NBC, HBO snag the most nominations

'West Wing,' 'Sopranos' get 18 nods each

July 20, 2000
Web posted at: 12:17 p.m. EDT (1617 GMT)

From staff and wire reports

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, California (CNN) -- "The West Wing" and "The Sopranos" won the Emmy nominations sweepstakes Thursday with 18 each, while "Will & Grace" emerged as a comedy power by grabbing nominations in all the top categories.

"The West Wing," NBC's freshman series about the inner workings of a White House staff, was nominated for outstanding drama, while Martin Sheen was nominated as outstanding actor for his portrayal of fictional president Josiah Bartlet. HBO's Mafia hit, "The Sopranos," also drew an outstanding drama nomination, along with bids for outstanding actor (James Gandolfini) and actress (Edie Falco).

Other top nominees were TV movies "RKO 281" on HBO, which got 13 nominations, and ABC's remake of "Annie," which got 12.

2000 NOMINEES Click for a list of the major nominations for comedy, drama, miniseries and more 1999 nominees:  Who was nominated last year? Who won?     MESSAGE BOARD Were your favorites nominated? Which shows didn't make the cut? Who should win?

Gay-themed "Will & Grace" on NBC broke into the outstanding comedy category with 11 nominations, including outstanding comedy, outstanding actor (Eric McCormack), outstanding actress (Debra Messing), supporting actor (Sean Hayes) and supporting actress (Megan Mullally).

CBS' "Everybody Loves Raymond" also fared well, getting nods for outstanding comedy, actor (Ray Romano), actress (Patricia Heaton), supporting actor (Peter Boyle) and supporting actress (Doris Roberts).

While veteran shows like NBC's "Frasier" and "Friends" also drew several nominations, noticeably snubbed in the outstanding comedy category was Fox's "Ally McBeal," which won the award last year. Also ignored was the network's new "Malcolm in the Middle," although Jane Kaczmarek did get an outstanding actress nomination as the comedy's frazzled mom.

A sentimental favorite in the comedic actor category is likely to be Michael J. Fox, whose fight with Parkinson's disease prompted his departure from "Spin City." The nomination is his third for the ABC sitcom.

On another bittersweet note, Nancy Marchand, who died in June, received a best supporting actress nomination for her role as Livia Soprano in "The Sopranos."

The number of nominations for "The West Wing" and "The Sopranos" isn't a big surprise, since both were expected to fare well. "West Wing" won several awards from the Television Critics Association, including program of the year, new program of the year and outstanding drama. Both shows won prestigious Peabody Awards.

Nancy Marchand, who died in June, received a best supporting actress nomination for her role in "The Sopranos"

Other nominees in the drama category are "The Practice," which won last year, and the long-running "ER" and "Law & Order"

Among the networks, NBC led with 97 nominations, followed by HBO with 86, ABC with 64, CBS 41 and Fox 26.

Like their Oscar counterparts, Emmy judges have been accused of playing it safe and overlooking lesser-known or edgier fare.

Shandling's "The Larry Sanders Show" received 56 nominations over six seasons -- but got only one award. "The Sopranos" got 16 nominations last year but won only two, including best drama series writing and Falco's outstanding actress in a drama series.

But the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has changed the way it doles out awards this year in hopes of making the selections a little more cutting-edge.

Until now, judges were expected to spend a weekend watching videotapes at one hotel, which tended to draw older academy members with more leisure time. Under the new approach, which will be used for the top categories, judges can watch tapes at home.

Presenting the nominations for the 52nd annual primetime awards were previous Emmy winners Falco and Michael Badalucco of "The Practice," along with academy chairman Meryl Marshall. Like Falco, Badalucco was nominated again this year.

The prime-time awards program will be broadcast September 10 on ABC, with Shandling as host.

TV critics vote for 'West Wing'
July 18, 2000
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Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

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