66th Primetime Emmy Awards
The 66th Primetime Emmy Awards was the 66th annual edition of the Primetime Emmy Awards, an American television award ceremony honoring excellence in primetime programming produced or broadcast within the United States from June 1, 2013, to May 31, 2014, as presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.[1] The main ceremony took place on August 25, 2014, at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California, and was hosted by comedian Seth Meyers in his first time serving as emcee for the event.[2] It was broadcast live on NBC from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time), marking the network's 13th time televising the Primetime Emmys.[3] The ceremony celebrated achievements across 26 major categories during the live telecast, with additional Creative Arts Awards presented nine days earlier on August 16, 2014, covering technical and artistic accomplishments in 77 other categories.[2] Notable highlights included Breaking Bad (AMC) securing the Outstanding Drama Series award for its acclaimed final season, along with wins for lead actor Bryan Cranston, supporting actor Aaron Paul, and supporting actress Anna Gunn, bringing the series to a total of five Emmys for the night.[2] In comedy, Modern Family (ABC) claimed Outstanding Comedy Series for the fourth consecutive year, while Julia Louis-Dreyfus won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Veep (HBO), and Jim Parsons took Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for The Big Bang Theory (CBS).[2] HBO led the night with 19 Emmys across four programs, including a record seven for the special Sherlock: His Last Vow, underscoring the network's dominance in limited series and variety categories.[2] FX Networks followed with eight wins across five shows, highlighted by Fargo's victories in limited series categories.[2] The event also marked milestones such as Julianna Margulies' win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for The Good Wife (CBS), her third in the category, and the first Primetime Emmy recognition for several digital platforms, though traditional broadcast and cable networks dominated the major awards.[2]Overview
Ceremony Details
The 66th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony took place on August 25, 2014, beginning at 8:00 p.m. EDT (5:00 p.m. PDT) and lasting approximately three hours as a live telecast.[4] The event was held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles, California, the same venue used for the preceding Creative Arts Emmy Awards on August 16, 2014.[5][3] Hosted by comedian Seth Meyers in his debut as Emmys host, the ceremony was broadcast live on NBC and produced by Don Mischer Productions, with Mischer serving as executive producer alongside Charlie Haykel and Julianne Hare.[6] The format featured a mix of award presentations, musical performances, and tributes, airing coast-to-coast to maintain pacing.[7]Eligibility and Scope
The 66th Primetime Emmy Awards recognized excellence in American prime-time television programming that originally aired between June 1, 2013, and May 31, 2014.[2] This standard eligibility window, established by the Television Academy, ensured that a diverse array of content—including scripted dramas and comedies, unscripted reality and variety series, limited series (miniseries), made-for-television movies, and specials—qualified for consideration, provided it was broadcast nationally during primetime hours (8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time).[2] The awards encompassed over 100 categories in total, with the main ceremony presenting statuettes in 26 key creative fields, such as outstanding drama series, comedy series, limited series, and lead acting performances.[2] Additional honors in technical, artistic, and guest performance categories—totaling around 80—were awarded at the preceding Creative Arts Emmys ceremony, distinguishing the main event's focus on primary creative achievements from the broader recognition of behind-the-scenes and supporting contributions.[8] Nominations and winners were determined by approximately 18,000 members of the Television Academy, who voted within their respective branches (such as acting, writing, or directing) to ensure peer-reviewed selections across disciplines.[9] This branch-based voting system maintained the integrity of the process by leveraging expertise from the Academy's professional community.Production Changes
Scheduling Adjustments
The Primetime Emmy Awards are traditionally scheduled for a Sunday in late August or early September, aligning with the transition to the fall television season.[10] For the 66th ceremony in 2014, the event was shifted to Monday, August 25, representing a notable deviation from the standard Sunday timing.[3] This change was driven by conflicts with NBC's Sunday Night Football, which featured a potential NFL preseason game on Sunday, August 24, and the simultaneous airing of the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards on that date.[10] The broader decision to advance the ceremony to August was announced by the Television Academy in late 2013, specifically on August 13, to preempt ongoing NFL scheduling issues that had increasingly overlapped with the awards' traditional window.[11] The exact Monday slot, along with broadcast details from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET, was formally confirmed on January 28, 2014.[3] The non-televised Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which honor technical and artistic achievements, took place earlier on Saturday, August 16, 2014, at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles to adhere to Academy bylaws requiring them to precede the main event.[3] By securing a Monday evening broadcast, the adjustment minimized direct rivalry with high-profile sports programming, allowing NBC to prioritize its football commitments while maintaining the ceremony's visibility.[10]Category and Balloting Modifications
