‘Practice,’ ‘McBeal’ Top Emmys

The love affair between the television industry and David E. Kelley swelled to historic proportions Sunday as two legal programs created by the producer, “The Practice” and “Ally McBeal,” were recognized as best dramatic and comedy series, respectively, at the 51st annual Nighttime Emmy Awards.

It’s a feat unmatched by any television producer, all the more remarkable considering that Kelley wrote nearly every episode of both programs, which is virtually unheard of in the television business.

In addition to being the first one-hour program to successfully vie in the comedy series balloting, “Ally McBeal” ends the five-year streak of “Frasier” as best comedy--a total unequaled by any series, comedy or drama. Starring Calista Flockhart as a daffy lawyer, the show becomes the first Fox series to win in either of those prestigious categories.

Kelley--who was also honored with best-drama Emmys while producing “L.A. Law,” and in 1993 and 1994 for his moderately rated drama “Picket Fences”--also left the Shrine Auditorium with a second consecutive Emmy for his drama about Boston defense attorneys, “The Practice.” That rubbed out any chance of the year’s most-nominated program, Home Box Office’s mob drama “The Sopranos,” becoming the first cable series to be named best comedy or drama.

“This is a bit of a shock,” Kelley said in accepting for “The Practice,” looking more dazed moments later when he returned on behalf of “Ally McBeal.”

In terms of actors, an array of past winners paraded to the stage. Helen Hunt closed out her run on NBC’s “Mad About You” with her fourth straight Emmy as star of that show, --a first for any actress in a comedy. Dennis Franz of “NYPD Blue” was also honored with his fourth Emmy in six years as Det. Andy Sipowicz, while John Lithgow went home with his third trophy for the NBC sitcom “3rd Rock From the Sun.”

Only two performers--Candice Bergen in “Murphy Brown” and Don Knotts in “The Andy Griffith Show”--have won more awards than Franz and Hunt for playing the same character in the same series, each receiving five for their respective shows.

Presenting an award together earlier in the evening, co-star Paul Reiser joked with Hunt about her previous Emmys. Reiser went home empty-handed again, never winning despite numerous nominations.

“The Sopranos” settled for a lead actress Emmy for first-time nominee Edie Falco and--having garnered four of the five drama writing nominations--not surprisingly took that award as well.

Although “The Sopranos” generated an enormous amount of critical praise, few programs in recent years have received the Emmy in their first season. Fellow nominees “ER,” “The Practice” and “NYPD Blue” all were chosen as best drama in their second seasons, while this year’s final nominee, “Law & Order,” waited until its sixth year.

Winners are chosen by peer group members from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the organization that presents the Emmys.

Although an Emmy still does not carry the weight of an Oscar, the awards are significant to those within the entertainment industry because they represent adulation from peers. Unlike the Academy Awards, which typically result in an immediate bump in sales at the box office, the Emmys do not translate directly into dollars. But the awards are considered a career milestone and have in rare instances helped inspire audiences to sample marginally rated programs, aiding such shows as “Cheers” and “Hill Street Blues” early in their runs.

Indeed, HBO has turned the Emmys into a marketing vehicle for the pay service, spending vast sums to promote its shows to academy members, hoping that success in award showcases will help persuade people to subscribe to the channel.

“The Sopranos” won four awards in all, including Emmys for casting and editing presented during an event two weeks ago, primarily recognizing Emmy winners in technical areas.

HBO Leads Networks With 23 Awards

Including results from that ceremony, HBO amassed 23 awards, more than any other network. The pay channel led in total wins once before, in 1993. Cable programs didn’t become eligible for Emmy consideration until 1987.

NBC, the most honored network the past four years, compiled 17 awards for second place, followed by ABC with 13, and CBS with 11.

Fox, which televised this year’s Emmy ceremony, won seven awards in all but only avoided being shut out in the 27 categories handed out Sunday when “Ally McBeal” pulled off its night-capping coup.

