Los Angeles - Mad Men, a riveting and beautifully crafted drama about a swanky New York ad agency in the 1960's, made television history Sunday night as it became the first basic cable show to win the best-drama Emmy.

A TV comedy about a TV comedy, 30 Rock, won seven Emmy awards, including the best-comedy award. It also garnered writing and acting prizes for its creator Tine Fey.

But the biggest success of the biggest award show in US television went to the HBO mini-series John Adams. The epic historical drama about one of the founding fathers of America, picked up 11 Emmys overall after receiving 23 nominations.

"I thank my parents for somehow raising me to have confidence that is disproportionate with my looks and abilities," said Fey, who received rave reviews this week for her spot-on impersonation of Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Alec Baldwin, Fey's co-star on 30 Rock, won the prize for best comic actor. Glenn Close won the best dramatic actress prize for her portrayal of a ruthless attorney in Damages. Bryan Cranston won the best male dramatic actor prize for his role in Breaking Bad as a teacher with a terminal illness who turns to crime to support his handicapped child and pregnant wife.

The award for made-for-television movie went to Recount, HBO's drama about the 2000 presidential election. The movie also won best director for Jay Roach.

"It's going to be close this election," said Roach on a night when the impending presidential election was never far from the forefront. "Vote, vote, vote."

Jon Stewart's The Daily Show, a satirical news show which pillories the political establishment won the best variety show award for the sixth year running.

But it was veteran comic Tommy Smothers who gave the most overt political statement when accepting an honorary award for his 1960's show The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.

"There is nothing more scary than watching ignorance in action," he said. "So I dedicate this Emmy to all the people who feel compelled to speak out and won't shut up and refuse to be silent."