‘John Adams’, ‘30 Rock’ and ‘Mad Men’ take top television honors

By Robin Rowe

America Ferrara: Speechless at Emmys

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 9/21/08 – The Primetime Emmys presented awards in 29 categories before a black-tie audience at the downtown Los Angeles Nokia Theatre and televised live on the ABC Television Network. This year’s Emmy telecast was executive-produced by Ken Ehrlich. It was directed by Louis J. Horvitz, who won an Emmy tonight for Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program for directing last year’s Emmys.

One technical difficulty, ‘Ugly Betty’ America Ferrera and Vanessa Williams, on stage to present an award, had no sound. The show quickly cut away rather than make the two present in pantomime.

Of the 51 nominations for comedy and drama programs as well as lead and supporting performers, 21 were not included among last year’s nominees. First-time nominees included ‘Damages’, ‘Dexter’ and ‘Mad Men’ in the drama series category. ‘Damages’ and ‘Mad Men’ are the first two basic cable series to be nominated in the drama series program category.

AMC ‘Mad Men’ won for Outstanding Drama Series. FX ‘Damages’ won for Best Lead Actress, Drama with Glenn Close, and Best Supporting Actor, Drama with Zeljko Ivanek.

After the telecast is The Television Academy’s Governors Ball at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

2008 EMMYS WINNERS

• OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES Jeremy Piven, Entourage (HBO)
• OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES Jean Smart, Samantha Who? (ABC)
• OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES Zeljko Ivanek, Damages (FX)
• OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES Diane Wiest, In Treatment (HBO)
• OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE Tom Wilkinson, John Adams (HBO)
• OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE Dame Eileen Atkins, Cranford (Masterpiece) (PBS)
• OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE Laura Linney, John Adams (HBO)
• OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE Paul Giamatti, John Adams (HBO)
• OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY PROGRAM Louis J. Horvitz, The 80th Annual Academy Awards
• OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY PROGRAM The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)
• OUTSTANDING VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES The Daily Show with John Stewart (Comedy Central)
• OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE IN A VARIETY OR MUSIC PROGRAM Don Rickles, Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (HBO)
• OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES Barry Sonnenfeld, Pushing Daisies – “Pie-lette” (ABC)
• OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES Tina Fey, 30 Rock – “Cooter” (NBC)
• OUTSTANDING MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE Recount (HBO) OUTSTANDING MINISERIES John Adams (HBO)
• OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A DRAMATIC SPECIAL Jay Roach, Recount (HBO)
• OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A DRAMATIC SPECIAL Kirk Ellis, John Adams – “Independence” (HBO)
• OUTSTANDING REALITY/COMPETITION PROGRAM The Amazing Race (CBS)
• OUTSTANDING HOST FOR A REALITY OR REALITY/COMPETITION SHOW Jeff Probst, Survivor (CBS)
• OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES Greg Yaitanes, House – “House’s Head” (Fox)
• OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES Matthew Weiner, Mad Men – “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” (AMC)
• OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES Tina Fey, 30 Rock (NBC)
• OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES Glenn Close, Damages (FX) OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock (NBC)
• OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES Brian Cranston, Breaking Bad (AMC)
• OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES Mad Men (AMC) OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES 30 Rock (NBC)