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54th Primetime Emmy Awards

It's September 22nd, 2002 and it's time for the 54th Primetime Emmy Awards. Awards in 67 of the categories were handed out on September 14th. We'll have results and commentary throughout the evening.

The telecast started with a pre-taped segment with Conan O'Brien sleeping in late at the Osbournes house and trying to get to the Shrine on time. Along the way, he has to put up with Ozzy trying to drive and ends up crashing the Price is Right studio by mistake.

When Conan came out, he joked he was pleased to be the first Catholic Emmy host and thanked the TV Academy for standing up to the powerful Lutheran mafia.

He also mentioned the 35th anniversary of 60 Minutes saying "It's hard to believe that those guys were once just in their late 50s." Conan also decided to implement some new rules. If a winner says "This really belongs to someone else", he'll take the award away and give it to them.

The cast of Friends presented the first award of the evening. Their awards were for Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress In A Comedy Series. The award for Supporting Actor went to Brad Garrett, the towering co-star of Everybody Loves Raymond. He hoped the award would break down the door "for Jewish people who want to get into show business." The Supporting Actress award went to Doris Roberts, also from Everybody Loves Raymond.

Using a telestrator, Conan then illustrated people's various seating locations including Powerful Hollywood Types, Parasites & Sychophants, Hangers-On, Gigilos and Pimps, the Gay Mafia, the Gay FBI, Black People who watch Frasier and Jerry Orbach's Posse.

Marg Helgenberger and William Petersen from CSI were up next to present Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series. The Emmy went to John Spencer of The West Wing. He was so happy that his fellow castmates were happy for him and he praised Aaron Sorkin for his brilliant writing. He said he loved acting and that winning the award was "deliciously redundant."

Robert Wuhl and Frankie Muniz were up next to announce the previously awarded Guest Actor and Actress Awards. The winners were Cloris Leachman and Anthony LaPaglia. The two winners then came out to announce the winner for Drama series writing. The winners of that award were Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran for 24.

Comedian Jon Stewart was out next to present the Emmy for comedy series direction. The winner was Michael Patrick King for Sex and the City. He paid tribute to his actresses, saying that "You are the muse for it all."

ER's Maura Tierney and Noah Wyle awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Dramatic Series to Alan Ball for Six Feet Under. Ball said he learned a lot from Sam Mendes, who directed his American Beauty script.

Conan then introduced the accountants who tabulate the votes and the FBI agents who were arresting them for cooking the books.

Heather Locklear and Simon Baker then presented the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series to Stockard Channing for The West Wing. She thanked show creator Aaron Sorkin, calling him "the sexiest man in Hollywood."

Conan decided that instead of cutting speeches off with the orchestra, he would instead frighten them off by playing Jethro Tull's Aqualung.

Bernie Mac then came out to award the Emmy for Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program. The winner this year was the writing team for Saturday Night Live.

Well, we're starting hour two. It's moving along nicely, but there's been nothing too exciting, though Conan's opening was good.

SNL's Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon then presented the Emmy for Comedy Series Writing. The winner was Larry Wilmore for the Bernie Mac show. He joked that he felt like Halle Berry. He said he was honored to write for Bernie Mac.

Up next, the stars of MTV's Emmy award-winning The Osbournes. They presented the Emmy for Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program to the Opening Ceremony Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games' directors, Ron deMoraes, Kenny Ortega, and Bucky Gunts. They were followed by Debra Messing and Will McCormack who presented the Emmy for Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety Or Music Program to Sting for A&E in Concert: Sting in Tuscany...All This Time. Sting was not at the ceremony.

Michael Chiklis and Jill Hennesey presented the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie to Michael Moriarty. They also presented the Emmy for Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special to Band Of Brothers and its directors David Frankel, Tom Hanks, David Leland, Richard Loncraine, David Nutter, Phil Alden Robinson, Mikael Salomon and Tony To.

Jean Smart and Dennis Farina then introduced the already announced winners of Dramatic Guest Actor and Actress Charles S. Dutton and Patricia Clarkson. They in turn announced the winner of Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie to Stockard Channing, her second Emmy win of the evening. They also announced the winner of the Emmy for Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special. The winners were The Gathering Storm's Larry Ramin and Hugh Whitemore.

Ray Romano was the next presenter. He was presenting Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series to The Late Show with David Letterman. The award was accepted by Barbara Gaines, who started off with Letterman 22 years ago as a receptionist.

ATAS head Bryce Zabel then introduced the first Bob Hope Humanitarion Award. Tom Hanks had the duty of announcing the first recipient, Oprah Winfrey. Pre-taped tributes included Jim Carrey, Julia Roberts, Steven Spielberg, Chris Rock, Celine Dion, Quincy Jones, Robin Williams and Tom Cruise. Oprah said nothing was more important to her than striving to be a better human being.

Conan then paid tribute to Ellen Degeneres' skill and grace at handling the hosting duties last year during a trying time for the country. Ellen then introduced the winner for Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special to America: A Tribute to Heroes. He thanked all the networks that joined together to broadcast this special event after 9/11.

