The telecast was lackluster, but for once, there was genuine drama at the Emmy Awards last night.
HBO's acclaimed crime saga, The Sopranos, came into the telecast with more nominations than any series and was heavily favored to dominate. But as the evening wore on, acting award after acting award went to the competition. In four major drama categories - best actor, best actress, best supporting actor and best supporting actress - performers from ABC series beat out the favorites from The Sopranos.
But then, in the final and biggest award of the evening, the series that rewrote the rules of TV storytelling won the Emmy for best drama. The crowd at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles rose to its feet as the program came to an emotional conclusion.
Up until then, however, it had been an evening of upsets and legends at the 59th annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
Tony Bennett, Robert Duvall, Helen Mirren and Sally Field were among the biggest winners, while The Sopranos managed only two major awards in three hours - Alan Taylor and creator David Chase for best directing and writing, respectively, in a drama.
In one of the most startling moments, James Spader of ABC's Boston Legal beat The Sopranos' James Gandolfini for the award as best actor in a drama series.
"Oh, my goodness. I feel like I just stole a pile of money from the mob," Spader said, seeming confused by his victory.
But the pattern had started with the first major award when Terry O'Quinn of ABC's Lost beat out Michael Imperioli for best supporting actor in a drama series. (O'Quinn is a former Center Stage cast regular.)
His victory was followed by Katherine Heigl of ABC's Grey's Anatomy winning as best supporting actress in a drama. The women she bested included Aida Turturro and Lorraine Bracco of HBO's The Sopranos, almost everyone's favorites.
"My own mother told me I didn't have a shot in hell of winning," Heigl said as she accepted the award.
Though not as much an upset, ABC's other victory over The Sopranos came when Field of Brothers & Sisters won the Emmy as best actress in a drama over Edie Falco. Taken with Ugly Betty's America Ferrera winning as best actress in a comedy series, it was quite a night for ABC.
HBO, which came into the telecast with more nominations (86) than anyone else, wound up having a solid night overall. Ricky Gervais of HBO's Extras won as best comedy actor, while Jeremy Piven of Entourage took home the Emmy as best supporting actor in a comedy. The premium channel also won for best movie with Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.
