If you want to make television about modern life, make it funny.

If there was a message woven into the Emmy awards presented today that was it, as with the exception of Texas high school football teen-drama Friday Night Lights, the period dramas dominated the big drama awards, while satirical news show The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and comedy Modern Family dominated their respective categories.

Modern Family was the big winner on the night, taking out every award for which it was nominated, five of the 25 awarded. Impressively, the ensemble comedy took out both supporting actor awards, despite having multiple nominees in each category to potentially split the vote.

The highly-anticipated stoush between Downton Abbey and Mildred Pierce resolved firmly in favour of the English aristocracy piece, with all but a few acting awards heading to the Abbey. One of the two Mildred Pierce gongs went to Australia's only nominee, Guy Pearce.

Jane Lynch was the most successful loser on the night, as despite losing out to Julie Bowen in the first award of the evening, she pulled off four outfit changes and some daring-for-the-context content to receive overwhelmingly positive reviews on Twitter, finish the show on time, and even get in a jab at Ricky Gervais when no one saw it coming.

Some big names, including Dame Maggie Smith and Martin Scorsese grabbed gongs on the night, however it was the shortest recipient, Peter Dinklage, who got the biggest cheer, winning for his performance in Game of Thrones. A bigger cheer still went to the collected nominees for best actress in a comedy who took the stage for a beauty pageant-themed announcement of Melissa McCarthy's win.

Finally, Charlie Sheen's appearance had a little of his recent trademark strangeness, but his somewhat unconvincing effort to publically bury the hatchett with his former sitcom Two and a Half Men was soon upstaged by that shows new star, Ashton Kutcher, taking a far more believable dig at Sheen later in the ceremony.

The major awards:

SeriesComedy Series: Modern FamilyDrama Series: Mad MenMovie or Miniseries: Downton AbbeyVariety, Music or Comedy Series: The Daily Show With Jon StewartReality Competition: The Amazing RaceActingLead Actor, Drama: Kyle Chandler, Friday Night LightsLead Actress, Drama: Julianna Margulies, The Good WifeLead Actor, Comedy: Jim Parsons, Big Bang TheoryLead Actress, Comedy: Melissa McCarthy, Mike & MollySupporting Actor, Comedy: Ty Burrell, Modern FamilySupporting Actress, Comedy: Julie Bowen, Modern FamilySupporting Actor, Drama: Peter Dinklage, Game of ThronesSupporting Actress, Drama: Margo Martindale, Justified Lead Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Barry Pepper, The KennedysLead Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Kate Winslet, Mildred PierceSupporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Guy Pearce, Mildred PierceSupporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Maggie Smith, Downton AbbeyDirectingDirecting, Comedy: Michael Alan Spiller, Modern FamilyDirecting, Drama Series: Martin Scorsese, Boardwalk EmpireDirecting, Variety, Music or Comedy Series: Don Roy King, Saturday Night LiveDirecting, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: Brian Percival, Downton AbbeyWritingWriting, Comedy: Steve Levitan & Jeffrey Richman, Modern FamilyWriting, Drama: Jason Katims, Friday Night LightsWriting, Variety, Music or Comedy Series: The Daily Show With Jon StewartWriting, Miniseries, Movie or Special: Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey

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Blog: the Emmys as it happened

1:07pm That's about it from me. Check out the polls, best-and-worst dressed lists and photo-galleries. And check out tomorrow's Herald (or Life & Style online) for Georgina's interview with Johanna Johnson, designer of Christina Hendricks's gown. Thank you all.

1:04pm Finally, a good night for Jane Lynch, who got to be reasonably edgy, got to sing and got to get out of the way for the last hour as the awards took centre stage. No real big fails on stage, though Charlie Sheen maintained his strangeness, and Ashton got in a nice dig. That particular fight will continue in 24 hours as Two and a Half Men re-debuts against the Charlie Sheen Comedy Roast in the U.S.

1:01pm So, a great night for Modern Family and Jon Stewart, and a good night for Downton Abbey and Mildred Pierce who split the Movie/Mini-Series spoils, but possibly wish the two hadn't been merged into one category! Disappointment though for Steve Carell and John Hamm who continue their long, long run of nominations without wins. Hamm far more likely to be nominated again next year, by sheer reason of still being on TV.

1:00pm Look at that. Exactly three hours. Happy network schedulers world over will send gift baskets Jane Lynch's way.

12:59pm With that, Jane Lynch thanks us all and good night, and a swarm of orange confetti descends from the ceiling. We cut to a highlights montage before we see the confetti eat half of Hollywood's A-list.

12:57pm The speech began "Thank you... again" so that's pretty close to "I thought so". Then we get the revelation that Modern Family came very close to being animated due entirely to the desire by the producers NOT to work with kids. Now an anecdote to help demonstrate that they are helping with tolerance - there's nothing wrong with a relationship between an old man and a hot young woman "and looking around this room, I see that many of you agree!". Boom boom!

12:55pm Gwyneth explains that the auto-cue is down so she's winging it. She genuinely seems a little unsure of what category she's presenting but gets it in the end.

Outstanding comedy seriesThe Big Bang TheoryGleeModern FamilyThe OfficeParks and Recreation30 Rock

And the winner is: Modern Family (derr)

12:54pm Jane Lynch is getting all metaphysical. She says anyone not paying attention right now because they're tweeting or playing Angry Birds, will, at the end of their lives, look back at themselves at this moment and cry. I'm not sure if I count.