For the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards, the Television Academy introduced several modifications to the category structure and balloting process to enhance accuracy in recognizing diverse television formats and streamline member participation.[12] A key balloting innovation was the debut of an online voting system, marking the first time the Academy replaced paper ballots for the nominations phase across all branches.[13] This two-stage rollout, facilitated by voting technology provider Everyone Counts, allowed members to access digital ballots remotely, increasing accessibility while maintaining paper ballots for the final winners' round until full implementation in 2015.[14] The change aimed to modernize the process, with early reports indicating higher voter turnout during nominations compared to prior years.[15] In terms of categories, the longstanding Outstanding Miniseries or Movie award was divided into two distinct program categories: Outstanding Miniseries and Outstanding Television Movie.[12] This separation, which reverted to a pre-2009 structure, enabled more precise recognition of limited-series narratives versus standalone films, with related acting and technical categories adjusted accordingly to align with the new divisions.[16] Additionally, the Outstanding Reality Program category was split to better differentiate production styles, creating Outstanding Structured Reality Program for format-driven shows like competition or informational series, and Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program for observational or documentary-style content.[17] Examples of the former included programs with scripted elements or challenges, while the latter encompassed raw, unscripted follow-along footage.[16] These modifications, including the application of a 2% nomination threshold rule to comedy and drama series categories for the first time, collectively affected a small but significant portion of the awards—roughly 10% of the total categories—by refining eligibility criteria and promoting fairness in an evolving television landscape.[12] The updates reflected the Academy's ongoing efforts to adapt to industry shifts, such as the rise of varied reality formats and digital submission practices, without altering the core eligibility period for entries.[17]Nominations Overview
Programs
The nominations for the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards were announced on July 10, 2014, by Mindy Kaling and Carson Daly. HBO's Game of Thrones led all programs with 19 nominations, followed closely by FX's Fargo with 18 and American Horror Story: Coven with 17, reflecting strong voter interest in fantasy epics, anthology crime dramas, and horror series.[18] These tallies underscored the Academy's recognition of diverse genres, including the first major nods for streaming services like Netflix's House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black. Overall, HBO received 99 nominations across its programming.[18] In the Outstanding Drama Series category, nominees included Breaking Bad (AMC), Downton Abbey (PBS), Game of Thrones (HBO), House of Cards (Netflix), Mad Men (AMC), and True Detective (HBO), highlighting prestige cable and streaming dramas centered on complex characters and historical or contemporary intrigue.[19] For Outstanding Comedy Series, the nominees were The Big Bang Theory (CBS), Louie (FX), Modern Family (ABC), Orange Is the New Black (Netflix), Silicon Valley (HBO), and Veep (HBO), showcasing a mix of sitcoms, workplace satires, and character-driven humor from broadcast, cable, and digital platforms.[19] The Outstanding Miniseries category featured American Horror Story: Coven (FX), Bonnie & Clyde (History/Lifetime), Fargo (FX), Luther (BBC America), Treme (HBO), and The White Queen (Starz), emphasizing limited-run stories with cinematic production values and period or crime themes.[20] Nominees for Outstanding Television Movie were Killing Kennedy (National Geographic), Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight (HBO), The Normal Heart (HBO), Sherlock: His Last Vow (PBS), and The Trip to Bountiful (Lifetime), recognizing standalone films addressing historical events, biopics, and social issues.[19] CBS's The Amazing Race was among the nominees for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program, alongside Dancing with the Stars (ABC), Project Runway (Lifetime), So You Think You Can Dance (Fox), Top Chef (Bravo), and The Voice (NBC), which collectively represented global adventures, talent competitions, and culinary challenges.[19] In the Outstanding Variety Series category, nominees included The Colbert Report (Comedy Central), The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central), Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC), Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO), Saturday Night Live (NBC), and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC), spanning satirical news, late-night talk, and sketch comedy formats.[19]Individual Categories
