Emmy Awards: “Breaking Bad” and “Modern Family” Take Top Honors
By LYNN ELBER ••
"Modern Family" won a record-tying fifth best comedy series Emmy Award and a dominant "Breaking Bad" captured the top drama award and a trio of acting honors in Monday's ceremony, which took a somber turn as Robin Williams was remembered with restraint and grace by his longtime friend, Billy Crystal.
"He made us laugh. Hard. Every time you saw him," Crystal said of Williams at the conclusion of a tribute to industry members who died last year. "Robin Williams, what a concept."
Bryan Cranston was honored as best actor in a drama for "Breaking Bad," proving that "True Detective" nominee Matthew McConaughey's movie-star appeal couldn't conquer all.
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LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: 66th ANNUAL PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS -- Pictured: Actress Sofia Vergara arrives to the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Nokia Theater on August 25, 2014. (Photo by Christopher Polk/NBC/NBC via Getty Images)
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From Lena Dunham's feathered ensemble to the many ruby red gowns, check out the best and worst dressed celebs on the 2014 Emmys red carpet. Christina Hendricks wore the color of the night next to actor Geoffrey Arend.
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January Jones hits the red carpet in a Prabal Gurung gown at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Octavia Spencer attends the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Minnie Driver wore a popular red carpet color (red!) in this embellished Marchesa gown.
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"Big Bang Theory" star Kaley Cuoco and Ryan Sweeting attend the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Cuocco shines in a Monique Lhuillier gown.
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Actress Keke Palmer attends the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Actress Edie Falco attends the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Actress Mayim Bialik attends the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Kelly Osbourne flashed her recognizable lilac 'do and a gorgeous matching Honor gown at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Never one to shy away from a fashion risk, "Girls" creator and actress Lena Dunham wore this tiered Giambattista Valli gown. Was it a hit?
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"Orange is the New Black" star Taylor Schilling wore a shimmering Zuhair Murad gown, highlighting her delicate features. A surefire hit.
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Heidi Klum wore a coral-hued Zac Posen gown and attended the show with designer Zac Posen. The color looked lovely against her complexion.
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Actress Anna Chlumsky attends the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Actors Justin Mikita and Jesse Tyler Ferguson attend the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Actress Debra Messing wore Angel Sanchez at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Actress Laura Prepon attends the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Actress Kate McKinnon attends the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Actress Hayden Panettiere walks the red carpet in a Lorena Sarbu gown on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. She also announced tonight that she is pregnant with a baby girl.
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TV personality Mario Lopez attends the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Host Seth Meyers and Alexi Ashe attend the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Meyers dons a Valentino tux and Alves stuns in a Zuhair Murad gown.
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"Game of Thrones" star Natalie Dormer wore a bright orange and black shift dress.
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The men of "Game of Thrones" brought their best style game to the Emmys red carpet. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau flashed a smile and sported a bow tie.
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"Game of Thrones" star Kit Harington, looking as brooding as his character Jon Snow does on the HBO show.
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"Game of Thrones" star Peter Dinklage opted out of the bow tie.
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Melissa McCarthy wore Marchesa on the red carpet.
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"Game of Thrones" star Lena Headey wore a one-shouldered black gown.
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"Modern Family" star Ty Burrell and Holly Anne Brown attend the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Jon Hamm and Jennifer Westfeldt attend the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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"Modern Family" star Rico Rodriguez hams it up on the red carpet.
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Kerry Washington looked radiant in this fiery orange, embellished Prada column gown.
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Keith Lieberthal and Julianna Margulies looked smashing on the red carpet.
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Bryan Cranston rocked a distinguished-looking mustache alongside wife Robin Dearden on the red carpet.
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"Homeland" star Claire Danes shined in this ruby red Givenchy gown.
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Lizzy Caplan, star "Masters of Sex," stunned in this gorgeous two-toned Donna Karan gown.
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Camila Alves, wearing Zuhair Murad, and "True Detective" star Matthew McConaughey arrived in equally elegant outfits. McConaughey won our unofficial vote for best tux of the night.
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Sarah Paulson impressed in this unusual but intriguing Giorgio Armani gown — a fashion risk well taken, we think.
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Amy Poehler, nominated for her show "Parks and Rec" wore a stunning silver gown.
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Allison Williams wore this Giambattista Valli gown but we can't say we were huge fans of this look.
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Gwen Stefani arrives to the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Nokia Theater on August 25, 2014.
