Charles Sobhraj

By AMELIA PROUD

Domestic bliss: Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell celebrated their on-screen marriage with matching trophies tonight at the Nokia theatre in LA tonight

Jane Lynch kicked off the 63rd prime time Emmy Awards with a musical extravaganza that saw her do battle with her Glee alter ego Sue Sylvester in a locker room.

But the school setting suddenly looked passe as it became clear that all the new laughs are to be had in the homestead as ABC's Modern Family hit the ground running.

Almost immediately after Lynch was hoisted by the chorus dancers in her silver dress - and apparently, Spanx underwear - the show's stars, director and writers were being called up to the stage at the Nokia theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

Scene stealer: Jane Lynch opened the show in some style

Over the course of the night the beloved comedy triumphed in the supporting actor and actress in a comedy categories, scored a win for comedy director and writers, then secured the biggie, outstanding comedy.

Mad Men was safe as the outstanding drama but had it's thunder stolen by ITV drama Downton Abbey, which airs in the US on PBS and scooped four awards.

Comedy Queen: Melissa McCarthy had all the pageant trappings for her win

But first Lynch aped Ricky Gervais, who later joined by video link from London, with an opening gambit that included a spiky reference to Katie Holmes's husband Tom Cruise: 'I'd say something to Katie Holmes but I'm scared of her husband.'

It raised barely a chuckle but luckily it was then straight into the action.

Handsome couple: Jon Stewart spoke for everyone when he praised the most attractive paring of the night in Rob Lowe and Sofia Vergara

Here comes the girls: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series nominees Tina Fey, Martha Plimpton, winner Melissa McCarthy, Amy Poehler, Edie Falco, and Laura Linney onstage

Two Jimmys', Fallon and Kimmel, presented the gong for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series after a predictably funny skit which saw them wrestle on the stage.

Julie Bowen from Modern Family scooped best supporting actress in a comedy, and thanked her two husbands - Ty Burrell on the show, who secured the equivalent honour in the men's category - and real partner Scott Phillips.

Burrell was presented the laurels by Julianne Margulies, who would later be recognised herself in the dramatic category for best actress.

Live from London: Ricky's message was jokily censored

Time to shine: Julianna Margulies and Ty Burrell were big winners on the night

'Oh, my God, I don't know what I'm going to talk about in therapy next week,' said a shocked-looking Bowen. 'I won something.'

Burrell spoke of his own father in accepting his best supporting actor award.

'I actually got kind of a late start in acting. My dad actually passed away before he ever saw me perform and I can't help but wonder what he would think about all this ... going to work in full makeup,' Burrell said.

Then Ricky got his chance to raise a sardonic chuckle, albeit from a distance of almost 6000 miles.

He started by saying that he's no longer allowed on an awards show after this year's controversial Golden Globes turn, before adding: 'Now when there's an awards show I'm not even allowed on American soil.'

Sisters are doing it for themselves: Katie Holmes grins as she hands Julianna Margulies her award

Big Bang: Jim Parsons of the geek chuckle fest was victorious after the early Modern Family rout

The creator of The Office then explained that his segment was prerecorded and that Fox bosses had threatened to edit out anything offensive so the crowd wouldn't know the difference, which was hilariously followed by a monologue peppered with euphemistic words bleeped over his diction

Then the director of Modern Family, Michael Spiller, was summoned to the podium to give an emotional speech following his honour.

Comedy writers for Modern Family Steven Levitan, and Jeffrey Richman, were hot on his heels.

Jim Parsons of the Big Bang Theory broke the trend by walking away with the metalwork for outstanding actor in a comedy, taken from the clutches of previous winner - a very contrite Charlie Sheen, who offered sincere best wishes to his old show Two and and a Half Man.

Victorious: The cast of Modern Family flood the stage at the end to celebrate their big win

Presenting teams: Anna Paquin and Scott Caan then Lea Michele and Ian Somerhalder roll up to announce winners

Sofia Vergara and Rob Lowe made a sizzling pair to reward the actress who most stimulates funny bones.

Bridesmaids star Melissa McCarthy was a popular winner for Mike and Molly, and was crowned in addition to her gong.

Moments earlier, she and her fellow nominees had broken with tradition by jumping up on stage as their names were called, led by Amy Poehler of Parks and Recreation.

After her name was announced they cheerfully handed McCarthy flowers to complement her crown.

'It's my first and best pageant,' she tearfully told the assembled great and good of the television industry.

Before adding: 'I'm from Plainfield, Illinois, and I'm standing here and it's kind of amazing.'

The Amazing Race was honoured in the reality-competition bracket.

The juggernaut that is Jon Stewart and his team were successful once again, and the man himself praised the genetic charms of presenting team Lowe and Vergara.

The new Two and a Half Men team, Jon Cryer and Ashton Kutcher, took to the stage to award the laurels for best drama writing, and made only a limp dig at Sheen.

Friday Night Lights scooped the writing props before Margot Martindale was recognised as best supporting actress in a drama for Justified.

Legendary Martin Scorcese got his hands on his first Emmy for Boardwalk Empire.

Game of Thrones favourite, Peter Dinklage, who plays the charismatic Tyrion Lannister, was a popular winner in the dramatic supporting actor stakes and thanked HBO for allowing the epic, bloodthirsty series to reach our screens.

Katie Holmes was a vision in blue as she honoured the best dramatic actress of 2011, Julianna Margulies, back on the stage again in her white column gown.

The night was peppered with hilarious sketches, including a Jersey Shore montage and celebrities applying for a job at Dunder Mifflin, including Kim Kardashian who sent herself up by not recognising the word 'work' during her interview.

Drew Barrymore escorted the new Charlie's Angels team Annie Ilonzeh, Minka Kelly and Rachael Taylor onto the stage, before making Kyle Chandler's night when he was announced as best male in a drama.

Lynch picked up steam as the night wore on, she told the audience at one point: 'Many people ask me why I'm a lesbian... ladies and gentlemen, the cast of Entourage,' before the suited ensemble of the HBO show strode cockily into the arena.

Britain's own Julian Fellowes flew the flag by taking home the spoils for best writing on a mini-series for Downton Abbey, and managed to get the word 'grandiloquent' into his acceptance speech, before Kate Winslet bagged best actress in a drama for the UK.