EMMY AWARDS - CRITICS PRAISE EMMYS SHOW

CRITICS PRAISE EMMYS SHOW

Emmy voters, often hooted by TV critics after the awards are presented, were generally being congratulated all around by them for, as Verne Gay remarked in today's Newsday, finally getting it right -- awarding 24 the trophy for best drama and The Office the trophy for best comedy. "In other words, the two best shows in their respective categories actually won," Gay wrote. "When was the last time you or anyone else heard those words in connection with an Emmy Awards ceremony?" As usual, HBO was the biggest winner with 26 awards (nine for the miniseries Elizabeth I). Critics thought the best man or woman won in the top acting categories as well. Kiefer Sutherland took the Emmy for best actor in a dramatic series (24), while Tony Shalhoub won for comedy series (Monk) -- his third win in four attempts. Mariska Hargitay won the best actress award in a dramatic series (Law & Order: SVU), while Julia Louis-Dreyfus accepted it for The New Adventures of Old Christine. Dreyfus, the former Seinfeld co-star, referred to the so-called Seinfeld Curse that has struck down every other show featuring a Seinfeld regular until Christine came along. "I'm not somebody who believes in curses," she said on stage, "but curse this, baby."

28/08/2006