'Mad Men,' '30 Rock' led Emmys, Harris stole show

Emmy Madness
"Mad Men" and "30 Rock" led a pack of Emmy winners who successfully defended their titles Sunday, but the snappy ceremony and a star turn by host Neil Patrick Harris made the evening far from a rerun.

AMC's glossy 1960s Madison Avenue saga "Mad Men," which last year became the first basic cable show to win a top series award, won the best drama trophy for a second time. NBC's "30 Rock," a satirical take on life inside a TV variety show, was honored for the third time as best comedy series, while star Alec Baldwin won his second award as best comedy actor.

Glenn Close's performance as a ruthless trial attorney on "Damages" and Bryan Cranston's turn as a meth-making, cancer-stricken teacher on "Breaking Bad" were honored with the top drama series acting Emmys, the second consecutive awards for both. Michael Emerson, who plays the cruelly devious Ben on "Lost," and Cherry Jones, the stalwart U.S. president on "24," were honored as best supporting actors in drama series.

Toni Collette of Showtime's "United States of Tara" was honored as best lead actress in a comedy series for her role as a mother with multiple personalities, providing a rare incumbent defeat by depriving Tina Fey from consecutive wins in the category for "30 Rock." But Fey took the stage a few moments later to acknowledge a guest actor award she received for her Sarah Palin impersonation on "Saturday Night Live."

Kristin Chenoweth of "Pushing Daisies" and Jon Cryer of "Two and a Half Men" won supporting acting Emmys for their comedies and proved that acceptance speeches can be entertaining. (Chenoweth was checked out for a migraine after her win.)

"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" won the trophy for best variety, music or comedy series, its seventh in a row. Also keeping its amazing streak alive: "The Amazing Race," which won its seventh consecutive Emmy in the outstanding reality-competition category, once again turning top-rated "American Idol" into an also-ran.

"Grey Gardens," the story of a reclusive mother and daughter who were relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and the Dickens adaptation "Little Dorrit" won for best movie and miniseries, respectively.

MORE EMMY NEWS

Most awkward moment, aside from "Family Guy" clips: "Dancing with the Stars" stars Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff danced after a recent break up of their engagement.

Most 'Amazing' streak: "The Amazing Race" extends its winning streak to an amazing seven years.

Most stylish on the red carpet: Heidi Klum, Sandra Oh and Olivia Wilde are Emmy fashion trifecta

Happiest moment for Cube Candy: "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" - a Web-only musical created by "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" TV creator Josh Whedon and starring Neil Patrick Harris - won a special Emmy.

Full list of Primetime Emmy winners

Lots of Emmy photos

(AP/People/NPR)

 

QUICK HITS

-- Khloe Kardashian and L.A. Lakers forward Lamar Odom began dating a month ago. Now they are engaged. (People)

-- Thanks goodness!!! A source has told E! that Kate Gosselin is NOT the main star of a new talk show with Paula Dean. (E!)

-- Because of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s participation in “Dancing With the Stars,” which debuts Monday night, the nonprofit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has decided to do something it has never done before: throw a party. For shame! ;) (Politicio)

-- "Jennifer's Body" and "The Informant!" just could't top "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," which lead the movie box office this weekend with $30.1 million. (AP)

-- How Hollywood will remember the Summer of 2009: Ceaseless deaths of the famous mark summer `09. And everyone blames the media and the Internet for the over-done memorials. (AP)

 

VIDEO OF THE DAY
Neil Patrick Harris opens the Emmys with "Put Down the Remote":

(YouTube)

 

LOTS OF EMMY PHOTOS

 

 

 

 

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