The broadcast networks have a lot more viewers, but HBO has most of the Emmys, winning more than ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox combined on Sunday night.
"Their slogan is, 'We're not television, we're HBO.' Then what are you doing here?" joked Emmycast host Garry Shandling.
What were they doing there? Winning 32 Emmys, that's what (including those presented at the Sept. 12 creative arts awards for craft achievement).
The Big Four broadcast networks combined for 27. For the first time, Fox, with 10, beat NBC (eight), ABC (seven) and CBS (only two).
Leading the way for HBO was "Angels in America," the critically acclaimed miniseries that Tony Kushner (who won a writing Emmy) adapted from his Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Nominated for 21 Emmys, it took home 11 (including four at the Sept. 12 creative arts awards for craft achievement), tying 1976's "Eleanor & Franklin" as the most-honored miniseries in Emmy history.
The drama about the early years of the AIDS crisis for best miniseries; actor (Al Pacino), actress (Meryl Streep), supporting actor (Jeffrey Wright), supporting actress (Mary Louise Parker), director (Mike Nichols).
"Everybody loves Tony Kushner, especially actors . . . because he gives us such great parts," Pacino said.
"You know, there are some days when I myself think I'm overrated," Streep said to the laughter of the crowd in the Pasadena Civic Center. "But not today."
Sunday's second-biggest winner was HBO's "The Sopranos," which finally broke through to win best drama series — the first cable show to do so — as well as supporting actor (Michael Imperioli), supporting actress (Drea de Matteo, now on NBC's "Joey), and writing.
"There are so many people that are responsible for this that if I even try to thank any of them right now, I might puke, choke, cry or die," said de Matteo, whose character did all four on "The Sopranos."
"Sex and the City" didn't repeat as best comedy (it won in 2001 and 2003) but it won its first acting awards — Sarah Jessica Parker as lead actress and Cynthia Nixon (who beat out castmates Kim Cattrall and Kristin Davis) as supporting actress.
"This is great punctation for the end of a long sentence," Parker said.
HBO, which has about 38 million subscribers (as compared to the broadcast networks, available in virtually all of the more than 106 million TV-equipped homes in America), also took home Emmys for TV movie ("Something the Lord Made"); directing in a drama series ("Deadwood"); and individual performance in a variety or music program (Elaine Stritch).
Stritch's enthusiastic — and long — acceptance speech was the hit of the night and the subject of much of the humor that followed it.
"Look at the company I'm with," said the 79-year-old winner, pointing to her fellow nominees. "And I'm so glad none of them won. I won!"
ABC, which employed a five-second delay on the telecast in areas where it was seen live, used the bleep button on part of her remarks.
Not that the broadcast networks were shut out. The night's biggest (and most pleasant) surprise came when Fox's critically acclaimed, low-rated "Arrested Development" added best sitcom to the awards it won for directing and writing.
"This is a huge thing for us. This is outrageous," said surprised executive producer Mitchell Hurwitz.
Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce each won their fourth Emmy as best actor and best supporting actor in a comedy, respectively, for the departed "Frasier." "In sitcom school they tell you how great it is to have a long-running show but they don't tell you how hard it is to say goodbye," Pierce said.
"Frasier," which came into this year's Emmy competition with 31 — the most of any series in TV history — added six more, including awards for guest actress (Laura Linney), art direction, editing and sound.
Allison Janney won her second lead actress in a drama Emmy for her character on NBC's "The West Wing" (a role she also won two supporting actress Emmys for) and James Spader won his first for playing a lawyer on "The Practice" (a role he'll continue this season on the spinoff "Boston Legal").
And, while reality programming was the butt of many jokes throughout the evening, "The Amazing Race" deservedly won its second consecutive Emmy in the reality/competition category, beating higher-profile programs like "American Idol," "The Apprentice" and "Survivor."
The ceremonies were certainly underwhelming in terms of entertainment values, but did come in on almost on time — even cutting off "Sopranos" star James Gandolfini to end the show.
E-mail: pierce@desnews.com