HOLLYWOOD—The 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were held on Monday, August 25. The big winner of the night was “Breaking Bad” which took home a total of five Emmy awards including Outstanding Drama Series. Host Seth Meyers took some comedic jabs at network television hosting the ceremony and giving out the awards to primarily to Netflix and cable shows. It was indeed funny and ironically true.
Meyers monologue also tackled the MTV Video Music Awards, the factoid that dramas were submitted as comedies instead of the actual drama category. He also poked fun at fellow co-workers Tina Fey and Amy Poehler helping with his opening act. I’m surprised to say this; Meyers absolutely brought the funny before the awards began to be handed out.
Best Supporting Actor in a comedy series went to Ty Burrell for “Modern Family.” A bit of a surprise as many expected Tony Vale to repeat for his work on “Veep.” The trophy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series went to Louie C.K. for “Louie.” Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel poked fun at Matthew McConaughey being nominated for an Emmy award before presenting the prize for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series to Alison Janney for the CBS hit “Mom.”
Directing for a Comedy Series went to Gail Mancuso for “Modern Family,” who delivered a lengthy speech to say the least. Lead Actor in a Comedy Series went to Jim Parsons “The Big Bang Theory.” Parsons has indeed cleaned up at the Emmys in the past several years; it’s almost impossible for any other actor to compete against him.
The prize for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series was given to Julia Louis-Dreyfus for “Veep.” A third consecutive win for the actress, that saw the actress and actor Bryan Cranston share a rather awkward and passionate kiss. It was indeed a funny moment to say the least. The Emmy award for outstanding Reality Competition show went to “The Amazing Race.”
It was pretty funny to see the actors and actresses take questions about things that transpire during the Emmy ceremony. Outstanding Writing for a Mini-Series or TV movie went to “Sherlock: His Last Vow.” Kathy Bates took home the prize for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Mini-Series or TV movie for her work on “American Horror Story: Coven.” The Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Min-Series or TV movie went to Martin Freeman for “Sherlock: His Last Vow.”
The prize for Directing in a Mini-Series or TV movie was given to Colin Bucksey “Fargo.” Outstanding Lead Actor in a Mini-Series or TV Movie went to Benedict Cumberbatch for “Sherlock: His Last Vow.” Jessica Lange was victorious in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Mini-Series or TV Movie for her work in “American Horror Story: Coven.” “Fargo” took home the Emmy for Outstanding Mini-Series.
The Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie was awarded to “The Normal Heart,” which received a standing ovation from the crowd. Lucy Liu presented the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series to Aaron Paul for “Breaking Bad.” The actor graciously thanked the other nominees in his category, and the creator of the series Vince Gilligan.
For Drama Series Directing, went to Cary Joji Fukunaga for his work on “True Detective.” A bit of surprise as many expected that perhaps Vince Gilligan would take the prize. Anna Gunn took home the gold for her role as Skylar White in “Breaking Bad.” “Breaking Bad” took home the Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Drama series.
Academy Award nominee Viola Davis presented the Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Drama Series to Julianna Margulies “The Good Wife.” Margulies had a phenomenal arc this season on the series that was a must-see week to week, so I couldn’t see anyone else taking the prize.
Perhaps the most heated and competitive race of the evening was Lead Actor in a Drama Series, where it was two-person race between Matthew McConaughey and Bryan Cranston. In the end,Cranston took home the prize for his role as Walter White in “Breaking Bad.” He joked while accepting his award that he even thought about voting for Mr. McConaughey. Outstanding Comedy series went to once again “Modern Family.” Come on Academy, its time to shake up this race and award the prize to some new faces in the comedy arena.
Oscar-winner Halle Berry capped off the evening presenting the prize for Outstanding Drama Series to “Breaking Bad.” With “Breaking Bad” no longer in contention, it will be interesting to see what drama steps up to the plate to take the top prize in 2015.
By LaDale Anderson
