ABC's "Modern Family" served as bookends for the entire awards show. The first award of the night went to Eric Stonestreet for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series. The show also took the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, the last award of the night. Also, "Modern Family's" Julie Bowen took home the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series.
Another big winner was Showtime's "Homeland," which stopped "Mad Men" in its tracks, denying the AMC show a record-setting fifth trophy. The show took the prize for Outstanding Drama Series and also nabbed Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series with Damian Lewis and Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series with Claire Danes. The show was also honored with the award for Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series. "Homeland" is the cable channel's first best drama winner.
Lewis beat out Steve Buscemi of "Boardwalk Empire," Bryan Cranston of "Breaking Bad," Michael C. Hall of "Dexter," Hugh Bonneville of "Downton Abbey" and Jon Hamm of "Mad Men." Danes, who was nominated for three Emmys total, beat Glenn Close of DirecTV's "Damages," Elisabeth Moss of "Mad Men," Kathy Bates of NBC's "Harry's Law" and Michelle Dockery of PBS' "Downton Abbey."
2012 Emmy Awards full winners list
After accepting her award, Danes, eye-catching in a bright yellow dress that gracefully draped the pregnant actress, said backstage that she appreciated one fan: President Barack Obama has said he's a fan of "Homeland," about a Marine and former POW who's suspected of working for al Qaeda.
"No pressure," the actress said. "It's way cool that he is a fan. It speaks to the relevancy of the show and it's hugely validating."
"Game Change," which depicts Sarah Palin's experiences campaigning as John McCain's running mate, garnered many honors. Danny Strong won for Outstanding Writing For A Mini-Series, Movie Or A Dramatic Special, Julianne Moore won for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Mini-Series Or A Movie and Jay Roach won for Outstanding Directing For A Mini-Series, Movie Or A Dramatic Special. The show also took the Emmy for Outstanding Mini-Series Or Movie.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus of "Veep" took the award for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, beating out Lena Dunham of "Girls," Melissa McCarthy of "Mike & Molly," Zooey Deschanel of "New Girl," Edie Falco of "Nurse Jackie," Tina Fey of "30 Rock" and Amy Poehler of "Parks and Recreation." Louis-Dreyfus and Poehler made a skit out of the win by purposely trading acceptance speeches, which drew a laugh from the audience.
In the world of reality TV, "The Amazing Race" won for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program and Tom Bergeron of "Dancing With The Stars" took the prize for Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program.
Among the big-name shows that left the show with no awards were "Mad Men," "Dexter," The Good Wife" and "30 Rock."
The show started off with a bit of bathroom humor, centered around host Jimmy Kimmel who was sobbing in the bathroom due to botched Botox. In the filmed bit, Kathy Bates, Zooey Deschanel and other nominated actresses help solve Kimmel's beauty dilemma by punching him in the face repeatedly.
This was Kimmel's first stab at hosting the awards show. Kimmel was also a first-time Emmys nominee. However, his popular late-night show, "Jimmy Kimmel Live" was beat out by "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," which has taken the award for 10 consecutive years. Stewart's show was also up against "The Colbert Report," "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," "Real Time with Bill Maher" and "Saturday Night Live."
Meanwhile, drivers in the downtown area were warned of several street closures that began at 3 a.m. Sunday and were expected to last past midnight. The closures include:
- Figueroa Street between Venice and Olympic boulevards
- L.A. Live Way between Pico and Olympic boulevards
- 11th Street between Flower and Blaine
- Pico Boulevard between Flower and L.A. Live Way
- Georgia Street between 11th and Olympic Boulevard
Rail service in the area will not be affected by the closures. It was not immediately known if Metro bus lines would be affected.
The infamous red carpet was prepped Saturday night as excited fans were eager to get an up-close look.
See celebrities walk the red carpet at the 2012 Emmy Awards
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
