James Corden seals Allison Janney's Critics' Choice win with a kiss

The talk show host and the comedienne shared an awkward embrace before diving into a lengthy kiss as Allison collected the best supporting actress in a comedy series award at the ceremony in Beverly Hills.

Announcing Allison as the winner for her role as recovering alcoholic Bonnie in the comedy Mom, James said she was one of the best actresses he had ever met in his life and bowed down to her as she walked up on to the stage.

James tousled her hair and then backed away, while he bent over as he let Allison step up to the microphone.

Addressing the packed ballroom, the former West Wing actress said: “I didn’t mean anything by that except that I love this man so much. James Corden, you’re one of my favourite comics on the planet.”

Charlize Theron added some Hollywood glamour to the ceremony as she presented Seth Macfarlane with the Louis XIII Genius Award.

Dressed in a black gown with cut out panels at the cleavage and midriff and thigh-high split, the Mad Max: Fury Road star said: “Seth Macfarlane does not shy away from anybody and all that offending has made him one of the most successful writer/producers in the history of television and single.”

Collecting his trophy, the Family Guy creator said: “I don’t win a ton of awards so this will look great next to my soccer participation trophy from 1988.

“The word genius gets thrown around a lot and that is good because otherwise I wouldn’t be getting this, but even taking that into account, let’s put this into perspective.

“Being called a genius in Hollywood is like being called thin at Disneyland, this is not a bar that is all that high.”

Jeffrey Tambor was named best actor in a comedy series for his role as a transgender woman in Amazon Prime series Transparent.

Collecting his award, he said: “This is much bigger than me … I had an acting teacher who said when you act you have to act as if your life depends on it and now I have been given the wonderful gift of having a role where I have to act because other people’s lives depend on it.”

Amy Schumer won best actress in a comedy for her sketch show Inside Amy Schumer.

The best actor in a drama award was presented to Bob Odenkirk for his title role in Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul.

Admiring his gong, he said: “I am in a drama? I’m trying to get laughs! I poured myself into it, there was no other way to approach it.”

Taraji P Henson won best actress in a drama series for music show Empire. As she collected the award, she said: “I take a risk every time I take a character and boy, did I take one with Cookie.

“I thought either they will love her or hate her, I just have to play the truth. Hopefully they will love her for beating her son with a broom.”

Silcon Valley actor TJ Miller made an impression on stage as he collected the crystal gong for best supporting actor in a comedy series.

He took a huge swig of red wine and shoved food into his mouth as soon as his name was called so continued to chew long after he arrived at the microphone.

He told the crowd: “I thought I was going to lose so I ate a lot. I would say awards are for children because children need a tangible representation of their achievement, while adults settle for the respect and admiration of their peers, but what do I know?”

Better Call Saul actor Jonathan Banks took home the award for best supporting actor in a drama, while Orange Is The New Black star Lorraine Toussaint won best supporting actress in a drama for her portrayal of V in the Netflix series.

HBO drama Olive Kitteridge, which aired on Sky Atlantic in the UK, scored best limited series, as well as best actress in a movie or limited series for Frances McDormand and best supporting actor in a movie or limited series for Bill Murray.

Nightingale, an HBO film about a lonely war veteran, was nominated for best movie made for TV, while its British star David Oyelowo won best actor in a movie or limited series.

The final awards of the night were presented to Silicon Valley for best comedy series and The Americans for best drama series.