'Law & Order' surprises at 49th Emmys

A lot of the old, a bit of the new - that's what viewers of last night's 49th Emmy Awards witnessed as old favorites "Frasier" and "NYPD Blue" took home coveted statuettes, while six-time Outstanding Drama nominee "Law & Order" shockingly won its first-ever award against a crowd of heavy favorites.

Celebrated were the achievements of many, including the ubiquitous Ellen DeGeneres, who presented the evening's first award to "Seinfeld"'s Michael Richards as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. DeGeneres, who herself was honored with

Actress Ellen DeGeneres relishes the Emmy she won for writing an episode of her self-named ABC sit-com. DeGeneres was repeatedly in the spotlight at last night's Emmy Awards.

Among the kudos were those bestowed by fellow winner Chris Rock who, referring to the latest slogan for the notoriously stodgy network on which the awards show aired, proceeded to quip: "We've now seen two black men and a lesbian (on this broadcast) - welcome home, CBS!"

Indeed, freshness was at least part of the recipe for the program, which saw honors going to first-time winners "Law & Order," Gillian Anderson of Fox's offbeat "The X-Files" as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and Kim Delaney as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama.

Delaney's much-honored show finished the evening with the most trophies, topping the performance of rival "ER" which, despite starting the night with the most nominations, failed to come up with a single award in the prime time broadcast (awards for technical achievement were given earlier in the week).

Also successful were the acclaimed HBO film "Miss Evers' Boys," which won three prestigious Emmys including the new President's Award for "socially worthwhile programming," and television academy favorite "Frasier," which now joins "All in the Family," "Cheers" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" as the only sit-com to win at least four best comedy awards.

Other repeating victors included Dennis Franz, who won his third award for lead acting in a drama, Helen Hunt of "Mad About You" who took home the lead actress in a comedy Emmy, and industry fave John Lithgow, who won his second straight Emmy as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of an alien patriarch in "3rd Rock from the Sun."

Lithgow's "3rd Rock" co-star Kristen Johnston also won her first award as supporting actress in a comedy, on an Emmys show that was rated TV-PG, good viewing for all audiences.

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