Steve Carell went home empty-handed -- again NBC We admit it: Our Emmy pool ballot is in tatters. Tonight's Emmy awards defied predictions by serving up a flurry of big surprises. Sure, some favorites managed to eke out a win, but others got flat-out robbed while unheralded newcomers swooped in to snag first-time statuettes. Check out our list of the night's biggest snubs and surprises.
Snub: Steve Carell
We would've bet the farm on Carell finally winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy for his emotional final season on NBC's "The Office." But he remained a bridesmaid while "The Big Bang Theory's" Jim Parsons claimed his second straight Emmy win. Carell's "Office" run officially comes to an end with six Emmy nominations and no wins.
[Video: Watch Steve Carell's 'Office' Farewell]
Snub: Jon Hamm
With three-time winner Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") out of the running, the stage seemed set for Hamm to win his first Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama for his riveting turn as ad man Don Draper on AMC's "Mad Men." His show grabbed its fourth straight award for Outstanding Drama Series, but Hamm once again came up short, this time to "Friday Night Lights" star Kyle Chandler. Take heart, Jon: You couldn't have lost to a more worthy opponent.
[Photos: 2011 Emmy red carpet gallery]
Snub: "Glee"
Guess Emmy voters aren't feeling quite so "Glee"-ful these days. After garnering a slew of Emmy nominations for its first season, "Glee" returned with an uneven Season 2 that was less well-received and came up empty-handed on Emmy night. "Glee" star Jane Lynch was stuck playing host while "Modern Family's" Julie Bowen took home the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy award she won last year. First, New Directions loses at Nationals, and now this?
Surprise: Melissa McCarthy
One actress left the Emmys feeling like Miss America: "Mike & Molly" star McCarthy scored a stunning win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy, beating out favorites like "Nurse Jackie's" Edie Falco and "Parks and Recreation's" Amy Poehler. Thanks to a pre-planned bit with her fellow nominees, McCarthy ended up receiving a pageant-style tiara and bouquet of roses along with her statuette. She exclaimed, "This is my first and best pageant ever!" Now this is one crowning we can get behind.
See the Best Comedy Actress nominees line up, pageant-style:
Watch Melissa McCarthy's tearful acceptance speech:
Surprise: "Modern Family" sweeps
At one point in the ceremony, Lynch cracked, "Welcome to the 'Modern Family' awards." She wasn't far off: ABC's hit family comedy dominated the early going, taking home the first four awards, including wins for Bowen and Ty Burrell in the supporting categories. "Family" was definitely a favorite going into Emmys night, but its clean sweep in the face of stiff competition was still a stunner. Its second straight win for Outstanding Comedy Series was just icing on the cake.
Surprise: Charlie Sheen plays it straight
The embattled former "Two and a Half Men" star shocked viewers simply by not embarrassing himself. A surprisingly coherent Sheen presented the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy (the same award he was nominated for four times while on "Men") and offered a heartfelt vote of confidence to his "Men" replacement, Ashton Kutcher.
Watch Charlie Sheen's Emmys appearance:
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