TV critics honour Mad Men, Modern Family

BEVERLY HILLS: In what amounts to a reflection of last year’s Emmys and a bold prediction of this year’s ceremony, Mad Men and Modern Family won the top prizes at a new event organized by television critics. The two shows, both critical darlings, took the respective best drama and comedy prizes at the Critics’ Choice Television Awards during a luncheon in Beverly Hills on Tuesday. Mad Men, a low-rated Madison Avenue drama set in the 1960s, ended up with three Critics’ Choice awards in all. Series star Jon Hamm won for best actor in a drama. Christina Hendricks was named best supporting drama actress in a tie with Margo Martindale of Justified. While Mad Men has won the top drama Emmy for the past three years, its actors have never been honored. Modern Family, which led the Critics’ Choice field with six nominations, ended up with just the top comedy award. Co-star Eric Stonestreet who won an Emmy last year for his supporting role, was overshadowed at the Critics’ Choice by Neil Patrick Harris of How I Met Your Mother. On the comedy side, the winners were rounded out by reigning Emmys champion Jim Parsons for his lead role in The Big Bang Theory, 30 Rock star Tina Fey, and Busy Philipps for her supporting role in Cougar Town. Philipps, who plays a ditzy blond on show, said critical support was important, and even more so “when you feel like people aren’t really watching.” Other Critics’ Choice drama winners included The Good Wife star Julianna Margulies as best actress and John Noble for his supporting role in Fringe. Emmy nominees will be announced on July 14, and the winners on September 18. (Reuters)