Individual nominations across acting, directing, and writing categories totaled over 100, with drama fields receiving the most attention due to the prominence of serialized storytelling. Each major acting category typically featured six nominees, emphasizing ensemble casts from top programs and breakthrough performances from newcomers and veterans alike.[18] In Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, nominees included Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Jeff Daniels (The Newsroom), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Woody Harrelson (True Detective), Matthew McConaughey (True Detective), and Kevin Spacey (House of Cards), noted for portraying antiheroes and leaders in high-stakes narratives. For Lead Actress, the field comprised Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex), Claire Danes (Homeland), Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey), Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife), Kerry Washington (Scandal), and Robin Wright (House of Cards).[19] Supporting Drama Actor nominees were Josh Charles (The Good Wife), Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones), Jim Carter (Downton Abbey), Mandy Patinkin (Homeland), Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), and Jon Voight (Ray Donovan). Supporting Actress included Christine Baranski (The Good Wife), Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad), Lena Headey (Game of Thrones), Christina Hendricks (Mad Men), Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey), and Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey).[19] Comedy acting nominations highlighted relatable and eccentric characters: Lead Actor contenders were Don Cheadle (House of Lies), Louis C.K. (Louie), Ricky Gervais (Derek), Matt LeBlanc (Episodes), William H. Macy (Shameless), and Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory). Lead Actress nominees included Lena Dunham (Girls), Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep), Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly), Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation), and Taylor Schilling (Orange Is the New Black). Supporting roles featured diverse ensembles, such as Ty Burrell and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family), Tony Hale (Veep), and Kate Mulgrew (Orange Is the New Black).[19] In limited series and TV movies, notable Lead Actor nominations went to Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock: His Last Vow), Mark Ruffalo (The Normal Heart), Billy Bob Thornton (Fargo), and others, while Lead Actress included Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story: Coven). Supporting nods recognized ensemble strengths, like Allison Tolman (Fargo) and Julia Roberts (The Normal Heart).[19] Directing nominations for Drama Series included episodes from Breaking Bad (Vince Gilligan), Game of Thrones (Neil Marshall), House of Cards (Carl Franklin), True Detective (Cary Joji Fukunaga), Downton Abbey (David Evans), and Boardwalk Empire (Tim Van Patten), praised for visual storytelling and tension-building techniques. Writing nominees featured scripts from Breaking Bad (Moira Walley-Beckett and Vince Gilligan), Game of Thrones (David Benioff and D.B. Weiss), House of Cards (Beau Willimon), and True Detective (Nic Pizzolatto), lauded for dialogue and plot innovation.[18] Guest acting categories expanded recognition to episodic appearances, with nominees like Uzo Aduba, Laverne Cox, and Natasha Lyonne (Orange Is the New Black) in comedy, and Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones) in drama, marking increased diversity in short-form contributions. These nominations, totaling 26 major categories for the main ceremony, illustrated the evolving landscape of television talent as of 2014.[19]Award Winners
Programs
The 66th Primetime Emmy Awards highlighted several standout program victories across major categories, capping off notable runs for long-running series while recognizing fresh adaptations and enduring formats. AMC's Breaking Bad secured the Outstanding Drama Series award for its final season, marking the second win in the category for the series and contributing to its overall tally of 16 Primetime Emmys throughout its run. This victory underscored the show's critical acclaim for its intense storytelling about a chemistry teacher's descent into the methamphetamine trade, providing a triumphant send-off after five seasons of nominations and awards.[2][21] In the comedy realm, ABC's Modern Family claimed its fifth consecutive Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy, tying the record previously set by Frasier and bringing the mockumentary-style sitcom's total Primetime Emmys to 22. The win celebrated the ensemble's portrayal of a diverse, multigenerational family navigating modern life, a format that had consistently resonated with voters since its 2009 debut. This streak highlighted the rarity of sustained dominance in the competitive comedy field, where fresh challengers like Veep and Orange Is the New Black vied but fell short.