ABC’s of-the-moment comedy “Modern Family” was named best comedy series and swept four other Emmy categories — best supporting actor nods for the Dunphy family heads, Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell, along with directing and writing wins — at the 63rd annual Emmy Awards telecast Sunday.
AMC’s little but mighty 1960s retro commentary “Mad Men” was named outstanding drama series yet again, the series’ fourth win.
Jim Parsons of “The Big Bang Theory” again took lead actor in a comedy. (A shot of Steve Carell and his wife, stone-faced, was an unfortunate juxtaposition.)
Julianna Margulies won lead actress in a drama for her portrayal of a lawyer and political wife in CBS’s “The Good Wife.”
First-time nominee Margo Martindale, the poison-brewing matriarch of “Justified,” won for supporting actress in a drama.
“Friday Night Lights,” the concluded NBC/DirecTV series, had a big night, honored for best writing and best actor in a drama for Kyle Chand ler.
“Downton Abbey” was duly named outstanding miniseries, beating the much-nominated “Mildred Pierce.” But Kate Winslet won for her performance in the title role of “Mildred Pierce.”
Among the repeaters: “Amazing Race” won the reality competition race again, its ninth Emmy. “The Daily Show” won the writing award for a variety/comedy show, its seventh, and the best comedy/variety award, its ninth.
The Emmy show itself was another story . . . a painful drag concocted by reality-TV producer Mark Burnett.
Host Jane Lynch opened with a tribute to the magic of television. “I’m gonna sing it,” she announced. The goofy production number, in praise of the “liquid crystal paradise,” was pedestrian, but it did contain one prophetic lyric:
“Stupid and schlocky and already feels overly long,” Lynch lip-synced. Did the writers put that line in as a dare to critics? Did they know it would sum up the three-hour insult of an Emmy show that, with exceptions for some well-earned awards, was among the worst in recent memory?
The tour of TV’s “vast wonderland” was momentarily fun (Lynch on the “Mad Men” set) but mostly painful (the rest). Most dreadful: the Emmy tones — comic actors who are funny on their shows but not doing treacly song.
Bowen looked truly shocked accepting her award, not just because her dress was cut to her navel. Burrell, on his second nomination, first win, scored the funniest acceptance speech of the night.
The “In Memoriam” section was unnecessarily hammed up by a fog machine and four Canadian tenors.
Not winning: Charlie Sheen begging for (tepid) applause.
Winning: comedy’s leading ladies, hand in hand onstage. Amy Poehler, Martha Plimpton, Edie Falco, Tiny Fey and Laura Linney treated Melissa McCarthy to a crown and a bouquet. “My first and best pageant ever,” McCarthy said.
“Boardwalk Empire” was relegated to the sidelines and won only for directing by Martin Scor sese.
Peter Dinklage of “Game of Thrones” won supporting actor in a drama and thanked his dog sitter.
“Downton Abbey” was recognized for writing in a miniseries, and Maggie Smith won as supporting actress.
Poehler and McCarthy were funny talking about male actors finally breaking the glass ceiling.
Which was worse: the Michael Bolton production number or the awful jokey voiceover narration?
Lynch was a serviceable host, scoring in a taped bit as a “Real Jersey Housewife,” introduced by Anderson Cooper.
Her best line: “A lot of people are curious why I’m a lesbian. Ladies and gentlemen, the cast of ‘Entourage.’ “
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
