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Sunday, September 12, 1999 11:20:07 PM EST

David E. Kelley

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Suddenly it was David E. Kelley night at the 51st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards show.

The coveted outstanding drama series Emmy went to the executive producer-writer's flagship show on ABC, "The Practice." Ironically, that award was presented during the hour the show airs, the ratings-important 10 p.m. Sunday night slot.

And moments later, the counterpart award for outstanding comedy series went to Kelley's "Ally McBeal," a key property for FOX, which presented the live telecast of the Emmys on Sunday night.

"McBeal," about to begin its fourth year, has made Kelley a major player in the industry. One fruit of his success is a half-hour "McBeal" spinoff, "Ally," planned for the new season.

In other late-show awards, Helen Hunt won her fourth consecutive Emmy for her work on the NBC comedy series "Mad About You."

"Thanks for letting me be on the show with you," she told co-star Paul Reiser, asking, "How will I ever find someone I love and trust as much?" Their show went off the air in May after seven seasons.

Helen Hunt (right), won for the fourth time in a row for her role on "Mad About You"

Reiser, who has been nominated five times for the series, has never won. And at Sunday night's Emmy awards show, he lost his last chance at a statuette for "Mad About You" to actor John Lithgow.

Lithgow's outstanding actor in a comedy series honor was for his work on "3rd Rock From the Sun." After joking with the the audience that his show is "completely disgraceful," Lithgow added that he's "very proud" of "3rd Rock."

"Many wonderful things have happened to me in my life," said Lithgow from the stage of Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium, "but the two best are '3rd Rock' and my family."

In the outstanding actress in a drama category, "The Sopranos" -- the most-nominated show this year -- tallied up its only big win through Edie Falco. "This is the most surreal experience I could even have imagined," she said. "I don't even know where I am, I haven't eaten since six this morning."

A short time later in the show -- which had begun at 8 p.m. ET and had a timely finish at 11 p.m. -- Dennis Franz won outstanding actor in a drama series for his work on ABC's "NYPD Blue." Franz walked away with his fourth win.

Holland Taylor clutches her first Emmy backstage

Holland Taylor won her first nomination for an Emmy on Sunday night, taking home the prize for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series, ABC's "The Practice." This was her first nomination -- and she was ready to make the most of winning it.

"Overnight!" the 56-year-old actress proclaimed to loud laughter from the audience as she held her statuette aloft.

"I'm so glad I wrote something," she then muttered, looking down at her notes on blue paper. "I'm so sorry I can't see it," she sighed, realizing she didn't have her reading glasses. Taylor went on to pay special tribute to Nancy Marchand who was nominated in the same category for her work in "The Sopranos."

A short time later, Taylor's "The Practice" colleague Michael Badalucco won the corresponding Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series. Like Taylor, Badalucco won on his first nomination.

Who was nominated? Who won? Here's the list About the Emmys: From ancient history to modern day What do you know? Take the quiz. Which shows should win? Which were left out? Tell us here!

Kristen Johnston took away the first win of the night for outstanding work in a supporting role on "3rd Rock From the Sun." This was Johnston's third nomination and second win.

Shortly after opening the evening, Emmy show host, David Hyde Pierce -- on his sixth consecutive nomination and third win -- took outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for his work on "Frasier."

"The greatest honor the Academy has ever given me," said Pierce, "is to put me in the same category as John Mahoney," his co-star from "Frasier," who was also nominated this year.

And winning the Emmy for best performance in a variety or music program was John Leguizamo, for "Freak."

"Anybody can write a one-man show," he said, accepting his award. "All you need is one year, paper pen and a messed-up life." Among those he thanked for helping him win was "HBO, the Hispanic Box Office," he joked. "They've always championed me."

Stanley Tucci took home an Emmy for his work in "Winchell"

In the miniseries and made-for-TV movie field, "Joan of Arc" had been the early leader, with 13 nominations. But it won only one of its major categories -- Peter O'Toole, for outstanding supporting actor. Instead of the miniseries' Leelee Sobieski, Helen Mirren won the outstanding actress trophy for her work in "The Passion of Ayn Rand."

Anne Bancroft won outstanding supporting actress in a miniseries or made-for-TV movie for "Deep in My Heart," over "Joan of Arc" actresses Jacqueline Bisset and Olympia Dukakis.

Stanley Tucci was tapped as outstanding actor in the category for his portrayal of 1940s gossip columnist Walter Winchell in the HBO film "Winchell."

And the miniseries "Horatio Hornblower," based on C.S. Forester's Napoleonic Wars-era seafaring wunderkind, beat "Joan" for best miniseries or made-for-TV movie.

Going into the awards show with the most nominations for a drama and a comedy, respectively, "The Sopranos" and "Ally McBeal" had been expected to be the night's big winners. Among the 16 nominations given to "The Sopranos" were nods to stars James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco and Falco.

The show was simultaneously Webcast on the official Emmys Web site and hosted by Pierce and Jenna Elfman, both nominees themselves. The ceremony fielded a lengthy presenters list including singer Brandy and actors Robert Guillaume, Jay Mohr and Garry Shandling.

Guillaume got a standing ovation as he slowly walked on the stage to present the lead actor in a drama series. Guillaume, the executive producer of "Sports Night" and one of its stars, suffered a stroke earlier this year, which was written into his character's part on his show.

Sunday's show was expected to be seen in about 90 countries, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences said.