`WEST WING' WOWS SERIES ON WHITE HOUSE SETS EMMY RECORD WITH 9 WINS.Byline: Valerie Kuklenski Staff Writer Whether it was because of the looming presidential election or despite it, NBC's White House drama ``The West Wing'' swept the 52nd annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday during ceremonies at the Shrine Auditorium The Shrine Auditorium is a landmark large-event venue in Los Angeles, California, USA. It is also the headquarters of the Al Malaikah Temple, a division of the Shriners. . ``West Wing'' entered the record books with the most Emmys in a single season, nine, breaking the record of eight held by ``ER'' and ``Hill Street Blues.'' Five were awarded on Sunday - best drama series, writing, directing, supporting actress supporting actress n → attrice f non protagonista for Allison Janney and supporting actor supporting actor n → attore m non protagonista for Richard Schiff Richard Schiff (born May 27, 1955) is an Emmy Award-winning American actor, known for playing Toby Ziegler on the NBC television drama The West Wing, a role for which he won an Emmy Award. - and four claimed in the creative arts awards presented two weeks ago. The political drama triumphed over its most serious rival, HBO's critically praised mob dramedy, ``The Sopranos,'' which had 18 nominations but won only one Emmy: lead actor in a drama series for James Gandolfini James R. Gandolfini (born September 18, 1961) is a three-time Emmy award winning American actor known for multifaceted portrayals of conscientious yet often inherently sinister characters. . ``I can't really explain this, except the academy has an affinity for slightly overweight bald men,'' said Gandolfini, with an apology to his fellow nominee, Dennis Franz Dennis Franz (born October 28, 1944) is an Emmy- and Golden Globe Award-winning American actor known for his role as Andy Sipowicz, a gritty police detective in the television series NYPD Blue. of ``NYPD Blue NYPD Blue is an Emmy Award-winning hour long-running American television police drama set in New York City. It was created by Steven Bochco and David Milch and inspired by Milch's relationship with a former member of the New York City Police Department Bill Clark (who .'' NBC NBC in full National Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. commercial broadcasting company. It was formed in 1926 by RCA Corp., General Electric Co. (GE), and Westinghouse and was the first U.S. company to operate a broadcast network. won top honors Sunday with 23 Emmys. HBO Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) A form of oxygen therapy in which the patient breathes oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Mentioned in: Ozone Therapy had 20 awards, then ABC ABC in full American Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. television network. It began when the expanding national radio network NBC split into the separate Red and Blue networks in 1928. with 15, Fox with 11 and CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) See cell broadcast. with seven. ``The West Wing'' had been a strong favorite going in but even the winning executive producer, Aaron Sorkin Aaron Benjamin Sorkin (born June 9 1961) is an American screenwriter, producer and playwright. After graduating from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre in 1983, Sorkin spent much of the 1980s in New York as a struggling, largely unemployed , was surprised by the sweep, praising his rival. ``Well, it's been said plenty of times before and it's worth saying again: `The Sopranos' is one of the greatest achievements in television,'' Sorkin said at the start of his speech. ``Will & Grace,'' the NBC comedy with two gay characters, was named top comedy series, and it won supporting acting honors for Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally Megan Mullally (born November 12, 1958 in Los Angeles, California, U.S.) is a three-time SAG and two-time Emmy Award-winning Irish-American actress, talk show host and singer, best known for her role as Karen Walker on Will & Grace. . ``As a gay man I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I think I've finally met a girl I want to sleep with,'' said executive producer Max Mutchnick. Michael J. Fox won best actor in a comedy series for ``Spin City,'' which he quit at the end of last season because of his battle with Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease or Parkinsonism, degenerative brain disorder first described by the English surgeon James Parkinson in 1817. When there is no known cause, the disease usually appears after age 40 and is referred to as Parkinson's disease. . A sentimental favorite to win, he received a standing ovation. It was Fox's fourth Emmy; the others he received for ``Family Ties.'' ``To you people at home, thanks. It's been a great ride and stay tuned. Thanks a lot,'' said