Early Emmy wins for Parsons, Burrell, Janney

LOS ANGELES — Network comedies including "The Big Bang Theory" and "Modern Family" started out strong at Monday's Emmy Awards, and so did "True Detective" nominee Matthew McConaughey — even before his category came up.

McConaughey, bringing movie-star sizzle to the ceremony, was the object of too-handsome jokes by presenter Jimmy Kimmel and adoration by winner Gail Mancuso, honored as best director for an episode of "Modern Family."

"If you don't mind, Matthew McConaughey, I'm gonna make eye contact with you right now," she said.

CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" star Jim Parsons was crowned as best comedy series actor, giving him his fourth Emmy and putting him in long with all-time sitcom winners Kelsey Grammer and Michael J. Fox.

Besides Mancuso's award, ABC's "Modern Family" also captured a best comedy supporting actor trophy for Ty Burrell. Allison Janney was honored as best supporting comedy actress for CBS' "Mom," adding to the trophy she'd already picked up as guest actress on "Masters of Sex." And Julia Louis-Dreyfus won for HBO's "Veep" as best actress in a comedy series.

Host Seth Meyers kicked off the ceremony by tweaking his home network, NBC, and other broadcasters for being eclipsed in the awards by cable series and online newcomers like "Orange Is the New Black."

Noting that the Emmys moved to Monday night to avoid a conflict with Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards, he said that MTV doesn't really specialize in videos anymore.

"That's like network TV holding an awards show and giving all the trophies to cable and Netflix. That would be crazy," Meyers joked.

All eyes were on the telecast for more history to be made. Netflix's freshman comedy series nominee "Orange Is the New Black" and sophomore drama series contender "House of Cards" could score breakthroughs as the first online shows to capture top Emmy Awards.

Among other potential history-making wins:

— A victory for "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston would give him a tie with four-time best drama actor champ Dennis Franz.

— McConaughey, nominated for the drama series "True Detective," will join an exclusive club if he wins, according to awards historian Tom O'Neil, joining Helen Mirren, Helen Hunt, Liza Minnelli and George C. Scott as the fifth actor to win both an Emmy and Oscar in a single year. In March, McConaughey nabbed the best actor Academy Award for "Dallas Buyers Club."

— "Modern Family" could tie "Frasier" as the all-time sitcom champ with five statuettes if it wins.

— "Scandal" star Kerry Washington would be in a class by herself if she receives the best drama series actress award, becoming the first African-American to conquer the category.

Although the Emmys are about celebrating the best of TV, they also include "in memoriam" tributes to industry members who died in the past year. Among those who will be remembered: Robin Williams, with Billy Crystal honoring his longtime friend and fellow comedian and actor.