Emmys 2011: Melissa McCarthy Pulls Off Best Comedy Actress Win (Video)

John Shearer/WireImage

No one saw Mike and Molly actress Melissa McCarthy’s Emmy nomination coming. And apparently as one of the nomination presenters, neither did she. But at Sunday’s 63^rd Annual Emmy Awards, she walked away with the statue over actresses that were clear industry favorites for the win above her.

PHOTOS: Emmy Awards 2011: Red Carpet Arrivals

All the nominees were called to the stage in a take on Miss America, which made it both fun and awkward to watch. When McCarthy was named, the women proved why they deserved the nomination: They acted like happy runner-ups.

In her acceptance, McCarthy thanked her colleagues and expressed her surprise at the win for something she enjoyed doing so much. “I come in to work early every day, because I love it so much,” the actress says.

Full Emmys 2011 Winners List

We can understand why the Academy would give her the award. McCarthy really made a show that seemed to start with a touchy subject like weight and made people feel comfortable with her performance enough to laugh with her about it.

The other nominees included 30 Rock’s Tina Fey, The Big C’s Laura Linney, Parks and Recreation’s Amy Poehler, Nurse Jackie’s Edie Falco, Raising Hope’s Martha Plimpton.

Did you agree with McCarthy’s win?

Full Coverage of the 2011 Emmys at The Race Blog