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The statues have been handed out. "Modern Family" swept. "Mad Men" dominated. But backstage, it wasn't all bravado from the stars of those shows, or any of the other Emmy winning programs. Below, check out how Julie Bowen, Kate Winslet, Melissa McCarthy, Martin Scorsese and more reflected on their victories backstage

Ty Burrell, winner, best supporting actor in a comedy, "Modern Family," on the show's pro-gay stance: "It feels very, very good to be on a show that seems like it's changing a lot of minds."


Julie Bowen, winner, best supporting actress in a comedy, "Modern Family," on how having children of her own influences her role as Claire Dunphy: "I think if I wasn't a mom, it would be harder to look at a child and understand how you can hate and love them all at once … There are times when I really wouldn't mind if there was a giant hook pulled [my kids] off the stage of my life." Jim Parsons, winner, best actor in a comedy, "The Big Bang Theory," on former "Two and a Half Men" star Charlie Sheen presenting his award: "He just congratulated me and said, 'That's awesome.' He was that sweet and that banal, I'm sorry to say."

Kate Winslet, winner, best actress in a miniseries or movie, "Mildred Pierce," on playing Elizabeth Taylor in a bio pic if asked to take on the role: "I would be honored. In the same breath I would say yes."

Melissa McCarthy, winner, best actress in a comedy, "Mike & Molly," on the beauty pageant inspired presentation of her award: "It was all Amy's idea. If Amy Poehler thinks something's funny, I'll do it. I don't want to piss her off."

Peter Dinklage, winner, best supporting actor in a drama, "Game of Thrones," on exuding a super cool persona and thanking his dog sitter: "It comes from being terrified on the inside. It's all a show. … I mentioned [my dog walker named Kitty] but not my manager or my lawyer or anyone who's actually responsible for me having this job. … It comes at a price, I think. My mom will be really happy about that."

Martin Scorsese, winner , best drama direction, on television being a more creative medium than film: "I think you really have an opportunity here now and I see it even maybe more so than what's possible with independent cinema. You have the opportunity here now. It depends on the vision … but you can do something extraordinary."

He is one of the greatest American film directors working, but on Sunday night it was the world of U.S. television that Martin Scorsese ruled over, winning an Emmy for directing drama "Boardwalk Empire."

The pilot episode of the series, which is set in 1930s Prohibition-era Atlantic City at a time when mob bosses ruled that seaside town, was directed by Scorsese, and if he had his way, the maker of "GoodFellas" and "Raging Bull" said he'd like to direct more.

""I've always dreamed of working on a project where the characters can develop over a period of time," Scorsese told reporters backstage at the Emmys. "You can develop plot, characters ... and get more done over a longer period of time. It gives you more license and much more freedom."

Scorsese, 68, had been nominated for Oscars, the film industry's top honors, seven times before finally winning for directing his 2006 hit "The Departed."

Yet even though he plays at the top of his game in film, he said it was nerve-racking sitting in the Emmy audience and waiting to see if his name would be called.

"I was extremely nervous," he said. "I must say it is something I never dreamed of. It's a different medium, although we approach 'Boardwalk Empire' as a film, a very long film. It's just as exciting."

He told reporters that the type of television dramas being made now on cable TV networks such as HBO, where "Boardwalk Empires" airs, were of a quality that directors like Scorsese had longed for back in the 1960s but failed to materialize on broadcast networks looking for the widest possible audiences.

"You have the opportunity here now. You can do something really extraordinary now. This is the time," he said.

Other Scorsese films include "Mean Streets," "Taxi Driver," "The Color of Money," "Casino," "The Aviator" and "Gangs of New York." He also has directed documentary films. His new nonfiction feature, "George Harrison: Living in the Material World," will premiere on HBO in October.