Counting down the minutes folks! The live blog starts at 8 sharp.
8:00 - And we're off! How will tonight's opening skit compare to last year's great "Born to Run" homage? I can never remember whether it's okay to like Jimmy Fallon now or not, but that was a pretty great beginning. Bonus points for the Jon Hamm/Jorge Garcia cameos.
8:01 - Leonard Nimoy! That's a good way to start, for sure. Glad he doesn't actually know the meaning of "retirement." (Perhaps the word doesn't exist in Vulcan?)
8:02 - Hmm, yeah I prefer the Springsteen already. C'mon Jane, show tunes are soooo 1995.
8:03 - Oh Jeremy Piven. We won't miss you at all.
8:04 - I like that they don't even let Nick Offerman be his actual self. That's how giant a shadow Ron Swanson casts now.
8:05 - Awww, couldn't we have seen more FNL? I know Mad Men is probably winning Best Drama, but give those boys a victory lap!
8:06 - Opening skit grade: C+. Some fun cameos (the Mad Men bit was note-perfect), but definitely not on par with last year. Sorry Jane. Look forward to your monologue though!
8:09 - And Jane becomes the first TV person to hit up Martin Scorsese for work. The perils of sitting in the front row. Strangely short monologue (not that I'm complaining!).
8:10 - The EmmyTones, huh? Happy with five out of the six of them anyway. Who the hell let Wilmer onstage?
8:11 - Late night show host duel! I would've thought Fallon would be more of a scrapper.
8:14 - Wow, Julie Bowen beats out Sofia Vergara for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy. How much friction will that cause on the set tomorrow morning? Consider it hazard pay for her stint on Lost. But seriously, very much deserved. She's been the most underrated performer on the show.
8:15 - She's as shocked about winning as Sofia is! Nice two husbands line though. And you couldn't ask for a better way to celebrate an anniversary.
8:16 - Ouch. And this is why Julianna gets nominated in the dramatic category.
8:17 - Ty Burrell's win for Supporting Actor makes this an (onscreen) husband and wife victory! So Modern Family is winning it all tonight, huh?
8:18 - Hmm, both the presenter and winner weren't exactly on in terms of getting laughs. Are we sure this was the comedy category?
8:23 - "If I didn't have to host this show, I'd be home eating a tub of turkey meatballs." So that's how Sue spends her nights at home!
8:24 - I still love Ricky Gervais, but he's beating the Golden Globes thing into the ground. Let's all move on, huh? Even Jane Lynch agrees.
8:26 - Something else besides Modern Family is going to win tonight, yes? It can't sweep every category. I think that's illegal in the state of California.
8:28 - Man, the stage patter is just not clicking tonight. Even with naturally funny people like Will and Zooey speaking it.
8:29 - Aaaaand Modern Family goes 4 for 4. Look out Mildred Pierce! It's coming for you too and it ain't even nominated in that category.
8:32 - So the Modern Family cast can just go home now, right? Or at least hit the bar until the show gets its Best Comedy Emmy in three hours.
8:37 - "Welcome back to the Modern Family awards." Sounds about right.
8:38 - Hoo boy, they let Charlie Sheen in the building? This should be interesting.
8:39 - "I wish you nothing but the best from this upcoming season." That didn't sound forced AT ALL. Neither did the applause. Suddenly missing the batshit-crazy Charlie Sheen.
8:40 - And Steve Carell get shut out completely for his Office run! No chance of EGOTing anytime soon.
8:41 - Does this mean we're going to be getting Get Smart 2? Carell's just like "Screw it, awards are for pussies. Let's see if Jim Parsons could open a freakin' movie!"
8:42 - Oh man, how much do I love Amy Poehler? This much. That bum-rushing-the-stage move makes up for the weird blue spandex thing she's wearing.
8:43 - Would love to know who planned this stage invasion. My guess is Tina and Amy working together. They're like the Batman and Robin of funny live award stunts. (But why are Edie Falco and Laura Linney on stage with the stars of comedies? Oh wait...)
8:45 - Woah! Melissa McCarthy -- the night's first major surprise. Can we credit Bridesmaids with that victory? Or should we just really be watching Mike & Molly? (Don't answer: we know it's the former.)
8:46 - Not that I'm unhappy to see Melissa win at all mind you. She did all the real work at the Dragonfly Inn, after all.
8:49 - Hmmm, a Bridesmaids DVD promo in the ads. Yup, the fix was in we'd say.
8:50 - Parks and Rec's Michael Schur tweet confirms that stunt was Amy's idea. Another reason she shoulda won. But we still love ya, Melissa!
8:53 - Signs your show has gone on to long. That Office joke reel was funnier than the entire seventh season. Except for Ashton, natch.
8:54 - I officially feel bad for Joel, Zach and Cobie. Taraji and Wilmer NSM.
