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The biggest winner of the night was ABC's "Modern Family," which won five awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series for the second consecutive year. Another significant win was for AMC's "Mad Men," which secured the Outstanding Drama Series title for the fourth time, making it one of only three shows to have such a streak. Additionally, "Downton Abbey" won Outstanding Miniseries or Movie, concluding the night with four awards overall.

The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards took place on September 18, 2011, at the Nokia Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles, California. This ceremony celebrated the best in prime time television programming aired between June 1, 2010, and May 31, 2011. It was televised by Fox within the United States, marking the first time Jane Lynch hosted the Emmys.

The most nominated program at the 63rd Primetime Emmys was "Modern Family," which received 11 nominations. Other notable contenders included "Boardwalk Empire" with a total of seven nominations, while both "Mad Men" and "Downton Abbey" had impressive runs in their respective categories. The nominations were announced live on July 14, 2011, by Melissa McCarthy and Joshua Jackson.

The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony was viewed by 12.4 million people. This number was down by 8% compared to the previous year. Despite the decline in viewers, the overall event received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising Lynch's performance as the host but criticizing aspects of the production quality.

Major winners included: Modern Family for Outstanding Comedy Series, Mad Men for Outstanding Drama Series, The Amazing Race for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program, and Downton Abbey for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie. The awards were awarded based on performances and productions aired throughout the eligibility period of June 1, 2010, to May 31, 2011.

Among the memorable moments was Jane Lynch's opening number, which creatively parodied the TV show 'Rear Window' and featured numerous popular series, culminating in a dance number alongside fireworks. Another highlight was the innovative presentation style for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series award, where nominees participated in a beauty pageant-style walk, which received extensive praise for its creativity.

Notable presenters included A-list celebrities such as Jimmy Fallon, Julianna Margulies, Ricky Gervais, and Jane Lynch, each awarding characters in various categories. Their participation not only added to the glamour of the event but also provided a significant connection to popular culture, enriching the viewer experience.

The ceremony faced significant criticism, particularly regarding the decision to use non-traditional music orchestrated by Hype Music instead of the respective program’s theme songs when winners accepted their awards. Reviewers were overwhelmingly negative about this change, claiming it broke a long-standing tradition and detracted from the award experience.

Jane Lynch hosted the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, marking her first time in this role. The event was televised by the Fox Broadcasting Company, ensuring wide coverage and accessibility for audiences across the nation. Lynch’s hosting received positive feedback, with many praising her comedic timing and ability to engage the audience throughout the ceremony.

For the first time, the Outstanding Miniseries and Outstanding Television Movie categories were merged due to a decline in the number of miniseries produced. However, this merge was temporary as the categories were separated once again for the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2014.

Key acting award winners included Jim Parsons for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in 'The Big Bang Theory'; Melissa McCarthy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for 'Mike & Molly'; Kyle Chandler for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama for 'Friday Night Lights'; and Julianna Margulies for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama for 'The Good Wife'.

The In Memoriam segment was presented by John Shaffner, featuring 'The Canadian Tenors' performing the song 'Hallelujah'. The segment was extended this year, as executive producer Mark Burnett aimed for it to be a celebratory rather than somber reflection of the honorees, moving away from usual practices.

Throughout the event, the Emmytones provided short jingles to introduce various genres, performed by notable actors like Zachary Levi and Taraji P. Henson. However, the segment received mixed reviews from critics who deemed it unimportant, labeling it as a mere filler rather than a highlight of the ceremony. This underwhelming reception contrasted with the otherwise celebratory atmosphere of the event, indicating a divide in audience engagement with this specific segment.

During the 63rd Emmys, the music was provided by Hype Music, significantly diverging from the tradition where winners' respective theme songs played as they walked to the stage. This decision was met with overwhelming disapproval from both critics and Emmy fans who felt it disrupted a long-standing tradition, with some commentators labeling it 'one of the biggest mistakes in the ceremony's history.' Many reviewers described the orchestrations as universally disliked, prompting a call for adherence to previous customs in future ceremonies.

The opening number featured host Jane Lynch performing a pre-taped segment that creatively represented the television world as contained within a large building, inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's film 'Rear Window.' Lynch journeyed through various TV shows as if they were different rooms, encountering series like 'The Big Bang Theory,' 'Mad Men,' and 'Glee.' This satirical performance received a standing ovation and ended with a celebratory dance and fireworks, setting an upbeat tone for the ceremony.

The presenters for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Rob Lowe and Sofía Vergara, received particular praise for their dynamic pairing. Their engaging rapport contributed to the segment's success, as they effectively blended humor with the formality of award presentations. This chemistry helped enhance the celebratory tone of the event, showcasing the nominees in a fun light, which was appreciated by both the audience in attendance and viewers at home.

The In Memoriam segment was presented by John Shaffner and notably featured a performance by the Canadian Tenors singing 'Hallelujah.' This year's segment was extended to emphasize celebration rather than sorrow, reflecting the executive producer Mark Burnett's desire to honor the legacies of honorees in a more uplifting manner. The change in tone and the choice of song contributed to a unique emotional resonance compared to previous years, allowing the audience to reminisce fondly rather than mourn.

For the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series award, nominees were presented on stage in a style reminiscent of a beauty pageant, complete with pageant-like music played by the orchestra. Melissa McCarthy, who won the award, humorously remarked that it was 'her first and best pageant ever,' and the segment received widespread acclaim, with many critics labeling it the best moment of the night. The crowd even welcomed the nominees with a standing ovation, highlighting the segment's warm reception.