Behind the Candelabra wins at Creative Arts Emmys

Michael Douglas and Matt Damon co-star in Behind the Candelabra

Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra has won eight awards at the Creative Arts Emmys, which celebrate artistic and technical achievement.

Among its haul were awards for casting, art direction, hairstyling, sound mixing, cinematography and costumes.

The TV movie made by US cable broadcaster HBO premiered in Cannes earlier this year.

It stars Michael Douglas as the flamboyant pianist with Matt Damon playing the part of his secret partner.

The Creative Arts Emmys are a precursor to the primetime Emmys which take place next weekend.

Bob Newhart, whose career stretches back more than five decades, cried as he finally captured his first Emmy award.

Newhart was honoured for his guest role on The Big Bang Theory as Professor Proton, a former host of a children's science show.

The 84-year-old has been nominated six times before - his first nomination came in 1961 when his variety series, The Bob Newhart Show, earned a writing bid.

"This is my seventh shot at this... I just love this very much,'' he told the audience, who gave him a standing ovation.

His character will return to the series: "Yes. I think we're doing two more.... in October we're doing the next one, and they just handed me a great script. I keep saying, 'They kept giving me hanging curve balls and I keep swinging at them.'"

Other winners for guest actors included Melissa Leo for the sitcom Louie, Dan Bucatinsky for Scandal and Carrie Preston for The Good Wife.

Another HBO show, Boardwalk Empire, picked up four awards, while NBC's Saturday Night Live also won four.

CBS's Undercover Boss won top reality programme.

Netflix's original drama House of Cards picked up two Emmys for casting and cinematography.

Behind the Candelabra will compete for seven more awards at the primetime Emmys on Sunday.

Other winners included South Park: Raising the Bar for best animated programme.