Television
The big star at the Emmys: Basic cable
By Louisa Ada Seltzer
Sep 22, 2008 - 7:46:31 AM

It was a good night for Tina Fey but an even better one for basic cable.

Fey’s “30 Rock” swept the big three categories, including its second consecutive best comedy award, making her the big individual winner at last night’s primetime Emmy awards on ABC.

But it was basic cable that had the breakout night. AMC’s “Mad Men” became the first-ever basic cable show to win the best drama category.

Glenn Close of FX’s “Damages” became the first woman from a basic cable show to win a major acting award, best actress in a drama, and castmate Zeljko Ivanek won best supporting actor in a drama.

In perhaps the night’s biggest upset, Bryan Cranston took home best actor in a drama for his role as a high school teacher-turned-crystal meth dealer in AMC’s “Breaking Bad.” Cranston, who received previous nominations for playing the dad on “Malcolm in the Middle” but had never won, edged the two favorites, Hugh Laurie on “House” and Jon Hamm on “Mad Men.”

In fact, in a Media Life poll last week predicting the Emmy winners, Cranston received the fewest votes in the category, with just 2.9 percent voting for him.
Fey won best actress in a comedy, while “Rock’s” Alec Baldwin grabbed best actor. Fey also won for best comedic writing for an episode of “Rock.”

The ceremony itself was remarkable in that it actually ended just before 11 p.m. At times, the awards show seemed to drag on forever, as in a tribute to the late variety show “Laugh-In” and during the opening monologue.

In fact, ABC’s decision to use the five nominees in the first-ever best reality show competition host category as the night’s MCs proved borderline disastrous. Tom Bergeron, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Jeff Probst and Ryan Seacrest took the stage without a prepared monologue in a bit that was supposed to highlight the unpredictability of reality TV. Instead it dragged on and on without laughs.

The network’s Jimmy Kimmel, who presented the best reality show host award, would have proven a better pick as host. He captured their unremarkable presence perfectly in his introduction, motioning to the co-hosts and asking, “Haven’t they been sufficient?” 

HBO captured the most trophies overall with 26, half of those going to its miniseries “John Adams,” which became the most-honored program ever. It surpassed “Angels in America’s” previous record of 11 Emmy wins.

ABC led the broadcast networks with 12 wins, including best supporting actress in a comedy Jean Smart in “Samantha Who?” CBS, NBC and PBS tied for fourth overall with 10 statues.

Here is a list of last night’s major winners.

Outstanding Drama Series
"Mad Men," AMC

Outstanding Comedy Series
"30 Rock," NBC

Actor, Drama Series
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"

Actress, Drama Series
Glenn Close, "Damages"

Actress, Comedy Series
Tina Fey, "30 Rock"

Actor, Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"

Outstanding Miniseries
"John Adams," HBO

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries
Paul Giamatti, “John Adams”

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries
Laura Linney, “John Adams”