Emmys Honor Television’s Best

Kristen Johnston, who plays a statuesque, hot-blooded alien visitor to Earth in “3rd Rock From the Sun,” was named best supporting actress in a comedy series at Sunday’s 51st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

“You crazy kids. I can’t believe this, really,” Johnston said as she accepted the award, her second for her role in the NBC sitcom.

Emmy host David Hyde Pierce of “Frasier” won his third Emmy as best supporting actor in a comedy.

“So glad I put on pants,” Pierce said, after he had quickly changed from a purple unitard to a tuxedo.

The popular NBC series also picked off a second Emmy early in the program. “Frasier: Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moskowitz” was a winner in the category of writing for a comedy series.

Meanwhile, Emmys for directing went to rivals ABC and CBS.

Thomas Schlamme won for directing a comedy series, “Sports Night: Pilot,” on ABC, while Paul Miller picked up a statue in the category for variety or music program for his direction of the “1998 Tony Awards” on CBS.

The ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium opened with an offbeat number performed by Pierce and Jenna Elfman of “Dharma & Greg.” The two, appearing in matching purple unitards performed interpretive dance numbers poking fun at popular television series.

HBO’s mob drama “The Sopranos” and the quirky Fox legal series “Ally McBeal” led all the nominees going into the show.

Both shows competed in six of the 27 categories lined up for trophy presentations during the three-hour televised show.

“The Sopranos” grabbed 16 of the nominations, announced in July by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Thirteen nods each were handed out to the CBS miniseries “Joan of Arc” and two David E. Kelley productions: “Ally McBeal” and the more serious legal drama, “The Practice,” on ABC.

NBC was the lead nominee with 82. HBO was second with 74. ABC received 58, CBS 46 and Fox 33.

Winners in 52 categories were announced at the Emmy creative arts awards, held Aug. 28. “The Sopranos” and “Ally McBeal” each won two trophies then.

Sunday’s show was expected to be seen in about 90 countries, the academy said.

In last month’s non-televised ceremony, awards were announced in craft categories, including outstanding choreography, editing and makeup.

Four acting awards for guest roles also were given out.

Mel Brooks was honored as outstanding guest actor in a comedy series for his role as Uncle Phil on NBC’s “Mad About You,” and Tracey Ullman was named in the actress category for her role as a therapist on “Ally McBeal.”

Edward Herrmann’s role as a murder defendant on “The Practice” was honored with an Emmy in the drama category, while Debra Monk received an award for guest-starring on “NYPD Blue” as Det. Andy Sipowicz’s ex-wife.

For best commercial, the award went to snap.com, an Internet service.

Other Emmys given out last month included:

Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: Tracey Ullman, “Ally McBeal,” Fox.

Guest Actress in a Drama Series: Debra Monk, “NYPD Blue,” ABC.

Art Direction for a Series: “Buddy Faro: Pilot,” CBS.

Art Direction for a Miniseries or a Movie: “The Rat Pack,” HBO.

Art Direction for a Variety or Music Program: “71st Annual Academy Awards,” ABC.

Casting for a Series: “The Sopranos,” HBO.

Casting for a Miniseries or a Movie: “Winchell,” HBO.

Choreography (possibility of one or more award): “Dance In America: A Hymn For Alvin Ailey (Great Performances),” PBS; “Goodwill Games Opening Celebration,” TBS.

Sound Editing for a Series: “ER: The Storm, Part 2,” NBC.

Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special: “Stephen King’s Storm of the Century, Part 2,” ABC.

Music Composition for a Series (dramatic underscore): “Invasion America, Final Mission,” WB.

Music Composition for a Miniseries or a Movie (dramatic underscore): “Alice in Wonderland,” NBC.

Music Direction: “The Rat Pack,” HBO.

Music and Lyrics: “AFI’s 100 Years . . . 100 Movies,” CBS, song title: “A Ticket to Dream.”

Main Title Theme Music: “Trinity,” NBC.

Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or a Special: “Ally McBeal: Love’s Illusions,” Fox.

Sound Mixing for a Variety or Music Series or a Special: “41st Annual Grammy Awards,” CBS.

Sound Mixing for a Drama Series: “ER: The Storm, Part 2,” NBC.

Sound Mixing for a Drama Miniseries or a Movie: “The Rat Pack,” HBO.

Main Title Design: “Dilbert,” UPN.

Nonfiction Special (possibility of one or more than one award): “Thug Life in D.C.,” HBO.

Nonfiction Series (possibility of one or more than one award): “The American Experience,” PBS; “American Masters,” PBS.

Special Visual Effects for a Series: “Star Trek: Voyager: Dark Frontier,” UPN.

Special Visual Effects for a Miniseries or Movie: “Alice in Wonderland,” NBC.

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