For the fourth time, the outgoing incumbent Breaking Bad took the trophy for outstanding drama series at the 2014 Primetime Emmys, while Modern Family claimed its fifth Emmy in a row for best comedy series.

The two veteran shows have also repeated their triumphs in other important categories.  Breaking Bad’s lead, Bryan Cranston, earned a fourth best actor Emmy for playing Walter White, while his co-stars, Anna Gunn and Aaron Paul repeated their victories in the best supporting actor and supporting actress categories respectively. The show’s writer, Moira Walley collected the best writing Emmy for a drama.

Meanwhile, Modern Family scooped the best comedy director award for Gail Mancuso, and a second supporting-actor Emmy for Ty Burrell.

And for the fourth time, Jim Parsons collected the Emmy for the best actor in a comedy series.

In spite of snubbing her show, The Good Wife, in the best drama category, veteran Emmy winner Julianna Margulies was not forgotten by the Academy voters, who bestowed on her a second trophy for best actress in drama, while the Emmy for best actress in comedy went to Julia louis-Dreyfus, for the a third consecutive time.

Topping the supporting-actress in comedy category for Mom  and guest star category for Masters of Sex, the former West Wing star Allison Janney scooped her sixth Emmy.

Having won the best supporting actress in mini-series category last year for her role in American Horror Story, Jessica Lange took the trophy for best lead actress for the same show, while this year’s supporting actress trophy was bestowed on her co star, Kathy Bates.

Evidently, Emmy voters are too fond of former favourites, and not very keen on newcomers, overlooking major hopefuls such as Orange is The New Black, Derek and True Detective. The later, however, did score a best director win for Cary Joji Fukunaga, but was snubbed in the acting category, where its star Matthew McConaughey, who won an Oscar earlier this year, was widely expected to take the Emmy last night.

Another new show, Fargo, was sent home with only one trophy: best mini series, while Normal Heart scored two: best TV movie and best directing for Ryan Murphy. Fargo’s lead actor Billy Bob Thornton, who was a frontrunner in the best actor in mini-series category, lost to Benedict Cumberbatch, who snatched the award for his role in Sherlock, which has surprisingly scooped two more awards: best supporting actor in a mini-series or movie for Martin Freeman and best writer for Steven Moffat. Both Freeman and Cumberbatch were not able to attend the show.

As always, a lot has been said about the surprises and the snubs of last night, but the Emmys are not known for discovering a new talent or new shows. Like in past years, the majority of last night winners were former winners. The newcomers have to wait for next Golden Globe awards for some much needed attention and recognition.