Photos from the 55th Annual Emmy Awards!

By: Sue Schneider and Marcia Groft
Date: Tuesday, October 07, 2003

It was a hot and sunny day at The Shrine Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles as I took my place in one of the photographer pens on the red carpet. Fans were in bleachers and screamed for their favorite television stars as they walked down the red carpet to the doors of the Shrine and the stars were numerous. An announcement came over the loud speaker the door would be closing in five minutes and you would not get in once the show had started. The late comers ran by all the press so they wouldn't be left out. The press retreated to the back area where tents had been setup.

And the show began:

The Emmys were hosted by eleven comedians all taking their turn on the stage, with their own perspectives on the evening's events and the world in general. The show was opened by Garry Shandling, who was then joined on stage by Brad Garrett, who shared a big smooch with him, ala the Britney Spears/Madonna kiss seen on the MTV Video Music Awards.

The first award, for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, presented by Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer, went to Doris Roberts for her portrayal of 'Marie Barone' in EVERYBODY LOVE RAYMOND. Upon taking the stage, Perry kissed Roberts, who said "Wow. That was worth coming up here for." As a triple crown winner, she noted it's a joy. In the press room the 72-year-old actress commented that she was proud to win the award as voted on by her peers. She went to say that this may not be the last year for the show, if it continues to be up to par.

The Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, announced by Keifer Sutherland, went to Tyne Daly as 'Maxine Grey' in JUDGING AMY. This was her 14th nomination and sixth win, having won four times for CAGNEY AND LACEY. She noted that she has had great luck with her acting partners, thanked the other nominees for keeping the standards so high and thanked Richard Crenna and the honor of having worked with him.

In the press room she went on to say that her daughters had to dress her, as she went out shopping and came back with seven pairs of shoes! With reference to Crenna's death, she said it was a painful process and a hard time for the writers, as Crenna played her boyfriend on the show.

Jon Stewart next gave out the Outstanding Comedy Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series to Brad Garrett in EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND. This was Garrett's second consecutive win who thanked the show for not firing him over his contract negotiations.


Anthony LaPaglia and Poppy Montgomery presented THE WEST WING's Christopher Misiano with the Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series Emmy, who commented he was an extraordinarily lucky man.

Co-host Darrell Hammond then introduced Jeri Ryan who announced the Guest Actor and Guest Actress in a Drama Series award winners, Alfre Woodard for THE PRACTICE and Charles S. Dutton for WITHOUT A TRACE, who in turn presented Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series to David Chase, Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess for the "Whitecaps" episode of THE SOPRANOS.

Co-host Conan O'Brien gave out the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series to Tucker Cawley for his EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, "Baggage" episode. In the press room he noted that he was happy with the show, he has great characters to write for and was also pleased that Roberts had won.

The Emmy for Directing for a Comedy Series was presented by Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek to Robert Weide for CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM. On stage he said that show biz boils down to "Hey Ma, look at me." He went on to thank HBO for letting his creative people do what they do and not interfering. In the press room he noted he has known Larry David for 20 years and he did the show that turned into the series.

Ellen DeGeneres presented Wayne Brady Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for his work on WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? Brady, in the press room, said he was the luckiest guy in Hollywood, adding this Emmy to his Daytime Emmy for THE WAYNE BRADY SHOW. He felt he had paid his dues by putting in the work from doing everything from kids parties to being mascots at theme parks. He also said his mentors was Bill Cosby, and thanked John Ritter, the first guest on his show for showing him how to do a pratfall.

Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson explained the voting procedures and then Michael Chiklis announced Joe Pantoliano as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series win. In the press room, overcome with emotion, he said it was great to be an actor and that he was very lucky to be on THE SOPRANOS. He never envisioned standing in front of the pizzeria that he would win the trophy, as his father wanted him to take the fireman's test, but it was his stepfather that sent him to acting school and that as a journeyman actor the Emmy means a lot to him, as every actor dreams of it in their living room watching the show.

Co-host Bernie Mac handed the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program to THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART. David Javerbaum, Rich Blomquest, Steve Bodow, Eric Drysdale, J.R. Havlan, Scott Jacobson, Tom Johnson, Ben Karlin, Rob Kutner, Chris Reagan, Jason Reich, Jason Ross and Jon Stewart took the stage. Stewart thanked his writers for showing up everyday and bringing a piece of inspiration. He went on to add that he, "always felt diversity is the most important part of a writing staff." In the press room he noted that the irony of tragic times brings comedy to the forefront. When asked about his one woman on the staff he said, "Do women really want to be comedy writers?"

Jim Belushi and Courtney Thorne-Smith introduced the previously announced Guest Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series, Gene Wilder for WILL & GRACE and Christina Applegate for FRIENDS. Applegate then presented Glenn Weiss the Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program Emmy for THE 56TH ANNUAL TONY AWARDS, and who thinks that variety television is a great team sport.

The Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special was given out by Rob Lowe and Alicia Silverstone to Steven Schachter for DOOR TO DOOR, who said that he had been friends with star Bill Macy since college and hopes his best friend would share this award.

Alison Janey, Debra Messing and Eric McCormack announced wins for Ben Gazzara and Gene Rowlands for their work in HYSTERICAL BLINDESS as Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress in a Miniseries or Movie, both of whom were on location and unable attend.

THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART took home its second Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series as presented by Dennis Miller. Winners were Madeleine Smithberg, Jon Stewart, Ben Karlin, Stewart Bailey and Kahane Corn. Onstage Stewart quipped that it has been such a great war for us and it's weird when you have a show that deals with the catastrophic events that gets your show popular.

