife
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie: Barry Pepper – The Kennedys
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie: Kate Winslet – Mildred Pierce
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series: Ty Burrell – Modern Family
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series: Julie Bowen – Modern Family
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series: Peter Dinklage – Game Of Thrones
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series: Margo Martindale – Justified
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie: Guy Pearce – Mildred Pierce
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie: Maggie Smith – Downton Abbey
Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series: Justin Timberlake – Saturday Night Live (Host)
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series: Gwyneth Paltrow – Glee
Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series: Paul McCrane – Harry’s Law
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series: Loretta Devine – Grey’s Anatomy
Outstanding Comedy Series: Modern Family
Outstanding Drama Series: Mad Men
Outstanding Miniseries Or Movie: Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Outstanding Animated Programme: Futurama
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special: The Kennedy Center Honors
Outstanding Reality Programme: Deadliest Catch
Outstanding Reality-Competition Programme: The Amazing Race
Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series: Steven Levitan and Jeffrey Richman – Modern Family (Episode: Caught In The Act)
Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series: Jason Katims – Friday Night Lights (Episode: Always)
Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special: Julian Fellowes – Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)
Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Series: Steve Bodow, Tim Carvell, Rory Albanese, Kevin Bleyer, Rich Blomquist, Wyatt Cenac, Hallie Haglund, J.R. Havlan, Elliot Kalan, Josh Lieb, Sam Means, Jo Miller, John Oliver, Daniel Radosh, Jason Ross, Jon Stewart – The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Special: David Boone, Matt Roberts, and Mo Rocca – 64th Annual Tony Awards
Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series: Michael Alan Spiller – Modern Family
Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series: Martin Scorsese – Boardwalk Empire
Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special: Brian Percival – Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)
Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Series: Donny Roy King – Saturday Night Live (Host: Justin Timberlake)
Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Special: Lonny Price – Sondheim! The Birthday Concert.