12:53pm Rove's back. Did you know he has a new show? It's on tonight at 8:30pm. I'm just guessing mind you.

12:50pm But first an ad break. Including the thousandth spot for Crazy Stupid Love, which just keeps reminding me that poor Steve Carell didn't win Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series. Pity. Now he just has to move forwards into his terribly successful movie career without a single Emmy for The Office. He must be so upset. Massive success, critical acclaim and a big income will just have to act as some sort of salve to that unhealable wound. If it helps, I've seen Crazy Stupid Love, it's really good.

12:49pm The voice of the Emmys is very pleased to tell us that Gwyneth Paltrow is going to present the final award. Bookies have her at 3 to 1 on to sing at some point during her two sentence spot. Meanwhile I'm just trying to work out what happened to Rose Byrne. I swear I saw her backstage!

12:48pm We have another producer who didn't think that was going to happen. I rather hope the next winner comes up on stage and opens with "Yeah, I thought so too."

12:47pm We're RACING through the final categories.

Outstanding Outstanding drama seriesBoardwalk EmpireDexterFriday Night LightsGame of ThronesThe Good WifeMad Men

And the winner is: Mad Men

12:46pm "This is really a David and Goliath story" says Julian Fellowes, which makes me wonder if I missed a major theme in the show he wrote. Oh no, he means tonight is. He explains that the giants in this version are shows he really liked. I think he liked his more though. Just saying.

12:45pm Don Cheadle appears to announce.

Outstanding TV movie/miniseriesCinema VeriteDownton Abbey The KennedysMildred PierceThe Pillars of the EarthToo Big to Fail

And the winner is: Downton Abbey

12:43pm Jane is back. She's in a new dress. She looks great. She's explaining that as movie stars are now working in TV, TV stars are forced into doing voice work for video games, which then get turned into feature films featuring those stars. Hakuna matata. Heh.

12:40pm So, now there are just three to go. And as the ad for the Rugby World Cup comes on I'll choose to remind lovers of live blogs that you can follow the Rugby World Cup on the site you're reading this on via live blogs! What a thematic link.

12:39pm Showcase are REALLY thankful Guy and Kate just won. They had an ad lined up saying congratulations and pointing out that Mildred Pierce is on Showcase and it was going to be such a waste if they didn't get to run it. They ran it. It turns out that Mildred Pierce is on Showcase. Who knew!

12:38pm Kate is surprised. "I didn't think we were going to win anything!" which is awkward, as she just watched Guy win. "Look, I really did win it!" she shouts, before saying this has nothing to do with her. She then says Mum (not Mom) about ten times as she... well, thanks her Mum.

12:36pm Hugh Laurie and Anna Paquin continue the non-American-ness. Helen Mirren is the gag being riffed on as she's won it so often she is favourite to win again despite not being nominated.

Outstanding TV movie/miniseries actressDiane Lane, Cinema VeriteElizabeth McGovern, Downton Abbey Kate Winslet, Mildred PierceTaraji P Henson, Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin StoryJean Marsh, Upstairs Downstairs

And the winner is: Kate Winslet

12:34pm And a great Aussie speech. Guy starts out explaining that this mini-series allowed him to repeatedly have sex with Kate Winslet and look where it got him. Goes on to thank Kate for allowing him to insert himself into Kate's life like that. And then apologise to his wife for the fact that she had to listen to him when he came home and talked about it. Kate is looking very amused... and just a little mortified by that.

12:33pm AN AUSSIE WIN!!!

Outstanding TV movie/miniseries supporting actorTom Wilkinson, The KennedysGuy Pearce, Mildred PierceBrian F O'Byrne, Mildred PiercePaul Giamatti, Too Big to FailJames Woods, Too Big to Fail.

And the winner is: Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce

12:31pm Please welcome Anna Torv and Angel to the stage. Yes, he has a name and has been in another show for years, but he's Angel, let's move on. Anna mentions that the four men singing before were the Canadian Tenors. Probably because someone backstage is reading this blog and noted I hadn't said who was singing. At least, I will choose to believe that's what happened.

12:29pm What's left to come? I'm glad you asked. Five awards. Outstanding Movie/Mini-Series, Drama and Comedy, plus the actor and supporting actress categories in Movie/Mini-Series. Also, I'd just like to lodge a formal protest at this new trend of 'outstanding' it's a longer word to type and no one thinks it means anything other than "Best". Seriously, making awards PC is just about the silliest and diminishing thing I can think of right now.

12:27pm Always a great moment in any awards. Thankfully none of the voices of the Emmys interupted and there's just a brief silence leading into the ad break.

12:22pm And now In Memorium. To the tune Hallelujah. Actually, so far it's just four guys singing, I assume they'll actually give us some memories to memorium soon.

Some stand outs: Peter Falk, James Arness, Steve Landesberg, Barbara Billingsley (mom from The Beaver), Leslie Nielsen, Tom Bosley, Ryan Dunn, Jill Clayburgh, Bubba Smith and our own Andy Whitfield.

12:21pm Brian clearly didn't expect to win as he doesn't have enough thank yous to fill his alotted time. He does point out though that this is his first visit to Los Angeles and "what a way to do it!"

