The readers of TV Guide magazine chose their favorites in television when the TV Guide Awards were handed out Saturday in a ceremony that paired standard award-show fare with participation from the viewing audience. (Don’t worry — you haven’t missed it. The show doesn’t air until March 7.)
The winners announced on Saturday were selected by the magazine’s readership of some 34 million people, who either mailed in ballots or voted online. The winner of one category, favorite TV moment of the year, was not announced; instead, TV Guide readers and Web users will vote for the winner during the broadcast of the awards show on March 7 at 8pm EST on Fox.
For the top honors, readers picked “The West Wing” as best television drama and “Everybody Loves Raymond” as the best comedy show. Martin Sheen won the best actor in a drama for “The West Wing” and Amy Brenneman won as best dramatic actress for “Judging Amy.”
“Raymond” took home three awards, including Ray Romano as best actor in a comedy and Doris Roberts, who portrays his annoying mother, as best supporting actress.
“To win any award that is voted on by the viewers is cool,” Romano told reporters backstage. “I’m 0 for 8 in awards.”
The popular shows, however, had to share the spotlight with the new breed of popularity — the reality series. Richard Hatch, the first “Survivor” winner introduced a scene for the “moment of the year” nomination.
Co-star Brad Garrett from “Everybody Loves Raymond,” who lost in the best supporting actor category, took a shot at Hatch. “That wacko from ‘Survivor,’ who is jamming his 15 minutes of fame down everybody’s throat, gets more TV time than I do,” Garrett commented.
Rounding out the list of top winners: “CSI,” the newest creepy crime show, won for favorite new series; Sean Hayes from “Will & Grace” won for best supporting actor in a comedy; Debra Messing, the Grace of “Will & Grace,” was chosen best actress in a comedy; Tyne Daly of “Judging Amy” won for best supporting actress in a drama; and “ER’s” Noah Wyle took the award for best supporting actor in a drama.
