Los Angeles (CNN) -- AMC's "Mad Men" won a fourth consecutive best drama series Emmy, while the ABC sitcom "Modern Family" took top comedy honors at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles Sunday night.
PBS' "Downton Abbey," a Masterpiece production, won the best miniseries Emmy, although HBO's "Mildred Pierce" and ReelzChannel's "The Kennedys" had a share in the acting honors.
Charlie Sheen delivered onstage drama when he took the stage to present the trophy for best lead actor in a comedy series, which he called "my old category."
Sheen, bounced from his hit sitcom "Two and a Half Men" earlier this year after a spat with producers, said he wanted "to take a moment to get something off my chest and say a few words to everyone here from 'Two and a Half Men.' "
"From the bottom of my heart, I wish you nothing but the best for this upcoming season," Sheen said. "We spent eight wonderful years together and I know you will continue to make great television."
"The Big Bang Theory's" Jim Parsons won the category.
When Sheen's sitcom replacement, Ashton Kutcher, appeared with "Two and a Half Men" co-star Jon Cryer to present an award, their banter was all about Sheen.
"I'm that guy from 'Pretty in Pink,'" Cryer said.
"And I'm not Charlie Sheen," said Kutcher. "And Jon, I want to tell you something. I do not think that you are a troll." It was a reference to Sheen's public trashing of his former cast member.
The ladies competing for best lead actress in a comedy series conspired on a gag when their category was called. Each, starting with "Parks and Recreation" star Amy Poehler, walked on stage when their names were announced, lining up like beauty pageant contestants.
Melissa McCarthy, who won for her work on the CBS sitcom "Mike & Molly," said backstage that it was Poehler's idea.
While the show ended with the "Modern Family" cast onstage for the best comedy award, the sitcom also monopolized the first half-hour of the show, winning all of the first four Emmys handed out.
The actors who play "Modern Family" couple Phil and Claire Dunphy now have matching trophies as Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell won the Emmys for best supporting actress and actor, respectively.
It was the first Emmy for each.
"I don't know what I'm going to talk about in therapy next week," Bowen said in her acceptance speech. "I won something!"
"Modern Family" also claimed the Emmy for best directing in a comedy series, given to Michael Alan Spiller. The show's writers Steven Levitan and Jeffrey Richman won for best writing in a comedy series.
"Welcome back to the 'Modern Family Awards,' " host Jane Lynch said as the show resumed from a commercial break.
The "Glee" star is just the third woman ever to host the show, following in the footsteps of pioneers Angela Lansbury and Ellen DeGeneres.
While "Mad Men" again won the top drama award, it was practically shut out for the other categories. Despite 19 nominations, a hairstyling creative service Emmy was the only other trophy given the AMC series this year.
HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" was also shut out in the acting categories, although the drama series won seven Emmy's last week at the creative services ceremony and a best directing Emmy for Martin Scorsese.
It was the first Emmy for Scorsese, who already has an Oscar from his career directing movies.
"We approach 'Boardwalk Empire' as a film, a very long film," Scorsese said backstage.
He said telling stories in a cable series "gives you more license and much more freedom" to develop characters. "You can do something really extraordinary."
The four drama series acting awards were split among other series, including DirecTV's "Friday Night Lights," which claimed the best lead actor Emmy for Kyle Chandler, who plays Coach Eric Taylor.
Julianna Margulies, star of the CBS drama "The Good Wife," carried home the Emmy for best lead actress in a drama series. It was her second Emmy win after eight nominations.
The most unusual acceptance speech may have been delivered by Peter Dinklage when he was given the Emmy for best supporting actor in a drama series.
The co-star of HBO's "Game Of Thrones'" took time to thank Kitty, who is the sitter for his dog, Kevin. "She's an important person in my life," Dinklage said backstage.
Margo Martindale, who portrays Mags Bennett in FX Networks "Justified," won the for best supporting actress in a drama series. "Sometimes things just take time," said Martindale as she accepted.
"Downton Abbey" was the most honored miniseries, with six Emmys, including for directing, writing, cinematography and costumes. Maggie Smith, who played the Dowager Countess of Grantham, won for best supporting actress, the mini-series only acting award.
HBO's "Mildred Pierce" won five Emmys in the miniseries competition, including casting, music, art direction honors handed out last week.
Guy Pearce, who played Monty Beragon in "Mildred Pierce," won for best supporting actor.
"I got to have sex with Kate Winslet many, many times, and I didn't realize it was going to result in this," Pearce said in his acceptance.
Kate Winslet, who played the title role in "Mildred Pierce," showed a high level of excitement when she accepted the best lead actress Emmy. "I was truly extremely unprepared," Winslet explained backstage. "It comes out the way it comes out."
Barry Pepper, who portrayed Bobby Kennedy in ReelzChannel's "The Kennedys,"
won the Emmy for best lead actor in a mini-series or movie.
Comedy Central's "Daily Show" wons the Emmy for best variety, music or comedy series for a ninth year.
