The historical miniseries "John Adams," the comedy "30 Rock" and drama "Mad Men" were the big winners at the 60th annual Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday night in Los Angeles.

"Mad Men" took the Best Dramatic series Emmy in its first year, while "30 Rock" repeated its Best Comedy Series feat from last year. The sitcom also earned Best Actor and Best Actress Emmys for Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey, respectively.

"We're all so very grateful to have jobs in this turkey-burger economy," Fey said.

Baldwin complimented his co-star in his acceptance speech, calling Fey, who also won a writing Emmy, "the Elaine May of her generation."

Glenn Close took the Best Dramatic Actress Emmy for "Damages," while Bryan Cranston pulled an upset for Best Dramatic Actor for "Br eaking Bad."

The Emmy ceremony had a distinct political feel Sunday, partly because of the pending presidential election, and partly because of the nature of the miniseries nominees.

Chief among them was "John Adams," which took Emmys for Best Miniseries, Best Actor for Paul Giamatti, Best Actress for Laura Linney and Best Supporting Actor for Tom Wilkinson.

"The election between Jefferson and Adams was filled with innuendo, lies and bitter partisan press and dis-information; how great we've come so far since then," said executive producer Tom Hanks.

In accepting his Emmy for Best Writing for "John Adams," Kirk Ellis took an indirect swipe at the current presidential administration.

"It's amazing opportunity to talk about a period in our history where articulate men, articulated complex thoughts in complete sentences," writer Kirk Ellis said.

The political drama "Recount," which chronicled the controversial president recount vote in Florida for the 2000 presidential election, also earned a Best Television Movie honors and a Best Director Emmy for Jay Roach.

Tommy Smothers, who was presented a Lifetime Achievement Emmy for comedy writing, accepted his statuette with a serious, politically-themed message.

"Freedom of speech and freedom of expression aren't important unless they're heard," Smothers said. "So the freedom of hearing is just as the freedom of speaking. It's hard for me to stay silent when I keep hearing that peace is only attainable through war -- and there's nothing more scary than watching ignorance in action."

Smothers dedicated the award to "the people who feel compelled to speak out and not afraid to speak to power."

Jeremy Piven won his third consecutive Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for "Entourage," while Jean Smart took Best Supporting Comedy Actress for "Samantha Who?" Zeljko Ivanek won a Best Supporting Actor in a Drama for "Damages," followed by a win by Dianne Wiest for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for "In Treatment."

The Emmys were co-hosted by the five nominees in competition for Best Reality Program Host: Tom Bergeron, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Ryan Seacrest and Jeff Probst. In "American Idol"-like finalist fashion, presenter Jimmy Kimmel gave the award to "Survivor" host Probst.

The Emmys celebrated its 60th anniversary with a big tip of the hat to the past.

Sets from television classics were recreated for the ceremony, featuring some of today's stars inside of them.

Co-hosts Tom Bergeron and Ryan Seacrest took the first trip to the past by sitting in the famous "Seinfeld" diner, and proceeding to show a clip from the infamous episode "The Contest." Other sets featured throughout the night included "M*A*S*H," "Laugh In," "The Simpsons," "The West Wing" and "Mary Tyler Moore."