'West Wing' wins best drama Emmy

By Lynn Elber
Associated Press Television Writer

LOS ANGELES — "The West Wing," which celebrates the inner workings of a fictional White House, dominated yesterday in an Emmy Awards ceremony twice postponed by the real-world terrorism drama. The NBC series captured best drama series and seven other awards.

Actress Allison Janney embraces the Emmy she won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in the "The West Wing" at the 53rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles yesterday. Associated Press

The telecast tried to walk a line between celebrating television and respecting the difficulties facing the nation. It opened with a rendition of "America the Beautiful" and a soothing address from Walter Cronkite, and closed with a rare appearance by Barbra Streisand, singing "You'll Never Walk Alone."

The stars of the hit HBO series "The Sopranos" claimed the top dramatic acting awards. James Gandolfini won his second consecutive Emmy for his portrayal of tough, neurotic mob boss Tony Soprano, and Edie Falco, who plays his wife, won her second.

"Thank you to the people in the city of New York where I live. ... If you haven't been there you can't imagine what it's been like," Falco said. The show won four awards, including best drama series writing Sunday night.

Patricia Heaton of "Everybody Loves Raymond" claimed her second consecutive Emmy as best comedy actress and dedicated her performances to men and women serving in the armed forces. Eric McCormack of "Will & Grace" was named best lead actor in a comedy series.

NBC's "The West Wing" won the first three awards announced, including supporting actress for Allison Janney and supporting actor for Bradley Whitford. Thomas Schlamme won for directing.

"It occurs to me at this time how proud I am to be on a show that celebrates the process of freedom that makes this country great," said Janney of the White House drama.

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"What would bug the Taliban more than seeing a gay woman in a suit surrounded by Jews?" she said, drawing huge laughs.

The night, however, ranged from slapstick humor — DeGeneres and Martin Short as faux celebrity interviewer Jiminy Glick rolling onstage — to moments of reflection.

Following a video segment of people around the world expressing sorrow over America's tragedy, DeGeneres spoke for the Hollywood community: "To all of you around the globe watching tonight, from the bottom of our hearts, not just as Americans but as citizens of the world, thank you."

The twice-postponed Emmy Awards was stuck competing with the seventh game of the World Series. DeGeneres once updated Emmy viewers on the game, while Fox flashed Emmy winners on its baseball telecast. (The Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the New York Yankees, 3-2.)

Peter MacNicol was named best supporting actor in a comedy series for his role on "Ally McBeal."

A triumphant Doris Roberts accepted the comedy series supporting actress trophy for CBS' "Everybody Loves Raymond."

"Today's my birthday. What a gift. ... I'm 71 tonight and I'm kickin', honey," Roberts said.

"Malcolm in the Middle" garnered honors for director Todd Holland and for writing. In presenting the latter award, actress Jean Smart took a moment to pay tribute to producer David Angell who was among the airliner victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Smart called the "Cheers" and "Frasier" producer "an incredibly talented, incredibly kind person." His picture was displayed on a video monitor.

"Anne Frank" was named best miniseries and the award for best TV movie went to "Wit."

The lead acting awards for a miniseries or movie went to Kenneth Branagh for "Conspiracy" and to Judy Davis for "Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows." Supporting acting trophies in the category went to Brian Cox of "Nuremburg" and Tammy Blanchard for "Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows."

"Conspiracy" also won the miniseries or movie writing award, and "Wit" also returned a directing award for Mike Nichols, a winner at every major Hollywood awards show.

"Barbra Streisand: Timeless" won an Emmy for the actress and singer in the category of best individual performance in a variety or music program.

"Late Show With David Letterman" won outstanding variety, music or comedy series. "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" won the writing award in that category.

Celebrities arrived in an atmosphere more subdued than in past shows, as guards searched cars and police lined the red carpet.

While almost all of men had on suits — in keeping with the suggestion of wearing dressy business attire in place of tuxedos and gowns — many of the women wore gowns, with glitter and necklines that wouldn't appear in almost any workplace.

Joan Rivers commented several times during her pre-show interviews, which typically focus on fashion, that the women didn't follow the low-key dress code. When Sela Ward walked up to her in a low-cut black top, Rivers — herself dressed in a sparkly outfit — said: "Again! Not for the office!"

Officials promised unprecedented security at the Shubert, a smaller venue than the Shrine Auditorium where the show was originally scheduled.

Outside events would not derail the Emmys again, organizers promised. The awards were postponed from the original date of Sept. 16 after the Sept. 11 attacks, and then called off just hours before the broadcast Oct. 7, when airstrikes started against Afghanistan.

"The Sopranos" grabbed the most nominations in July, a total of 22, to 18 bids for "The West Wing."

But after September's creative arts ceremony, the NBC series had four Emmys in hand to one for "The Sopranos."

"Survivor," the CBS program whose success helped spur the reality series craze in America, was honored as best among programs in which the show's participants competed for a prize.

"American High," a documentary series about high school students that was dropped by Fox and picked up by PBS, received an Emmy for best reality program that didn't involve a competition.

Four acting awards for guest roles were given out. The winners were Derek Jacobi and Jean Smart for episodes of "Frasier," Michael Emerson for "The Practice" and Sally Field for "ER."

For best commercial, the award went to PBS' "Photo Booth" spot.