In an uncanny repeat of last year, the same shows and many of the same performers again took top honors at "The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards" Sunday night.
"Mad Men" and "30 Rock" won as best drama and comedy, respectively, while Bryan Cranston of "Breaking Bad" and Glenn Close of "Damages" won as best actor and actress in a drama series. Meanwhile, Alec Baldwin of "30 Rock" again took home the Emmy for best comedic actor.
What are the odds? But there was one new and big winner on CBS Sunday: the telecast.
The program began on a cool and swinging note with host Neil Patrick Harris singing a Las Vegas-style opening number. Striding onstage in a white tuxedo jacket, Harris instantly took control of the Nokia Theatre - acting as if he had been hosting the show for years. Harris never let go of the throttle.
No opening nerves with this Tony Awards show veteran, and as the evening wore on, several Emmy winners, ranging from comedian Jon Stewart to reality show host Jeff Probst, praised him for his work.
The first award for "Mad Men" didn't come until 10:35 p.m. Sunday, and it looked like it could have been a long night for the celebrated drama. But winning the top honor, as well as the trophy for best drama writing, made for a victorious evening.
In one the few changes from last year, Toni Collette of Showtime's "United States of Tara," won for best actress in a comedy series, beating out the favorite, Tina Fey.
For a little fast glamour and glitz, Fey and Jon Hamm ("Mad Men") were the first presenters, handing out the award for best supporting actress to Kristin Chenoweth, for "Pushing Daisies."
A tearful and somewhat disjointed Chenoweth thanked the academy for "giving an award to a show no longer on the air."
She also did a little advertising for herself, saying, "I'm unemployed now, so I'd like to be on 'Mad Men.' I also like 'The Office' and '24.' "
It didn't take long for the first big surprise and upset of the night with Collette, winning as best actress in a comedy series. It was a major coup for Showtime, which has been consistently overshadowed by HBO. Fey was the hands-down favorite going into the telecast.
Fey's "30 Rock" soon struck back, though, with Baldwin's win. In his acceptance speech, Baldwin dedicated his award to executive producer Lorne Michaels.
