On Saturday, Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad won for individual achievement in drama. Others nominated for the award included Jon Hamm of Mad Men, another show on AMC.  Cranston compared the two shows.

"One show has this incredibly handsome man. He's suave and sophisticated. And then there's Mad Men. I want to be sincere here…but I can't."

Left: Bryan Cranston as Walter White on Breaking Bad. (Photo Credit: AMC)

Right: Jon Hamm as Don Draper on Mad Men. (Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels/AMC)

Chuck Lorre, a sitcom veteran and executive producer of The Big Bang Theory took home the award for best comedy. "I prepared some thoughts but I'd rather speak from the heart," he said. "My heart was killed 20 years ago on Roseanne."

Not all of Lorre's programs have been critical favorites, which he acknowledged. "I know that my relationship with you over the years has been a little contentious, a little adversarial," he told the critics. "I am now and forever your slavish, toe-sucking bitch."

Jim Parsons, a Big Bang star, won for individual achievement in comedy. "Honestly, I liked you very much before this," he said with award in hand.

Parsons praised the writers on his show for elevating his performance. "Is it a symbiotic relationship? Only you would know. Only you would know if I used that word right."

Jim Parsons as Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory.

(Photo Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS)

Matt Weiner, whose show, Mad Men, won for best drama, confessed a lifelong addiction to watching TV, even to the detriment of his grades in college. "I got a D in college in a class called 'The Human Brain' and my father is a neurologist. It was because of Jeopardy."

Other TCA Award winners:

• Outstanding New Program — True Blood;
• Outstanding News and Information — The Alzheimer's Project;
• Outstanding Children's Program — Yo Gabba Gabba;
• Outstanding Movie, Miniseries or Special — Grey Gardens;
• Program of the Year — Battlestar Galactica;
• Career Achievement — Betty White;
• Heritage Award — ER.

Barry Garron is a freelance writer and TV critic who has covered the industry for more than 25 years for The Hollywood Reporter and The Kansas City Star. You can contact him at tv.critic@yahoo.com.