12:20pm Barry's not there so Melissa uses the chance to make an extra thank you for her award. Then...

Outstanding TV movie/miniseries directingMildred PierceDownton AbbeyCarlosCinema VeriteToo Big To Fail

And the winner is: Brian Percival, Downton Abbey

12:19pm Of course, that's all an amusing lead in to an award.

Outstanding TV movie/miniseries actorEdgar Ramirez, CarlosGreg Kinnear, The KennedysBarry Pepper, The KennedysIdris Elba, LutherLaurence Fishburne, ThurgoodWilliam Hurt, Too Big to Fail

And the winner is: Barry Pepper, The Kennedys

12:18pm Amy Poehler and Melissa McCarthy are very excited to see all the roles out there for men. Very happy. Very proud. Guy Pearce gets a flash appearance as Amy Poehler suggests actors have to be willing to show a bit of skin.

12:16pm Please welcome to the stage the accountants from Ernst and Young who tabulated the votes. They look a lot like Jane Lynch and Paula Abdul... who is SHORT.

12:15pm The W channel interupts this show full of montages of clips from TV shows to play their ad, which is a montage of clips from TV shows. I dunno. Perhaps they could have made a promo that didn't completely blend in with the background? No? No, apparently not. To be fair, who could have predicted there'd be montages in a TV awards show?

12:13pm Maggie's not there tonight, so the cast of Entourage accepts the Emmy on her behalf, which is nice, their show ended last week so they get a sort-of nod.

12:12pm Which leads us to another award.

Outstanding TV movie/miniseries supporting actressMaggie Smith, Downton Abbey Evan Rachel Wood, Mildred PierceMelissa Leo, Mildred PierceMare Winningham, Mildred PierceEileen Atkins, Upstairs Downstairs

And the winner is: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey

12:10pm Points to anyone who knew the word "grandiloquent" prior to that speech. Julian Fellowes chooses "at the risk of being grandiloquent" to thank the American industry for kick-starting his career ten years ago with an Oscar and now letting him do Downton Abbey. I think we're all thankful for that.

12:09pm We start with writing.

Outstanding TV movie/miniseries writingMildred PierceDownton AbbeySherlock: A Study in PinkToo Big To FailUpstairs Downstairs

And the winner is: Downton Abbey

12:08pm Jane Lynch discusses her choice to be a lesbian with her introduction of the next hosts: "ladies and gentlemen, the cast of Entourage".

12:07pm Movies and Mini-series next, or rather, Downton Abbey versus Mildred Pierce.

12:05pm LL Cool J just interupted the Emmy-sings-sextet (and crash tackled Joel McHale on the way out) and quite frankly improved the whole thing, as that gag was getting a little tired.

12:01pm We're into hour three, and an Australian Government ad has a strange blue 3D cartoon talking to me about diabetes. That seems like poor content until it is followed by an ad for Your Highness. Now THAT is bad.

11:58am That was more than a little terrifying. Not the speech from Kyle - he's being very mature and collected. No, I mean the way he was announced. The four girls on stage attempted to say his name in unison, but failed, such that instead it sounded like a Justin Bieber concert audience were responsible for announcing something. The resulting screech as they just screamed into the microphones may have scared small children and animals if they're watching.

11:57am And what is that award?

Outstanding Drama actorSteve Buscemi, Boardwalk EmpireMichael C Hall, DexterKyle Chandler, Friday Night LightsHugh Laurie, HouseTimothy Olyphant, JustifiedJon Hamm, Mad Men

And the winner is: Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights

11:55am Julianna gives formula-speech #2, the one where it's just a long list of thank yous. She almost tears up, but not quite. Then four girls (Drew Barrymore and the new Charlie's Angels) take the stage to announce an award, and THERE IS AN AUSSIE. Rachel Taylor on stage sounding very ocker!

11:54am They are here to announce:

Outstanding Drama actressConnie Britton, Friday Night LightsJulianna Margulies, The Good WifeKathy Bates, Harry's LawMireille Enos, The KillingMariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims UnitElisabeth Moss, Mad Men

And the winner is: Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife

11:53am Katie Holmes is allowed on stage with a man who isn't her husband. Brian Cranston of Breaking Bad looks worried there could be litigation coming.

11:50am Ok, we're back and this is getting serious. We're into the big acting awards for Drama. Of course, then we'll move off into Mini-series/Movie land. In the meantime Jane Lynch is doing a spot as New Jersey TV producer Donatella that started sharp, but seems to be fading.

11:48am Apologies, I've just realised that I mistakenly called Jon Cryer 'John' earlier when he was on stage with Ashtohn Kutchehr. He is welcome to call me Gihles anytime he likes.

11:45am Peter has just thanked his dog-sitter for looking after his dog Kitty while he's at the awards. He then impressively reels off the names of the other nominees without hesitance to say any of them could have been up there "and some of you I call my good friends". Best part of his speech though was the opening "Wow, I'm following Martin Scorsese!"

11:44am Here's the award many hope goes Game of Thrones way.

