Associated Press
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES
“Modern Family” is the winner of the best comedy series Emmy Award.
The show about a new breed of extended American family also won trophies Sunday for best supporting actor for Eric Stonestreet and for writing.
“Mad Men” won its third-consecutive Emmy as best drama series in Sunday night’s presentations.
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 math 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.
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 theater audience.
Eric Stonestreet of “Modern Family” and Jane Lynch of “Glee” were honored for their comedy-series supporting roles.
“All I wanted to be was a clown in the circus when I was a kid growing up,” said Stonestreet, who plays a boisterous gay dad and partner. He thanked his parents for their support and promised to send his trophy home with them.
“This is outlandish. ... I want to thank my lord and creator, Ryan Murphy, for creating his role,” Lynch said, paying tribute to the “Glee” executive producer.
“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 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.
Host Jimmy Fallon opened the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards on a musical note, performing a song-and-dance number with the cast of “Glee” and a wildly mismatched group of celebrities including Betty White, Jon Hamm, Kate Gosselin and Randy Jackson.
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