Broadcast networks also collected performance awards for comedy series, but it was clear that cable is overshadowing the traditional networks.

Angels in America, the miniseries adaptation of Tony Kushner's Pulitzer Prize-winning play about the 1980s AIDS crisis, won seven Emmys Sunday, including outstanding miniseries and acting trophies for Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Mary-Louise Parker and Jeffrey Wright. Kushner received a best writing award and Mike Nichols won best director.

WINNERS

Drama: The Sopranos, HBO. Comedy: Arrested Development, Fox. Miniseries: Angels in America, HBO. Variety, Music or Comedy: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Comedy Central. Made-for-TV Movie: Something the Lord Made, HBO. Reality-Competition Program: The Amazing Race, CBS. Actor, Drama: James Spader, The Practice, ABC. Actor, Comedy: Kelsey Grammer, Frasier, NBC. Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Al Pacino, Angels in America, HBO. Actress, Drama: Allison Janney, The West Wing, NBC. Actress, Comedy: Sarah Jessica Parker, Sex and the City, HBO. Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Meryl Streep, Angels in America, HBO. Supporting Actor, Drama: Michael Imperioli, The Sopranos, HBO. Supporting Actor, Comedy: David Hyde Pierce, Frasier, NBC. Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Jeffrey Wright, Angels in America, HBO. Supporting Actress, Drama: Drea de Matteo, The Sopranos, HBO. Supporting Actress, Comedy: Cynthia Nixon, Sex and the City, HBO. Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Mary-Louise Parker, Angels in America, HBO. Individual in a Variety or Music Program: Elaine Stritch, Elaine Stritch: At Liberty, HBO. Directing for a Drama: Deadwood: Pilot, HBO. Directing for a Comedy: Arrested Development: Pilot, Fox. Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: Angels in America, HBO. Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: The 76th Annual Academy Awards, ABC. Writing, Drama: The Sopranos: Long Term Parking, HBO. Writing, Comedy: Arrested Development: Pilot, Fox. Writing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: Angels in America, HBO. Writing, Music or Comedy Program: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, Comedy Central. Bob Hope Humanitarian Award: Danny Thomas.

"As you know the fight against AIDS isn't over yet and we must do what we can for Africa. ... Let's see what we can do," Nichols said.

With the four Emmys won Sept. 12 at the creative arts awards and the seven it won Sunday, Angels exceeded the nine awards won by Roots in 1977 to become the most honored miniseries. It matched the 11 won by Eleanor and Franklin in 1976, the most for any program in one season.

The Sopranos finally collected the best drama Emmy in its fifth try.

"This is really great and seeing those goodbye episodes before gave me some great ideas how to end the show," creator David Chase said of The Sopranos, which has one more season.

Michael Imperioli and Drea de Matteo won drama series supporting actor and actress Emmys.

"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. And you've already seen me do that," said de Matteo.

In some good news for the networks, Allison Janney of NBC's The West Wing and James Spader of ABC's The Practice won best actor awards for drama.

Fox's Arrested Development proved another broadcast bright spot, winning as best comedy series after a freshman year that was critically acclaimed but low rated.

"This is so huge for us. You know what, let's watch it," said creator Mitchell Hurwitz.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, which has spent election year skewering the candidates for tiny Comedy Central, won an award for best variety series for the second year in a row. His writing staff also won an Emmy.

Mirroring the concern in Hollywood over the state of situation comedies, the four major comedy acting awards went for work in series that are now off the air.

Kelsey Grammer won his fourth Emmy for best actor in a comedy for Frasier and Sarah Jessica Parker won best actress for Sex and the City.

Grammer paid tribute to John Ritter, who was nominated posthumously for Eight Simple Rules.

"He was a terrific guy and his death was a shock to all of us. And he'll be missed, not only just for his kindness but also for his work." Grammer said.

David Hyde Pierce won a supporting actor award for Frasier, which ended an 11-year run this spring, and Cynthia Nixon won best supporting actress for Sex and the City.

Donald Trump and Survivor creator Mark Burnett found themselves looking on from the audience as CBS' The Amazing Race, won best reality series for the second year in a row.

Host Garry Shandling repeatedly poked fun at the genre, joking about Extreme Makeover, Paris Hilton and Trump in his monologue.

"It's to the point now when a commercial comes on I go, 'Thank God, professional actors in a story,' " he quipped.

The ceremony highlighted the theme of last laughs, paying videotaped tribute not only to the three major series that ended their runs last season, but also many that came before including Cheers, Mad About You and Roseanne.

HBO led the nominations with its highest-ever total, 124. NBC was second with 65, followed by CBS with 44, Fox with 31 and ABC with 33. PBS earned 27 nominations. The awards are given by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Acting awards for guest roles were given out at a previous ceremony. Emmys for best guest actress and actor in a drama went to William Shatner and Sharon Stone for episodes of The Practice.

For guest actor and actress in a comedy, the winners were Laura Linney for NBC's Frasier and John Turturro for USA's Monk.