She was joined onstage by her fellow nominees, including the likes of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who broke with Emmy tradition by taking the stage en masse when their names were announced and forming a line not unlike a beauty contest. When McCarthy's name was announced, they all hugged her, gave her a bouquet of roses and put a tiara top her head. "Holy Smokes. Wow," said a beaming McCarthy onstage.

"This is my first and best pageant ever." On "Mike & Molly," the 41-year-old actress plays a teacher who finds romance with a man she meets at a self-help group for overeaters. The series has been widely lauded for putting heavy-set actors in lead roles in a marked contrast from typical skinny Hollywood stars.

The CBS series marks the first time McCarthy has stepped up from her supporting roles on TV shows like "The Gilmore Girls and "Samantha Who?" to take a lead role.