NBC takes home 11 Creative Arts Emmys

Although television’s big award night takes place this Sunday, early honors went out Saturday night at the Academy of Television Arts & Science Creative Arts Primetime Emmys in such diverse categories as special visual effects, stunt coordination, choreography, art direction, costume design, cinematography, commercials, animated programming and casting.

All in all, more than 60 Emmys were handed out at the ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium for programs and individual achievement during the 2002-03 television season. NBC picked up 11 Emmys Saturday night, the most of any network.

HBO followed with 10 Emmys; CBS scored nine; ABC received eight, and Fox and PBS tied with seven.

HBO’s “Six Feet Under,” which leads the nominations for series this year with 16, won for outstanding cast for a drama series. But with three wins each, NBC’s “Will & Grace” and ABC’s “The 75th Annual Academy Awards” were the most honored shows.

Though the creative arts Emmys mainly honor the technical side of television, honors also are given out to guest performers on series.

Alfre Woodard and Charles S. Dutton won for their dramatic guest appearances on, respectively, ABC’s “The Practice” and CBS’ “Without a Trace.”

Gene Wilder won for his guest appearance on the NBC sitcom “Will & Grace,” and Christina Applegate won for her comedic guest stint on the same network’s “Friends.”

Emmy Awards in 28 categories including best dramatic series and best comedy series will be presented at the 2003 Primetime Emmy Awards to be telecast from the Shrine Auditorium on Sunday at 8 p.m. on Fox.