8:56 - Okay, leaving comedy behind for now. Kind of, anyway. I can't imagine anyone taking Keeping Up with the Kardashians seriously.
8:58 - If it weren't for the high heels, Kaley and Spade would be the same height. That would be funnier than any of their scripted banter.
9:00 - After a year off, TAR scoops up another statue. For a really sub-par season too.
9:01 - Shoulda been Top Chef's year. That was the superior all-star season by far.
9:02 - Awesome, the variety show writing nominations are always a high point. Look, puppies! And Justin! And puppies! And Conan being a pompous ass. Good times, good times.
9:03 - To no one's surprise, The Daily Show wins again for writing. Can't argue with that, though I feel like I should on Colbert's behalf.
9:09 - America, trust us. New Girl is much funnier than those teasers make it look.
9:10 - Not surprised they're going for a "Captain Jack" victory lap, but that video is hard to top.
9:12 - Yeah, all these songs work better as digital shorts than live performances. Nice way to shoehorn in Bill Macy, though.
9:14 - Hey, Saturday Night Live won something! So that's why Lonely Island showed up. Way to tip your hand, Emmy producers.
9:16 - The height disparity games continue! Anna looks like she could fold Scott up and put her in her pocket.
9:17 - Agreed with all those commentators who don't care for the announcer's "jokes" that fill the dead air as the winners make their way to the stage. Might be funnier if we could actually hear them...
9:18 - Good on ya, Stewart, for giving a shout-out to Colbert. He's starting to look a little downcast as the number of Emmy awards in this category dwindle.
9:20 - Hey, it's an add for the Rock 'Em Sock 'Em robot movie! Brought to you by the team behind Date Night and Night at the Museum. Which means it'll almost certainly be better in concept than execution.
9:23 - So we're about 90 minutes in and so far there's only been one actual surprise win. Is it too much to hope for just one more upset as we enter the second half?
9:25 - Just as long as that upset isn't Jon Hamm losing his deserved Best Actor statue to Hugh Laurie. That wouldn't be a surprise - that could officially be classified as a natural disaster.
9:27 - Part of me hopes The Killing wins just to see my Twitter feed erupt in cries of disgust.
9:28 - Holy crap! Now that's is the kind of upset I can live with. Clear eyes, full hearts, finally won!
9:29 - And now my Twitter feed is erupting with cries of happiness for FNL scooping up the dramatic writing Emmy. That's much better than disgust.
9:30 - That's marvelous. And what a classy speech. We're calling it - most satisfying win of the night so far.
9:30 - Another wonderful surprise with Margo Martindale taking home the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress! Okay, so far the Drama category is making this entire night worthwhile.
9:31 - My fave non-Justified Margo performances: The Rocketeer, Million Dollar Baby, Walk Hard among others.
9:31 - "I love you Graham, even though you killed me." That speech should come with a spoiler warning for all those watching Justified on disc. (
9:36 - Even though she didn't win tonight, Christina Hendricks can go home confident that she still retains the award for Best Supported Actress. [rimshot]
9:38 - No way Martin Scorsese is not being given a Best Director statue, right? I mean, c'mon. This is MARTIN SCORSESE people.
9:39 - Toldja! I love Game of Thrones too, but this category was decided as soon as Scorsese was nominated. If Carell won't EGOT, Marty totally could. He just needs the T at this point.
9:40 - For Tony, I recommend directing a stage version of GoodFellas (Call it Wise Guys!.)
9:42 - Woo hoo! And Peter Dinklage deservedly gets the win for Best Supporting Actor. And he gets the best announcer line of the night: "Game of Thrones is filmed on location in Awesomeland." It's a good night to be a Lannister.
9:44: My wife gets the night's other best line: "They keep mentioning Katie Holmes like we care."
9:49 - This Jersey routine would have been funnier two years ago... like when Jersey Shore was actually fresh and stuff.
9:50 - "Please welcome Bryan Cranston and Katie Holmes." Neither of whom is from Jersey. Fail, Emmys, fail.
9:52 - An I Love Lucy reference now? Ugh, please stop, announcer guy. But props to Julianna. Another deserved win in a category that's full of 'em so far.
9:54 - Hey, it's the new Charlie's Angels! But why is Drew passing the torch? She was only an Angel for two movies. Did Jaclyn and Kate just refuse to show up?
9:55 - Woah! Is this actually happening? Two awards for FNL? Drama writing and Lead Actor at long last? My mind is officially blown.
9:56 - Could this mean Mad Men is going home empty handed for the first time ever? That would be a real shame, but hard to feel bad about FNL finally being recognized.
9:57 - Reasons we love Kyle Chandler #1201: Because he actually says stuff like "Gosh almighty" in real life.
9:58 - I do hope the Emmys remember to honor Jon Hamm year, even with his nemesis Bryan Cranston likely back in the mix. Don Draper is too iconic a role not to net him some kind of recognition.