Fox in a rapid-fire acceptance speech. Sela Ward appeared genuinely shocked to hear her name as winner of best actress in a drama series for ``Once and Again,'' beating out ``The Sopranos,'' Edie Falco, who won last year, and Lorraine Bracco. And comedy series best actress Patricia Heaton of ``Everybody Loves Raymond'' seemed surprised, too. ``I just want to thank God for thinking me up and my mother for letting me come out because life is really amazing,'' Heaton said. Janney paid tribute to fellow nominee and veteran actress Nancy Marchand, who played matriarch Livia Soprano in the HBO series. Marchand died of lung cancer lung cancer, cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States in both men and women. Like other cancers, lung cancer occurs after repeated insults to the genetic material of the cell. in June. ``I'm standing here for one reason: because of the sheer inspiration I've received from watching other actresses over my life, particularly in the theater,'' Janney said. ``Four of them are in this category, especially the exquisite, elegant Nancy Marchand.'' The evening's only other standing ovation came for Jack Lemmon, winner of best actor in a movie or miniseries for ``Oprah Winfrey Presents: Tuesdays With Morrie.'' The program also won best movie and supporting actor honors for Hank Azaria. The HBO miniseries ``The Corner'' won top miniseries, writing and directing honors. Actor Charles S. Dutton Charles S. Dutton (born January 30 1951) is a Tony Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning American actor and director. Biography Career In 1984, Dutton made his Broadway debut in August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom was behind the camera. ``There goes my acting career,'' he said. Halle Berry picked up an Emmy to go with her Golden Globe for ``Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. ``Wherever Dorothy Dandridge is right now, I know she is standing tall and proud and smiling. This has been an amazing journey in my life and this is a perfect way to end it. Thank you for fighting so I could be up here. And most of all, thank you to my community, the African-American community, who loves me, who lifts me up when I am down and who never lets me go. Thank you!'' Eddie Izzard picked up two Emmys, writing and performing in a comedy special for his HBO special, ``Eddie Izzard: Dress to Kill.'' New series ``Malcolm in the Middle'' also won two awards for writing and directing a comedy series. ``The Late Show With David Letterman'' won top variety, music or comedy series. ``Dave, if you're watching at home, looks like the fake heart surgery paid off,'' said executive producer Rob Burnett. Louis J. Horvitz won the variety special directing honor for the 72nd annual Academy Awards, which he accepted from the booth of the Emmys telecast he was running. The show, hosted by Garry Shandling, opened with a ``Survivor'' parody. On the island, Cheri Oteri, Arsenio Hall, Andy Richter and Schandling vie for the spot as host of the Emmy Awards. Later, Shandling joked: ``I think that real people should not be on television; I think it's for special people like us; people who have studied and trained to pretend to be real.'' The ratings for last year's Emmys were the lowest since 1990. More than 3,500 voting members participated this year - nearly three times as many as last year's total. Backstage much of the talk was about a possible actors strike in November. Many participants wore gold ribbons signifying solidarity with the strike commercial actors. ``Well, the (commercial actors') strike is going to be important. I support it fully,'' said ``The West Wing's'' Schiff. ``It's a precursor to another one. I really believe it's going to be a long and painful strike.'' CAPTION(S): 9 photos Photo: (1 -- color) The cast gathers after ``The West Wing'' was named Outstanding Drama Series. ``The West Wing'' won a record nine Emmys on Sunday night. (2 -- color) BEST ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES Sela Ward, ``Once and Again'' (3 -- color) BEST ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES James Gandolfini, ``The Sopranos'' (4 -- color) BEST ACTRESS, COMEDY SERIES Patricia Heaton, ``RAYMOND'' (5 -- color) BEST ACTOR, COMEDY SERIES Michael J. Fox, ``Spin City'' (6) OUTSTANDING ACTRESS MINISERIES or MOVIE Halle Berry, ``Introducing Dorothy Dandridge'' (7) OUTSTANDING ACTOR MINISERIES or MOVIE Jack Lemmon, ``Tuesdays With Morrie'' (8 -- 9) The cast from ``Will & Grace'' celebrate after winning the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, above. Left, Richard Schiff and Allison Janney show off their Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress in a Dramatic Series for ``The West Wing.'' Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer |
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