A miniseries filmed in Alberta emerged the biggest winner at the Creative Arts Emmys, capturing five trophies, while a fake music video featuring a male part became the story of the evening.

The gala, held to honour technical, makeup and costume work in television, was held in Los Angeles Saturday night and had a few surprises.

Singer Justin Timberlake, seen here at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards in New York, won an Emmy for a fake music video created with Saturday Night Live member Andy Samberg.
(Jeff Christensen/Associated Press)

The biggest one was the off-colour Saturday Night Live video Dick in a Box — a fake video performed by Justin Timberlake and cast member Andy Samberg — winning in the original music and lyrics category.

"I think it's safe to say that when we first set out to make this song, we were all thinking, 'Emmy!'" said Samberg in his acceptance speech. The comedian joked that he wanted to give "up-and-comer" Timberlake a break by letting him perform.

Samberg's show also picked up an award for best original music.

The other big story of the evening was Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, which went in with 17 nominations. The series won for outstanding makeup, outstanding single-camera picture editing, outstanding sound mixing, outstanding sound editing and outstanding cinematography for a miniseries or special.

The movie chronicles the story of aboriginal people in the United States during the days of Sitting Bull and Gen. George Custer. Filmed in Alberta, it stars Canadian actors Adam Beach and August Schellenberg and was directed by Quebec-born Yves Simoneau.

American Idol ends 6-year Emmy drought

The popular American Idol singing contest clinched its first Emmy in six years, capturing the award for outstanding technical direction for a special featuring Céline Dion.

The Discovery series Planet Earth took home four awards including outstanding nonfiction series and best sound editing in nonfiction programming.

The NBC special Tony Bennett: An American Classic also took four trophies, including in the choreography and art direction in a variety program categories.

'A lot of people come here and thank Jesus for this. He had nothing to do with this.'—Comedian Kathy Griffin accepting an award

Spike Lee's documentary on the post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans, When the Levees Broke: a Requiem in Four Acts, nabbed three awards including a directing trophy.

Other winners include South Park in the animated series category and Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List for best reality program.

"A lot of people come here and thank Jesus for this. He had nothing to do with this," said Griffin.

Other honours handed out at the 59th annual Creative Arts Emmys include guest acting awards.

Broadway old-timer Elaine Stritch won the comedy division for guest-starring in 30 Rock as Alec Baldwin's mother while Leslie Caron won for her portrayal of an elderly rape victim on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Caron, who had been a mainstay of many movies during the 1950s including An American in Paris and Gigi, said she was touched by the win.

"I think I was nominated in 1951 for the most promising newcomer. I'm glad I finally realized my potential," said the 76-year-old French-born actress.

The major acting and directing awards for the Primetime Emmys will be unveiled Sept. 16.

With files from the Associated Press