HBO usually picks up a bunch of Emmys for its critically feted, ambitious miniseries, and tonight's ceremony was no different: Olive Kitteridge cleaned up. The four-hour character study based on Elizabeth Strout's 2008 novel dominated the show's middle section by winning six Emmys. (Five of its awards were presented live.) Jane Anderson won first for writing the show; Lisa Cholodenko won for its direction; Frances McDormand and Richard Jenkins won for their lead performances as the Kitteridges; and the series itself capped the run off by winning the award for Outstanding Miniseries.

HBO will be thrilled with the sweep, as it marks the network's return to pole position in the category — FX's Fargo beat out the final season of Treme for the award last year. By the time Olive Kitteridge won its last award, its creators and actors didn't seem quite as excited: their walk up to the stage was brisk, and McDormand's summative speech was concise above all else. Their arms must've been tired too — they have a lot of statues to carry.