AMC’s “Breaking Bad” scored the win for best drama series while Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black” prevailed for comedy series at the fourth annual Critics’ Choice Television Awards.

The race between FX’s “Fargo” and HBO’s “The Normal Heart” is heating up thanks to each production nabbing key awards Thursday night during the kudofest at the Beverly Hilton hosted by Cedric the Entertainer. “Fargo” and “OITNB” lead the field overall with three wins apiece. FX grabbed a total of five trophies, followed by HBO with four.

Matthew McConaughey (pictured below) won the competitive lead drama actor heat for HBO’s “True Detective,” giving him momentum going into the Emmy race. The actor, who nabbed the Oscar in March for “Dallas Buyers Club,” was effusive in praising the quality of television and its advantages for actors. “Television is raising the bar for character-driven drama,” he said.

McConaughey’s victory and “Breaking Bad’s” win for drama series heightens the tug-of-war for kudos glory between “True Detective” and the now-departed AMC drama series.

VIDEO: ‘Fargo’ Star Billy Bob Thornton Talks ABout His Return to TV

FX’s “Fargo” took the win for miniseries and lead actor in a movie/miniseries for Billy Bob Thornton (pictured above). “Normal Heart’s” Mark Ruffalo was also up against Thornton in the category. “Fargo’s” Allison Tolman won for supporting actress.

“Normal Heart” won for best movie and supporting actor in a movie/miniseries for Matt Bomer.

Bomer, star of USA Network’s “White Collar” was emotional in his remarks, thanking his husband, PR maven Simon Halls, and “Normal Heart” director Ryan Murphy for helming the long-awaited film adaptation of Larry Kramer’s groundbreaking play chronicling the early days of AIDS epidemic. “To the generation we lost, I just want to say, we remember you and we honor you. This is for you,” Bomer said, his voice breaking.

Earlier in the night, Bomer and McConaughey shared a hug and caught up between the HBO tables in the ballroom, while McConaughey’s “True Detective” co-star, Michelle Monaghan, leaned over the balcony railing to animatedly chat with “Scandal’s” Bellamy Young.

Murphy was also feted with the Broadcast Television Journalists Assn.’s “Genius” award, amusing the assembled crowd by reading out a selection of negative tweets he received after his win was announced, and agreeing that he’s never considered himself worthy of the lofty title either.

After the show, Murphy was spotted embracing “The Walking Dead’s” Melissa McBride — who lost out on the supporting actress in a drama award — and praising her for her “amazing work” last season.

“OITNB” took two other awards, for supporting actress in a comedy (Kate Mulgrew) and guest performer in a comedy, for Uzo Aduba. Aduba thanked “OITNB” showrunner Jenji Kohan “for changing my life.” When Laura Prepon, Danielle Brooks and Natasha Lyonne later took to the stage to present an award, they arrived chanting Aduba’s name, admitting they were “so excited” for their co-star.

The Netflix dramedy’s stars were arguably the most popular (or at least the most accommodating) attendees of the night, stopping to take photos with a number of admiring guests throughout the show — as well as their fellow nominees.

“Orphan Black” star Tatiana Maslany beat higher-profile competition to score the lead drama actress win for the second year in a row.

Allison Janney emerged a double winner, nabbing trophies for guest performer on Showtime’s “Masters of Sex” and for supporting comedy actress for CBS’ “Mom.” She tied in the latter category with “OITNB’s” Kate Mulgrew.

“This has been an amazing year for me,” Janney gushed. “I love ‘Mom,’ I love Chuck Lorre.”

Jessica Lange won for lead actress in a movie or miniseries for FX’s “American Horror Story: Coven.”

Jim Parsons won lead comedy actor for CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory.” Julia Louis-Dreyfus of HBO’s “Veep” won for lead comedy actress.

Fox/National Geographic TV’s “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” bested entertainment-oriented competition to snare the best reality series win. “If you like ‘Cosmos’ you owe a great debt to Seth MacFarlane,” exec producer Ann Druyan said, noting his role in making the science docu series happen. “Cosmos'” Neil deGrasse Tyson also won for reality show host.

BBC America brought “Top Gear’s” enigmatic helmeted character “The Stig” to the ceremony, but the mysterious driver was apparently a sore loser, storming out of the ballroom in a huff when “Cosmos” beat the British import for the reality gong.

ABC’s “Shark Tank” won for reality-competition series. Exec producer Mark Burnett noted that the show is helping to inspire young viewers to start businesses. “This is a nation of small businesses,” Burnett said. Burnett took the award in the category last year for his NBC hit “The Voice.”

FX’s “Archer” overcame higher-profile competition to win the animated series trophy.

VIDEO: Bellamy Young (‘Scandal’) Shares Stories with ‘Breaking Bad,’ ‘Game of Thrones’ Stars

“Scandal’s” Bellamy Young and “Breaking Bad’s” Aaron Paul took the first wins of the night. Young won supporting actress in a drama series, thanking Shonda Rhimes for giving her so much material to work with on ABC’s Washington-based sudser.

“Breaking Bad’s” Paul won supporting drama actor for his work on the final season of the revered AMC drama.

VIDEO: ‘Breaking Bad’ Star Aaron Paul Offers Advice to His Fellow Actors

Andre Braugher of Fox’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” won for supporting comedy actor.

NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” won the talkshow category in an award handed out prior to the telecast that aired live in East Coast markets on the CW.

Before the show, talent, reps and critics mingled in the Beverly Hilton ballroom, enjoying treats courtesy of Yogurtland, Glenlivet and Absolut.

“Arrow” star Colton Haynes spotted “Goldbergs” matriarch Wendi McLendon-Covey backstage and unabashedly “fanboyed” over the ABC comedy, later admitting that he’d love to guest star on the nostalgic sitcom. “Trophy Wife” MVP Albert Tsai ducked into the backstage photo booth with a glittery hat and fake moustache, stealing the show in front of the camera as he often did on the dearly departed ABC laffer.

After the ceremony, guest performer nominees Carrie Preston and Sarah Baker crossed paths and wryly commiserated with self-deprecating declarations of “we lost!” — although both were overheard admitting that they were relieved to have dodged the bullet of having to get up on stage and deliver an acceptance speech.