John Lithgow’s Killer ‘Dexter’ Emmy Acceptance Speech Mistake

It’s good to be bad – just ask John Lithgow.

The veteran stage & screen star very deservingly took home the award for Best Guest Actor in a drama at the Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday, for his role as the maniacal “Trinity Killer” in Showtime’s hit series “Dexter.”

And while the win – Lithgow’s fifth Emmy of his career! – was certainly reason to celebrate, there was one small problem – he thanked the wrong network!

“I’m glad to have every chance to thank [Showtime CEO] Matt Blank and [Showtime President] Bob Greenblatt at HBO,” Lithgow said on stage at the ceremony in Los Angeles.

Following the show, Lithgow was made aware of his gaffe.

“I’ll never live that down. They’ll probably be taking this back now,” he joked with reporters in the press room backstage.

Prior to his big win, Access Hollywood caught up with the star on the red carpet, where he offered praise for both his co-stars and for the show’s writers for developing such a devious script for his Arthur Mitchell character.

“The ‘Trinity Killer’ was such an amazing character they created and such a wonderful piece of suspenseful storytelling, it just kept people wanting to see the next week’s episode,” he told Access.

Although Lithgow’s character met his ultimate demise at the hands of Michael C. Hall’s title character in the Season 4 finale, the star said he expects the show to carry its momentum into the upcoming fifth season.

“When a show can do that in its fourth season, it’s on its way,” he added.

When contacted by Access Hollywood, Showtime wouldn’t comment on the faux pas, instead offering their press release higlighting the network’s five wins from Saturday night, which included a statement from Lithgow, saying, “It’s great to get an award for a show that I loved so much. I want to thank Showtime.”

HBO also did not want to comment on the matter.

“Dexter” is up for Best Drama at this Sunday’s Emmy Awards, as well as Michael C. Hall for Best Actor in a Drama Series.