‘Sopranos' captures top prize in final season
“The Sopranos” turned its fade-to-black final season into Emmy gold Sunday, winning the best drama series award, and newcomer Rock” was named best comedy series.
The mob saga's victory was nearly unprecedented, with only one other drama series, 1977's “Upstairs, Downstairs,” having claimed the top trophy after leaving the air.
“In essence, this is a story about a gangster,” said “The Sopranos” creator David Chase. “And gangsters are out there taking their kids to college, and taking their kids to school, and putting food on their table.“And, hell, let's face it, if the world and this nation was run by gangsters” - Chase paused and shrugged, as everyone laughed - “maybe it is.”“Sopranos” stars James Gandolfini and Edie Falco didn't fare as well.James Spader was named best drama series actor for “Boston Legal,” stealing the thunder of fellow nominee Gandolfini.Sally Field was honored as best actress in a drama for “Brothers & Sisters.” Falco was among her competitors.
America Fererra of the campy “Ugly Betty” was named best actress in a comedy series.
The biggest laugh of the night was earned by presenters Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, after they announced that Ricky Gervais of “Extras” had won the award for best comedy series actor.
“Ricky Gervais could not be here tonight. Instead we're going to give this to our friend, Steve Carell,” Stewart said. Carell, a nominee for “The Office,” bounded on stage, sharing shared a group hug with Stewart and Colbert.A standing ovation greeted the sprawling cast of “The Sopranos,” which gathered on stage after the drama had claimed honors for best writing and directing. The usually staid awards needed attention from the censors from the start, with first presenter Ray Romano. He joked about his former “Everybody Loves Raymond” wife, Patricia Heaton, sleeping with her new “Back to You” co-star Kelsey Grammer. But he used a stronger word, which prompted Fox to black out the show for a few seconds.
Terry O'Quinn, who plays the mysterious John Locke on “Lost,” was named best supporting actor in a drama. Jeremy Piven, who plays a slick Hollywood agent on the comedy “Entourage,” was another early winner. Jaime Pressly of “My Name is Earl,” was named best supporting actress in a comedy.“My own mother told me I didn't have a shot in hell at winning tonight,” said Katherine Heigl of “Grey's Anatomy,” who won best supporting actress honors in the drama category. “This is my dream come true.”
- The Associated Press
The mob saga's victory was nearly unprecedented, with only one other drama series, 1977's “Upstairs, Downstairs,” having claimed the top trophy after leaving the air.
“In essence, this is a story about a gangster,” said “The Sopranos” creator David Chase. “And gangsters are out there taking their kids to college, and taking their kids to school, and putting food on their table.“And, hell, let's face it, if the world and this nation was run by gangsters” - Chase paused and shrugged, as everyone laughed - “maybe it is.”“Sopranos” stars James Gandolfini and Edie Falco didn't fare as well.James Spader was named best drama series actor for “Boston Legal,” stealing the thunder of fellow nominee Gandolfini.Sally Field was honored as best actress in a drama for “Brothers & Sisters.” Falco was among her competitors.
America Fererra of the campy “Ugly Betty” was named best actress in a comedy series.
The biggest laugh of the night was earned by presenters Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, after they announced that Ricky Gervais of “Extras” had won the award for best comedy series actor.
“Ricky Gervais could not be here tonight. Instead we're going to give this to our friend, Steve Carell,” Stewart said. Carell, a nominee for “The Office,” bounded on stage, sharing shared a group hug with Stewart and Colbert.A standing ovation greeted the sprawling cast of “The Sopranos,” which gathered on stage after the drama had claimed honors for best writing and directing. The usually staid awards needed attention from the censors from the start, with first presenter Ray Romano. He joked about his former “Everybody Loves Raymond” wife, Patricia Heaton, sleeping with her new “Back to You” co-star Kelsey Grammer. But he used a stronger word, which prompted Fox to black out the show for a few seconds.
Terry O'Quinn, who plays the mysterious John Locke on “Lost,” was named best supporting actor in a drama. Jeremy Piven, who plays a slick Hollywood agent on the comedy “Entourage,” was another early winner. Jaime Pressly of “My Name is Earl,” was named best supporting actress in a comedy.“My own mother told me I didn't have a shot in hell at winning tonight,” said Katherine Heigl of “Grey's Anatomy,” who won best supporting actress honors in the drama category. “This is my dream come true.”
- The Associated Press
