LOS ANGELES — Four seemed to be the magic number at the 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards last night, with three shows—ABC’s “Modern Family,” Showtime’s “Homeland,” and HBO’s “Game Change” each received four statues, resulting in a three-way tie for the evening’s biggest winners.
The comedy “Modern Family” won for outstanding comedy for the third year in a row, as well as for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series (Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker), outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series (Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy), and outstanding directing for a comedy series (Steven Levitan for “Baby on Board”). A week ago, the show received a Creative Arts Emmy for outstanding sound mixing for a comedy or drama series (half-hour) and animation, bringing the total for 2012 to five.
The terrorism drama “Homeland,” (pictured) meanwhile, took top honors for outstanding drama series, outstanding writing for a drama series (Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon, and Gideon Raff), outstanding lead actor in a drama series (Damian Lewis as Nicholas Brody), and outstanding lead actress in a drama series (Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison). Last week, the series received two Creative Arts Emmys (outstanding casting for a drama series and outstanding single-camera picture editing for a drama series), bringing the total to six overall for the season, tying it with “Game of Thrones” for the big Emmy winners overall. (“Game of Thrones” received all its wins in the Creative Arts categories.)
The political movie “Game Change” rounded out the top winners for the night, besting the competition for outstanding miniseries or movie, outstanding writing for a miniseries, movie or a dramatic special (Danny Strong), outstanding lead actress in a miniseries or a movie (Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin), and outstanding directing for a miniseries, movie or a dramatic special (Jay Roach). With the Creative Arts Emmy for outstanding casting for a miniseries, movie or a special, the movie scored five statuettes this year.
In all, HBO was the big winner, receiving 23 Emmys (Primetime and Creative Arts combined), followed by CBS with 16, and PBS with 12.
The 64th Primetime Emmy Awards was held at the NOKIA Theater at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles.
CLICK HERE for a complete list of the award winners.