Game of Thrones breaks Emmy record

HBO's fantasy epic "Game of Thrones" won for best drama series and Jon Hamm finally took home a trophy for "Mad Men" on Sunday at the Emmy Awards -- a night of firsts that saw a black actress make history, AFP reports from Los Angeles.
Viola Davis gave an emotional speech as she became the first African-American to win the award for best actress in a drama series for her portrayal of a law professor involved in a twisted plot on ABC's "How To Get Away with Murder."
Other highlights of the show included a best comedy series Emmy for HBO's political satire "Veep" and several prizes for Amazon's dark transgender comedy "Transparent" -- a major breakthrough for the streaming content provider.
"Game of Thrones" was the big winner at the star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles, raking in a record-breaking 12 awards, the most any series has won in a single year.
HBO also struck gold with "Olive Kitteridge," about a couple whose marriage is in trouble, which won eight trophies.
"Thrones" -- a sweeping tale of clashing noble families filled with blood, sex and back-stabbing, based on the novels of George R.R. Martin -- had won many awards before, but never the top prize at television's equivalent of the Oscars.
"Thanks again, HBO, for believing in dragons," said series co-creator David Benioff.
But the emotional high points of the night belonged to Hamm and Davis.
Hamm -- whose portrayal of seductive, mysterious ad man Don Draper on retro-cool "Mad Men" had won him rave reviews and transformed his career -- finally struck gold on his eighth nomination for the role.
"It's incredible and impossible for me personally to be standing here," Hamm said after receiving a standing ovation from the audience at the 67th Emmys.
He later told reporters he felt no bitterness at being overlooked in past years given the quality of his fellow nominees.
"I'm just glad to be here -- look at the people I'm sitting next to," he said.
For Davis, the moment was not one to be missed.
"Let me tell you something," she told the audience to wide applause. "The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity."
She paid tribute backstage to fellow black actress Taraji P. Henson, who was nominated for her role in Fox's music melodrama "Empire," saying both were gunning for the other to make history.
"We whispered to each other, 'Whoever gets it, it's great'," Davis told reporters.
"If it's been 67 years since an actress of color has won an Emmy (for best actress), then there's certainly been a line, and it certainly has to be acknowledged, like the emperor being naked in the room," she added.

Game of Thrones breaks Emmy record

HBOs fantasy epic Game of Thrones won for best drama series and Jon Hamm finally took home a trophy for Mad Men on Sunday at the Emmy Awards -- a night of firsts that saw a black actress make history, AFP reports from Los Angeles. Viola Davis gave an emotional speech as she became the first African-American to win the award for best actress in a drama series for her portrayal of a law professor involved in a twisted plot on ABCs How To Get Away with Murder. Other highlights of the show included a best comedy series Emmy for HBOs political satire Veep and several prizes for Amazons dark transgender comedy Transparent -- a major breakthrough for the streaming content provider. Game of Thrones was the big winner at the star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles, raking in a record-breaking 12 awards, the most any series has won in a single year. HBO also struck gold with Olive Kitteridge, about a couple whose marriage is in trouble, which won eight trophies. Thrones -- a sweeping tale of clashing noble families filled with blood, sex and back-stabbing, based on the novels of George R.R. Martin -- had won many awards before, but never the top prize at televisions equivalent of the Oscars. Thanks again, HBO, for believing in dragons, said series co-creator David Benioff. But the emotional high points of the night belonged to Hamm and Davis. Hamm -- whose portrayal of seductive, mysterious ad man Don Draper on retro-cool Mad Men had won him rave reviews and transformed his career -- finally struck gold on his eighth nomination for the role. Its incredible and impossible for me personally to be standing here, Hamm said after receiving a standing ovation from the audience at the 67th Emmys. He later told reporters he felt no bitterness at being overlooked in past years given the quality of his fellow nominees. Im just glad to be here -- look at the people Im sitting next to, he said. For Davis, the moment was not one to be missed. Let me tell you something, she told the audience to wide applause. The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. She paid tribute backstage to fellow black actress Taraji P. Henson, who was nominated for her role in Foxs music melodrama Empire, saying both were gunning for the other to make history. We whispered to each other, Whoever gets it, its great, Davis told reporters. If its been 67 years since an actress of color has won an Emmy (for best actress), then theres certainly been a line, and it certainly has to be acknowledged, like the emperor being naked in the room, she added.