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55th Primetime Emmy Awards

Greetings and welcome to our live 55th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards coverage and commentary.

Garry Shandling was the first comedian to start the evening, joking about the set. He joked that because of the recall, there would be 139 Governors Balls after the ceremony. He also joked about David Letterman becoming a father. He then turned his wit on Sex and the City. He said that the show was ending because the girls had slept with everyone in New York. Who would they sleep with next? New Jersey guys? Sex and the Tri-State Area? Then, while talking about the Madonna and Britney kiss, Brad Garrett came out and planted one on Garry, who said "I'd like to tell CBS he's worth every nickel."

Friends's David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry came out, joking that with the show ending they'd be running for governor. They then presented the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series to Doris Roberts. Perry planted a kiss on her and she quipped, "That was worth coming up here."

Kiefer Sutherland handled the next category, Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. The winner: Judging Amy's Tyne Daly. Tyne said it was delightful to be on the receiving end of the award. She also thanked he co-workers on the show.

Wanda Sykes was the next comedian co-host. She joked that the show should be run by the people who care: the nominees. For example, Sean Hayes could do set design while Peter Boyle ran the cameras.

8:18 PM

Jon Stewart was the next comedian co-host. He mentioned the people that wouldn't be recognized. For example, the people that were no good. Or the folks in TV news who had now become "ratings whores". He said the first award would go to the cable news stations use of fear and speculation, showing clips of anchors asking how to make dirty bombs, how risky is monkeypox and the danger of "Hispanic Muslims." He also joked that if Schwarzenegger was elected governor, they "wouldn't be able to send someone back from the future to stop him." He then presented the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series to Brad Garrett. Garrett thanked the Academy and then suggested Jon Stewart hop on his back and they could perform a scene from Seabiscuit. He also thanked David Letterman and the other producers for not firing his ass.

Anthony LaPaglia and Poppy Montgomery were the next presenters, handing out the award for Best Director for a Drama Series. The winner: Christopher Misiano for The West Wing. He thanked many including his wife "who's currently in production with our first child."

Darrell Hammond, made up to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger, then said he was happy to finally be in a room big enough to hold all of the candidates. He asked, "Where's Gray Davis? He's probably at the governor's mansion passing laws, while I do the important things like put on a tuxedo and hang out with David Hyde Pierce and the cast of According to Jim.

Jeri Ryan then announced the winners of the guest star Emmy's that were handed out last week. She then introduced the winners, Alfre Woodard and Charles S. Dutton. They mentioned that the awards were being broadcast to tens of thousands of troops overseas. They then presented the award for Best Writing for A Drama Series to David Chase for The Sopranos. He started off by thanking their dysfunctional families and then wandered a bit, becoming the first winner of the evening to be played off by the music.

Best comedian so far tonight? I'd have to say Jon Stewart's segment.

8:38 PM

Time for Conan O'Brien, in a white top hat and tails, to sing "That's Entertainment". As he started, the director's voice asked him to stop since they were running long. "But we rehearsed for six weeks!" Telling a dancer that he wasn't sure if they'd get paid, he then presented the Best writing for a Comedy Series to Tucker Cawley for Everybody Loves Raymond. He thanked the other writers on the show but said "we'll keep this at my house." His laundry list of thanks was a bit long and he became the second person to be played off by the orchestra.

Wanda Sykes was next. She asked Bill Cosby why Ray Romano was presenting him with his Lifetime Award and not Nipsey Russell. Cosby didn't seem too happy with her. Neither did Larry David. When she made a comment about him showing up, Larry quipped that he wouldn't have if he knew she was going to speak to him. The segment sunk like a lead weight.

Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek were the next presenters, handing out Best Director for a Comedy Series. The winner was Robert B. Weide for Curb Your Enthusiasm.

8:52 PM

Ellen DeGeneres was out next. She joked that being a co-presenter was great. She only has to work for 90 seconds, she gets a gift basket and then gets to go to the after party and eat crab legs with Kim Cattrall. She then did a rant about spicy foods which segued into the award for Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety Or Music Program to Wayne Brady for his work on Whose Line is it Anyway?.

