NBC began the ceremony at 8 PM EST. Comedian and SNL alum Seth Myers hosted the live broadcast.
Broadway and the theatre community were well represented in the nominations, and also well represented in the winner's circle.
As previously announced, Creative Arts Emmy Awards were given out Aug. 16. Winners included stage veteran , "The Sound of Music Live!," stage veteran for "Scandal," and for their song "Bigger" at the 67th Annual Tony Awards and , who plays Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren in "Orange Is The New Black."
The first award of the live broadcast was presented to ("Modern Family") who was presented with the Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Though known for his role as Phil Dunphy on the award-winning series, he is a stage veteran, having appeared on Broadway in Macbeth and throughout the regions at some of the largest theatres in the country.
"" won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie - the film was the sixteen-time-nominated - and director urged America's youth, "to become Larry Kramers...[and] to find a cause," in a moving acceptance speech. The Emmy for Variety Special Directing was presented to for the 67th Annual Tony Awards, amongst several other stage-related programs nominated. Weiss thanked his Tony host, in his acceptance speech, which he delivered while live directing the Emmy broadcast. For best supporting actress in a comedy series, the primetime Emmy was presented to stage veteran Allison Janney, earning her sixth career Emmy and second Emmy win of this season for her role on the show, "Mom." Janney is a Broadway regular, having appeared on Broadway in , and .
Broadway's LBJ, (), presented the Emmy Award for Lead Actor in a Comedy to of "The Big Bang Theory" - and an original cast member of the Broadway productions of The Normal Heart and , who thanked his late father for encouraging his career from the beginning.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries was presented to for "American Horror Story" - Bates has appeared on Broadway several times, most recently in the 1983 production of 'Night Mother - .
Outstanding Leading Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie was presented to , most recently seen on Broadway in 2005's , for "American Horror Story: Coven."
Other highlights from the broadcast included recording artist Weird Al Yankovic's comedic sitcom theme-song medley, the In Memoriam tribute with song from and 's personal tribute to the late .