Outstanding Drama supporting actorPeter Dinklage, Game of ThronesJosh Charles, The Good WifeAlan Cumming, The Good WifeWalton Goggins, JustifiedJohn Slattery, Mad MenAndre Braugher, Men of a Certain AgeAnd the winner is: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones *yay*

11:43am Our next hosts have a word of warning for those who win an Emmy. Symptoms include swelling of ego, decreased appreciation for the little people... and apparently a lack of amusing writing for this gag which just tails off into the next award.

11:41am The voice of the Emmys tells  us that this is Marty's 8th nomination and first win at the Emmys and thenn makes the rather obvious "should help pave his way in the movie industry" gag. Marty gives a pretty sincere if low key thank you speech, but heck, it's Scorsese he can do what he likes, the room loves him.

11:40am And now the next award:

Outstanding Drama directingBoardwalk EmpireBoardwalk EmpireThe BorgiasThe KillingGame of Thrones

And the winner is: Martin Scorsese, Boardwalk Empire

11:39am Ok, we're around half way, how's it going? To my mind this has been pretty good. Unpredictable and swift moving. Not every joke has worked, but that's a sign they're trying a variety of stuff, not just safe material. This is fun stuff... with occassional pauses for schmaltz, but heck it's an awards show, of course there's schmaltz!

11:35am AUSSIE ALERT!!! Not a lot to get all patriotic about tonight, but that was a glimpse of Rose Byrne backstage in the outro to the ad we're now watching (kids toys, really?!). So for those desperate for a bit of a patriotic moment, look forward to Rose doing... something on stage soon. I'd guess at presenting, but really this is an enjoyably unpredictable ceremony so there's no certainty.

11:33am Margo takes a stumble up the stairs, there's no way of telling if she did that just to get a helping hand from Ashton. Margo is giving one of those great southern accent speeches tinged with what has to be genuine surprise. Her "thank you so much" end gets the award for most sincere of the evening.

11:32am OOOOOH, it's one of the good ones.

Drama supporting actressKelly Macdonald, Boardwalk EmpireArchie Panjabi, The Good WifeChristine Baranski, The Good WifeMargo Martindale, JustifiedMichelle Forbes, The KillingChristina Hendricks, Mad MenAnd the winner is: Margo Martindale, Justified

11:31am "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose" is an appropriate end to the speech. P.S. that isn't a typo below, Mad Men was nominated for two different eps.

11:30am Which leads us to

Outstanding Drama writingMad MenMad MenFriday Night LightsThe Killing Game of Thrones

And the winner is: Friday Night Lights

11:29am It's John and Ashton from Two and a Half Men. Ashton introduces himself as "I'm not Charlie Sheen. And John, I do not think you are a troll". So there's that elephant in the room.

11:28am Jane Lynch speaketh of dreaming of a world where there's no need for awards "and those are the dreams where I wake up screaming".

11:27am And Big Love gets a spoiler if you haven't seen the finale.

11:26am The Drama montage begins. This is soundbyte-tastic! Every drama show gets a line.

11:25am Drama gets the Emmy-tones intro. "lUst and lechery, treason and treachery" is a good rhyme it has to be said.

11:23am Foxtel are running some quite odd Next Top Model plugs for Foxtel services. Meanwhile the CI channel is running promos for a show about Tilly Devine. Gosh, wonder why they're doing that?!

11:20am Jon Stewart starts with a Lion King style holding aloft of the award, continues by suggesting Sofia Vergara and Rob Lowe should be in charge of re-populating the Earth, and ends by noting he has a lot of explaining to do to his kids.

11:18am Scott Caan introduces the Outstanding Variety Series as "let's see who is going to lose to Jon Stewart"

And the nominees are:

Outstanding Variety seriesThe Colbert ReportConanThe Daily Show With Jon StewartLate Night With Jimmy FallonReal Time With Bill MaherSaturday Night Live

And the winner is: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

11:16am That leads us into a beige introduction for the Variety Show Direction category.

And the nominees are:

Variety series directingThe Colbert ReportThe Daily Show With Jon StewartLate Show with David LettermanAmerican IdolSaturday Night Live

And the winner is: Don Roy King, Saturday Night Live

11:15am The routine ends with a lengthy rendition of "we just had sex". William H Macy, who was ridden by a component of that song looks amused. That's impressive.

11:14am "It's not gay, when it's in a three way" is just one of the many choruses being sung by the comedy actors (they're back) who are doing a big comically-awful (actually hysterical) music mash-up on stage.

11:12am They do so by sending Jane Lynch into the audience! She's now unsubtly hinting at the post-ceremony orgy that happens once the coverage ends.

11:10am The challenge the producers have now, is that the next two awards are Best Direction Variety and Best Variety, which means it feels like Jon Stewart versus Colbert versus SNL three times over. How will they keep it interesting?

11:09am Furniture ads now. I miss Rove suddenly.

11:07am Another ad. We must have switched genres somewhere. I'm now watching an ad for Nude by Nature. The presenter has unnaturally white teeth, which to me, seems more than a little ironic.

11:06am And their acceptance speech is appropriately poorly written. The word writing is written a lot on the written cards the writers read their written speech from.

11:04am The traditional competition to make the VERY LONG lists of writers for the Variety series funny... is pretty hot. I'd say the SNL writers won by using a photo of Justin Timberlake for each of them.

