Emmys get underway with jokes about TV networks

Los Angeles: Emmy Award host Seth Meyers kicked off the ceremony Monday 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 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:

- If 'The Big Bang Theory' star Jim Parsons is crowned as best comedy actor, it will be his fourth Emmy and put him in league with Kelsey Grammer and Michael J. Fox.

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

- Matthew 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.