What a night for AMC.

Bryan Cranston from AMC’s “Breaking Bad” got an Emmy and Mad Men was all over the place.

Paul Giamatti won a deserving Emmy for “John Adams,” which also won as a miniseries. Tom Wilkinson also won an Emmy as a supporting actor in the HBO production.

Comedy writing’s honor went to my dream girlfriend and yours, Tina Fey.

But the biggest surprises of the night were still AMC and cable’s dominance of many major awards. Surprisingly, a ton of Emmys went to low-rated shows that “no one watches.”

House and Hugh Laurie were also shown no respect Sunday. Everyone expected that Laurie was due for an Emmy, but it was Cranston’s night.

By the way, on the creative side, Stargate Atlantis did not win its Emmy. It was nominated for visual effects but lost to Battlestar Galactica.

Here’s the list of primetime winners. Let us know what you think:

Supporting actor, comedy series: Jeremy Piven, “Entourage,” HBO.

Supporting actress, comedy series: Jean Smart, “Samantha Who?,” ABC.

Supporting actor, drama series: Zeljko Ivanek, “Damages,” FX.

Direction, music comedy or variety program: Louis Horvitz, “60th Academy Awards,” ABC.

Supporting actress, drama series: Dianne Wiest, “In Treatment,” HBO.

Writing variety, music or comedy program: “The Colbert Report,” Comedy Central.

Commemorative Emmy for comedy writing: Tommy Smothers.

Lead actress, miniseries or movie: Laura Linney, “John Adams,” HBO.

Outstanding, variety, music or comedy series: “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Comedy Central.

Guest actor, comedy series: Tim Conway, “30 Rock,” NBC.

Guest actress, comedy series: Katherine Joosten, “Desperate Housewives,” ABC.

Directing, comedy series: Barry Sonnenfeld, “Pushing Daisies,” ABC.

Writing, comedy series: Tina Fey, “30 Rock,” NBC.

Made-for-TV movie: “Recount,” HBO.

Supporting actor, miniseries: Tom Wilkinson, “John Adams,” HBO.

Directing, miniseries, movie or dramatic special: Jay Roach, “Recount,” HBO.

Writing, miniseries, movie, dramatic special: Kirk Ellis, “John Adams,” HBO.

Supporting actress, miniseries, movie: Dame Eileen Atkins, “Cranford,” “Masterpiece Theatre,” PBS/BBC.

Reality competition program: “The Amazing Race,” CBS.

Miniseries: “John Adams,” HBO.

Individual in a variety or music program: Don Rickles, “Mr. Warmth,” HBO.

Guest actor, drama series: Glynn Turman, “In Treatment, “HBO.

Guest actress, drama series: Cynthia Nixon, “Law & Order Special Victims Unit,” NBC

Directing, drama series: Greg Yaitanes, “House.” Fox.

Writing, drama series: Matthew Weiner, “Mad Men,” AMC.

Lead actor, miniseries, movie: Paul Giamatti, “John Adams, ” HBO.

Lead actor, comedy series: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock,” NBC.

Lead actress, drama series: Glenn Close, “Damages,” FX.

Lead actor, drama series: Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad,” AMC.

Lead actress, comedy series: Tina Fey, “30 Rock,” NBC.

Reality host: Jeff Probst, “Survivor,” CBS.

Comedy series: “30 Rock,” NBC.

Drama series: “Mad Men,” AMC.

About The Author

John Guilfoil is the editor-in-chief of Blast: Boston's Online Magazine and the Blast Magazine Network. He can be reached at [email protected]. Tweet @johnguilfoil.

9 Responses

  1. Melbourne Girl

    Oh my goodness,another flop.The Emmy results were completely different to what I was expecting.

    I was 100% confident that Hugh Laurie was going to bag this year.I was very positive about it.Its ver disappointing for Hugh and his fans to see him walk away empty handed.

    I reckon come next year,if he is to be nominated again,I reckon he should drop it.Whats the point.I think its being made clear,that Hugh will never win.

    Hugh,whether you win or not,you rock.You are the best.

    Reply
  2. Shana

    Where was Hugh Laurie anyway? He wasn’t even at the Emmy’s, not that I blame him for all the Emmy snubbing he’s endured.
    I’ve never even heard of the show that won.

    Reply
  3. NLP

    Seriously? Hugh Laurie wasn’t there?! Good for him. (Although I thought he was supposed to be a presenter)

    I guess I’m an incurable optimist because I still believe he will win — either for House’s 5th, or 6th, or 7th season.

    Reply
  4. Darien

    Is there any place we can protest or write letters of serious anger to the idiots who hold the “voter stick”? Title says it all, Hugh got screwed AGAIN. I mean who watches Breaking Bad. At least let James Spader take it away again…

    Reply
  5. NLP

    Actually I DO watch Breaking Bad, and Bryan Cranston does an incredible job. So does Jon Hamm on Mad Men. But compared to what Hugh Laurie does, there’s no contest. I like to think that those Emmy voters are so stupid that they don’t even realize how much he is doing and ACTING — simultaneously. His accent (including having to rattle off all that medical jargon in Americanese), dealing with the cane & the limp, his physical tricks (twirling, juggling, ball handling, sleight of hand …) and abilities (most notably his beautiful piano playing), and his skill at moving seamlessly from comedy to drama. And, unlike Cranston & Hamm, he does it (except for last year) in 24 episodes a year.

    Reply
  6. Claire

    I was disgusted Hugh Laurie did not win. (BTW, he had the flu and that is why he did not attend.) I read elsewhere that AMC had an effective EMMY campaign and that is why Cranston won. Mad Men is a good show and Cranston is a good actor. But, frankly I was very disappointed. I have had enough–I don’t think I need to watch again. The last two years the productions have been clunky. Reality show hosts? Give me a break. I avoid watching those why would I want to see the hosts. Heidi Klum? I don’t think so!

    Reply
  7. Debbie

    I agree with all your comments. Hugh Laurie rocks!! and he definitely deserved the emmy. As did American Idol, what’s with this Amazing Race – who even watches this show?? Crazy!! they should let the people who watch the shows vote!!!

    Reply
  8. Affan

    Agree with all the comments…. makes one wonder what the Emmys represent doesn’t it? Breaking Bad has come out with 7 episodes, and although Bryan does a brilliant job on the show, should just 7 episodes be enough to judge?
    Hugh is the best actor on television at present…. I believe his portrayal of House is the single reason people not only watch the show, but are die hard fans….
    Season 5 has started off on the same level as all other seasons – FANTASTIC!!!!

    Reply

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