CHER - THE FAREWELL TOUR got the nod for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special, presented by Ryan Seacrest and Jeff Probst. Producer Lindsay Scott thanked everyone involved in the production and said he was not used to giving speeches.

Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special went to William H. Macy and Steven Schachter for DOOR TO DOOR, presented by Bonnie Hunt. The show swept the awards with nods to Macy as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his portrayal of Bill Porter, presented by Sarah Jessica Parker. On stage Macy proclaimed that finally, "America knows what the folks in Portland, Oregon know, that Bill Porter is a very cool guy". Outstanding Made For Television Movie, announced by Jennifer Garner and Victor Garber was accepted by Executive Producer David A. Rosemont, who went on the say that the insightful and inspirational story has taught a lot of people that quitting is not an option.

George Lopez presented the first-ever Emmy for Outstanding Reality/Competition Program to THE AMAZING RACE's Jerry Bruckheimer, Bertram van Munster, Jonathan Littman, Scott Einziger, Hayma Screech Washington, Rick Ringbakk, Anthony Dominici, Elise Doganieri, Brady Connell, Julian Grimmond, Michael Norton, Bob Parr, Ben Samek, Evan Weinstein, Tammara Wells and Phil Keoghan. Munster thanked the two thousand people worldwide who make the show possible to safely film a 45,000 mile race in 30 days, as well as the contestants who ran, swam, bungee-jumped and argued their way into our hearts. Backstage, Bruckheimer noted that the show is very expensive to do and the dollar was stronger during the first year of shooting. They are casting now and hope the ratings keep going up and hope to spend some time in the Top Ten.

Maggie Smith's win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for MY HOUSE IN UMBRIA was accepted by presenters Edie Falco and James Gandolfini. Falco and Gandolfin went on to win Outstanding Lead Actress and Actor in a Drama Series for THE SOPRANOS, presented by Helen Mirren and Ted Danson respectively. Falco commented that she didn't know how they did it and couldn't tell anybody what the formula is. This was Gandolfini's third win for his role as Tony Soprano.

Debra Messing took home her first Emmy after four nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for WILL & GRACE, handed out by Damon Wayans. She was thrilled with the win and happy to share it with her parents who were in the audience. In the press room she said all she ever had wanted to be was a working actress and it's the writers that make her funny.

The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award was presented to Bill Cosby by Ray Romano for Cosby's ground breaking work in the industry for five decades of performing, writing and focusing on family programming, as well as for his activism in philanthropic endeavors. Cosby was the first black actor to co-star in the television series I SPY, went on to star in THE COSBY SHOW and create FAT ALBERT AND THE COSBY KIDS, from his comedy routines. In the press room he noted that when people laugh they feel good. He thought this Emmy show moved better with the various hosts and it moved quickly while he was waiting to get his award. He credits his success to his wife Camille and her unconditional love, as she checks out his finances, friends and business partners.

Martin Short and Paul Schaffer handed out the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series to MONK's Tony Shalhoub, whose night was dampened by the untimely death of his nephew earlier in the week, but whose family encouraged him to go the awards. In the press room he stated the award was the culmination of bringing together elements of all kinds of things in the past, some subtle, some not so subtle. He also said he was proud of the show and his work, but felt like a party crasher, as the new kid on the block. Other tributes included Henry Winkler's heartfelt retrospect of John Ritter and Dennis Franz's "Memorium." On the bright side Wanda Sykes kidded in backstage area and in the aisles with many of the nights nominees.

The Academy's Special Guest for the night was veteran newsman Walter Cronkite, who did the tribute to Bob Hope. Backstage in the press room he said he never thought he would see imbedded reporters, as they had news blackouts in his day. The live coverage of battle scenes and the technology in today's world was not imagined during his day. He also noted that his creditability was in the keeping of secrets and to be trusted.

William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger announced STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN as Outstanding Miniseries. Leslie Bohem, Steve Beers, Darryl Frank, Joe M. Aguilar, Richard Heus and cast members took the stage with Bohem acknowledging that Spielberg was unable to attend, but thanked him for pushing and inspiring them and allowing them to be a small part of a legacy and that everybody loves the space ship scene. In the press room he stated that the series touched a basic principal as people wonder what's going on. Spielberg is currently buried in prep for TERMINAL which is why he was unable to be there with them. He also said they had started the project four years ago, came up with many story ideas and Spielberg was involved with TAKEN in every way.

One of the night's surprises was THE WEST WING's win for Outstanding Drama Series, presented by William H. Macy to Aaron Sorkin, Thomas Schlamme, John Wells, Christopher Misiano, Alex Greaves, Kevin Falls, Llewellyn Wells, Paul Redford, Kristin Harms and Neal Ahern, Jr., along with various cast members. The thought was that with their ratings dip, their chances of another win was not attainable.

The final award of the evening was presented by Mike Meyers to the Outstanding Comedy Series which went to EVERYBODY LOVE RAYMOND. Taking the stage were Philip Rosenthal, Ray Romano, Stu Smiley, Rory Rosegarten, Lew Schneider, Tucker Cawley, Steve Skrova, Jeremy Stevens, Tom Caltabiano, Aaron Shure, Mike Scully, Lisa Helfrich Jackson, Mike Royce and Ken Ornstein.

As the show ended the stars, awards in hand, headed out to the many parties around town to celebrate.