'West Wing' Tops at Emmys

ByABC News
September 11, 2000, 12:00 AM

Sept. 11 -- The White House ruled and the gangsters got whacked, as The West Wing collected a record-setting nine awards at the Emmys.

The series beat the previous record of eight for a series in a single season, held by ER and Hill Street Blues. Theres going to be no living with me now, said WestWing creator Aaron Sorkin, who won an Emmy for his writing.

Many observers expected the NBC drama to fight neck and neck with HBOs The Sopranos for most accolades. Each show carried 18 nominations, including best drama. But The West Wing took honors for Best Drama and most other major categories when the two shows went head-to-head Sunday night.

The Sopranos narrowly avoided a shutout, with James Gandolfini taking the only award for the HBO series the best actor award for his role as the psychologically tormented mob boss. The actor was surprised by the victory, offering his own explanation for his honor. I think the academy has an affinity for slightly overweight bald men, said Gandolfini.

Comic Surprise

In the best comedy category, NBCs Will & Grace, about agay man and straight woman who are best friends, defeatedsome higher-rated rivals like Friends and Frasier to become the nights surprise victors.

As a gay man, I finally met a girl I want to sleep with, said one of the shows producers, Matt Mutchnick, holding the Emmy statue of a woman with a globe in her hands.

Another surprise win came in the competition for Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Sela Ward won for her role as a recently divorced mom in ABCs Once and Again, beating out two competing actresses from The Sopranos, Edie Falco and Lorraine Bracco.

The live broadcast was hosted by a relaxed Garry Shandling who opened the show with a spoof on CBSs reality TV blockbuster, Survivor. I dont like reality television, I think real people should not be on television, he said in his monologue. I think its for special people like us.