10:00 - Paying honor to perennial Emmy loser Stephen Colbert by eating a scoop of B&J's "Americone Dream." Jon Stewart may have a gazillion Emmys in his closet, but does he have his own ice cream flavor? I THINK NOT! Check and mate, sir.
10:04 - And now we enter the Movies and Miniseries portion of the evening, which tonight would be better labeled The Mildred Pierce and Downton Abbey Awards. For almost everyone at home, it's better known as Bathroom Break.
10:05 - "A lot of people are very curious why I'm a lesbian. Ladies and gentlemen, the cast of Entourage." Perfect kiss-off to a show that's we've already forgotten about.
10:07 - Downton Abbey = Crack for Anglophiles and public television addicts. When is Season 2 starting up again?
10:09 - "Maggie Smith was really good, but she was still playing Maggie Smith," my wife astutely points out. Very true. But I'd be scared not to give her that Emmy. I think it's been confirmed that her withering glare literally makes people wither up.
10:16 - The woman that won presenting alongside the woman that shoulda won. It's like that engagement party toasting scene from Bridesmaids all over again.
10:17 - Oh man, I'd be so happy if Edgar Ramirez won the Best Actor award for Carlos. Fantastic film - shoulda gotten him an Oscar nod last year.
10:18 - But no, The Kennedys wins instead. And Barry Pepper couldn't even be bothered to show up to collect it!
10:18 - C'mon Carlos, you've got a second chance!
10:19 - Aaaand it's gone. Downton Abbey wins again, this time for direction. So much for that Mildred Pierce domination theory. Maybe if it had been directed by Martin Scorsese...
10:19 - The acceptance speeches have been kept really close to time tonight across the board. Oscar winners could learn a thing or two from their TV brethren.
10:20 - "I would ban this song from television," sayeth my wife as "Hallelujah" is sung again on television. Agreed. Lovely tune, but boy has it been overplayed.
10:22 - Not a big fan of live performances during the "In Memoriam" reel in general. Just show the clips with the orchestra playing - more respectful and less awkward.
10:23 - Aww, Andy Whitfield. R.I.P., Spartacus.10:24 - Okay, now they're just shouting this song. Somewhere, both Leonard Cohen and Jeff Buckley are cringing. (Though not together, obviously.)
10:30 - Anna Torv is forced to thank/apologize on behalf of the Canadian Tenors for that botched performance of "Hallelujah." It's that kind of night.
10:31 - And Mildred Pearce finally gets its first award for Guy Pearce as Best Actor. Hope he doesn't have to get a tattoo of the statue just so he doesn't forget he won.
10:35 - Yeah, no surprise there. As with Scorsese, you don't nominate an Oscar winner like Kate Winslet for a Best Actress Emmy and then send her home empty handed.
10:35 - "I didn't think we'd win anything!" We weren't sure either there for awhile, Kate.
10:36 - Glad to see Todd Haynes getting recognized by his cast, if not Emmy voters. Terrific director - Netflix Safe, I'm Not There and Far From Heaven for proof. And Mildred Pierce whenever that's finally on DVD.
10:43 - If you want to catch up on tonight's winners as the awards approach their end, you can cross reference here.
10:44 - Downton Abbey wins the category's big award, Best Miniseries or Movie. Like we said, bring on Season 2 already.
10:46 - Phew, all is right in the world. Mad Men wins Best Drama. Would have just been weird to see it go home completely empty-handed, no matter how cool a surprise FNL or Game of Thrones win would've been.
10:47 - "I didn't think this was going to happen," says Matt Weiner. Considering the way the night has gone, this is the first year he probably actually means that.
10:49 - Okay, odds on Modern Family losing the night's last award? At the beginning of the night I would have said about as likely as Kyle Chandler winning Best Actor in a Drama but look how that turned out...
10:52 - Even the Emmys are so bored by Gwyneth Paltrow, they can't even be bothered to put her patter up on the Teleprompter.
10:54 - And the evening ends not with a bang, but a whimper as Modern Family wins Best Comedy. Parks and Rec 4-EVAH.
10:56 - You're right, Modern Family guy. Applauding tolerance is always nice. I'm for tolerance. Especially when it involves Sofia Vergara.
10:57 - I'll say this for the Emmys. They ended on time.
10:58 - So, to sum up. Yay for Kyle Chandler, Peter Dinklage, Mad Men and Jason Katims. Huh for Melissa McCarthy. A modest meh for Modern Family.
11:00 - Continued sum-up: happy for Downton Abbey and Kate & Guy from Mildred Pierce. Sorry for Jon Hamm and Steve Carell. As for the show itself? Moved along swiftly, which was nice. Musical numbers were largely a bad choice across the board though.
11:01 - And that's a wrap for this year's Emmys! Thanks for following along. Check here for a full list of winners and keep your eyes peeled for more of our Emmy coverage tomorrow morning.