The nominees are:

Variety series writingThe Colbert ReportConanThe Daily Show With Jon StewartLate Night With Jimmy FallonSaturday Night Live

And the winner is: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

11:03am The male voice of Emmys (there are two, one of each gender) apologised to the other Reality shows as the Amazing Race producers took to the stage, informing them that they have all been eliminated.

11:02am And the nominees are:

Reality-competition seriesThe Amazing RaceAmerican IdolDancing With the StarsProject RunwaySo You Think You Can DanceTop Chef

And the winner is: The Amazing Race

11:01am David Spade and Kaley Cuoco introduce the best Reality Competition with not one but two failed gags about suspense.

11:00am Jane Lynch welcomes us back. She's changed into a new dress. Now she's discussing her 'gay agenda'. It's her to do list. Nice.

10:59am Still shouting. Still screaming. Still crying.

10:58am The Reality Variety montage is mostly people screaming, shouting or crying.

10:57am The Emmy singers introduce the Reality Variety hour. Well... there's no way this many awards will take an hour, but Reality Variety 30 minutes ish doesn't scan for the lyrics.

10:56am This has all got fairly surreal (again) as it leads in to the punch line of 'the new manager'. It's Ashton Kutcher. Nice tag, once Kutcher realises he's in the wrong place "I was wondering where the half-man was!"

10:54am The Office is bringing us back, with 'new characters'. Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, Mad Men, Breaking Bad... yes that's right, a drug delivery from Jesse for Creed just went down "My Crystal Meth got here guys".

10:52am We're almost an hour in and this is currently a very funny Emmys. Of course that's been the comedy section. We next get Variety. Then Drama. Does that mean hour two will be varied and hour three dramatic? I hope not, I'm all for non-self-serious presentation of serious categories. With Jany Lynch hosting that seems plausible.

10:49am Rove's back, he's thanking God for his Emmy (no, it's not real, it's an ad) "God, I know you're watching..." but then suggests God has better things to do, like climate change.

10:48am "This is my first and best pageant ever" starts Melissa. For anyone wondering how pre-arranged or impromptu this was, well Rob Lowe had a bouquet and a tiara ready to present to Melissa so let's assumed VERY REHEARSED. Nonetheless that's probably the highlight of the night so far (and notable for not being a Modern Family win... sure they weren't nominated but why would that stop them?).

10:46am And the Emmy goes to...

Comedy actressLaura Linney, The Big CMelissa McCarthy, Mike & MollyEdie Falco, Nurse JackieAmy Poehler, Parks and RecreationMartha Plimpton, Raising HopeTina Fey, 30 Rock

And the winner is: Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly

10:44am As the nominees for Outstanding Comedy Actress are announced they seemingly unprompted take to the stage to stand holding hands. Amy Poehler looked for all the world like she was going up to accept just for being first nominated, and the crowd is loving it. Rob Lowe and Sofia Vergara who are announcing the names are looking very confused. I'm not sure they were all in on this though as, in particular Laura Linney and Edie Falco looked a bit unsure. They're now getting a standing ovation from the room.

10:43am "This is so odd for so many reasons" Jim announces with a very pointed look at Charlie. A bit thank you to Johnny Galecki his co-star and a lament that all his friends assured him that this wasn't happening.

10:41am On to Outstanding Comedy Actor or as Charlie calls it "My old category"

Comedy actorJim Parsons, The Big Bang TheoryJohnny Galecki, The Big Bang TheoryMatt LeBlanc, EpisodesLouis CK, LouieSteve Carell, The OfficeAlec Baldwin, 30 RockAnd the winnder is: Jim Parsons (he eats a lot of peanut butter)

10:40am And yes it IS Charlie Sheen who is alreay weird. He pauses to let the room applaud him. Then has a message for Two and a Half Men. "From the bottom of my heart I wish you nothing but the best for this season. We spent 8 wonderful years together and I'm sure you will go on to make great comedy television". He paused to applaud his own words half way through that by the way.

10:39am And as if to prove that point, Jane Lynch welcomes us back to the Modern Family Awards. "We've decided to throw them in to the Drama categories as well to see how they go".

10:37am So, just taking a moment to reflect on another quirk of tonight's ceremonies, lost til now as I've been copy and pasting nomination lists. When each person wins, they get a one line 'bio' read out as they walk up to the stage. They have all been very quirky. We learnt of Ty Burrell's football team and Julie Bowen's degree in classics that she plans to turn to "if things don't work out". In short, this awards show is not taking itself too seriously which is kinda cool.

10:33am Sassy voice of Emmy's tells us there are only two real candidates for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. I think she says Tina Fey and Amy Poehler but to be honest I'm distracted by the shot of Charlie Sheen prepping himself in a mirror back stage. Seriously, is he presenting that award? That will be... interesting. What with his still-snubbed co-star having just been equally snubbed in the Best Supporting Actor awards, and sitting in the front rows.

10:32am It's official Modern Family is the funniest thing IN THE UNIVERSE. That's Modern Family 4 - Rest of Universe 0. The writers are having a moment on stage. You'd hope they'd get the best laugh of the night, and they do, by recounting a tale of their children walking in on them having sex. Ok, only one of the writers and his wife. He ends the speech by thanking his "somewhat satisifed wife, and three very traumatised children".

10:31am And the nominees are...

Outstanding Comedy writingEpisodesThe OfficeModern FamilyLouie30 Rock

And the winner is: Modern Family

10:30am Wil Arnett and Zooey Deschanel introduce Outstanding Comedy Writing.

