To paraphrase Emmy host Neil Patrick Harris, “No-one is winning their Emmys’ office pool – there were surprises galore!”

The biggest surprise of the night was the lack of awards given to Breaking Bad. Many are saying this is the best TV in a long time, yet the Academy didn’t acknowledge two of it’s stars, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, nor any of the writers or directors. That said, it’s the final half of the final season, that is being played out on our TVs as we speak, that has been gripping fans like no other, and that is not in contention for this year’s Emmys – so hopefully next year will be its year.

That said, Breaking Bad did win two of the biggest awards of the night. Outstanding Drama and Anna Gunn took out the Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series. Watch Vince Gilligan and the cast accept the award.

Many people were surprised to see Behind The Candlelabra nominated for 15 Emmys rather than Oscars. The thing is, there was no cinematic release for this in the States as no movie studio wanted to go near Liberace’s bio pic. Instead it was backed by and broadcast on HBO – proving yet again that TV isn’t afraid to be bold, entertain, and tell stories viewers want to see.

Behind the Candlelabra took home Emmy’s for Outstanding Mini-Series or Film and Michael Douglas was recognised as the most Outstanding Actor in a Mini Series or Film. His speech was one of my favourites of the night – he was funny in recongnising his co-star Matt Damon, “Obviously there’s one nominee in particular that I really have to thank and this was a 2 hander .. and Matt you’re only as good as your other hand. You were magnificent and the only reason I’m here is because of you so do you want the bottom or the top? The top? I figured that!

He also went on to thank his wife and kids and also took a swipe at the US’ penal system. The system that isn’t making visiting his son easy. “I want to thank my wife Catherine, and my kids Dylan and Cerys, and my older son, Cameron, I hope they allow me to see him soon” Here he talks about how his son has been treated by the penal system

Speeches

Talking about speeches. No-one likes a long speech but this year the Emmy’s were a bit over zealous in it’s brevity. It felt as if the music was played as soon as the winners took to the stage. These winners deserve more than the 30 seconds they were allocated.

My other favourite speeches of the night were:

Merrit Weaver, Nurse Jackie – Outstanding Supporting Actress in A Comedy Series. The music didn’t even have a chance to start as her speech was the shortest of the night, “Thank you. Thank you so much! Thanks so much. I got to go, bye!”

According to Entertainment Weekly, “Backstage in front of the press, Wever thanked Showtime and co-star Edie Falco, but said she was super nervous and didn’t expect to win. “It’s hard to do those,” she said. “I’m scared. I’m scared. It was unexpected. I don’t know how to feel yet. I mean, I have therapy next week.”

Julia Louis Dreyfus has equaled legend Lucille Ball in garnering her 9th ever Emmy nomination. Last night she walked away with the Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series (her 4th Emmy win).  Her speech was hilarious, she ‘sort of’ stayed in character, bringing her Veep’s advisor, and fellow Emmy winner Outstanding Supporting Actor in A Comedy Series) Tony Hale, on stage with her to whisper notes into her ear throughout her speech.

The other big winner of the night was Modern Family. While it did not win any individual Emmys for its cast, it did take out the big one on the night – Outstanding Comedy Series. Phenomenally, the series has had a total of 57 nominations since its premiere! This award was presented to the cast by a short wearing Will Ferrell and his boys.

In his acceptance speech, producer Steven Levitan, acknowledged the tough times, “I cannot begin to express to you how surreal this ride has been because none of us grew up as winners. So thank you to the bullies, to the popular kids, to the gym teachers who taunted us, who rejected us and who made fun of the way we ran. Without you we never would have gone into comedy!”

Winners
Below is a full list of winners and their speech highlights

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Merrit Weaver Nurse Jackie

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series – Tina Fey and Tracey 30 Rock

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Tony Hale Veep

Outstanding Lead Actress in A Comedy Series – Julia Louis Dreyfus Veep

Outstanding Direction in a Comedy series – Gail Mancuso Modern Family
This is only the 2nd time a woman has won in this category. In her speech she thanked her 8th grade teacher, “Thanks to my 8th grade teacher Mr Bright- he taught me it wasn’t just about English & Math he taught me self confidence”

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy – Jim Parsons The Big Bang Theory
This was his 3rd win & 5th consecutive nomination – and he was still very emotional accepting the award which was lovely to see it still means so much.

Most Outstanding Actress in A Drama – Laura Linney The Big C, the Hereafter
Michael Douglas and Matt Damon presented this award. When Laura wasn’t there to accept Damon quipped (tongue in cheek) “Laura couldn’t be here tonight, she’s such a great actress she didn’t even have to show up. No, no, she’s working”

Outstanding Writing in A Drama Series – Henry Brommel Homeland
Henry tragically died earlier this year so his wife is accepted the award in his honour.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
This was he 1st win – 2nd nomination

Outstanding Reality TV show – The Voice

Outstanding Supporting Actor in A Drama Series – Bobby Carnivale Boardwalk Empire
“Thanks to my director who gave me the weirdest 1st day ever- 4 hours of beating people to death with different wrenches!” 

Outstanding Actor in A Drama Series – Jeff Daniels The Newsroom
“Whatever you do with your career make it matter and make it count. Aaron Sorkin makes it matter and count”

Outstanding Lead Actress in A Drama Series – Claire Danes Homeland
3rd Emmy win and 4th nomination
“Thanks to my husbamd. My love. My balance & my crush. Thanks for making me so happy so I can be so unhappy in the land of make believe”

Outstanding Director for a Drama Series David Fincher House of Cards
He was unable to attend the ceremony

Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series The Colbert Report
The nominations were hilarious – the writing team each putting together their own skit. My favourite was Jimmy Kimmel’s. He got Oprah to announce them all in her Oprah way.

Outstanding Directing A Variety Series – Don Roy King Saturday Night Live 

Outstanding Choreography – Derek Hough Dancing With the Stars

Oustanding Writing Mini-Series, Movie  – Abbey Morgan The Hour 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Mini Series or Movie – James Cromwell, American Horror Story: Assylum
Fun Fact: He is thhe only actor to utter the words Star Trek on Star Trek!

Outstanding Directing MiniSeries, film or Dramatic Special – Steven Soderbergh Behind The Candlelabra
1st win and 3rd nomination
“No matter what we all did and no matter how well we did it and what support we got if Michael and Matt don’t turn up with those performances we dont have a movie. Michael and Matt I thank you – salut!”

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a mini series, film, dramatic special – Ellen Burstyn Political Animals
“I want to thank the writer who had the wisdon to write a woman over 65 who still had a lot of juice!”

Outstanding Actor in a Mini-Series or Movie – Michael Douglas Behind the Candlelabra 

Outstanding Mini Series or Film – Behind the Candlelabra 

Outstanding Comedy Series – Modern Family

Oustanding Drama Series – Breaking Bad
Vince Gilligan – “Holy Crap! Man I did not see this coming. I thought this was going to be House of Cards or any of the other nominees or even others that weren’t nominated but could’ve been, in this golden age of television that we feel so proud to be a part of!”

So that’s it for another year. It really has been a phenomenal year on the telly. Cinema take not – this is how you produce great entertainment! I look forward to what the next 12 months have in store!

That’s Entertainment!
Sarina 🙂