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Emmy Goes Door to Door; HBO Edges CBS Overall Door to Door, the story of an unassuming salesman who overcame disability, also overcame some high-powered competition at the 55th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 21. Its star, William H. Macy, won the top prize as lead actor in the TV movie category for his portrayal of Bill Porter in the real-life story of a door-to-door salesman which aired on TNT. He shared the writing Emmy with Stephen Schachter, and Schachter took home the directing award, one of six for the show. Everybody Loves Raymond wasn't far behind, with five Emmys in the program totals, including outstanding comedy series. Aaron Sorkin, creator of The West Wing, was given a warm sendoff by the cast of the winning drama series, a perennial winner, even though ratings have slipped recently. Sorkin has announced that he is leaving the show, which has monpolized the category with four Emmys since it became eligible year in 2000. "TV Guide doesn't vote on the Emmys," he said backstage. "I'm as proud of the shows we've done this year as every year," Sorkin said. "Nothing about this doesn't feel right ... "For four years, you made the TV series a playwright's dream," he told his colleagues. In the battle of the network and cable Titans, HBO accounted for 18 awards to edge out all three network in this year's prime-time competition, which included Creative Arts awards from a ceremony a week earlier. CBS collected 16, NBC 15, ABC nine and Fox, which aired the telecast this year, tied with PBS with seven. The Sopranos' Edie Falco and James Gandolfini both received their third Emmys for drama series leads. Maggie Smith as Mrs. Delahunty in My House in Umbria was outstanding lead actress in a miniseries or movie. And Debra Messing finally won her first Emmy after four nominations as lead actress in the comedy series Will & Grace. "It was a long wait, but it made the receiving of it that much sweeter," Messing said. Tony Shaloub, who plays the title role in Monk, won his first lead comedy series Emmy on his first nomination. Curb Your Enthusiasm was an odds-on favorite in the four directing awards, with four of the six nominations. The Emmy went to Robert B. Weide for the episode titled "Krazee-Eyez Killa." And Steven Spielberg Presents Taken, the three generation saga of alien interaction, won the second Emmy in a row for Spielberg as an executive producer of the outstanding miniseries. Last year's winner was Band of Brothers." Brad Garrett, outstanding supporting comedy series actor, smoothed over a well publicized contract dispute with CBS by thanking the network "for not firing my ass." And Gandolfini, who had also been through business travails with HBO, thanked Garrett "for taking the heat off me. I appreciate it." Romano left open the possibility that this season could be Raymond's last, saying a decision could be made in January. Although the 55th Emmys featured an all-star comedy lineup, executive producer Don Mischer worked in tasteful tributes to more than thirty giants of the industry who died during the past year. At the top of the list: Bob Hope, who was eulogized by Walter Cronkite in a surprise appearance. The legendary newsman was introduced by Academy Chairman Bryce Zabel. While John Ritter's career didn't span a century -- he died of sudden heart failure this month at age 54 -- he was singled out as an inspiration by several colleagues, presenters and winners. "I think John got by with one simple rule and that was to do your best and simply enjoy the journey," said Henry Winkler, who delivered the tribute. Bill Cosby received the second-ever Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, a small bust of the beloved entertainer who died at age 100 after a career spanning vaudeville, radio, movies, television and trips to entertain U.S. armed forces involved in conflicts overseas. And Cosby himself remembered the late Fred (Mr.) Rogers, who entertained and educated a generation of children. Doris Roberts, the Emmys' answer to ageism at age 73, won her second Emmy in a row for Raymond. "Seventy-three years old and still kickin','' she said. "There's hope for me." --Larry Gerber <<Back to Awards index |
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