The American Idol judges then came out to look at the auditions for the accountants for the show. Ah, nothing like a real time-wasting segment.

Michael Chiklis the presented the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama to Joe Pantoliano for his work on The Sopranos. An emotional Pantoliano thanked his family. He mentioned that James Gandolfini told him on his first day that it was an honor and a pleasure to work with him. Joey said that "the last two seasons have been an honor and a pleasure for me."

9:05 PM

Bernie Mac joked that he was happy to be nominated, but he knew he wouldn't win. He was presenting the award for Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program. The winner: The Daily Show. Writer/star Jon Stewart accepted the award. Pointing to his all-white writers, he joked that diversity was important, pointing out one writer with a beard and another who wasn't Jewish.

Courteney Thorne-Smith and Jim Belushi then announced the nominees for the previously announced winners for Guest Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series. Though winner Gene Wilder couldn't be there, winner Christina Applegate came out to present the award for Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program to Glenn Weiss for directing the Tony Awards. He said that variety television was the best team sport he's ever been involved in.

Darrell Hammond came back out, this time doing his Donald Rumsfeld impression. He said that with Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Boy Meets Boy and Will & Grace, NBC is fruitier than Carmen Miranda's spare Easter bonnett. He then asked if the producers of Paradise Hotel send the tapes directly to the Smithsonian or launch them into space for aliens to learn from.

Alicia Silverstone and Rob Lowe then presented Steven Schachter with the award for Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special for Door to Door.

9:23 PM

Brad Garrett was the next co-host. He introduced the curvy blonde next to him as "Haddassah Lieberman". He then showed the gift basket given to losers: Scott Baio's TV Guide Award, the Caucasian's Guide to UPN, the first season of By Big Fat Greek Life - both episodes - and Tyne Daly's phone number.

Alison Janney then presented the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie to Ben Gazzara.

Wanda Sykes then bombed with another segment where she handed out awards to losers and then tried to get the audience to dance. I usually like Wanda but she's bombing tonight.

Eric McCormack and Debra Messing then presented the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie to Gena Rowlands, who wasn't there to accept.

9:35 PM

Dennis Miller was the next comic up. "If sucking up and air kisses were silver and gold we could pay off the deficit. He then showed some of the year's great moments. Like fathers and sons (cue clip of Jacko dangling his baby), great reporting {Larry King looking at Heather Mill's fake leg) and sports stars reaching out to young fans (shot of Kobe Bryant). It was then time for the award for Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series to The Daily Show With Jon Stewart. He thanked them and said it was "a great war for us."

Jeff Probst and Ryan Seacrest both poked fun at each other's shows. Probst said that the Idol contestants wouldn't last a day on Survivor, while Seacrest said at least their contestants had real talent. They presented the Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special to Cher - The Farewell Tour.

Wow. A painful show so far. I think the multi-host thing isn't working too well. There's no sense of a theme to bind it all together and the comedians aren't really given the room to warm up.

Bonnie Hunt was thrilled to be at her first Emmy Awards. She presented the award for Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special. She said she had never been in a miniseries before, but since most of the series she has worked on were cancelled mid-season, she sure knew the work schedule. William H. Macy and Steven Schachter for Door to Door. They had only written a joke acceptance speech since they didn't expect to win. They went ahead and read it anyway, thanking various networks that had passed on the movie, agents they had left, etc.

Sarah Jessica Parker presented the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie to William H. Macy for Door to Door. He called himself "the luckiest palooka."

9:56 PM

Up to bat now: George Lopez, who called himself "the Lopez you're not sick of." He said he was the perfect person to host the reality segment. He loved the first reality show Dukes of Hazzard, which "portrayed white people perfectly." He said he didn't see how hard Survivor was this year. They throw you off a boat with just the shirt on your back. "How do you think most Latinos got here?" He suggested they should have Survivor: East L.A.. The winner for Outstanding Reality/Competition Program was The Amazing Race. Jerry Bruckheimer and friends took forever to get to the stage and then did a short thanks.

