TV Critics Select ‘West Wing,’ ‘Sopranos’ as the Year’s Best

“The Sopranos” and “The West Wing” tied for top honors as outstanding drama in awards handed out by television critics Saturday evening, while the HBO Mafia series was named program of the year.

The Television Critics Assn., a group of about 200 print critics and reporters currently ensconced in Pasadena, also recognized Fox’s “Malcolm in the Middle” as TV’s best comedy for the second consecutive year as well as Jane Kaczmarek, who plays the title character’s mother, for individual achievement in comedy. “Sopranos” star James Gandolfini, meanwhile, received his third straight award on the drama side.

“West Wing” creator Aaron Sorkin--who was arrested for drug possession at Burbank Airport during the show’s hiatus--accepted his award flanked by six stars from the series, among them Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, John Spencer and Bradley Whitford, who have banded together in pursuit of sweetened contracts.

With all the tumult surrounding the program, Sorkin noted that “West Wing” has provided critics ample fodder to write about during what are usually the summer doldrums. “No need to thank us,” he quipped.

Christopher Titus, star of Fox’s “Titus,” sounded a similar note during his monologue, teasing Sorkin for his troubles. “Robert Downey Jr. sends his thanks for taking the heat off him for a couple weeks,” he said.

The critics also chose the WB’s “Gilmore Girls” as best new program and ABC’s “Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows” as outstanding movie or miniseries, respectively. Comic Sid Caesar accepted a career achievement award.