10:29am Yes, Modern Famiily beats itself to win the best direction award. Great intro to the announcement from Jane Lynch "Awwww poor Ricky Gervais. Didn't get enough hugs as a child and somehow it's Hollywood's fault."

10:28am Gervais was introducing a category that has a somewhat predictable outcome.

Best Comedy directingModern FamilyModern FamilyModern Family30 RockHow I Met Your Mother

And the winner is Modern Family

10:26am Ricky Gervais appears in a pre-recorded segment that we're told will be edited if he says anything rude. So, it's basically a mash-up. Highlight is calling the members of the Academy a bunch of "countrymen like Steven Cowell".

10:25am And we're back. Jane is on stage in her tinfoil dress. She explains there ARE winners and losers tonight. "And I am one. A loser. If I didn't have to host this I'd be at home on the sofa eating a tub of turkey meatballs."

10:23am Rove wins... the first ad to play during the ceremony. And the first line of the ad is "even Gold Logie winners...". Wow, they're really trying to pitch the Emmys as America's version of the Logies this year. Which is true, if you define it as "awards for TV shows" and stop right there. Otherwise you'll be thinking about whether the Emmy's are determined by TV guide readers (no, of course they're not).

10:21am The voice of Emmys (it's a chipper sounding female voice) invites us back after the ads - c'mon people this is the TV awards, you didn't think there'd be ad breaks built in? She ponders whether Steve Carell or Jim Parsons will win the comedy actor award. Unfortunately we're on a wide shot so we can't make out what the other four actors think of even the ceremony's disembodied voice writing off their chances.

10:20am That's wins for Mr and Mrs Dunfy. Ty's speech consists of him pondering what his deceased father would have thought of all this, particularly the fact that he goes to work in make up. This is impressive he's actually surfing the line between sentiment and satire beautifully.

10:19am The nominees are:

Comedy supporting actorChris Colfer, GleeJesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern FamilyEd O'Neill, Modern FamilyEric Stonestreet, Modern FamilyTy Burrell, Modern FamilyJon Cryer, Two and a Half Men

And the winner is: Ty Burrell, Modern Family

10:17am Julianna Margulies describes the best supporting actor comedy award as that girl from Glee, verus that guy from Pretty in Pink, versus four people from the set of Modern Family.

10:16am Julie Bowen gives a great speech, promising gift baskets for all voters and lamenting she has nothing to talk about in therapy this week.

10:15am The nominees are:

Comedy supporting actress

Jane Lynch, GleeBetty White, Hot in ClevelandJulie Bowen, Modern FamilySofia Vergara, Modern FamilyKristen Wiig, Saturday Night LiveJane Krakowski, 30 Rock

And the winner is: Julie Bowen, Modern Family

10:13am The two Jimmies are fighting on stage. Actual wrestling. Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon are on stage. They're both nominated for best Variety. Both think Jon Stewart will win. Fallon says he hasn't written a speech. Kimmel doesn't believe and wrestles a pink (with things pasted onto it) speech from Fallon's pocket. It turns out to be a love note to Jimmy Kimmel... they wrestle again.

10:12am The first award gets ... well this evening's host out of the way, as Jane Lynch is a nominee in Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy.

10:11am The animated intro promised this would be a long montage, and it really is. Everybody's Shuffling and we're seeing a good clip from possibly every comedy show that has gone to air in the States this year.

10:10am An actual novelty at the Emmys! The Emmy-tones are a group of VERY recognisable actors, who are barbershop sex-teting the introduction to various parts of the show. They've just sung us into the Comedy section. And now... a montage.

10:09am Jane looks around and greets a variety of celebrities but not Katie Holmes "because I'm afraid of her husband."

10:08am A final shot at HBO gets the song done with and now Jane wants us to "put Momma down" as the dancers hold her aloft for the generous applause.

10:05am Jane's song is an impressive length. And now she's abusing TV "where good ideas go to die, and mediocre ones succeed"... and that's how Sue C's it. At which point Jane Lynch slushies herself and this is a seriously impressive filmed opening, which now finally hits the stage.

10:03am We've kicked off with Jane Lynch singing. After learning from Leonard Nimoy that all TV shows are actually living in one New York building, she sing walks through a variety of shows... and into The Big Bang Theory apartment where Sheldon gets all science explanatory... and now she's wandered into Parks and Recreation.

10:02am ... but don't go anywhere, for here's the ceremony liveblog.

10am Looks like that's it from the red carpet. The stars (and their stylists) have played it pretty safe this year. Lots of reds, nudes and golds. Not enough jewellery and more mermaids than the set of Splash. We're off now to compile our list of the top 10 best dressed (with a few clangers thrown in for good measure). Stay tuned...

And check out tomorrow's Herald (or Life & Style online) for Georgina's interview with Johanna Johnson, designer of Christina Hendricks's gown.

9.52am Kate Winslet says her red Elie Saab bandage dress is "really comfortable". It's also gorgeous with cap sleeves and a slit at the bust. The right side of sexy.

9.51am A tid bit from Sophia: "Do you know lots of stars have little snacks in their bags..."

Trail mix or perhaps some tamari almonds?