Conan then decided to ask a "random" audience member how he was doing. He chose former sidekick Andy Richter. Andy read high praise from Conan off the palm of his hand.

The next presenters were Jennifer Garner and Kiefer Sutherland. They presented the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie. The winner was Albert Finney who was not there to accept. The secret agent presenters also presented Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie to the outstanding Laura Linney.

It's 10:15pm and Amy Brennerman and Jimmy Smits are presenting the Emmy for Outstanding Made for TV Movie. The winning movie was The Gathering Storm and the Emmy was accepted by the movie's executive producer, director Ridley Scott.

Two of TV's Presidents of the United States, Martin Sheen and Dennis Haysbert then came out to present the Emmy for Outstanding MiniSeries to Band of Brothers. While Steven Spielberg accepted the award, the audience gave a standing ovation to the veterans of Easy Company, who were watching from a nearby hotel.

After paying tribute to a couple of TV's pioneers, Filo T. Farnsworth and General David Sarnoff, Conan then introduced the annual memorial segment. Larry King then paid special tribute to Mr. Television, Milton Berle.

Garry Shandling then presented the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series to Everybody Loves Raymond's Ray Romano, the first win for the comedian. Ray thanked his fellow castmates and all the people (lawyers, agents, managers) who take his money.

Comic greats Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette presented the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy to Jennifer Aniston for Friends. Jennifer seemed shocked and overwhelmed to be the winner. She thanked her castmates, friends, and her husband, Brad Pitt.

Kelsey Grammer then presented the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Dramatic Series to Allison Janney of The West Wing.

Sex and the City's Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall and Kristin Davis then presented the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Dramatic Series to The Shield's Michael Chiklis. He was genuinely moved to win the award.

Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani then came out to present the Governor's Award. He paid tribute to the four major networks ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox for their coverage of 9/11 and their decision to band together to jointly air the Tribute to Heroes telethon. He also presented the Outstanding Drama Series Emmy to The West Wing. Creator Aaron Sorkin paid tribute to fellow nominee Alan Ball and his Six Feet Under, saying "If I was half the man, I'd Ving Rhames this thing right over to you."

It's 11:15 pm and Jay Leno was on hand to hand out the final Emmy award. The winner of the Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy is...Friends.

And the winners are...

Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour)

Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour Or More)

Outstanding Art Direction For A Multi-Camera Series

Outstanding Art Direction For A Single-Camera Series

Outstanding Art Direction For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Oustanding Art Direction For A Variety Or Music Program

Outstanding Casting For A Comedy Series

Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series

Outstanding Casting For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Choreography

Outstanding Cinematography For A Multi-Camera Series

Outstanding Cinematography For A Single-Camera Series

Outstanding Cinematography For A Miniseries Or Movie

Outstanding Cinematography For Non-Fiction Programming (Single Or Multi-Cam)

Outstanding Commercial

Outstanding Costumes For A Series

Outstanding Costumes For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Costumes For A Variety Or Music Program

Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series

Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series

Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program

Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special

Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Series

Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing For A Series

Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Picture Editing For Non-Fiction Programming (Single Or Multi-Camera)

Outstanding Hairstyling For A Series

Outstanding Hairstyling For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic, Multi-Camera) For VMC Programming

Outstanding Main Title Design

Outstanding Makeup For A Series (Non-Prosthetic)

Outstanding Makeup For A Series (Prosthetic)

Outstanding Makeup For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special (Non-Prosthetic)

Outstanding Makeup For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special (Prosthetic)

Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Dramatic Underscore)

Outstanding Music Composition For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special (Dramatic Underscore)

Outstanding Music Direction

Outstanding Music And Lyrics

Outstanding Main Title Theme Music

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series

Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety Or Music Program

Outstanding Comedy Series

Outstanding Drama Series

Outstanding MiniSeries

Outstanding Made For Television Movie

Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series

Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special

Outstanding Classical Music-Dance Program

Outstanding Children's Program

Outstanding Non-Fiction Special (Informational)

Outstanding Non-Fiction Series (Informational)

Outstanding Non-Fiction Program (Reality)

Outstanding Special Class Program

Outstanding Sound Editing For A Series

Outstanding Sound Editing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Sound Editing For Non-Fiction Programming (Single Or Multi-Camera)

Outstanding Single-Camera Sound Mixing For A Series

Outstanding Single-Camera Sound Mixing For A Miniseries Or A Movie

Outstanding Multi-Camera Sound Mixing For A Series Or Special

Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Variety Or Music Series Or Special

Outstanding Sound Mixing For Non-Fiction Programming (Single Or Multi-Camera)

Outstanding Special Visual Effects For A Series

Outstanding Special Visual Effects For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Stunt Coordination

Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video For A Series

Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series

Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series

Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program

Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special

Outstanding Voiceover Performance

Outstanding Individual Achievement In Animation