LOS ANGELES: Melissa McCarthy won an Emmy on Sunday for her spoofs of former White House spokesman Sean Spicer on "Saturday Night Live" in television sketches that went viral

With slicked back hair and wearing ill-fitting suits, McCarthy played Spicer, whom she dubbed Spicey, as an enraged man who attacks the media, craves the praise of his boss, and rides a motorized speaker's podium.

McCarthy on Sunday was named best guest actress in a comedy series for her impressions. The star of "Bridesmaids" and "Mike & Molly" was not at the ceremony in Los Angeles to accept the award.

Spicer quit his post as White House communications director in July after six months of stormy encounters with the media that, along with McCarthy's sketches, turned him into a figure of ridicule.

NBC's "Saturday Night Live" went into television's Emmy awards this year with 22 nominations, reflecting the renewed popularity of the satirical sketch show and its most-watched season in 23 years.

Alec Baldwin also is in the running next week for an Emmy for his impressions of US President Donald Trump on "Saturday Night Live," while the show's Kate McKinnon has been nominated for her roles as losing Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton and Trump White House aide Kellyanne Conway.

On Sunday, "Saturday Night Live, which is broadcast on NBC, a unit of Comcast Corp, O>, also picked up an Emmy for comedian Dave Chapelle's stint as guest actor and host.

Awards for the major Emmy categories, including best TV comedy and drama series, will be handed out on September 17 in a televised ceremony hosted by comedian Stephen Colbert.

On Sunday, Alexis Bledel, previously best known for "Gilmore Girls," won her first Emmy for her guest role as the quiet but steely Ofglen in the dystopian drama "The Handmaid's Tale."

"I've been looking for something like this for a long time. I didn't know it would be so amazing, but I'm grateful," Bledel said.

Gerald McCraney, who plays a doctor with a heart of gold on family drama series "This Is Us," took home the Emmy for best guest actor in a drama.