The Emmy Awards: Homeland Halts Mad Men’s Success Run

The glitz and glamour were out last night for the annual Emmy Awards, and it was hit television series Homeland that was honoured as the best drama series.

The show, which puts the battle against terrorism on American soil, also earned trophies for stars Claire Danes and Damian Lewis.

The drama stopped Mad Men’s success cycle, denying the show a record-setting fifth trophy.

Our favourite sitcom, Modern Family, was named best comedy and won the best directing trophy. Actors Eric Stonestreet and Julie Bowen claimed supporting actor awards, as many questioned whether the show had had a deserving season.

The Emmys certainly refused to play it predictable with funny-man Jimmy Kimmel as host and Jon Cryer of Two And A Half Men earning best actor, showing the Emmys voters appreciation for the show sans Charlie Sheen.  

Ashton Kutcher, who joined the show after Sheen was fired, was not nominated.

The acting trophies, along with a best-writing award for the show, gave Homeland a steady momentum throughout the night as it grabbed the best drama award at the pinnacle of the night.

Downton Abbey was sure not to leave without an award too as Maggie Smith was honoured as best supporting drama actress for her tart-tongued character.

Among the reality shows, The Amazing Race was honoured as the best reality series, an amazing ninth time in 10 nominations for the award.

Kevin Costner was named best actor for the history-based mini-series Hatfields & McCoys, while Tom Berenger was named best supporting actor for the project and Jessica Lange won supporting actress honours for American Horror Story. Game Change was crowned best series.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart proved unstoppable once again as it won its 10th consecutive best variety show trophy.

Stewart, discussing the lasting value of his show, apparently forgot that what’s acceptable on cable can get censored on network television.

“Years from now when the Earth is just a burning husk and aliens visit, they will find a box of these,” he said as he held up his award, “and they will know, just how predictable these (several bleeps) can be,” he said.

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