The 2008 Emmy Awards winners (Mad Men and John Adams casts)
There are lots of surprise wins during the 2008 Emmy Awards for television. And a few upsets too. Critically acclaimed period drama Mad Men made history with a best drama win, becoming the first show from a network other than HBO to win the prize.
But HBO rake most of the awards through its seven-part story of the nation's second president, John Adams. It swept the show winning 13 Emmys, the most ever by a miniseries, surpassing the previous record of 11 set in 2004 by HBO's adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Angels in America.
30 Rock won the best comedy, while stars Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey swept best comic categories.
Jeremy Piven won another supporting actor in a comedy Emmy for Entourage, while Jean Smart won for her work on Samantha Who?.
But in the biggest upset of the night, the Emmy for best actor in a drama, went to Bryan Cranston for starring on another new cable TV show, AMC's Breaking Bad, as a terminally ill high school teacher who cooks crystal methamphetamine.
John Adams star Paul Giamatti and co-star, movie actress Laura Linney, won top honours in acting in a mini series.
Complete list of 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 a 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)
