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56th Primetime Emmy Awards

Nominees List

Welcome to DigitalHit.com's coverage of the 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. The nominations for the Awards were announced on July 15th, 2004. Some of the awards were handed out on September 12th during the Creative Arts Primetime Emmys ceremony and tonight the rest of the winners will find out who they are. We'll have up-to-the-minute results and commentary during the ceremony. While the ceremomy is on, this page will automatically refresh every few minutes to give you the latest results.

8:00 PM ET

The awards begin with a reality show spoof as they talk to the various nominees and host Garry Shandling, who prepares to receive an extreme makeover.

8:03 PM ET

Shandling takes to the stage. "I hosted four years ago. Anyone here from four years ago?" He mentions that the Emmy gift bag does not contain an Emmy. He said that reality shows are so prevalent that he once watched his security camera for 45 minutes. Now when a commercial comes on he says, "Look professional actors and a story."

I haven't seen Garry's forehead move yet — is that way too much Botox?

Speaking of Joan of Arcadia, he said that "God had a lot of nominations, but you have to remember that his son had that big movie."

8:11 PM ET

The first presenters of the night: Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Noth. The Sex and the City pair were there to present Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series. And the Emmy goes to David Hyde Pierce.

David thanked his fellow nominees and said how hard it was to leave his friends at Frasier.

Heather Locklear and Blair Underwood then presented the Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series. And the Emmy goes to Michael Imperioli. He thanked the late Nancy Marchand who he said had a lot to do with making The Sopranos great.

8:20 PM ET

After riffing on Oprah's car giveaway, we meet the next two presenters, Simon Cowell and Donald Trump. They're here to present Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series. And the Emmy goes to Cynthia Nixon, who appears shocked. She said she wanted to share it with he three co-stars. She said she's been acting for 25 years and didn't think she'd have another job like her show.

Arrested Development's Portia de Rossi and Jason Bateman read the previously announced comedy guest star nominees and then introduced the winners, Laura Linney and John Turturro, who in turn presented the Emmy for Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series. And the Emmy goes to Joe Russo and Anthony Russo for Arrested Development.

Backstage, FOX and CBS talked to Shandling about his security camera series. "Don't I have a contractual problem because I pitched it on ABC?"

8:29 PM ET

Jim Belushi and Teri Hatcher then announced the nominees for Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series. And the Emmy goes to Mitchell Hurwitz for Arrested Development. As the orchestra played up during his speech he quipped, "I'd like to sing this part."

8:38 PM ET

"I have no jokes on Iraq…I thought we'd be done by now.

Amber Tamblyn and Zach Braff present the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series. And the Emmy goes to Drea de Matteo. She was completely shocked and said she thank people at the party.

8:40 PM ET

Shandling's co-star on The Larry Sanders Show, Jeffrey Tambor, joins him on stage. Garry tried to get Jeffrey to say his "Hey Now!" from their show, but Tambor said that it wasn't part of his process. They introduced Mischa Barton, Adam Brody and Benjamin Mackenzie from The O.C. who presented the Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series Emmy to Walter Hill for Deadwood.

8:47 PM ET

The Chairman and CEO of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Dick Askin, comes out to make the obligatory industry speech. He mentions the proliferation of new program choices but stresses the drive for excellence is always there.

8:53 PM ET

Debra Messing and Eric McCormack joke that the Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie award is divided into two categories. "Those who were in Angels in America and William H. Macy.

And the Emmy goes to Jeffrey Wright, who also won a Tony for the same role when he played it on Broadway.

8:56 PM ET

Billy Crystal compliments Garry backstage. He then starts giving him suggestions on how to make the show better, suggesting he should do some singing or dancing like he does at the Oscars.

8:57 PM ET

Jimmy Kimmel and Ty Pennington then present the Emmy for Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program. And the Emmy goes to Louis J. Horvitz…who also happens to be directing this broadcast.

