Gary Shandling's awkward opening unfortunately set the tone for the evening's comedic talent which included Dennis Miller, John Stewart, George Lopez, Darrell Hammond and Conan O'Brien (arguably the funniest and most successful comedian onstage, but given the shortest on-air time).

     Wanda Sykes, the only comedienne in the group, unintentionally offered the evening's most comedic moment when she prodded an unamused Bill Cosby into chastising her grammar.  In a way scarier performance than any lecture he gave Theo, Cosby answered her prattling about "The Cosby Show" being scripted (rather than improv like nominee "Curb Your Enthusiasm") with an admonishing "we spoke English."

     You got an idea of who this awards show was aimed at when the first two awards, for best supporting actress in a comedy series and best supporting actress in a drama series, were given to Doris Roberts of "Everybody Loves Raymond" and Tyne Daly of "Judging Amy".  Maybe the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences voters can relate a little to easily to mean, old characters.

     In addition to the hoards of multiple Emmy winning actors (many of whom won for the same shows last year...and the year before) the same "best" shows seemed to crop up as well.  You have to ask, have "The West Wing" and "The Sopranos" really been the best, most consistent, only recognition deserving shows for four years running.  Maybe the act of refusing to nominate young, fresh talent (or at least throw people a bone with Jennifer Aniston - her show's been on 7 years - that has to make the cut) extended so far as refusing to actually acknowledge the new, original talent that got nominated - "Six Feet Under" and "24" come to mind.

     In another lulling victory, the industry has again managed to almost completely ignore the existence of the WB and UPN.  Pay-only cable networks can become staples, but anything reeking of that sketchy (yet immensely popular) sci-fi genre - Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Star Trek - will be staunchly disregarded (maybe ratings and "cult followings" are too new-fangled for the Emmy voters).  In addition, any comedy targeted at African Americans (standard UPN fare) or younger viewers and - ew - girls (The WB's "Gilmore Girls" whose Lauren Graham was considered a shoe-in for a comedic actress nomination) seems ineligible.

     While some honest, undeniable talent was recognized at the awards - "Door to Door", Tony Shaloub of "Monk" and even "The Sopranos" among others - the academy needs to start watching television with their kids, or their grandkids, or just make a promise to consider one new show a season. 

      It would serve us all right if we didn't watch next year and it was a night of laughs and critically acclaimed, popular victories.  But I wouldn't suggest taking that chance, after John Stewart and Doris Roberts, Gary Shandling and Brad Garrett, who knows who will lip-lock next year.  Young men everywhere had to pop in their tapes of Madonna and Britney just to recover.