Keeping in tune with other awards shows of the year, the 55th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards stepped outside the box for 2003.
The show opened with a familiar scene: two well-known celebrities making out onstage. Everybody Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett wasted no time rushing the stage to lay one on comedic host Gary Shandling.
Several fellow comedians joined Shandling in hosting this year’s event. Ellen DeGeneres, Wanda Sykes, Jon Stewart, Martin Short, Conan O’Brien, George Lopez, Brad Garrett and Darrell Hammond played the role of host at the gala.
Everybody Loves Raymond costars Brad Garrett and Doris Roberts took home awards for Supporting Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series. This was the third consecutive time that Roberts received this award. Garrett received the same award for the second year in a row. For the first time, the show itself took home Best Comedy Series and the Writing for a Comedy Series award for its episode titled “Baggage.”
HBO’s drama The Sopranos won a similar array of trophies, including Edie Falco’s award for Lead Actress in a Drama series, James Gandolfini’s award for Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Writing for a Drama Series for the show’s “Whitecaps” episode.
HBO also received much-deserved attention at this year’s awards show for its miniseries Hysterical Blindness. Ben Gazzara and Gena Rowlands received awards for Supporting Actor and Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie. The network’s Curb Your Enthusiasm episode titled “Krazee-Eyes Killa” won the award for best directing in a Comedy Series while My House in Umbria actress Maggie Smith received the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie.
CBS’s The Amazing Race won in the Reality/Competition Program category, possibly saving itself from being taken off the air next season.
The 56th Annual Tony Awards, also airing on CBS, won the award for Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program. Also, Tyne Daly took home the award for Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role on the network’s Judging Amy.
A variety of awards also went to NBC programs this year. Debra Messing received the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series award for her role in Will & Grace while The West Wing was honored with Drama Series and Directing for a Drama Series for its “25” episode.
The award for Variety, Music or Comedy Special went to Cher – The Farewell Tour.
Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart received awards for Variety, Music or Comedy Series and Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series.
Steven Spieldberg Presents Taken, a Sci Fi Channel show, took home the Emmy for Outstanding Miniseries.
Tony Shalhoub received Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in USA’s Monk.
Wayne Brady won the Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program award for ABC’s Whose Line Is It Anyway.
TNT’s made-for-television movie Door to Door, based on a true story about a man with cerebral palsy who achieved his dream of becoming a salesman, received four Emmy awards including Made for Television Movie, Directing for a Miniseries, Writing for a Miniseries and Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie – William H. Macy.
Bill Cosby accepted the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, the second ever presented. The long-time entertainer also paid homage to the late Fred Rogers, a trend among presenters and recipients throughout the night, including tributes to Rogers, John Ritter, Bob Hope and Gregory Hines.

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