9:03 PM ET

Jon Stewart, of The Daily Show, talked about the election campaign. "Both men have been attacked: Bush for not defending Texas against Arkansas and Kerry for not being wounded enough." He then introduced a clip showing negative campaign ads against George Washington.

Stewart then announces the Emmy for Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety Or Music Program. And the Emmy goes to Elaine Stritch, who had George Lopez help her find the stairs up to the stage. The saucy Elaine was the first person to be bleeped tonight.

9:10 PM ET

After Stritch flipped out, they showed a clip from Garry's new security camera show before the next presenters, Mos Def and Tony Shalhoub take the stage. They're presenting the Emmy for Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program. And the Emmy goes to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Jon accepted the award. "We don't do it for the awards, we do it for the money."

9:15 PM ET

Garry wonders how close we were to an Elaine Stritch "wardrobe malfunction."

9:21 PM ET

Mariska Hargitay and Matthew Fox then listed the nominees for Guest Actor & Actress in a drama series. The previously announced winners, Sharon Stone and William Shatner, then presented the Emmy for Writing for a Drama Series. And the Emmy goes to Terrence Winter for The Sopranos' episode "Long Term Parking."

9:24 PM ET

Joey's Matt LeBlanc then intro'd a tribute to long-running shows and their goodbyes.

Shandling then showed a clip illustraing how Kelsey Grammer beat him year after year. Kelsey apologized and they then introduced William Petersen and Dennis Franz. They presented the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie to Mary-Louise Parker. She said that her director, Mike Nichols, could get a great performance out of a quiche.

9:37 PM ET

George Lopez takes to the stage. "Elaine Stritch wanted me to thank her Spanish fans." He then presented the Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. This is the second year they've won this category.

9:41 PM ET

Kathryn Morris and Anthony LaPaglia then presented the Emmy for Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special. And the Emmy goes to Tony Kushner for Angels in America. He thanked his husband, saying "One day we can get married and you can make an honest homosexual out of me."

9:49 PM ET

Garry Shandling intro's two unsuspecting people, blindfolded, to present the Emmy for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program. Garry tells the shocked duo that, "You're happier than Elaine Stritch." And the Emmy goes to The Amazing Race, which takes the golden lady home for a second year.

9:54 PM ET

Joely Richardson and Kiefer Sutherland then present the Emmy for Outstanding Made For Television Movie. And the Emmy goes to Something the Lord Made.

10:02 PM ET

Edie Falco and James Gandolfini had the task of presenting the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie. And the Emmy goes to Al Pacino for Angels in America. Pacino got a standing ovation from the crowd, He joked that Elaine Stritch stole his speech.

10:08 PM ET

Anjelica Houston and James Spader then presented the Emmy for Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special. And the Emmy goes to Mike Nichols for Angels in America. Another ovation from the crowd. "I had intended to say that I did it all myself, but you're on to me."

10:11 PM ET

Ray Romano and Garry speak to each other at the urinals and discuss the two hour and twenty minute lull…at the last urinal Chris Rock asks, "Who the hell is Elaine Stritch?"

10:12 PM ET

Victor Garber and Taye Diggs present the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series to Allison Janney for The West Wing. "Mariska, I know that I said I'd give this to you if I won…"

10:15 PM ET

"There's a lot of great TV after the Emmy's, so we have to keep this moving."

10:16 PM ET

Marlo Thomas then accepted the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award on behalf of her late father, Danny Thomas.

10:23 PM ET

Time for Jon Cryer and Charlie Sheen to take the stage and present the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series. And the Emmy goes to Sarah Jessica Parker. "This is great punctuation to a really long — a great — sentence."

10:26 PM ET

Conan O'Brien, man he's tall, said "The producers wanted star power for this segment, but I said no I'm going out there. Too bad Joan Rivers isn't here, she's protesting high-definition TV." He then presented the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series to Kelsey Grammer. He paid his respects to fellow nominee, the late John Ritter. "I want to say everything that Sarah Jessica Parker said."

