Home
Can the White House defeat the Mafia again? Will voters prefer Sex and the City over Malcolm in the Middle? Or will everybody love Raymond? These are just a few of the questions hanging over the 53rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. The Sopranos racked up the most nominations with 22, followed by last year's winner for best drama, The West Wing, with 18. In the comedy field, defending champion Will & Grace leads the pack with 12 nods, just ahead of longtime TV Academy favorite Frasier with 11. The acting categories feature something old (the sixth and final nom for John Lithgow in 3rd Rock From the Sun), something new (Malcolm in the Middle's 15-year-old Frankie Muniz), something borrowed (Ally McBeal's Robert Downey Jr., on loan from rehab), and something Blue (eternal NYPD nominee Dennis Franz). So kick back, peruse this list of the major contenders, and enjoy the show.
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Ray Romano, Everybody Loves Raymond Kelsey Grammer, Frasier Frankie Muniz, Malcolm in the Middle John Lithgow, 3rd Rock From the Sun Eric McCormack, Will & Grace WHO WILL WIN Frankie's too young; John's too old; Eric and Ray are too subtle; Kelsey nabs his fourth.
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Calista Flockhart, Ally McBeal Patricia Heaton, Everybody Loves Raymond Jane Kaczmarek, Malcolm in the Middle Sarah Jessica Parker, Sex and the City Debra Messing, Will & Grace WHO WILL WIN Kaczmarek's rage-aholic mom takes home the gold. Would you want to tell her she lost?
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Malcolm in the Middle Sex and the City Will & Grace WHO WILL WIN Much as we'd like to see Raymond finally get some major Emmy love, odds are newer dysfunctional-family sitcom Malcolm in the Middle will come out on top.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Doris Roberts, Everybody Loves Raymond Jennifer Aniston, Friends Lisa Kudrow, Friends Kim Cattrall, Sex and the City Megan Mullally, Will & Grace WHO WILL WIN Cattrall edges out Mullally in the way-over-the-top-female-friend sweepstakes.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Peter MacNicol, Ally McBeal Robert Downey Jr., Ally McBeal Peter Boyle, Everybody Loves Raymond David Hyde Pierce, Frasier Sean Hayes, Will & Grace WHO WILL WIN Downey gets the sympathy vote (the Academy loves a tearful acceptance speech).
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Andre Braugher, Gideon's Crossing Dennis Franz, NYPD Blue James Gandolfini, The Sopranos Rob Lowe, The West Wing Martin Sheen, The West Wing WHO WILL WIN The flip side of last year: Sheen's Prez whacks Gandolfini's don. Hail to the Chief!
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Marg Helgenberger, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Amy Brenneman, Judging Amy Sela Ward, Once and Again Lorraine Bracco, The Sopranos Edie Falco, The Sopranos WHO WILL WIN Due to her grueling rape scene, Sopranos shrink Bracco upsets costar Falco.