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Kate Walsh, star of the upcoming TV show "Bad Judge" shined in this canary yellow peplum gown and Chopard jewelery on the red carpet.
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Zooey Deschanel wore a bubble-gum pink strapless Oscar de la Renta gown.
"I have gratitude for everything that has happened," Cranston said. His victory ties him with four-time best drama actor champ Dennis Franz. Cranston's co-stars Aaron Paula and Anna Gunn were honored in categories for best drama supporting acting,
"Thank you for this wonderful farewell to our show," said "Breaking Bad" creator Vince Gilligan said of the series about a teacher-turned-drug kingpin that ended with a bang.
"The Good Wife" star Julianna Margulies won the Emmy for best lead actress in a drama series. "What a wonderful time for women on television," Margulies said.
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Aaron Paul, and from left, Anna Gunn, Bryan Cranston attend the Governors Ball at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards. Click to see more of the hottest party snaps from after the awards ceremony.
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Laverne Cox, Carrie Brownstein, Taylor Schilling and Chief Content Officer of Netflix Inc., Ted Sarandos seen at the Netflix Celebration of the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Chateau Marmont on Monday, August 25, 2014, in Los Angeles.
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Actresses Jamie Brewer, Angela Bassett and Octavia Spencer attend the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Governors Ball held at Los Angeles Convention Center on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Will Arnett and Ricky Gervais seen at the Netflix Celebration of the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Chateau Marmont on Monday, August 25, 2014, in Los Angeles.
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Stephen Colbert and Bryan Cranston chat it up while attending the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Governors Ball held at Los Angeles Convention Center on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Louis C.K. attends the Governors Ball at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles.
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Aaron Paul and Lauren Parsekian share an intimate moment during the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Governors Ball held at Los Angeles Convention Center on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Actors Jon Hamm (L) and January Jones attend the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Governors Ball held at Los Angeles Convention Center on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California
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Actresses Allison Williams, Lena Dunham and Julia Louis-Dreyfus attend HBO's Official 2014 Emmy After Party at The Plaza at the Pacific Design Center on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Jonathan Leibson
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Actors Danny Huston, Jessica Lange, winner of the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie, Lucy Liu and fashion designer Zac Posen attend the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Governors Ball held at Los Angeles Convention Center on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Actress Julianna Margulies (L), winner of the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for 'The Good Wife', and husband Keith Lieberthal attend the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Governors Ball held at Los Angeles Convention Center on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Sunrise Coigney, left, and Mark Ruffalo attend the Governors Ball at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles.
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Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson (top) and spouse Justin Mikita (L), and actress Sofia Vergara (bottom) attend the FOX, 20th Century FOX Television, FX Networks and National Geographic Channel's 2014 Emmy Award Nominee Celebration at Vibiana on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Actors Sarah Hyland, Nolan Gould and Ariel Winter arrive at the FOX, 20th Century FOX Television, FX Networks and National Geographic Channel's 2014 Emmy Award Nominee Celebration at Vibiana on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Actress Sarah Hyland and TV host Cat Deeley attend the FOX, 20th Century FOX Television, FX Networks and National Geographic Channel's 2014 Emmy Award Nominee Celebration at Vibiana on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Actors Paul Scheer, John Mulaney and Pete Holmes attend the FOX, 20th Century FOX Television, FX Networks and National Geographic Channel's 2014 Emmy Award Nominee Celebration at Vibiana on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Producer Ryan Murphy, and actresses Sarah Paulson and Jessica Lange attend the FOX, 20th Century FOX Television, FX Networks and National Geographic Channel's 2014 Emmy Award Nominee Celebration at Vibiana on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California
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Natasha Lyonne and Fred Armisen seen at the Netflix Celebration of the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Chateau Marmont on Monday, August 25, 2014, in Los Angeles.
McConaughey was the object of too-handsome jokes by presenter Jimmy Kimmel and adoration by winner Gail Mancuso, honored as best director for an episode of "Modern Family."
"If you don't mind, Matthew McConaughey, I'm gonna make eye contact with you right now," she said from the stage, making good by holding the actor's gaze for much of her speech.
The ceremony honoring the best of TV wasn't shy about playing the movie-star card. "Six minutes to Woody Harrelson" flashed on screen during Colin Bucksey's acceptance speech for best miniseries direction for "Fargo."
Harrelson and his "True Detective" co-star were given time to banter before announcing that Benedict Cumberbatch of "Sherlock: His Last Vow" was the winner of the best miniseries actor award.
