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'Breaking Bad' and 'Modern Family' win big at Emmy awards

Hollywood gathered to honor the best of US television at the Primetime Emmys. Programming from HBO and Netflix dominated the nominations.

"Breaking Bad" and "Modern Family" cleaned up at Emmys on Monday, while "Game of Thrones" came up short despite being nominated in 19 categories.

The story of an ailing family man turned drug kingpin, "Breaking Bad" (cast pictured above) won best drama, while the series' leading man, Bryan Cranston, took home the prize for best drama actor. The awards for best drama supporting roles went to co-stars Aaron Paul and Anna Gunn.

"This is…a wonderful time to be working in television," said the show's director, Vince Gilligan, after accepting the top prize at the three-hour ceremony in Los Angeles.

For the fifth year in a row, "Modern Family" won best comedy, tying the record set by the sitcom "Frasier" from 1994 to 1998. Meanwhile, Jim Parsons from "The Big Bang Theory" was awarded the prize for best comedy actor, while Julia Louis-Dreyfus won best comedy actress for her role in "Veep."

Julianna Margulies won best drama actress for her role in "The Good Wife," while best television movie went to "The Normal Heart," about gay activist Larry Kramer, who worked to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS during the 1980s.

Changing nature of television

Despite being widely acclaimed by both critics and fans, "Game of Thrones" only won minor awards. Based on the novels by the same name, the series follows the political and sexual intrigues of competing kingdoms in a fantasy medieval world. "Game of Thrones" has already been renewed a fifth and six season.

Highlighting the changing nature of television, shows broadcast by the cable network Home Box Office (HBO) had a total of 99 nominations, while original programming from the Internet rental platform Netflix had 31 nominations.

During the "In memoriam" section of the ceremony, the life of the late Robin Williams was honored by his long-time friend, Billy Crystal.

"He made us laugh. Hard. Everytime you saw him," said Crystal, himself a comedic actor. "Robin Williams, what a concept."

slk/se (AP, AFP)    dw de