LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Modern Family” and “Breaking Bad” triumphed at Monday’s Emmy Awards, proving that established broadcast and cable fare retains the power to fend off challenges from upstart online series such as “Orange Is the New Black”.

The ceremony’s emotional high point came with Billy Crystal’s restrained and graceful remembrance of Robin Williams, who was found dead August 11, an apparent suicide.

“He made us laugh. Hard. Every time you saw him,” Crystal said of Williams at the conclusion of a tribute to industry members who died within the past 12 months. “Robin Williams, what a concept.”

ABC’s “Modern Family” won a fifth best comedy series Emmy, tying the record set by “Frasier,” while the final season of AMC’s “Breaking Bad” captured the top drama award and a trio of acting honours for its stars.

Netflix’s freshman “Orange Is the New Black,” which competed for best comedy series despite its dark prison setting, failed to sway Emmy voters, as did Netflix’s sophomore series “House of Cards”.

“Thank you for this wonderful farewell to our show,” ”Breaking Bad” creator Vince Gilligan said of the series about a teacher-turned-drug kingpin that ended with a bang.

“Modern Family” also captured a best comedy supporting actor trophy for Ty Burrell. Allison Janney was honoured as best supporting comedy actress for CBS’ “Mom,” adding to the trophy she’d already picked up as guest actress on “Masters of Sex.”

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who received her third consecutive best comedy actress Emmy for the political comedy “Veep,” drew big laughs as she stopped to exchange faux heated kisses with Cranston, who earlier was her co-presenter and who appeared with her on “Seinfeld.”

“The Colbert Report” was honoured as best variety series for its farewell season, with its star departing to take over for David Letterman on CBS’ “Late Show.”

Meyers kicked off the ceremony 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 specialise 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 — but the outcome proved him wrong.

Besides “Orange Is the New Black,” other shows that didn’t benefit from tactical category choices included “Shameless,” which moved from drama to comedy consideration, and “True Detective,” with its close-ended story that smacked of a miniseries.

The ceremony’s traditional “in memoriam” tribute to industry members who have died in the past year flashed images of stars including James Garner, Ruby Dee, Sid Caesar, Carmen Zapata and Elaine Stritch as singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles sang “Smile.” It concluded with the tribute to Williams.

Another touching moment Monday: Director-producer Ryan Murphy dedicating the outstanding TV movie Emmy won by “The Normal Heart” to the many artists felled by the HIV virus and AIDS.