'Will & Grace,' 'West Wing' early winners at Emmys

WALK THE RED CARPET Michael J. Fox (Spin City) and Tracy Pollan    Want more? Click through our star-studded, red carpet gallery     WINNERS Outstanding drama series: "The West Wing" (NBC) Outstanding comedy series: "Will & Grace" (NBC) Outstanding actor in a drama series: James Gandolfini, "The Sopranos" (HBO) Outstanding actress in a drama series: Sela Ward, "Once and Again" (ABC) Outstanding actor in a comedy series: Michael J. Fox, "Spin City" (ABC) Outstanding actress in a comedy series: Patricia Heaton, "Everybody Loves Raymond" (CBS) Outstanding made-for-television movie: "Oprah Winfrey Presents: Tuesdays with Morrie" (ABC) Outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie: Jack Lemmon, "Oprah Winfrey Presents: Tuesdays with Morrie" (ABC) Outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie: Jack Lemmon, "Oprah Winfrey Presents: Tuesdays with Morrie" (ABC) Outstanding miniseries: "The Corner" (HBO) Outstanding lead actress in a miniseries or movie: Halle Berry, "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge" (HBO) Expanded list

Shandling starts show with 'Survivor' spoof

(CNN) -- "Will & Grace" co-stars Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes picked up the first two Emmys Sunday night. It was the first nomination for both characters on the NBC series, which received 11 nominations.

Mullally, who plays the martini-loving Karen Walker, beat "Friends" (NBC) co-stars Lisa Kudrow and Jennifer Anniston; Doris Roberts, of "Everybody Loves Raymond" (CBS); and Kim Catrall, of "Sex and the City" (HBO), for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series.

Hayes, who's taking home the Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy, plays Will's best friend, the flamboyant Jack McFarland. He triumphed over "Everybody Loves Raymond" stars Peter Boyle and Brad Garrett; Peter MacNicol, of "Ally McBeal" (Fox); and David Hyde Pierce of "Frasier."

Allison Janney, who plays the White House press secretary CJ Cregg on "The West Wing" (NBC), won outstanding supporting actress in a drama. In her acceptance speech, Janney paid tribute to fellow nominee Nancy Marchand, who played Livia Soprano on the HBO series. The 71-year-old actress died in July of emphysema and lung cancer.

Janney's other contenders included fellow "West Wing" star Stockard Channing; Holland Taylor, of ABC's "The Practice"; and Tyne Daly, of the freshman CBS series "Judging Amy."

Fellow "West Winger" Richard Schiff won outstanding supporting actor in a drama for his role as communications director Toby Ziegler. His co-star John Spencer also was nominated, as were Steve Harris and Michael Badalucco, of "The Practice," and Dominic Chianese, of "The Sopranos."

Transvestite Eddie Izzard also earned two Emmys, one for writing and another for individual performance in a variety or music program.

Garry Shandling is hosting of the 52nd annual Emmy Awards at Shrine auditorium in Los Angeles. The comedian-actor has been drawing laughs with his brand of self-deprecating humor. The ceremony started with a spoof of the "Survivor" reality series, with late-night faces Arsenio Hall, Andy Richter, Craig Kilborn and Sherry Oteri taking barbs at Shandling at a mock tribal council.

Many people watch the Emmys to see what the stars are wearing. And the big fashion statement at the ceremony is also a political one.

Many of the actors are sporting gold ribbons to show solidarity with commercial actors who are on strike against the advertising industry. Members of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio artists began the walkout in May.

The hot contest of the night is for outstanding drama, with "The West Wing" and "The Sopranos" being the favorites. Both shows have garnered the most nominations -- 18 each.

Other contenders for outstanding drama include last year's winner, "The Practice," which got ten nominations; "ER" (NBC), with nine nominations; and "Law & Order" (NBC), with six nods.

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Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

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