The 65th Emmy Awards attracted a record number of viewers; according to the Nielsen Company the televised ceremony attracted 17.6 million viewers. The figure marks around a 33% increase from last year's show according to Reuters, but while the figures were good, the overall reception of the awards show was less than impressive.

Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris presented the awards ceremony.

The ceremony was broadcast live from the Nokia Centre in L.A. on Sunday, 22 September. Last year the ceremony aired on Disney's ABC, but CBS broadcast the awards this year. Comic actor Neil Patrick Harris presented the Emmys for the second year and the star, in addition to presenting, the How I Met Your Mother star performed a song and dance number. Other performances included a dance inspired by American Horror Story, which featured dancers in black latex one-sies; a Game of Thrones themed dance and a Breaking Bad style performance complete with gas masks.

Claire Danes
Claire Danes holding her Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series.

Despite the huge audience the show attracted, the critics have attacked the show for not focussing enough on the television shows. This year, according to TV critic David Bianculli, the show was overshadowed by the tributes paid to such actors as Cory Monteith and James Gandolfini. Others claimed the ceremony was inconsistent and lacking in clips of the nominated shows. The Hollywood Reporter's critic claimed the show was overshadowed by a series of poor producer decisions; including Harris' lack of time on the podium, which failed to lighten the unspontaneous and solemn 65th Emmy Awards.

Those who won awards at the ceremony included Homeland's Claire Danes for Outstanding Actress; Jeff Daniels (The Newsroom) for Outstanding Actor; Bobby Cannavale (Boardwalk Empire) for Supporting Actor; and Breaking Bad's Anna Gunn for Supporting Actress. Breaking Bad, predictably, won the award for Outstanding Drama Series and Modern Family for Comedy Series. Stars of Behind the Candelabra: Michael Douglas and Matt Damon were both nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Miniseries/Movie; but Damon lost out to his senior co-star. 

Michael Douglas
Michael Douglas with his Emmy award for Outstanding Actor in a Mini-series/Movie.