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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 16: Laverne Cox attends the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on March 16, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for GLAAD)
Outstanding Drama Series u2013 HBO's "True Detective" starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson
Outstanding Drama Series u2013 AMC's "Breaking Bad" starring Bryan Cranston
Outstanding Drama Series u2013 "House of Cards" from Netflix, starring Kevin Spacey
Outstanding Drama Series u2013 AMC's "Mad Men"
Outstanding Drama Series u2013 HBO's "Game of Thrones"
Outstanding Drama Series u2013 "Downton Abbey" on PBS
Outstanding Comedy Series u2013 "Louie" from FX, starring Louis C.K.
Outstanding Comedy Series u2013 HBO's "Silicon Valley"
Outstanding Comedy Series u2013u00a0ABC's "Modern Family"
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Outstanding Comedy Series u2013 CBS' "The Big Bang Theory"
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Outstanding Comedy Series u2013 the original Netflix series "Orange Is the New Black"
Outstanding Comedy Series u2013 HBO's "Veep" starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series u2013 Julianna Margulies in "The Good Wife"
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series u2013 Robin Wright in "House of Cards"
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series u2013 Claire Danes in "Homeland"
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series u2013 Kerry Washington in "Scandal"
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series u2013 Michelle Dockery in "Downton Abbey"
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series u2013 Lizzy Caplin in "Masters of Sex"
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series u2013 Matthew McConaughey, left, in "True Detective"
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series u2013 Jon Hamm in "Mad Men"
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series u2013 Kevin Spacey in "House of Cards"
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series u2013 Bryan Cranston, right, in "Breaking Bad"
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series u2013 Jeff Daniels in "The Newsroom"
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Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series u2013 Woody Harrelson, left, in "True Detective"
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Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series u2013 Lena Dunham in "Girls"
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series u2013 Edie Falco in "Nurse Jackie"
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series u2013 Taylor Schilling in "Orange Is the New Black"
The White House
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series u2013 Julia Louis-Dreyfus in "Veep"
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series u2013 Amy Poehler in "Parks and Recreation"
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series u2013 Melissa McCarthy in "Mike & Molly"
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series u2013 Louis C.K. in "Louie"
John Hancock
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series u2013 Jim Parsons in "The Big Bang Theory"
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series u2013 Don Cheadle in "House of Lies"
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series u2013 William H. Macy in "Shameless"
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Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series u2013 Matt LeBlanc in "Episodes"
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series u2013 Ricky Gervais in "Derek"
"So you won Oscar, (People magazine's) Sexiest Man Alive and now you want an Emmy, too. Isn't that a little bit greedy?" Harrelson teased his fellow nominee.
"Fargo" was named best miniseries, and the award for best miniseries actress went to Jessica Lange of "American Horror Story: Coven."
Buffering the miniseries awards was a parody routine about top nominees by "Weird Al" Yankovic. Musical numbers usually look out of place at the Emmys, and this one was no different. Other scripted banter fell flat, although host Seth Meyers kept soldiering on.
CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" star Jim Parsons was crowned as best comedy series actor, giving him his fourth Emmy and putting him in league with all-time sitcom winners Kelsey Grammer and Michael J. Fox.
ABC's "Modern Family," which tied "Frasier" as the all-time sitcom champ with five statuettes, also captured a best comedy supporting actor trophy for Ty Burrell. Allison Janney was honored as best supporting comedy actress for CBS' "Mom," adding to the trophy she'd already picked up as guest actress on "Masters of Sex."
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who received her third consecutive best comedy actress Emmy for the political comedy "Veep," drew big laughs as she stopped to exchange faux heated kisses with Cranston, who earlier was her co-presenter and who appeared with her on "Seinfeld."
Meyers kicked off the ceremony by tweaking his home network, NBC, and other broadcasters for being eclipsed in the awards by cable series and online newcomers like "Orange Is the New Black."
Noting that the Emmys moved to Monday night to avoid a conflict with Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards, he said that MTV doesn't really specialize in videos anymore.
"That's like network TV holding an awards show and giving all the trophies to cable and Netflix. That would be crazy," Meyers joked.
The ceremony's traditional "in memorian" tribute to industry members who have died in the past year flashed images of stars including James Garner, Ruby Dee, Sid Caesar, Carmen Zapata and Elaine Stritch as singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles sang "Smile." It concluded with the tribute to Williams.