[2][21] FX's Fargo earned the Outstanding Miniseries award, adapting the Coen brothers' 1996 film into a dark, anthology-style narrative set in the American Midwest, complete with quirky violence and moral ambiguity. The limited series' success reflected the growing prestige of cable miniseries as vehicles for cinematic storytelling, earning praise for its faithful yet expanded take on the original's themes of ordinary people entangled in crime.[2][22] HBO's The Normal Heart took home Outstanding Television Movie, adapting Larry Kramer's 1985 play about the early AIDS crisis in New York City and the fight for recognition and funding amid government inaction. Directed by Ryan Murphy, the film honored the activism of figures like Ned Weeks (inspired by Kramer himself), emphasizing the human cost of the epidemic through powerful performances and historical reenactments. Its win affirmed HBO's tradition of tackling socially urgent topics in prestige telefilms.[2][23] CBS's The Amazing Race continued its dominance by winning Outstanding Reality-Competition Program for the 10th time since the category's inception in 2001, showcasing teams racing around the globe in high-stakes challenges that test endurance and strategy. This milestone victory reinforced the show's formula as a benchmark for the genre, outpacing competitors like Survivor and Top Chef in voter preference for its blend of adventure and interpersonal drama.[2][24] Comedy Central's The Colbert Report received the Outstanding Variety Series award, saluting its satirical news format where host Stephen Colbert delivered conservative punditry with ironic exaggeration to critique politics and media. The win recognized the show's influence in blending humor with social commentary, building on its predecessor The Daily Show while carving a niche in late-night parody.[2][21] While no program achieved a full sweep across multiple categories, Breaking Bad led with five Primetime Emmy wins that evening, including drama series, lead actor, supporting actor and actress, and writing— a fitting capstone that highlighted its ensemble and narrative strengths without overshadowing other category victors.[25]Individual Categories
The individual categories at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards celebrated exceptional performances and creative achievements in acting, directing, and writing, with a particular emphasis on dramatic series that dominated the evening. Breaking Bad secured multiple victories in the drama acting fields, underscoring the final season's critical acclaim for its portrayal of moral complexity and character evolution.[2] Across the ceremony, acting awards highlighted veteran performers delivering nuanced interpretations, while directing and writing honors recognized innovative storytelling techniques that elevated television narratives.[21] In the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category, Bryan Cranston won for his portrayal of Walter White in Breaking Bad, marking his fourth Primetime Emmy for the role after previous victories in 2008, 2009, and 2010.[26] Cranston's performance in the series finale arc was praised for capturing the character's tragic descent, solidifying Breaking Bad's reputation as a landmark in prestige television. Julianna Margulies earned the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series award for Alicia Florrick in The Good Wife, her third win in the category for the series following successes in 2009 and 2011.[27] Margulies' depiction of a resilient lawyer navigating personal and professional turmoil was noted for its emotional depth and relevance to contemporary legal dramas. The comedy acting categories showcased relatable ensemble dynamics, with Jim Parsons receiving the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series honor for Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, his fourth Emmy for the eccentric physicist after wins in 2010, 2011, and 2013. Parsons' portrayal brought intellectual humor and vulnerability to the role, contributing to the show's enduring popularity in geek culture.[28] Julia Louis-Dreyfus claimed the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series award for Selina Meyer in Veep, her second consecutive victory in the lead category following her 2013 win, building on her prior guest and lead accolades from earlier series. Louis-Dreyfus' satirical take on political incompetence highlighted sharp timing and physical comedy, influencing subsequent portrayals of power in Washington satires.[21] Supporting roles further emphasized Breaking Bad's impact, as Aaron Paul won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Jesse Pinkman, securing his third Emmy for the character after triumphs in 2010 and 2012. Paul's raw depiction of addiction and redemption provided emotional counterpoint to the lead's arc, earning praise for its authenticity.