The 66th annual Primetime Emmy Awards were held last night, and we have detailed recap of the winners after the jump.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy: Jim Parsons, Big Bang Theory
Parsons owns this category the way Modern Family owns the Outstanding Comedy category. It’s his fourth win for the role of Sheldon Cooper. He didn’t face much competition, as Matt LeBlanc, William H. Macy, Don Cheadle and Ricky Gervais had no shot of taking out the incumbent.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Aside from Bryan Cranston, I believe Louis-Dreyfus gives the best all around performance, in a comedy or drama, of any actor on television. This is her third straight win for Veep and I don’t see the train stopping anytime soon. Also, she wonderfully busted Cranston’s balls while presenting tonight. And even though he got the last laugh with the surprise makeout as she was on her way to accept her award, she still delivered the best lines in what was an otherwise unfunny show.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Allison Janney, Mom
Janney took home her fifth AND sixth Emmys tonight, she also won for a guest spot on Masters of Sex.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Andre Braugher was robbed.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama: Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Personally, I thought Peter Dinklage deserved this award, but I don’t have a gripe with Paul taking home his third trophy for the iconic role of Jesse Pinkman. Paul didn’t have much to do in Breaking Bad’s final seven episodes, but luckily for him these awards are awarded on an episode by episode basis. His submission episode, “Confessions”, was the most work he had to do this season, and he was rewarded.
Outstanding Supporting Actress Drama: Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
Anyone who saw “Ozymandias” knew Gunn was going to take home her second consecutive Emmy. This was an absolute tour-de-force performance, and one of the best performances, from a male or female, on television last year.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
This is her second win for The Good Wife, and third overall. I admittedly don’t watch the show, but from everything I’ve read and heard, this was the best season yet.
Outstanding Lead Actor in Drama Series: Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Like Anna Gunn before him, Cranston won for the tremendous “Ozymandias.” The episode wasn’t just the best drama on television this year — it won for writing — but is the finest hour of scripted television you’ll ever see. This is his fourth lead actor award, joining Dennis Franz as the only other man to do so.
Outstanding Comedy Series:Modern Family
This is the show’s fifth win in a row. It’s never lost. Which isn’t to say it’s the best comedy on TV. It hasn’t been for quite some time. But, Emmy voters love routine. Veep, Silicon Valley, or Orange Is The New Black would have been much, much better choices.
Outstanding Drama Series:Breaking Bad
No surprise here after Cranston, Gunn, and Paul swept the acting categories. True Detective had a chance at the outset, but as the night went on it became clear who the behemoth in the room was. One of the greatest shows of all time went out with a deserved bang.
Other observations:
Billy Crystal’s tribute to his friend Robin Williams was the best part of the evening. Just a touching, moving speech. No, YOU’RE the one crying on your couch, not me.
Gwen Stefani has apparently never heard Colbert Report said out loud, pronouncing it “Col-bort Report” while presenting the award for Outstanding Variety Series. Great job, Gwen.
Fargo won for Outstanding Miniseries. If Allison Tolman couldn’t beat out Kathy freaking Bates in the Supporting Actress in a Miniseries award, then I’m at least thrilled the show was recognized at all.
HBO was so confident in True Detective that it submitted it as a drama series instead of a miniseries, which it actually is. It was rewarded with a boatload of nominations, but came away with just a win for directing. HBO doesn’t truly care about winning awards — it just likes to remind everyone it can flex its muscle when needed — but I’m sure they were hoping to come away from tonight with more.