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At this year's Emmy Awards, host Jimmy Kimmel's jokes fell flat, while Modern Family and Homeland swept top honors. Overall, it was a night of few surprises and fewer laughs.

The 64th Primetime Emmy Awards took place Sunday evening at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. The show started off weakly with a clip of the nominated lead comedic actresses feigning surprise in a bathroom mirror and prodding Jimmy Kimmel to go onstage and host the show. This was followed by Kimmel’s lackluster opening monologue and small Kimmel appearances between presenters that at times felt just plain awkward.  The worst part of the evening was when Kimmel poked fun at the typical “In Memorium” tribute and replayed clips of only himself. It left the audience with a bad taste in their mouths. My advice? Kimmel should get some advice from Louis C.K, who took home the night’s Emmy for Best Comedic Writing.

The first award of the night, Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, was awarded to Modern Family’s Eric Stonestreet whose acceptance speech set the tone for the evening. His closing comments reminded aspiring actors to never give up; he cited the years of auditions it took to get to where he is now. A humbled Stonestreet was dishing out the encouragement, so if you need some, I highly suggest you catch a replay of his speech on YouTube.

The night’s biggest Comedy winner came as no surprise: the seasoned winner Modern Family nabbed four Emmys, with cast members Julie Bowen and Eric Stonestreet winning Best Supporting Actor statuettes, Steve Levitan winning for Best Comedy Directing, and the show won Best Comedy Series.

The biggest winner in the Drama category was clearly newcomer Homeland who also closed out with four Emmys. Cast members Claire Danes and Damian Lewis won Lead Actor statuettes, the shows many writers won for Best Dramatic Writing, and the show won for Best Drama Series.

The biggest shock of the night was that Lena Dunham, who was nominated for acting, directing, AND writing for the HBO comedy Girls, didn’t take home a single Emmy. At twenty-six years old, she’s the youngest to ever be nominated in those categories. I guess being a nominee that young is an honor enough—there’s always next year Lena.

The most coveted awards of the night, Best Drama Series and Best Comedy Series, went to Homeland and Modern Family, respectively.

All in all, I give this awards show a C+. The cheesy category graphics projected on the screens coupled with Kimmel’s off-kilter jokes didn’t measure up to awards shows we’ve seen in the past. But not to worry Kimmel— a C is still average in my book. 

For more of Neon Tommy's Emmys coverage, click here.

Reach staff reporter Sarah Mickelson here.