HBO, the US cable channel which has won plaudits for shows such as The Sopranosand Sex in the Cityswept the prime-time Emmys yesterday, consolidating its reputation as a powerhouse of US television by winning 26 trophies.
But despite taking more Emmys than any network, HBO was omitted for the first time in a decade from the prestigious race for best drama series, which went to upstart cable channel AMC with
Mad Men.
Mad Men-- a slow-burning drama set in a New York advertising agency just before the social revolution of the mid-1960s -- made AMC the first basic cable show to win the top drama honors on U.S. television's biggest night.
Mad Menis currently being broadcast on RTÉ Two.
Despite an audience of less than 2 million per episode, the network finished the night with eight Emmys in all, including best writing for a drama for
Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner and a surprise win for Bryan Cranston as lead actor in a drama for his role as a chemistry teacher with lung cancer in
Breaking Bad.
Mr Weiner said backstage he was surprised to learn that
Mad Men'svictory was an historic first for basic cable, which are channels included in basic packages that do not require paying premiums.
"I though it was about quality," Mr Weiner said of the Emmy Awards. "We are glad we were not prejudiced against because we were on basic cable. I don't know why there is a distinction," Mr Weiner said.
Further evidence of basic cable's breakthrough in original drama series came with three Emmys for the FX channel.
Glenn Close won the trophy for best actress in a drama for playing a brilliant but ruthless lawyer in
Damages, while co-star Zeljko Ivanek took the Emmy for best supporting actor on the show.
HBO's
John Adams, the story of the second US president, ended up with 13 Emmys, including awards for best miniseries, outstanding writing, best actor (Paul Giamatti), best actress (Laura Linney) and best supporting actor (Tom Wilkinson).
HBO's
Recount, about the disputed US presidential election in 2000, won Emmys for best made-for-TV movie and best director for a dramatic special.
HBO has used Emmy recognition in the past for shows like
The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The Wireand
Sex in the Cityto market itself to subscribers as the place to watch high-end shows.
ABC was the second most successful network at the 60th annual Primetime Emmys, winning 12 awards, one of them for Jean Smart's supporting role in the new comedy
Samantha Who?
NBC, CBS and PBS tied for third place with 10 trophies apiece. The network TV satire
30 Rock, won best comedy series, best comic actress (Tina Fey), best actor (Alec Baldwin) and best comedy writer for Ms Fey, accounting for much of NBC's haul.
Comedy Central won three Emmys, including two for perennial favorite Jon Stewart's satirical news show
The Daily Show, the winner for best variety series for six years straight.
Reuters