'Breaking Bad' goes out on top at Emmy Awards

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- "Breaking Bad" is in blue heaven.

The AMC series -- about a chemistry teacher-turned-drug lord who rides powerful methamphetamine called "Blue" to wealth and pain -- concluded its triumphant run last year as one of the most-lauded TV series of all time: the story of "Mr. Chips turning into Scarface," as creator Vince Gilligan liked to describe it.

On Monday, the show received one more set of honors: a slew of nods at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards, including the Emmy for outstanding drama series.

The show won six Emmys total, second only to "Sherlock: His Last Vow's" seven among all programs.

Quick read: Full list of winners

There was some tough competition this year, notably from "True Detective," the moody HBO detective series starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson.

Bryan Cranston won the lead actor Emmy for his performance as meth king Walter White, beating out the Oscar-winning McConaughey, who was the subject of laudatory and humorous remarks all night long.

Bryan Cranston won the lead actor Emmy for his performance as chemistry teacher-turned-meth king Walter White. Among the actors he beat: Matthew McConaughey of "True Detective," who won an Oscar earlier this year for "Dallas Buyers Club" and was the subject of remarks all night long.

"Even I thought about voting for Matthew," joked Cranston, and then turned serious.

"My own family nicknamed me Sneaky Pete," he said, noting he didn't expect he'd find his niche. And then he found acting.

He then dedicated the Emmy to "all the Sneaky Petes of the world. ... Take a chance, take a risk. It's really worth it."

Aaron Paul got his third win for playing Jesse Pinkman, the sometimes undependable right hand of meth king Walter White (Bryan Cranston).

"I've learned so much, on screen and off," he said to Cranston, sitting in the audience.

And Anna Gunn, who plays Cranston's wife, won for outstanding supporting actress. She also won last year.

Full list of winners

Like Paul and Gunn, many of the other winners were no strangers to the podium.