2011 Emmy Winners: The Awkward, Unexpected and the Predictable Wins

Mad Men continued their streak at last night’s 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards which aired live on Fox. The AMC series took home its fourth consecutive Emmy for Best Drama while ABC’s Modern Family took home a second consecutive Emmy for Best Comedy. Those were predictable wins even though most TV fans were hoping to see a little change-up and see Parks And Recreation take home the award for Best Comedy. The series had an incredible run for their 3rd Season, but still lacks the attention of the Academy for anything more than a nomination nod.

Other predictable wins included Kate Winslet for HBO’s Milred Pierce and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (9th year straight!)! The surprising wins of the night went to a British series called Downton Abby who few have heard of, but the critics absolutely love. Most viewers expected Milred Pierce to dominate in these categories as well.

Another notable moment included Charlie Sheen taking a moment to address the writers/cast of Two And Half Men. Viewers, including myself, cringed as he walked up to the microphone not knowing what to expect, but the actor has calmed down from his past rantings. He didn’t exactly apologize – but he did say some kind words:

“I want to take a moment to get something off my chest, to say a few words to everyone here from Two And Half Men. From the bottom of my heart, I wish you nothing but the best for this upcoming season. We spent eight wonderful years together and I know you will continue to make great television.”

Jim Parsons of The Big Bang Theory won the award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series – the category presented by Sheen. Chuck Lorre, creator of Two And Half Men, is also the creator of The Big Bang Theory – not sure if anyone else picked up on a little of the awkwardness that Parsons himself even acknowledged.

We’ve got the full list of winners for you below:

  • Outstanding comedy series: Modern Family
  • Outstanding drama series: Mad Men
  • Outstanding miniseries or movie: Downton Abbey
  • Outstanding lead actress, miniseries or movie: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
  • Outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or movie: Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce
  • Outstanding directing for a miniseries, movie or dramatic special: Brian Percival, Downton Abbey
  • Outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie: Barry Pepper, The Kennedys
  • Outstanding supporting actress, miniseries or movie: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
  • Outstanding writing for a miniseries or movie: Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey
  • Outstanding lead actor, drama: Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
  • Outstanding lead actress, drama: Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
  • Outstanding supporting actor, drama: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
  • Outstanding directing, drama: Martin Scorsese, Boardwalk Empire
  • Outstanding supporting actress, drama: Margo Martindale, Justified
  • Outstanding writing, drama series: Jason Katims, Friday Night Lights
  • Outstanding variety, music or comedy series: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
  • Outstanding directing for a variety, music or comedy series: Don Roy King, Saturday Night Live (host: Justin Timberlake)
  • Outstanding writing for a variety, music or comedy series: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
  • Outstanding reality competition: The Amazing Race
  • Outstanding lead actress, comedy: Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly)
  • Outstanding lead actor, comedy series: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
  • Outstanding writing for a comedy: Steve Levitan, Jeffrey Richman (“Caught in the Act”), Modern Family
  • Outstanding director, comedy: Michael Alan Spiller (“Halloween”), Modern Family
  • Outstanding supporting actor, comedy: Ty Burrell (Modern Family)
  • Outstanding supporting actress, comedy: Julie Bowen (Modern Family)

The overall entertainment value of the show from the opening act to the “Emmytones” (a singing group made up of Zachary Levi, Cobie Smulders, Taraji P. Henson, Kate Flannery, Wilmer Valderrama, and Joel McHale, and Taraji P. Henson) left viewers a little disappointed as jokes earned more rolled eyes or “mehs” than previous award shows such as this year’s Tony Awards or Golden Globes.

What were your thoughts on the skits, the wins, and the snubs at this year’s Emmy Awards? Sound off in our comment section below!

Responses

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  1. Congrats to Jim Parsons! He deserves it for that role (looking forward to the new season on Thursday!). Glad about Modern Family too! I have been watching seasons 1 and 2 this weekend and it deserves the win; although I think Eric Stonestreet really deserves it but I guess he won last year

  2. I haven’t jumped on the Modern Family bandwagon yet – I heard this last past season wasn’t as great as the first. Would you agree with that? I really wanted to see Parks and Rec take it – but I knew that was a long shot 🙁

  3. Downton Abby is so, so GOOD. For those who have never seen it it is set in 1912 and is a juicy and scandalous look at a failing British aristocracy and the servant class who depend on them. Available for streaming it on Netflix (or whatever it is called today).

    I would have liked to see Martha Plimpton win for lead actress in a comedy. She is so good in Raising Hope. I would have liked to see Parks and Rec get more love, too.

  4. Oh thanks Solaera! I didn’t realize that it was on Netflix… or Qwikster(?) now. Going to add that to my que. And sooo glad to hear someone else thinks that Parks and Rec needs some more love! 🙂

  5. I don’t think I agree with that. Some of the very best episodes are in Season 2 when I look back on it. I pretty much watched both seasons all in a row and did not see any noticable decline. BTW – Season 2 comes out on DVD/Blu-Ray tomorrow!

  6. My friend that said that is a bit of a TV snob, so I’ll by it. 🙂 Need to see if they have it streaming on Netflix or whatever now.

  7. I started watching Modern Family this summer and I really liked it. I would definitely check it out. I haven’t watched Parks and Rec though, but I’ve heard good things. Maybe I should look into that.

  8. It’s too bad it took so long for Friday Night Lights to get its due, which it deserved a long time ago. And I’m always a bit confused at who is and isn’t eligible for Emmy nominations……for instance, I know Breaking Bad was not eligible this time, for some reason, but anyone watching knows it is the best drama on television……..maybe of all time. It’s a tough call.

  9. I’ve heard that about Breaking Bad too. Also on my list of things I need to check out. 🙂 I’m glad people realized with FNL too. I assumed Steve Carell was going to get best Comedy Actor for the a similar reason – it was his last season on the series. I like to call it the Lord Of The Rings effect. When you’re role or series ends – you usually win the award in that last season – if you’re on beloved series. 🙂 Same thing with Return Of The King winning the Oscar.

  10. Peter Dinklage is amazing in Game of Thrones, so happy to see that he won! He embodied Tyrion perfectly, and really stole every scene he was in.