Emmys Backstage: Shock and Flaws

Sept. 19, 2005 — -- Felicity Huffman wondered if Emmy voters honored the wrong person, while Tony Shalhoub speculated that his success was pegged on his ability to annoy others and William Shatner spoke of Wheaties as if it were the breakfast of Hollywood champions.

With trophies in hand, this year's crop of freshly minted Emmy winners basked in their victories last night at the Primetime Emmy festivities in Los Angeles.

"A win for one is a win for all," said Huffman, who vied for best actress in a comedy with "Desperate Housewives" co-stars Marcia Cross and Teri Hatcher, and tried to put to rest rumors of dissension on the set.

When her name was announced, Huffman said she was so nervous, it felt like "an out of body experience" and that the Emmy voters "were going to come in and go 'oh, I'm sorry. We didn't mean Felicity Huffman. We meant Shmalicity Guffman.' "

As the show's haggard homemaker, Huffman had a lower profile than the other ladies on Wisteria Lane, perhaps because last season her character, Lynette, didn't have to get as dressed up as the others. But this season she'll have fewer slipper-and-pajama scenes, as Lynette goes back to work, and her husband tends to domestic matters.

On stage, Huffman was equally self-deprecating, giving a big nod to her husband, William H. Macy, "for taking a chunky 22-year-old with a bad perm and glasses out into a cow pasture and kissing me and making me his wife."

"Desperate Housewives" failed to win best comedy, losing to old favorite "Everybody Loves Raymond," which aired its final episode earlier this year.

"It was a shock to win," star Ray Romano told reporters. "I know you hear that all the time. But, even you guys have to admit you thought 'Desperate Housewives' was winning. So it was a shock."