Emmys salute "Sopranos" with best drama win

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The U.S. television industry paid a final Emmy tribute on Sunday to "The Sopranos" and sent America's favorite mob family off with the prestigious award for best drama in a night otherwise filled with upsets.
The telecast took an emotionally charged political turn when veteran Sally Field took the stage for her surprise Emmy win as best actress in a drama in ABC's "Brothers & Sisters," playing a mom whose son ships off to serve in the Iraq war.

"I'm proud to be one of those women, and let's face it, if mothers ruled the world, there would be no goddamned wars in the first place," Field said to applause in a comment partially bleeped from the live Fox network telecast.

Still, "The Sopranos," which ended its six-season run on HBO in June, was the center of attention for much of the evening, despite being upstaged in all four of the acting categories for which it was nominated.

One of the biggest upsets came as James Spader of ABC courtroom series "Boston Legal" was named best actor in a drama series over James Gandolfini, the sentimental favorite to claim a fourth prize for his role as conflicted mob boss Tony Soprano.

"I feel like I just stole a pile of money from the mob, and they're all sitting right over there," said Spader, accepting his award and indicating the "Sopranos" cast.

Edie Falco, who had won three Emmys for her "Sopranos" role as Tony's long-suffering wife, lost out this year to Field.

But moments later, "The Sopranos" made Emmy history as the first American series to win the award as best drama for its swan-song season. The show, widely praised by critics as the greatest drama in U.S. TV history, won the same award in 2004.

"This amazing cast is really what it comes down to. It really is all about them," series creator and executive producer David Chase said from the stage after the show clinched awards for best directing and writing in a drama.

Source: REUTERS