9.50am Jon Hamm in Tom Ford. Divine. Take a deep breath ladies and swoon.

9.47am Claire Danes could have done with a necklace. What's with this lack of bling?

Photo: Getty

9.45am We've had our first glimpse of Kate Winslet - stunning in scarlet. Will find out more...

9.43am Kate has spotted our first major wardrobe malfucntion: "I’m going to assume Modern Family star Ty Burrell was engaged in some air-kissing with a heavily powdered Karl Lagerfeld impersonator is the only logical explanation for the white substance schlicked on his forehead. That, or his home-hair dye attempt at a debonair grey hair streak failed miserably, leaving him horrendously scarred and in need of drastic cosmetic attention."

Photo: Getty Images

9.42am Thank goodness Dianna Agron has ditched the pink highlights for an updo and a cobalt blue Roksanda Ilincic dress.

9.40am Gretchen Mol. Yawn. Next...

9.38am We haven't seen Kerry Washington yet but Sophia has this to report: "wow, one my favs so far, super chic, very in style right now, mini dress with sheer skirt over it."

Photo: Getty

9.35am In fashion, one day you are in and the next you are out...Heidi Klum  it is time to leave the runway and return your Christian Siriano dress. Good on her for supporting a Project Runway alum but it's a little too toilet roll dolly embellished with hydrangeas. Sometimes less is more.

9.33am We're renaming The Emmys red carpet to the Hollywood Home Shopping Network. Sophia Vergara is also talking up her own line.

9.30am A bit of chivalry on the part of Ryan Seacrest (helping Betty White down some stairs) sees the microphone pass to Will Arnett to interview wife Amy Poehler. Her unforgiving blue-wet look Peter Som dress looks more like a wet suit better suited to Bondi or Bells. It shows up bumps that do not exist  - dress fail.

Gwynnie is looking gorgeous in Pucci. Not such a bit fan of the sheer band around the middle, but if we had abs like that we might be tempted to flaunt them too...

Photo: Getty

9.21am What's going on with the bling at The Emmys? We haven't seen much of it.

9.20am Julie Bowen from Modern Family in a beaded Oscar de la Renta with an expert deployment of tit tape.

9.18am Is Cobie Smulders from How I Met Your Mother a smurfette in chiffon?

Photo: Getty

9.16am We usually love Zooey Deschanel's quirky style but not making a hairdressers appointment and pulling out the prom dress (and tying it around the middle with crepe paper) is not a good idea. Loving the pockets though.

9.11am Did the ladies from Mad Men decide to go matchy matchy (to quote Heidi Klum)? Elisabeth Moss is also in embellished gold wearing a Marchesa gown. We couldn't see the length but it has sleeves. Lena Headey was also in long sleeves. But the long sleeve combined with the full length skirt made her look more Morticia than red carpet ready in this sea of reds, whites and golds.

9.10am Melissa McCarthy from Mike and Molly made her own gown (she studied fashion before becoming an actor). It's refreshing to see someone who owns everything they are wearing including "all of my uncomfortable undergarments".

9.09am Evan Rachel Wood is in a black embellished Elie Saab gown that looks like it weighs more than she does. I know it's early but we're calling the cap sleeve as a trend.

9.07am We have some fashion dissent in the ranks. We panned Joel McHale but Sophia is a fan:"Super cool, love it, he is channeling Katie Holmes in Stella McCartney! Is that light blue?"

9.05am Georgina gives Jesse Tyler Ferguson points for effort with his bow tie. She's not entirely convinced though.

9.03am A big fashion miss for the blokes courtesy of Joel McHale. Is it powder blue or white? We can't quite tell from the tellie but at least the lapels are black.

Photo: Getty

9.01am We've seen three mermaid silhouettes in a row. Interestingly, Mad Men's Cara Buono added a train to the mix. The jury is out on that one. Padma Lakshmi and Christine Baranski managed to turn mermaid into marvellous.

9am White is emerging as another trend on the red carpet. We could only see the top half of Aubrey Plaza's gown but the gently-ruffled bodice with cut away shoulders looked stunning.

Photo: Getty

8.55am Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi in Giorgio Armani Prive. How very Hollywood talking about losing weight on the red carpet. Shameless product placement as she spruiks her own jewellery line.

8.52am Sophia is loving Jennifer Carpenter from Dexter: "Beyonce would be proud. Super sexy!"

Photo: Getty

8.49am Kate's standing by her fish tail prediction: "So the fishy fishtail look is strong, as is the Sloany Catherine Middleton theme. But also emerging is a preference for pink and frills and femininity. Which is great when you’re a 13-year-old child star called Ariel Winter. Perhaps not so great when you’re 32-year-old Ugly Betty star Jayma Mays."

8.47am Julianna Marguiles has a Star Wars thing going on in Giorgio Armani Prive. It has a structured bodice and is waaaay too long.

Photo: Getty

8.46am Christina Hendricks is flying the flag for Sydney designer Johanna Johnson in a gold and rose coloured cap sleeve gown with a slit up the middle.

Photo: Getty

8.45am Even the D-list is in red...thanks Kathy Griffin.

8.44am So good to hear an Aussie accent on the red carpet. Go Rachael Taylor.

8.43am Julia Stiles in a variation of the red theme and Angela Kinsey from The Office in a red one shouldered gown.

