Although Louis CK does OK, too

Modern Family and Louis CK were among the big winners at the Emmys last night.

Modern Family won best comedy series for a third year and supporting actor Emmys for Eric Stonestreet, who plays Cam Tucker, and Julie Bowen, who plays Claire Dunphy, as well as a directing award.

Executive producer Steve Levitan joked: ‘I am praying that everyone doesn't get sick of us.’

The series is aired on the ABC network in the States, and Sky in the UK.

Meanwhile, Louis C.K won his first two Emmys: one for writing for his show Louie, and another for directing his stand-up special, Live at the Beacon Theater, which he funded himself, and originally released as a $5 download to fans.

The comic said he was always getting better at his craft, saying: ‘Hopefully one day what I'm doing now is going to be considered “not good”.’

Julia Louis-Dreyfus was named best comedy actress at the awards, which are the most prestigious in American TV, for her role as frustrated US vice president in Armando Iannucci’s HBO satire Veep. She saw off competition from Girls star Lena Dunham, Parks and Recreation’s Amy Poehler, New Girl Zooey Deschanel and 30 Rock’s Tina Fey.

The former Seinfeld star joked: ‘It's a bit mystifying to me because people say this show is a comedy, but I don't see anything funny about me being vice president of the United States.’

Two and A Half Men's Jon Cryer won the comedy actor category, ahead of Jim Parsons from The Big Bang Theory.

Louis CK had also been nominated in the category, alongside Alec Baldwin from 30 Rock, Don Cheadle for House of Lies and Larry David for Curb Your Enthusiasm.

The biggest surprise was that Mad Men, which went into the night with the joint-highest number of nominations – 17 – went away empty-handed.

Published: 24 Sep 2012