2011 Primtetime Emmy Awards Winners

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

Well, folks, that wraps it up for another year. And just in time, too! As we've mentioned both here and on Twitter, the new television season is underway, with many shows premiering over the next two weeks! But before we are completely obsessed over what's going to make it and what's not worth our time, let's take a final look at last year's outstanding shows, writers, directors, and actors.

As I did with the Creative Arts winners, I'm going to list the categories in the order that I predicted them last week, and give a thought or two after each winner.I got 9 / 35, so just over 25%. Surprisingly, that's about how I did with my Creative Arts predictions, haha. Oh, and, speaking of which, although I thought I wrapped up all of the awards handed out last week, I apparently did not. A few of the categories below were awarded at the Creative Arts ceremony. Oops.

Outstanding Comedy Series
Modern Family
- As I mentioned, "big money is going to be on Modern Family." And, it won. Too bad, since my vote was on The Big Bang Theory.  

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
"Caught in the Act" from Modern Family by Steve Levitan, Jeffrey Richman
- As I sit here and shake my head at Modern Family sweeping the Comedies, I'm secretly pissed that I can't stand this show and it just keeps winning.

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
Modern Family "Halloween" by Michael Alan Spiller
- This one I'm hurt by. I thought that How I Met Your Mother's "Subway Wars" was just so well done. It figures that Modern Family would snub it. But, boo anyway! In all fairness, I did predict that this would be the episode of Modern Family that would earn the Emmy.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory
- Right show, wrong actor. I'm not upset, though. As much as I enjoy Johnny Galecki, I can see Jim Parsons taking home the award.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Melissa McCarthy as Molly Flynn in Mike & Molly
- Yes, I picked Amy Poehler for her performances in Parks and Recreation, but I'm so happy for Melissa McCarthy that it doesn't matter. Congratulations to McCarthy, as I've loved her since Gilmore Girls and can't wait to see Bridesmaids on DVD!

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy in Modern Family

- Four nominees from Modern Family... the odds were there. Too bad for Jon Cryer, though.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy in Modern Family
- Guess I really took a beating here. I went with Betty White, thinking Jane Lynch of Kriten Wiig would probably steal it from beloved Betty. It wasn't either of them... but congrats to Julie Bowen!

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Justin Timberlake, Host on Saturday Night Live
- I was between Justin Timberlake and Matt Damon, and picked the wrong one. Close call though, and excellent performances all around!  

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Gwyneth Paltrow as Holly Holliday in Glee
- I don't really do Glee, as my regular readers know. But, I picked Kristin Chenoweth... the wrong guest, the right show. C'est la vie.

Outstanding Drama Series
Mad Men
- Figures. Mad Men beat my Boardwalk Empire. Not doing too great so far here.

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
"Always" from Friday Night Lights by Jason Katims

- I was SO CLOSE to going ti Friday Night Lights, but I went Game of Thrones. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Oh, and congrats to Jason Katims!

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire "Pilot" by Martin Scorsese
- Another win for Boardwalk Empire, and another win for me! Oh, and for Martin Scorsese.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Kyle Chandler as Coach Eric Taylor in Friday Night Lights
- Got blindsided here. Didn't see it coming. Too bad for Steve Buscemi, in my opinion. 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick in The Good Wife
- Apparently I'm on my game in the Dramas! I'm so happy for Julianna Margulies, too!

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones
- I pushed for the right candidate! Though I did hear a lot of gruff on Twitter regarding how Dinklage did not thank George R. R. Martin in his speech.... 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Margo Martindale as Mags Bennett in Justified
- what? who? um, okay. Sorry, Christina Hendricks. 

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Paul McCrane as Josh Peyton on Harry's Law

-A little bummed that Michael J. Fox didn't take it, but life goes on. 

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Loretta Devine as Adele Webber on Grey's Anatomy
- Loretta Devine had my vote and brought it home! Yes!

Outstanding Miniseries or Movie
Downton Abbey
- It didn't let me down! Downton Abbey for the win!

Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special
Downton Abbey by Julian Fellowes
- I tried to push Sherlock only a couple of times (not like it got a ton of nominations...), but it failed. Again. I support Downton Abbey for the win, though.

Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special
Downton Abbey "Part 1" by Brian Percival
-I don't know why I went with Cinema Verite when Downton Abbey was a contender. Temporary loss of intelligence? #dumbmoment?

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
Barry Pepper as Bobby Kennedy in The Kennedys
- There was some great acting on The Kennedys, let's not lie. But, apparently Barry Pepper's was better than Greg Kinnear's.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
Kate Winslet as Mildred Pierce in Mildred Pierce
- I wanted Elizabeth McGovern to win. I do enjoy Kate Winslet in general, but this was not my favorite of her roles. Congratulations to her just the same.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
Guy Pearce as Monty Beragon in Mildred Pierce
- Another case of "right show, wrong actor." I went with Brian F. O'Byrne, though Guy Pearce took the win. You win some, you lose some. Moving on... 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
Maggie Smith as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey
- I went with most adorable (Evan Rachel Wood). Apparently that wasn't the way to go. But Maggie Smith winning sounds just as good!

Outstanding Writing for Nonfiction Programming
Freedom Riders by Stanley Nelson
- I didn't see Gettysburg losing this one. Oh well. Nice win for Freedom Riders.

Outstanding Special Class - Short-Format Nonfiction Programs
Jay Leno's Garage- Although it was a blind category for me, it seems my instinct for Jay Leno's Garage was lucky.

Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
- Meh. As I mentioned before, "I have a really difficult time enjoying late-night shows." So I'm pretty apathetic that Conan didn't win. 

Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Series
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
- Again, I don't do late-night shows, so I had no big impetus to choose The Colbert Report, other than I've seen Colbert do a show in person. So, no hard feelings that Jon Stewart's show won. 
 
Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Special
64th Annual Tony Awards
- I couldn't have gone with any other winner on this one, and I'm not alone. Again, awesome job with the 64th Annual Tony Awards, especially showing the behind-the-scenes clip on the writing of Neil Patrick Harris' closing rap.

Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series
Saturday Night Live "Host: Justin Timberlake" by Don Roy King
- I kinda picked the Saturday Night Live with Justin Timberlake on principle, but it won! 

Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special
Sondheim! The Birthday Concert (Great Performances) by Lonny Price
- I wanted the Tonys here, too. But I love some Sondheim, so yay.

Outstanding Reality Program
Deadliest Catch
- I'm rather intrigued by this one. Not that I was really staunch in my selection of Undercover Boss, but I didn't realize how beloved Deadliest Catch was. Perhaps I'll give it a try...? 

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
The Amazing Race
- Yay! A correct pick! wooo!

Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program
Jeff Probst, Survivor
- I know this was the "duh" choice, but I didn't want to back it. Go figure.