TV Guide Awards Reflect Viewers' Choice

hollywood.com - March 6, 2000

By Ellen A. Kim

Amy Brenneman scores big, winning both Favorite New Series and Favorite Actress in a New Series for "Judging Amy," which she co-created.

The cast of "ER" celebrates its second consecutive award for Favorite Drama.

LOS ANGELES, March 6, 2000 -- It was a rainy night for television, but a sunny one for Millie Horenski.

The bleacher fan managed to collect 15 to 20 signatures in her autograph book as stars arrived under a rainproof tent for the Second Annual TV Guide Awards on Sunday night at 20th Century Fox Studios.

"They were so nice about it," Horenski gushed. "I love Peter Reckell and Austin Peck and the whole 'Days of our Lives' cast, and ['Angel's'] David Boreanaz. … But I did get dissed by 'NYPD Blue,' and that I'm disappointed about because I watch them every week."

But the law was kind to "Judging Amy," which enjoyed its inauguration into the annals of TV Guide history by capturing two trophies at the magazine's award show, telecast on Fox.

The freshman drama won Favorite New Series, while star Amy Brenneman won Favorite Actress in a New Series. Brenneman, who co-created the show, based the episodes on her mother's experience as a juvenile court judge.

"She's really our source - originally when I first sold the show, all the stories came from her," Brenneman said. "She doesn't censor herself very well, which is why I get all the good stuff."

"Sports Night" won the best-titled award of the evening: Best Show You're Not Watching, essentially a sympathy award for a quality show that needs more viewership. Apparently the strategy works; last year's recipient, "7th Heaven," has since become a top-rated show for the WB.

"We're up for grabs. … My heart beats kind of fast -- I'd like a job next year, particularly this one," said "Sports Night's" Felicity Huffman. "But thank God for the [audience] and the press because the critical acclaim I think has kept us alive, and we have a small but loyal fan group that loves us so I hope it's enough to keep us on another year."

The other winners, voted on by 1.6 million fans who cast mail-in and online ballots, were evenly spread between stalwarts such as "Frasier" and new winners "JAG" and "Everybody Loves Raymond."

"Dharma & Greg's" Jenna Elfman won a second time for Favorite Actress in a Comedy ("Two for two -- It's almost like the Lakers!" she exclaimed) while favorite drama "ER," favorite soap opera "Days of our Lives" and Jay Leno and Rosie O'Donnell's respective talk shows also repeated their wins.

Although the award show is only in its second year, its clout was large enough to generate rivalry between nominees. The creators of VH-1's "Pop-Up Video," nominated for Favorite Music Show, paraded into the ceremonies holding trademark "pop-up" signs which poked fun at fellow nominee "Total Request Live" and host Carson Daly. But when Daly's show emerged the victor, a "Pop-Up Video" member bolted onto the stage, claiming the win was "a robbery." He was escorted off the stage by security.

But by the end of the telecast, the true object of envy turned out to be the dinner laid out for members of the media, a privilege the famished winners weren't given.


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