Creative Arts Emmys: HBO’s ‘Behind the Candelabra’ wins the night

The 65th Annual Creative Arts Emmys clocked in at a grueling 3.5 hours Sunday. Tuxedo-clad guests and ladies in super-high heels and skimpy black summer dresses evacuated the Nokia Theatre in droves as the awards dragged on—honoring the best in behind-the-scenes television work.

For all its proposed pomp and circumstance the people in attendance knew they were playing second fiddle to next week’s main event: the glitz-laden “Primetime Emmy Awards.”

Those winning awards at Sunday night’s ceremony had to deal with an intrusive 45-second rule that had loud music blaring in their faces before they were close to done completing their acceptance speeches.

PHOTOS: Creative Arts Emmys | Arrivals

That said, the other message, the one handed out with the golden statue was, “Thank you, good work, you deserve some credit.”

Here are the big winners:

H.B.O’s “Behind the Candelaba” made big waves at the ceremony. The glamorous Liberace biopic, starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, scored eight awards.

The Tony Awards telecast and “Boardwalk Empire” were the most celebrated works after that, both taking home four Emmys.

The host-less show was loosely knit and sometimes haphazard as awards were presented beginning with outstanding casting for a drama series, which went to “House of Cards.”

Guest actress in a comedy series went to outspoken Oscar winner Melissa Leo for her work on FX’s “Louie.”

PHOTOS: Presenters for the 65th Emmys

“I want to thank Louie and Louie and Louie,” Leo joked upon accepting her award.

Louis C.K didn’t make an appearance at the show but won an Emmy for writing for the HBO special, “Louis C.K.: Oh My God.”

Veteran actor Bob Newhart got a heartfelt standing ovation for his guest actor win for “The Big Bang Theory.”

“True Blood’s” Carrie Preston won guest actress in a drama for “The Good Wife.”

The Tony Awards telecast continued to make a splash with Neil Patrick Harris (who will host the “Primetime Emmy Awards” on Sunday) winning an Emmy.

The fashion-centric reality show “Project Runway,” also received accolades with hosts Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn winning for the first time.

In other reality news, “Undercover Boss” scored the best reality show title.

The raunchy series “South Park” took home outstanding animation program, while its antithesis, Disney’s “Mickey Mouse Croissant de Triumph” received the short form animation award.

The night’s most touching moments came when Steven Soderbergh thanked his mom during his acceptance speech for “Behind the Candelabra,” and “Scandal’s” Dan Bucatinsky, (who won best guest actor in a drama series) almost broke down in tears while acknowledging his on-screen husband and his real-life husband and thanking the Supreme Court for the honor.

Comedic relief was provided by Robert Smigel and his Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. Attendees seemed to find this portion of the show the most rewarding.

An edited version of the Creative Arts Emmys will air on FXX on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 9 p.m.

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