Friends, West Wing take top Emmy honors

LOS ANGELES -- The White House drama "The West Wing" won its third consecutive Emmy as best drama series Sunday and "Friends" was honored as best comedy for the first time in its eight years on the air.

"I'm just as surprised as you are," Aaron Sorkin, creator of "The West Wing," said in accepting the Emmy. The show also produced acting Emmy winners in Allison Janney, John Spencer and Stockard Channing.

In comedy, the Emmys loved "Everybody Loved Raymond" with acting awards going to Ray Romano, Brad Garrett and Doris Roberts.

But "Friends," entering what is expected to be its final season as the most popular comedy on TV, won best series. Jennifer Aniston won best actress, the ensemble's first major acting award.

"This is so amazing, after eight years and the last three hours and 10 minutes. This is so worth the wait," said David Crane, executive producer of "Friends."

In a year when some critics thought edgy fare would win, only Michael Chiklis' best actor award for FX's "The Shield" broke the mold. HBO's undertaker drama, "Six Feet Under," earned 23 nominations but was nearly shut out, with one directing award.

Janney, who plays the president's press secretary in "The West Wing," won the best actress Emmy after winning the past two years as supporting actress in the same role.

"No way. Thank you to the Emmy voters for this promotion," said Janney.

Spencer, who plays the chief of staff, and Channing, who plays the first lady, won the drama series supporting acting Emmys.

When Romano won, he referred to an earlier comment that his parents said they would visit him each year during the Emmys until he won.

"Mom and Dad, we're going right to the airport ... I'm kidding, of course. This is only special because you're here tonight," he said as he accepted the award for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series.

Garrett, who plays Romano's brother, and Roberts, who plays Romano's meddling mother, both joked about their awards. The 71-year-old Roberts said, "This is what happens when you're young and sexy."

Deadpanned Garrett: "I just hope that this award breaks down the door for Jewish people who are trying to get into show business."

A puckish Larry Wilmore won the award for best writing in a comedy series for "Bernie Mac."

"I feel like Halle Berry," the black writer said, mimicking Berry's weepy Oscar acceptance speech earlier this year.

Host Conan O'Brien opened the show with dubious help from rocker Ozzy Osbourne and his family, who joined in a skit in which they dressed O'Brien in outrageous Osbourne fashion and rushed him to the awards, only to mistakenly put him on the set of "The Price is Right" instead of the Shrine Auditorium.

MTV's "The Osbournes" received the best reality series Emmy at an earlier ceremony. The family, who gathered onstage as presenters, let mom Sharon Osbourne do the talking.

"On a personal note, I want to thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. It means a lot to me," she said. Mrs. Osbourne is undergoing treatment for colon cancer.

Sunday's event contrasted with last year's somber, post-Sept. 11 ceremony, when participants dressed down. The fashion parade of arriving stars showed that glamour and revealing gowns were back this year.

"The Gathering Storm" was named best TV movie and Albert Finney was honored as best lead actor in a miniseries or movie for his portrayal of Winston Churchill. It also won a writing Emmy.

Laura Linney was named best lead actress in a miniseries or movie for "Wild Iris." In the same category, Michael Moriarty was honored as supporting actor for "James Dean," and Channing, winning her second award of the night, won best supporting actress for "The Matthew Shepard Story."

"Band of Brothers," a sweeping World War II epic, was honored as best miniseries.

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey received the inaugural Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, honoring philanthropic efforts, from presenter Tom Hanks. Comedian Hope spent decades entertaining U.S. troops.

"There really is nothing more important to me than striving to be a good human being," Winfrey said, acknowledging Hope, 99, and his wife watching at home.

ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC were honored with the Governors Award for jointly supporting a post-Sept. 11 telethon, "America: A Tribute to Heroes." The program also received an Emmy for variety, music or comedy special.

"Thank you on behalf of a very grateful America," said former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

AND THE WINNERS ARE ...

Some of the winners of the 54th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, held Sunday night in Los Angeles. A complete listing can be found online at www.emmys.com.

Outstanding comedy series: "Friends," NBC

Outstanding drama series: "The West Wing," NBC

Outstanding miniseries: "Band of Brothers," HBO, Dreamworks SKG and Playtone in association with HBO Original Programming

Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series: Ray Romano, "Everybody Loves Raymond," NBC

Outstanding lead actor in a drama series: Michael Chiklis, "The Shield," FX

Outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie: Albert Finney, "The Gathering Storm," HBO

Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series: Jennifer Aniston, "Friends," NBC

Outstanding lead actress in a drama series: Allison Janney, "The West Wing," NBC

Outstanding lead actress in a miniseries or movie: Laura Linney, "Wild Iris," Showtime

Outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series: Brad Garrett, "Everybody Loves Raymond," NBC

Outstanding supporting actor in a drama series: John Spencer, "The West Wing," NBC

Outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or movie: Michael Moriarty, "James Dean," TNT

Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series: Doris Roberts, "Everybody Loves Raymond," NBC

Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series: Stockard Channing, "The West Wing," NBC

Outstanding supporting actress in a miniseries or movie: Stockard Channing, "The Matthew Shepard Story," NBC

Outstanding directing for a comedy series: "Sex and the City," HBO, Michael Patrick King, director

Outstanding directing for a drama series: "Six Feet Under," HBO, Alan Ball, director

Outstanding directing for a miniseries, movie or dramatic special: "Band of Brothers," HBO, Dreamworks SKG and Playtone in association with HBO Original Programming