'Angels in America' Leads Emmy Nominations

The television academy thumbed its nose at the GOP this morning, showering "The Reagans" -- the TV movie the party tried to censor -- with seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations. That includes acting nominations for Judy Davis, who played Nancy Reagan in the movie, for James Brolin as Ronald Reagan, as well as nominations for best writing and best telefilm.

In another nod to the Reagan administration, "Angels in America," HBO's miniseries adapted from Tony Kushner's Pulitzer Prize-winning play about New Yorkers affected by the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, bagged a leading 21 Emmy nominations -- still no challenge to the most nominated miniseries in Emmy history, ABC's 1970's broadcast of "Roots."

HBO set a Primetime Emmy record this year with 124 nominations -- nearly double that of NBC's 65. CBS received 44 nominations, ABC had 33, Fox had 31 and PBS had 27.

"Hollywood really came through for us," said an elated Craig Zadan who, with producing partner Neil Meron found themselves condemned as traitors by some conservatives over "The Reagans," which was originally ordered as a miniseries by CBS for last November's sweeps. The telefilm wound up running on Showtime in December when the broadcast network caved under political pressure.

"The work rose above the controversy," added Meron; that controversy had included the introduction of a bill in Congress by Rep. Mark Edward Souder (R-Ind.) to replace Franklin Roosevelt's face on the dime with that of Reagan, as a response to the movie.

"We really wanted this acknowledgement, because we were so beat up," Meron told The TV Column.

HBO's mob drama "The Sopranos," copped 20 nominations this year, seven more than last year, to become this year's second most nominated program. Last year's most nominated series, HBO's "Six Feet Under," was not eligible this year because of its play dates.

Next in line, although not close, was NBC's "The West Wing," with 12 nominations. That's a far cry from the 22 it had received just two seasons earlier. Even so, TV critics attending Summer TV Press Tour 2004 seemed surprised by the recognition. Just days earlier Kevin Reilly, NBC entertainment division president, told them the White House drama was "challenged" last season because of the departure of creator Aaron Sorkin, adding that executive producer John Wells would try to "juice it up creatively" this coming season.

The academy has named "The West Wing" the best drama series on television every year since 2000; this year it's in the running with "The Sopranos, " CBS's "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," Fox's "24," and CBS's freshman "Joan of Arcadia."

"Joan" appears the beneficiary of changes in Emmy rules intended to recognize more freshman series; the academy has been criticized for repeatedly awarding trophies to the same old shows. Starting this year, academy members could choose up to 10 nominees per category, which is double the previous number, and the top five vote-getters became the nominees in each category.

Also basking in the rule change was HBO's new western "Deadwood" -- this year's fourth most nominated program with 11 nominations, although its haul does not include one for best series. "Deadwood" shares fourth-place status with HBO's "Sex and the City," which received a goodbye kiss from the academy in the form of a nomination for best sitcom. The academy was not so affectionate toward NBC's departed "Friends" and "Frasier." So "Sex" will brawl instead with "Arrested Development," last year's winning "Everybody Loves Raymond" on CBS, HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and NBC's "Will & Grace."

John Ritter, who died while taping last season's third episode of ABC's "8 Simple Rules," got a nomination for best sitcom actor, joining "Monk's" Tony Shalhoub, who was last year's winner, as well as "Curb's" Larry David, "Frasier's" Kelsey Grammer, "Friends'" Matt LeBlanc.

"Sex's" Sarah Jessica Parker will vie for the best sitcom actress crown against Jennifer Aniston of "Friends, " "Everybody Loves Raymond's" Patricia Heaton," Bonnie Hunt of "Life with Bonnie," and Jane Kaczmarek of "Malcolm in the Middle."

Drama-wise, lead actress nominees include last year's winner Edie Falco of "The Sopranos," Jennifer Garner of ABC's "Alias," Mariska Hargitay of NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "The West Wing's" Allison Janney, and "Joan" star Amber Tamblyn.

Last year's lead actor winner, "The Sopranos'" James Gandolfini, this year faces competition from Anthony LaPaglia of CBS's "Without a Trace," "The West Wing" lead Martin Sheen, James Spader of ABC's cancelled "The Practice" and Kiefer Sutherland of Fox's "24."

Joining "The Reagans" in the TV movie competition are: "And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself," "Something the Lord Made," "Ike: Countdown to D-Day" and "The Lion in Winter."

Competing with "Angels in America" for best miniseries are "American Family: Journey of Dreams," "Horatio Hornblower," "Prime Suspect 6: The Last Witness" and "Traffic: The Miniseries."

The Donald's "The Apprentice" will duke it out for best reality series with NBC's "Last Comic Standing," CBS's "Survivor" and "The Amazing Race," and Fox's "American Idol."