Published: 08:40 AM, Mon Aug 30, 2010
'Mad Men' and 'Modern Family' dominate Emmy awards last night
By LYNN ELBER
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - The darkly intimate 1960s-era drama "Mad Men" and the comedy romp "Modern Family" were the top honorees at Sunday's Emmy Awards as American life past and present proved a winning formula.
"To our fans, we are so grateful, we are so thrilled that families are sitting down together to watch a television show, and we're so happy that you have let us into your families," said Steven Levitan, "Modern Family" executive producer.
The best comedy series award was the first for the freshman sitcom, which also captured an acting award for Eric Stonestreet and a best writing trophy.
The best drama series award for "Mad Men" was its third consecutive one.
"Glee," the musical-comedy that started the night as the most-nominated series, earned an acting trophy for Jane Lynch and a directing award for creator Ryan Murphy. The show also inspired an amusing musical number with host Jimmy Fallon at the beginning of the show.
Bryan Cranston's portrayal of a meth dealer in "Breaking Bad" and Kyra Sedgwick's role as a brassy deputy police chief in "The Closer" earned the pair top drama series acting awards.
Cranston's honor was his third trophy for playing a high school chemistry teacher gone wrong, while his co-star, Aaron Paul, earned his first award as best supporting actor for playing his partner-in-crime.
"During the time it took me to walk up here, I venture there were 200 text messages to the other nominees saying, 'You were robbed.' I cannot argue with that," Cranston said.
Archie Panjabi of "The Good Wife" was honored as best supporting actress in a drama for her part as a law-firm's in-house private investigator, as Emmy voters spread the riches widely among veterans and fresh faces.
Edie Falco of "Nurse Jackie" and Jim Parsons of "The Big Bang Theory" were honored for their comedy series lead roles.
Falco's trophy for playing a tough but troubled nurse came after her hallmark turn as a mob boss' wife in "The Sopranos," for which she won three best drama actress Emmys.
"Oh, this is the most ridiculous thing that has ever, ever happened in the history of this lovely awards show," Falco said.
Parsons won for his portrayal of a scientist as nerdy as he is brilliant. He ended fellow nominee Alec Baldwin's two-year winning streak for "30 Rock" and beat out other heavyweights including Tony Shalhoub, nominated for the final season of "Monk" and a three-time winner, and Steve Carell of "The Office."
"Now I know how much I didn't think this was going to happen. Some of you apparently voted for me. That was very sweet," Parsons told the audience.
"Top Chef" won best reality series, ending the seven-year winning streak of "The Amazing Race."
Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show" won its eighth consecutive Emmy Award for best variety, music or comedy series. The victory kept Conan O'Brien from claiming an Emmy for his short-lived stint as "Tonight" host.
George Clooney accepted the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award from his former "ER" co-star, Julianna Margulies, who lauded his fundraising efforts for victims of this year's earthquake in Haiti, the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Clooney, recalling evenings spent with Bob and Dolores Hope at the home of his aunt, singer Rosemary Clooney, said he was inspired by the late comedian and his wife, now 101.
"If you look at everything they accomplished in their lives ... They're the best version of the term 'celebrity,' " Clooney said.
"Temple Grandin," based on the life of the gifted, autistic animal sciences expert, was honored as best TV movie and earned Emmys for its star, Claire Danes, and supporting acting trophies for Julia Ormond and David Strathairn. The film's director, Mick Jackson, also was honored.
Al Pacino was honored as best lead actor in a miniseries or movie for "You Don't Know Jack," about euthanasia advocate Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who was in the audience and stood, smiling, at Pacino's request. The controversial physician received scattered applause.
"The Pacific," the World War II drama produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, received the best miniseries award in a category it shared with one other nominee, "Return to Cranford." "The Pacific" was the top nominee with 24 bids and captured a leading seven creative arts awards, which recognize technical and other achievements.
On Sunday, HBO was on top with eight trophies. AMC received four, ABC and CBS had three and Fox and Showtime had two. NBC, Comedy Central, Bravo and TNT earned one award each.
Winners at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards
DRAMA SERIES
Series: "Mad Men" (AMC)
Actor: Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad" (AMC)
Actress: Kyra Segwick, "The Closer" (TNT)
Supporting Actor: Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad" (AMC)
Supporting Actress: Archie Panjabi, "The Good Wife" (CBS)
Directing: Steve Shill, "Dexter" (Showtime)
Writing: Matthew Weiner and Erin Levy, "Mad Men" (AMC)
COMEDY SERIES
Series: "Modern Family" (ABC)
Actor: Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory" (CBS)
Actress: Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie" (Showtime)
Supporting Actor: Eric Stonestreet, "Modern Family" (ABC)
Supporting Actress: Jane Lynch, "Glee" (Fox)
Directing: Ryan Murphy, "Glee" (Fox)
Writing: Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd, "Modern Family" (ABC)
MINISERIES, MOVIE OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL
Best miniseries: "The Pacific" (HBO)
Best made-for-TV movie: "Temple Grandin" (HBO
Actor: Al Pacino, "You Don't Know Jack" (HBO)
Actress: Claire Danes, "Temple Grandin" (HBO)
Supporting Actor: David Strathairn, "Temple Grandin" (HBO)
Supporting Actress: Julia Ormond, "Temple Grandin" (HBO)
Directing: Mick Jackson, "Temple Grandin" (HBO)
Writing: Adam Mazer, "You Don't Know Jack" (HBO)
VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES
Best series: "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (Comedy Central)
Directing: Bucky Gunts, "Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony" (NBC)
Writing: "The 63rd Annual Tony Awards" (CBS)
REALITY TV
Reality-competition program: "Top Chef" (Bravo)