Alias' Jennifer Garner and Victor Garber then present the Emmy for Outstanding Made For Television Movie to Door to Door. They're going to need a broom closet for all the trophies they're getting tonight.

10:09 PM

Edie Falco and James Gondolfini were the next presenters. They're gig was to present the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie to Maggie Smith for My House in Umbria. She's in England filming.

Damon Wayans then presented the award for Best Actress in a comedy series. He said that none of the audience was alive when the Emmy awards were first handed out and he earned some "Oooo's" from the audience when he said, "...except for Doris Roberts who was 53 at the time." The winner was four-time nominee, first-time winner Debra Messing. She was totally surprised to win. She said it was an honor and a thrill and a dream come true. She was totally giddy.

10:19 PM

The Academy's chairman, Bryce Zabel, said he thought the comedians were doing great tonight and asked for a round of applause...the response was a bit weak. This really has been an "Ouch!" show tonight. He then introduced Walter Cronkite, who received a standing ovation. Walter was there to pay tribute to Bob Hope. He paid special tribute to Hope's USO service. He then introduced a series of clips.

Ray Romano was on stage next to present the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award to Bill Cosby. He said that his first comedy album was one of Cosby's. After listening to it over and over he told his parents "I want to be a black comedian."

After a series of clips and testimonials, Cosby took the stage to a standing ovation. He thanked his wife who has shown him unconditional love for 40 years. He mentioned how he took his murdered son to the studio when he made Fat Albert and also paid tribute to the late Fred Rogers.

10:38 PM

Martin Short was out next he complained that he had lost earlier for Jiminy Glick...but he didn't care because he had an Oscar..."but it's only a Daytime Oscar." He then paid tribute to the losers with Paul Shaffer on piano. They then presented the Emmy for best actor in a comedy series to Tony Shalhoub for his great work in Monk. He was quite emotional when he paid tribute to his nephew who died suddenly this week.

Henry Winkler then came out to pay tribute to his friend John Ritter, whom he called a "life force." He asked everyone not to remember him for his pratfalls or goofy takes but for his remarkable versatility. "I know that he loved being your colleague."

Dennis Franz then paid tribute to other members of the TV community that had died this year, like Richard Crenna, Gregory Peck and Fred Rogers.

10:55 PM

Marg Helgenberger and William Petersen presented the Emmy for Outstanding Miniseries to Steven Spielberg Presents Taken. Producer Leslie Bohen accepted the award. This is the second year in a row that Spielberg's team has won this category.

Helen Mirren then presented the award for Lead Actress in a Dram Series. The winner: Edie Falco in The Sopranos. "Getting an award from Helen Mirren: where do you go from there," she asked. She paid special thanks to her fellow castmembers.

Moving right along, Ted Danson then presented Lead Actor in a Drama to Edie Falco's co-star James Gandolfini. Besides thanking his fellow castmembers, he thanked Brad Garrett for taking the heat off him, a reference to the fact that he too had a salary dispute earlier.

11:07 PM

William H. Macy, who's now a two-time Emmy Award winner, presented the Emmy for Best Dramatic Series to The West Wing. Aaron Sorkin thanked NBC for letting them do what they do and thanked his cast and crew.

Mike Myers said he was here for one reason - his love of television - and definitely not to plug his upcomg movie The Cat in the Hat. He then presented the last Emmy of the evening for Best Comedy Series to Everybody Loves Raymond. Philip Rosenthal thanked their families for inspiring the stories.

11:13 PM

That's all folks. G'night.

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

Outstanding 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 Nonfiction Programming (Single Or Multi-Camera)

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 Directing For Nonfiction Programming

Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Drama Series

Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Comedy 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 Nonfiction 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 Writing For Nonfiction Programming

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 Nonfiction Special (Traditional)

Outstanding Nonfiction Series (Traditional)

Outstanding Nonfiction Program (Alternative)

Outstanding Reality/Competition Program

Outstanding Sound Editing For A Series

Outstanding Sound Editing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Sound Editing For Nonfiction 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 Nonfiction 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