Emmy Awards: Bryan Cranston shows why 'Breaking Bad' is still best

Cult TV drama series "Breaking Bad" and comedy hit "Modern Family" were the big winners Monday at the annual Emmys, which paid moving tribute to late Hollywood icon Robin Williams.

(L-R) Actors Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Bryan Cranston, Betsy Brandt, Jesse Plemons, Laura Fraser, RJ Mitte and Show Creator Vince Gilligan, winners of Outstanding Drama Series Award, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Award, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Award, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for "Breaking Bad", pose in the press room during the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images/AFP

Royal feud saga "Game of Thrones," which had garnered the most nominations, went home with none of the big prizes from the 66th Primetime Emmys, television's equivalent of the Oscars.

Other highlights included a passionate on-stage kiss between Bryan Cranston and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and a bizarre segment in which curvy Colombian actress Sofia Vergara rotated on a platform.

Actors Aaron Paul (L), Anna Gunn (C) and Bryan Cranston (R) pose in the press room after winning the Outstanding Drama Series Award, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Award, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Award and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for "Breaking Bad". (AFP)

"This is... a wonderful time to be working in television," said "Breaking Bad" director Vince Gilligan, accepting the top prize -- best drama -- at the climax of the three-hour show in Los Angeles.

"Breaking Bad," about chemistry teacher-turned-drugs-kingpin Walter White, also took the best drama actor award for Cranston, and the best supporting prizes for Aaron Paul and Anna Gunn.

Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus (R) wins Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for 'Veep' and kisses actor Bryan Cranston (L). (AFP)

"Modern Family" meanwhile won best comedy series for the fifth year in a row, equaling a record set by "Frasier" between 1994 and 1998.

The evening's big loser was "Game of Thrones," which was shortlisted in 19 categories.

Actresses Sofía Vergara (L) and Sarah Hyland (R) pose in the press room after winning the Outstanding Comedy Series Award for "Modern Family" during the 66th Emmy Awards, August 25, 2014 at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.   AFP

The show -- already renewed for a fifth and sixth season -- is produced by cable TV service Home Box Office, which had a total of 99 nominations, compared to 31 for online streaming giant Netflix.

In the end "Game" left with only relatively minor prizes.

Actor Ty Burrell, winner of the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Award for Modern Family. (AFP) 

- Giggles, cheers -

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

(AFP)

In a moving acceptance speech, Kramer -- who is HIV positive -- appeared on stage with the film's makers, wrapped in a scarf and hat as he was applauded by the star-studded audience.

On the comedy front, Louis-Dreyfus and Jim Parsons were among early winners, along with Louis C.K. and Ty Burrell.

Actor Jim Parsons, winner of the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Award for The Big Bang Theory (Episode: "The Relationship Diremption"). (AFP)

Parsons won best comedy actor for "The Big Bang Theory," Louis-Dreyfus best comedy actress for "Veep," Burrell for "Modern Family" and Louis C.K. for "Louie."

There were giggles -- and cheers -- when "Breaking Bad" star Cranston planted a prolonged kiss on the lips of Louis-Dreyfus as she went up to collect her prize, in one of the more outrageous segments of the evening.

Jimmy Kimmel. (AFP)

Funnyman Jimmy Kimmel also drew laughs, joking that Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey -- nominated for bleak cop drama "True Detective" -- was too handsome for television.

"Beautiful son of a bitch. That's not a television face, that's a movie star face," Kimmel joked, adding: "You don't belong here. And take Julia Roberts with you while you're at it," said the late-night talk show host.

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