Los Angeles - UPI
The 2014 Emmy Awards ceremony has begun in Los Angeles with comedian Seth Meyers serving as host of the American television industry's biggest night.
The medieval fantasy series Game of Thrones went into the race with a leading 19 nominations, followed by the crime dramedy Fargo with 18 nods and the witch-themed American Horror Story: Coven with 17.
Among the A-list celebrities up for Emmys this year are Lizzy Caplan, Don Cheadle, Louis CK, Bryan Cranston, Claire Danes, Jeff Daniels, Michelle Dockery, Lena Dunham, Edie Falco, Ricky Gervais, Jon Hamm, Woody Harrelson, Matthew LeBlanc, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, William H. Macy, Julianna Margulies, Melissa McCarthy, Matthew McConaughey, Jim Parsons, Amy Poehler, Taylor Schilling, Kevin Spacey, Kerry Washington and Robin Wright.
In the running for Best Drama Series are Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, House of Cards, Mad Men and True Detective.
Shortlisted for Best Comedy Series are The Big Bang Theory, Louie, Modern Family, Orange is the New Black, Silicon Valley and Veep.
In addition to the presentation of well-earned prizes, the evening is also expected to feature comedian Billy Crystal's tribute to Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams, who committed suicide this month after years of battling depression and drug addiction. He was 63.