8.42am Sophia is loving Kelly Osbourne - colour so on trend, burgundy is the colour of the season.

Photo: Getty

8.41am Is red the new black?

Photo: Getty

8.40am Is the Glam Cam the lazy susan of the Emmys?

8.39am Take that Sarah Hyland! Lea Michele is strutting her stuff on the red carpet.

Photo: Getty

8.38am Yay! Georgina is here. Aussie star Rachael Taylor is in Armani.  It's soft pink beaded, column dress with a strapless neckline and a bow at the back.

So glad the expert is on deck!

Georgina says its a change in style from her '70s Charlie's Angels wardrobe. We're loving the new blunt bob.

8.33am An early assessment from Kate: "Ah – it wouldn’t be the Emmys without glitter. Some starlets take the less-is-more approach, reasoning that they’ll let their personality or talent or excellent couture tailoring shine through. Others, like Little Fockers actress Kat Kramer reason that it’s better not to leave anyone in doubt of just how sparkly they can be. Matching bag to dress, tick, matching rhinestone embellishment on both bag and dress, check. Oh! And a nod to that great new movie starring Meryl Streep everyone  is talking about with the hair (did someone say Iron Lady?).

Photo: Getty

8.29am It's 3.29pm in Los Angeles where the awards are being held. Sophia Banks-Coloma is styling Melissa Rauch from The Big Bang Theory today. Some of her other clients have been out and about at pre-Emmy parties in the past week including Parenthood's Erica Christensen who wore this Collette Dinnigan dress to a Women in Film party. Doing her bit for local designers, she's also had clients in Manning Cartell, Rachel Gilbert, Nicola Finetti and Bec & Bridge. Nice work Sophia!

Photo: Getty

Sophia says hair and make-up starts at 11am and dressing at 1.30pm for a departure time of 2.30pm. Some get their beauty sleep the night before the awards but others attend the Dreamworks party. "Lots are drinking water and doing no carbs," she says. They've probably also paid a visit to the Emmy gifting suites.

Nice work if you can get it. Except perhaps for the no carbs.

8.26am Emmys host Lynch is one of the first to walk the red carpet in a burgundy David Meister gown with a bustier top and full skirt. Lynch is off backstage for some warm-up exercises now. A few tongue twisters, a bit of shadow boxing Rocky-style or some cheerleading calls perhaps?

Photo: Getty

8.25am Photo gallery is up and running. Kate will be adding piccies in as they drop on the wire.

8.24am This in from Kate: "Maria Menounos, also a ‘TV Personality’ (funny, at the Emmys?) is looking every inch throne ranger fabulous with her blue bling and glossy brown mane.

Photo: Getty

8.21am Ooooo, DRAMA! Apparently Hyland took a swipe at Lea Michele about her red carpet poses a few days ago. Apparently all in good fun...

8.20am Sarah Hyland from Modern Family is in Christian Siriano. He custom made the gown for her. It's in a coral colour, one shouldered. If she looks older than her school aged character in the show, that's because she's actually 20.

Photo: Getty

8.18am Sky Cam is kind of like the Emmys meets The Matrix says our breaking news editor.

8.15am Taraji P. Henson says it's on the best dressed list for sure. Will put a pic up soon - comments are on, tell us what you think.

Photo: Getty

8.14am Lea Michelle is a form fitting red dress. Marchesa. She describes it as "super comfortable". Really? Not after a big dinner.

8.12am Cat Deeley is wearing $US1.4 million in jewellery. OMG! I hope there's a safety chain.

Photo: Getty

8.10am Early prediction from Katherine - keep an eye out for the fishtail...and the royal references. Will we be seeing many nude shoes a la Kate Middleton.

8.08am E! has busted out the glam cam 360! Fancy!

8.05am So what should we expect on the red carpet this morning? This is what Georgina had to say:

"The Emmys are a chance to be more experimental than the Oscars. They fall somewhere between Sundance, which is known for its quirky style and more avant guard looks on the red carpet, and the Oscars which is all about formality and the money shot. In the past several years television has almost usurped cinema as a style leader setting fashion trends. Consider Mad Men and Downton Abbey which have had a massive influence on fashion.

"It is very difficult to predict these things but if you were basing it on the fashion trends you’d expect bright colours, a more structured silhouette and probably more sleeves than in previous years. But who knows? It might be all black and sleeveless."

Georgina will be on deck very soon to share her thoughts, including the inside goss on the Aussie who has designed Christina Hendricks's dress.

8.02am For those trying to catch a glimpse before they head out the door to work, it's on E! on Foxtel. You could also try Mornings with Kerri-Anne on Channel Nine at 9am and Sunrise have been chatting about it. I'm sure it's streaming live on the interweb somewhere too...

8am Morning fashionistas and lovers of all things TV! Welcome to the live blog of the 2011 Emmy Awards. Life & Style's Sarah McInerney will be steering this ship down the red carpet until 10am when SMH online entertainment editor Giles Hardie will take over for the ceremony. Joining Sarah shortly will be Sydney Morning Herald fashion editor Georgina Safe plus a panel of guest bloggers who will be throwing their two cents worth in including LA-based Australian stylist Sophia Banks-Coloma, Brisbane Times entertainment editor Katherine Feeney (aka CityKat) and The Age's online entertainment editor Simone Mitchell.