10:30 PM ET

Roughly half an hour to go…and here's Tom Selleck. He presents the series of clips about fellow TV artists who passed away in the last year.

10:38 PM ET

Gary Sinise and Melina Kanakaredes then presented the award for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series to James Spader. "I should have written a speech. I have a confusing list of names running around in my head, but none of the first names match the last."

10:41 PM ET

Treat Williams and William H. Macy then take to the stage to present the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie. And the Emmy goes to Meryl Streep for Angels in America. "There are some days, when I myself think I'm overrated…but not today."

10:49 PM ET

Barbara Walters is now here to present the Emmy for Outstanding Miniseries. And the Emmy goes to Angels in America. Mike Nichols heads back to the stage. "We're all bound together now, but we knew that already. The fight against AIDS isn't over yet and we must do what we can about Africa."

10:52 PM ET

Ellen Degeneres asks for the valets to bring her car around before announcing that Arrested Development is the winner for Outstanding Comedy Series. Writer/producer Mitchell Hurwitz makes the thank you's as producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer looked on.

10:59 PM ET

Glenn Close closes out the show by presenting the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series. And the Emmy goes to The Sopranos. After David Chase makes his speech, James Gandolfini tries to say something but gets cut off by Shandling's goodbye and the end credits.

G'night!

Here are the winners:

Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less than One Hour)

Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour Or More)

Outstanding Art Direction For A Multi-Camera Series

Outstanding Art Direction For a Single-Camera Series

Outstanding Art Direction For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Art Direction For A Variety Or Music Program

Outstanding Casting For A Comedy Series

Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series

Outstanding Casting For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Choreography

Outstanding Cinematography For A Multi-Camera Series

Outstanding Cinematography For A Single-Camera Series

Outstanding Cinematography For A Miniseries Or Movie

Outstanding Cinematography For Nonfiction Programming (Single Or Multi-Camera)

Outstanding Commercial

Outstanding Costumes For A Series

Outstanding Costumes For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series

Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series

Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program

Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special

Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Drama Series

Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Comedy Series

Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing For A Series

Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing For A Miniseries, Movie or A Special

Outstanding Picture Editing For Nonfiction Programming (Single or Multi-Camera)

Outstanding Hairstyling For A Series

Outstanding Hairstyling For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic, Multi-Camera) For A VMC Programming

Outstanding Main Title Design

Outstanding Makeup For A Series (Non-Prosthetic)

Outstanding Makeup For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special (Non-Prosthetic)

Outstanding Makeup For A Series, Miniseries, Movie Or A Special (Prosthetic)

Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (Dramatic Underscore)

Outstanding Music Composition For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special (Dramatic Underscore)

Outstanding Music Direction

Outstanding Music And Lyrics

Outstanding Main Title Theme Music

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series

Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety Or Music Program

Outstanding Comedy Series

Outstanding Drama Series

Outstanding Miniseries

Outstanding Made For Television Movie

Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series

Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special

Outstanding Special Class Program

Outstanding Children's Program

Outstanding Nonfiction Special

Outstanding Nonfiction Series

Outstanding Reality Program

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program

Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming

Outstanding Writing for Nonfiction Programming

Outstanding Sound Editing For A Series

Outstanding Sound Editing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Sound Editing For Nonfiction Programming (Single Or Multi-Camera)

Outstanding Single-Camera Sound Mixing For A Series

Outstanding Single-Camera Sound Mixing For A Miniseries Or A Movie

Outstanding Multi-Camera Sound Mixing For A Series Or Special

Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Variety Or Music Series Or Special

Outstanding Sound Mixing For Nonfiction Programming (Single Or Multi-Camera)

Outstanding Special Visual Effects For A Series

Outstanding Special Visual Effects For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Stunt Coordination

Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video For A Series

Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special

Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series

Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series

Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program

Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special