Even if your TV favorite was snubbed, chances are you tuned in to last night’s 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards on Fox for the acceptance speeches, musical numbers, and red carpet Hollywood glam. And it was host Jane Lynch’s smart-alecky comments (not to mention multiple wardrobe changes), a wrestling match between Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel, and a surprise appearance by Charlie Sheen that were just a few of the highlights from the annual awards show celebrating television.
Modern Family swept the ceremony, picking up the first four Emmys of the night, including statues for best comedy, its writing, directing, supporting actor and actress.
At one point after a commercial break, host Jane Lynch joked about the popularity of the show featuring America’s funny, dysfunctional family, saying “Welcome back to the Modern Family awards.”
Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell, who play the quirky Dunfys on the series, won best supporting actor honors for a comedy series.
“Oh, my God, I don’t know what I’m going to talk about in therapy next week,” Bowen said. “I won something.”
Burrell jokingly wondered what his own father would think of his acting, in his acceptance speech for best supporting actor.
“I actually got kind of a late start in acting. My dad actually passed away before he ever saw me perform and I can’t help but wonder what he would think about all this… going to work in full makeup,” Burrell said.
One of the best highlights from the night was when Amy Poehler, unprompted, jumped up on stage when her name was called as a nominee for best lead actress in a comedy series. Her fellow nominees including Tina Fey followed suit, holding hands and fluttering faintly like nervous pageant contestants. Their half-humorous, half-serious show of solidarity earned a standing ovation from the audience. But Melissa McCarthy of Mike & Molly won the category in her first-ever Emmy nomination and rocked the house.
Standing at the microphone with an Emmy trophy in hand and a bouquet of roses in the other, donning a glitzy tiara, she was beaming.
“Holy smokes. Wow, it’s my first and best pageant ever,” McCarthy said. “I’m from Plainfield, Ill., and I’m standing here and it’s kind of amazing.”
Charlie Sheen made a surprise on-stage appearance as presenter of the lead actor award. He used the time in the spotlight to make nice with his former Two and a Half Men cast and crew.
“From the bottom of my heart, I wish you nothing but the best for this upcoming season,” he said. “I know you will continue to make great television.”
Julianna Margulies won top drama acting honors for her role in The Good Wife. Margulies, who navigates politics, law and family in the show, added to her Emmy stash. Meanwhile, in the comedic category, Steve Carell of The Office made his last Emmy stand for his fifth and final season as the ever-loveable Michael Scott, but lost again.
Film star Kate Winslet won her first Emmy for lead actress, while her co-star Guy Pearce won the award for best supporting actor for their roles in the dramatic miniseries Mildred Pierce.
Here is a complete list of last night’s Emmy winners, courtesy of NJ.com:
Drama Series
Mad Men
Comedy Series
Modern Family
Actor, Drama Series
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Actress, Drama Series
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Actor, Comedy Series
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Actress, Comedy Series
Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly
Supporting Actor, Drama Series
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Supporting Actress, Drama Series
Margo Martindale, Justified
Supporting Actor, Comedy Series
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Supporting Actress, Comedy Series
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Miniseries/TV Movie
Downton Abbey
Actor, Miniseries or Movie
Barry Pepper, The Kennedys
Actress, Miniseries or Movie
Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie
Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce
Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Directing for a Comedy Series
Michael Allen Spiller, Modern Family
Directing, Drama Series
Martin Scorsese, Boardwalk Empire
Directing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special
Brian Percival, Downtown Abbey
Directing, Variety, Music or Comedy Series
Don Roy King, SNL
Variety, Music or Comedy Series
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Reality Competition Program
The Amazing Race
Writing for Comedy Series
Steven Levitan, Jeffery Richmond, Modern Family
Writing, Drama Series
Jason Katims, Friday Night Lights
Writing, Variety, Music or Comedy Series
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Writing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special
Julian Fellowes, Downtown Abbey
So what was your favorite moment from last night? Share with us in the comments box below!