[21] In the limited series field, Benedict Cumberbatch took home Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock: His Last Vow, lauded for revitalizing the detective archetype with modern intensity and deductive flair. Directing and writing awards spotlighted technical and narrative excellence in drama. Cary Joji Fukunaga received the Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series Emmy for the episode "Who Goes There" of True Detective, recognized for its atmospheric tension and innovative long-take sequences that immersed viewers in the investigative thriller's Southern Gothic world.[2] For writing, Moira Walley-Beckett won Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Breaking Bad's "Ozymandias," an episode acclaimed for its pivotal plot twists and thematic depth on hubris and family disintegration, often cited as one of the series' most influential installments. Walley-Beckett's script demonstrated precise character development and high-stakes dialogue, impacting subsequent dramatic writing standards.[21] Collectively, the acting categories accounted for 12 of the 26 main awards presented at the ceremony, reflecting the Emmys' traditional focus on performance excellence amid evolving television landscapes.[2] These wins not only rewarded individual artistry but also amplified discussions on representation and innovation in serialized storytelling.Statistics
Most Nominated Works
HBO's Game of Thrones led all works with 19 nominations at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards, highlighting its epic fantasy narrative and production achievements.[29] Close behind was FX's Fargo, which secured 18 nominations, primarily in limited series categories for its Coen Brothers-inspired dark comedy-thriller.[29] FX's American Horror Story: Coven followed with 17 nominations, concentrating on horror anthology achievements in acting and limited series production.[29] The HBO television film The Normal Heart earned 16 nominations, encompassing acting, directing, writing, and technical fields, underscoring its critical acclaim for depicting the early AIDS crisis.[29] AMC's Breaking Bad received 16 nominations in its final season, focusing on lead and supporting acting as well as writing for its conclusion to Walter White's arc.[30] HBO's anthology series True Detective secured 12 nominations, primarily in drama categories for its philosophical crime narrative and standout performances.[31] These nominations underscored the diversity of genres, from prestige dramas to genre-bending miniseries, in the 2014 cycle. Networks showed clear dominance in nomination tallies, with HBO leading with 99 nominations overall, bolstered by multiple flagship programs like Game of Thrones and True Detective.[32] AMC placed second with 38 nominations, largely from Breaking Bad's final push and other dramas.[32] This concentration highlighted cable networks' stronghold in prestige television during the era. The 66th Emmys represented the highest number of nominations since 2011, signaling the ongoing boom in quality scripted programming and the expansion of eligible content from streaming and cable platforms.[18] This surge reflected broader industry trends toward complex storytelling and diverse representation, setting a benchmark for future ceremonies.Multiple Award Recipients
The 66th Primetime Emmy Awards saw several programs secure multiple victories across key categories during the main telecast, underscoring the dominance of established series in their final or milestone seasons. Breaking Bad emerged as the top winner with five awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Bryan Cranston), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Aaron Paul), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Anna Gunn), and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (Moira Walley-Beckett). This haul marked a strong sendoff for the AMC series, which also earned one Creative Arts Emmy for a total of six wins.[25][21] Modern Family followed closely with three telecast wins: Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Ty Burrell), and Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (Gail Mancuso), tying a record with its fifth consecutive Comedy Series victory, matching Frasier's streak from 1994 to 1998.[25][33] Fargo claimed three awards in the limited series field, winning Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Movie (Noah Hawley), and Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Miniseries, or Movie (Noah Hawley), highlighting the FX anthology's critical acclaim for its adaptation of the Coen brothers' film.[21] The Normal Heart secured two wins, including Outstanding Television Movie and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (Joe Mantello), recognizing HBO's impactful AIDS drama directed by Ryan Murphy.[21] Other notable multiple recipients included The Amazing Race, which earned its tenth consecutive win for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program, a record for the category.[34]| Program | Number of Telecast Wins | Key Categories Won |
|---|---|---|
| Breaking Bad | 5 | Drama Series, Lead Actor (Drama), Supporting Actor (Drama), Supporting Actress (Drama), Writing (Drama) |
| Modern Family | 3 | Comedy Series, Supporting Actor (Comedy), Directing (Comedy) |
| Fargo | 3 | Limited Series, Directing (Limited Series), Writing (Limited Series) |
| The Normal Heart | 2 | Television Movie, Supporting Actor (Miniseries/Movie) |
| The Amazing Race | 1 (10th consecutive) | Reality-Competition Program |