The hit US series Mad Men was among the big winners at this year's Emma awards, taking the title for best drama series. The show, set in New York's advertising world, started the evening with 17 nominations, while Glee, a musical series set in a high school, had 19. George Clooney was presented with a humanitarian Emmy for organising a "help Haiti" telethon. House star Hugh Laurie, who was among the top British hopes, came away empty-handed after Sunday's ceremony. The former Blackadder star had been the only Briton in an outstanding actor category. Mad Men won its third consecutive best drama series trophy. Series creator Matthew Weiner told the audience at the 62nd Emmy Awards in Los Angeles: "I knew one day I would run somewhere and win a trophy." Mr Weiner also claimed the Emmy for best drama series writing with Erin Levy. Glee, the musical-comedy that started the night as the series with most nominations, scooped an acting trophy for Jane Lynch and a directing award for creator Ryan Murphy. But there was disappointment for British names. Sir Ian McKellen and Michael Sheen had been in the running for an acting award for their work in The Prisoner and The Special Relationship respectively. Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith were also nominated for acting, for Cranford and Capturing Mary respectively. Laurie's Emmy nomination was his fourth for his role as curmudgeonly doctor Gregory House. He has already won two Golden Globes for the show - in which he has starred since 2004. Sheen's third outing as former British prime minister Tony Blair earned him his first Emmy nomination, for The Special Relationship. It is an account of the close working bond between Mr Blair and former US president Bill Clinton. Dennis Quaid, who portrayed President Clinton, was also up for an acting award. The film was written for TV by Peter Morgan, the screenwriter of The Queen and Frost/Nixon. Morgan was nominated for an award in the mini-series writing category. The Pacific, a World War II mini-series about the US Marine Corps had the most nominations, with 24. Source: BBC