These Emmy Awards are not a popularity contest

Thus the Emmys now reflect a TV world that keeps fragmenting into ever-smaller tribes. The huge investment made by the basic-cable networks has resulted in shows that win near-network-sized viewers -- most notably, TNT's cop drama "The Closer" -- as well as shows that win Emmys. It has seldom resulted in shows that do both. Because the basic-cable networks put on far less original programming than their broadcast counterparts -- typically, two or three hours per week, versus 22 hours weekly for ABC, CBS or NBC -- they can afford to be strategic in how they develop and market new shows.

Meanwhile, HBO -- which dominated the series categories during the glory days of "Sex and the City" and "The Sopranos" earlier this decade, but is in a fallow period with its drama series these days -- collected the bulk of its trophies Sunday for its movies and miniseries, such as "John Adams" and "Recount." And broadcasters, which have devoted more hours of late to inexpensive reality programming, have found themselves increasingly sidelined at Emmy time. The TV academy has taken pains to give the unscripted genre its proper due; indeed, "Survivor" host Jeff Probst, one of five Emmy co-hosts, specifically thanked voters for including reality series when picking up his trophy.

Sunday night brought several upsets that might have proved actually upsetting if viewers had more at stake in the outcomes. Bryan Cranston was nominated three times but never won as the dad in "Malcolm in the Middle," which looks destined to go down in history as network TV's last hit family comedy. Instead, Cranston won Sunday for "Breaking Bad," the little-seen AMC drama that aired a strike-shortened season of just seven episodes.

Likewise, Glenn Close won her first series Emmy for "Damages," FX's ratings-challenged legal thriller. That was maybe not surprising, although Zeljko Ivanek's victory as supporting actor certainly was. In his category he cruised past old hands such as William Shatner ("Boston Legal") and Ted Danson (also of "Damages").

Indeed, these days the Emmys sometimes look as if they are attempting to bestow "event" status on programs that might not otherwise capture that distinction. HBO's miniseries "John Adams" drew modest audiences and divided critics, but nevertheless won a record 13 Emmys. That's four more than the total for the ABC miniseries "Roots," a landmark TV event that riveted the nation for eight straight nights in 1977. Of course, that disparity may be partly because "Roots" came at a time when many other networks were competing to make long-form dramas. The same cannot be said of "John Adams."