'Sopranos,' 'West Wing' lead Emmy nominations

Associated Press - July 20, 2000
Lynn Elber - Associated Press

Los Angeles --- "The Sopranos" and "The West Wing" each received a leading 18 Emmy nominations today, setting up a showdown between television's favorite mob boss and chief executive.

HBO's drama about a mobster battling the feds, his family and a nervous breakdown, and NBC's behind-the-scenes look at the White House will compete for best dramatic series honors and in most of the major acting categories at the 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

Other top contenders are the TV movies "RKO 281," about Orson Welles' making of the classic "Citizen Kane," which received 13 bids, and "Annie," which garnered 12.

The TV movie "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge" and the sitcom "Will & Grace" also were among top contenders with 11 nominations apiece.

NBC, with 97 nominations, was the leading network, followed by HBO with 86, ABC with 64, CBS with 41 and Fox with 26.

The nominations were announced by Edie Falco of "The Sopranos," last year's winner in the best dramatic actress category and again a nominee, and by Michael Badalucco of "The Practice." He also has a chance of winning again in the best supporting dramatic actor category.

Other drama series bids went to "ER," "Law & Order" and last year's winner, "The Practice."

In addition to "Will & Grace," comedy series nominees include "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Frasier," "Friends" and "Sex and the City." Last year's comedy winner, "Ally McBeal," failed to make the category and received only three nominations.

In a bittersweet note, Nancy Marchand, who died in June, received a best supporting actress nomination for her role as mob mom Livia Soprano in "The Sopranos."

"The West Wing" drew nominations for five of its cast members including Martin Sheen (President Josiah Bartlet) as best dramatic actor, and Stockard Channing (Bartlet's physician-wife) for supporting actress. Sheen will be competing with James Gandolfini of "The Sopranos," along with Dennis Franz of "NYPD Blue" and Sam Waterston and Jerry Orbach, both of "Law & Order."

Joining Falco in the lead dramatic actress category are Lorraine Bracco, also of "The Sopranos," Amy Brenneman of "Judging Amy," Sela Ward of "Once and Again" and former "ER" cast member Julianna Margulies.

Nominees for lead actor in a comedy include Michael J. Fox of "Spin City," who stepped away from the sitcom because of his battle against Parkinson's disease. Other nominees are Kelsey Grammer of "Frasier," John Lithgow of "3rd Rock From the Sun," Eric McCormack of "Will & Grace" and Ray Romano "Everybody Loves Raymond."

Among comedy series lead actresses, nominees are Jenna Elfman of "Dharma & Greg," Patricia Heaton of "Everybody Loves Raymond," Jane Kaczmarek of "Malcolm in the Middle," Debra Messing of "Will & Grace" and Sarah Jessica Parker of "Sex and the City."


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