`Mad Men’, `Modern Family’ win top prizes at Emmy Awards (Second Lead)

LOS ANGELES - The series “Modern Family”, a mockumentary about three Los Angeles families, won the prize for best TV comedy at the 2010 Emmy Awards Sunday night.

“Mad Men”, which charts the social changes of the 1960s through the prism of a New York advertising agency, won the prize for best TV drama for the third year in a row.

It was the first time that “Modern Family” has won the top prize at the prestigious US television awards. The series also picked up two other prizes: best supporting actor for Eric Stonestreet and best writing.

“The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart was named as best variety series for the eighth year in a row while “Top Chef” cooked up a win in the reality TV category over seven-time winner “The Amazing Race”.

“We are so thrilled that families together are sitting down and watching a TV show,” said executive producer Steve Levitan after “Modern Family” beat favourites 30 Rock and Glee for the top comedy spot.

“We can’t believe we are here. We want to thank the Academy for recognizing us again,” said “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner.

The prize for lead actor in a comedy series went to Jim Parsons for this role in “The Big Bang Theory”, while Nurse Jackie’s Edie Falco was named best lead actress in a comedy series. Kyra Sedgwick (”The Closer”) was named best dramatic actress, while Bryan Cranston (”Breaking Bad”) was the best actor in a drama.

The TV musical “Glee” gained some joy at the star-studded ceremony, with Jane Lynch getting the supporting comedy actress award and Ryan Murphy winning the comedy directors’ trophy.