NEW YORK (Top 40 Charts) - "
Friends" finally gained some friends among Emmy voters, winning its first award for best comedy series, and "The West Wing" claimed executive privilege once again, winning the award for best drama series for the third straight year.
"Friends" had been overlooked in the past in favor of shows such as "Frasier" and "Will & Grace," but this year -- with a strong season making it the odds-on favorite among critics -- the show triumphed.
"After eight years and the last three hours and 10 minutes, this is so worth the wait," said David Crane, one of the show's producers.
The show also took home an acting award. Jennifer Aniston won for lead actress in a comedy series.
"The West Wing's" cast also made out well, with its actors picking up honors for lead actress, supporting actress, and supporting actor.
One of those winners, Stockard Channing, was two-time lucky Sunday night. Channing's awards were for best supporting actress in a drama, for her performance as the president's wife on "Wing," and for her supporting role in the TV movie, "The Matthew Shepard Story."
She dedicated the second award to people "who have suffered inhumanity at the hands of their fellow man."
Other "Wing" Emmys went to John Spencer for supporting actor in a drama and Allison Janney for lead actress in a drama.
Ray Romano, after four nominations, won for best actor in a comedy series for his CBS show, "Everybody Loves Raymond." It was the show's third award of the night; Brad Garrett and Doris Roberts won for their supporting roles.
Romano thanked his parents, who were in the audience and reacted emotionally to their son's honor. "We're going right to the airport," Romano cracked.
Garrett got off a zinger in accepting his award early in the evening. "I just hope this award breaks down the door for Jewish people who are trying to get into show business," he said.
In perhaps the night's biggest shocker, Michael Chiklis of FX's "The Shield" won the Emmy for best lead actor in a drama, beating Martin Sheen of "West Wing," Kiefer Sutherland of "24," and Peter Krause and Michael C. Hall of "Six Feet Under."
The 54th EMMY Awards Winners List:
Outstanding Comedy Series
Friends
Outstanding Drama Series
The West Wing
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond)
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Michael Chiklis (The Shield)
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Jennifer Aniston (Friends)
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Allison Janney (The West Wing)
Outstanding Miniseries
Band Of Brothers
Outstanding Made-For-Television Movie
The Gathering Storm
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series
Late Show with David Letterman
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special
America: A Tribute To Heroes
Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series
Michael Patrick King (Sex And The City "The Real Me")
Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series
Alan Ball (Six Feet Under "Pilot")
Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music or Comedy Program
Ron deMoraes, Kenny Ortega, Bucky Gunts (Opening Ceremony Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games)
Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie or A Dramatic Special
David Frankel, Tom Hanks, David Leland, Richard Loncraine, David Nutter, Phil Alden Robinson, Mikael Salomon, Tony To (Band Of Brothers)
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries or A Movie
Albert Finney (The Gathering Storm)
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries or A Movie
Laura Linney (Wild Iris)
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond)