In addition, the “The Practice’s” best drama prize for two of its supporting players, Holland Taylor and Michael Badalucco, were both winners in their first nomination. Taylor looked genuinely stunned, thanking Kelley for creating a female character “who puts a flag on the moon for women over 40.” Actresses have long complained about a dearth of roles for more mature performers.

As with the leading comedy roles, supporting awards went to familiar faces. Emmy co-host David Hyde Pierce won his third Emmy for “Frasier,” while Kristen Johnston walked away with her second in the last three years as one of the zany aliens on “3rd Rock From the Sun.”

“Frasier” also snagged the comedy writing Emmy, while the critically acclaimed first-year ABC series “Sports Night” nabbed directing honors.

HBO continued its domination of the made-for-TV movie voting, thanks to “A Lesson Before Dying.” The pay service has now won an astounding seven straight Emmys in that field, adding to its tally with a best actor award going to Stanley Tucci for his portrayal of columnist Walter Winchell in “Winchell.”

Still, HBO faces stiffer competition in the arena of prestige movies from other cable networks, underscored by A&E;’s sailing away with best miniseries for its new version of “Horatio Hornblower” and Helen Mirren earning the second Emmy of her career for the Showtime movie “The Passion of Ayn Rand.”

Despite lagging behind “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” in the ratings, CBS’ “Late Show With David Letterman” emerged as outstanding variety, music or comedy series for the second year in a row. HBO’s “The Chris Rock Show” took the prize for best writing in that category.

In a year when the major networks have found themselves under siege for a shortage of minorities in new programs, there were a few references to that issue during the telecast. Paris Barclay, an African American who claimed his second Emmy in a row for directing “NYPD Blue,” lauded series co-creator Steven Bochco by saying, “His commitment to diversity means ‘Get the best people, [and] look a little harder.’ ”

John Leguizamo, who received an Emmy for his HBO special “Freak,” also pointed out in his acceptance speech that the Latino voice is underrepresented in the media.

Unlike some past ceremonies, relatively little politics invaded this year’s speeches, though late-night host Bill Maher did quip that television in its infancy was “mysterious and full of snow, sort of like George W. Bush’s past.”

One of the lower-profile awards, director of a variety or music program, was notable in that Paul Miller won for this year’s Tony Awards, beating a field of contenders that included his father, Walter C. Miller, nominated for directing the Grammys. The elder Miller picked up a statuette later in the evening as producer of the Tonys, which was named best variety or music special.

Anne Bancroft was chosen as best supporting actress in a movie for CBS’ “Deep in My Heart,” meaning both she and her husband, Mel Brooks, received Emmys this year--with Brooks’ honor coming two weeks ago for his guest role on “Mad About You.” Another veteran actor, Peter O’Toole, was recognized with a first Emmy for his supporting part in CBS’ miniseries “Joan of Arc.”

Perhaps wanting to cater a bit to a younger audience, this year’s telecast featured a tribute to prime-time animation and a montage in which characters from the WB network series “Felicity” enacted scenes spoofing the dramatic program nominees.

The show also allowed viewers to vote via the Internet for their favorite moment of the last TV season. The choice was the “Friends” season finale, which found the characters of Ross and Rachel staggering drunk out of a Las Vegas wedding chapel.

For all its consistent popularity in the ratings, “Friends” has yet to earn any major recognition from Emmy voters, though the show was nominated this season after failing to gain an Emmy bid the last two years.

In one of the more emotional moments, Robert Guillaume, who suffered a stroke last season while making “Sports Night,” received a standing ovation when presenting an award near the end of the telecast.

*

Extensive photo galleries, updates and multimedia relating to the 51st Emmy Awards ceremonies are available on The Times’ Web site:

https://www.latimes.com/emmys

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

The Big Winners

Drama

* Series: “The Practice” ABC

* Lead Actor: Dennis Franz, “NYPD Blue” ABC

* Lead Actress: Edie Falco, “The Sopranos” HBO

Comedy

* Series: “Ally McBeal” Fox

* Lead Actor: John Lithgow, “Third Rock From The Sun” NBC

* Lead Actress: Helen Hunt, “Mad About You” NBC