ALAN ALDA - ALDA EXPLAINS EMMY 'TANTRUM'

ALAN ALDA has laughed off reports he was jealous when WILLIAM SHATNER beat him to the Best Supporting Actor In A Drama Series gong at last summer's (AUG05) Emmy Awards, insisting he was staging a "mock tantrum". THE AVIATOR star, 70, was seen ripping up his acceptance speech in the audience when Shatner's performance in BOSTON LEGAL triumphed over Alda's acting in THE WEST WING. However, Alda - who already has five Emmys to his name - insists he isn't bothered about winning, and was happy for Shatner. He says, "I tore up my acceptance speech on camera.... People thought I was serious. "It was just a silly joke."