50th Primetime Emmy Awards

50th Primetime Emmy Awards
Date	September 13, 1998 (Ceremony) August 29, 1998 (Creative Arts Awards)
Location	Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Hosted by	Trey Parker Matt Stone
Television/radio coverage
Network	NBC
Produced by	Don Mischer

The 50th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were held Sunday, September 13, 1998. It was broadcast on NBC. Nominees and winners are listed below, winners are in bold.

When Frasier was announced as the winner of Outstanding Comedy Series, Emmy history was made. the NBC sitcom became the first show to win one of the two main series prizes five consecutive years. This record has since been passed by The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, whose current winning streak is ten years, but for the main two genres, it was not matched until 2014, when the ABC sitcom Modern Family won its fifth consecutive award in the Outstanding Comedy Series category.

The Practice won Outstanding Drama Series and tied for the most major wins overall with three. For the second straight year, medical drama ER came into the night as the most nominated program, but once again walked away empty handed, going 0/9 in major categories.

Ally McBeal became the first hour-long series to be nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series since Love, American Style in 1971.

This year saw the Emmys move to a new venue, the Shrine Auditorium, marking the return of the award ceremony to Los Angeles for the first time since the 1976 Emmy Awards, following a 20-year residency at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium outside L.A. in Pasadena.

Winners and Nominees

Programs

Outstanding Comedy Series	Outstanding Drama Series
Frasier, (NBC) 3rd Rock from the Sun, (NBC) Ally McBeal, (Fox) The Larry Sanders Show, (HBO) Seinfeld, (NBC)	The Practice, (ABC) ER, (NBC) Law & Order, (NBC) NYPD Blue, (ABC) The X-Files, (Fox)
Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series	Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Special
Late Show with David Letterman, (CBS) Dennis Miller Live, (HBO) Politically Incorrect, (Comedy Central) The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, (NBC) Tracey Takes On..., (HBO)	The 51st Annual Tony Awards, (CBS) The 70th Annual Academy Awards, (ABC) Christopher Reeve: A Celebration of Hope, (ABC) Cinderella, (ABC) Garth Live from Central Park, (HBO)
Outstanding Made for Television Movie	Outstanding Miniseries
Don King: Only in America, (HBO) 12 Angry Men, (Showtime) A Bright Shining Lie, (HBO) Gia, (HBO) What the Deaf Man Heard, (CBS)	From the Earth to the Moon, (HBO) George Wallace, (TNT) Merlin, (NBC) Moby Dick, (USA) More Tales of the City, (Showtime)

Acting

Lead performances

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series	Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane on Frasier, (Episode: "Frasier’s Imaginary Friend"), (NBC) Michael J. Fox as Mike Flaherty on Spin City, (Episode: "The Goodbye Girl"), (ABC) John Lithgow as Dr. Dick Solomon on 3rd Rock from the Sun, (Episode: "Stuck with Dick"), (NBC) Paul Reiser as Paul Buchman on Mad About You, (Episode: "The Conversation"), (NBC) Garry Shandling as Larry Sanders on The Larry Sanders Show, (Episode: "Flip"), (HBO)	Helen Hunt as Jamie Buchman on Mad About You, (Episode: "Moody Blues"), (NBC) Kirstie Alley as Veronica Chase on Veronica’s Closet, (Episode: "Pilot"), (NBC) Jenna Elfman as Dharma Montgomery on Dharma & Greg, (Episode: "Haus Arrest"), (ABC) Ellen DeGeneres as Ellen Morgan on Ellen, (Episode: "Neighbors"), (ABC) Calista Flockhart as Ally McBeal on Ally McBeal, (Episode: "One Hundred Tears Away"), (Fox) Patricia Richardson as Jill Taylor on Home Improvement, (Episode: "Bright Christmas"), (ABC)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series	Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Andre Braugher as Frank Pembleton on Homicide: Life on the Street, (Episode: "Fallen Heroes", Part 2), (NBC) David Duchovny as FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder on The X-Files, (Episode: "Redux II"), (Fox) Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene on ER, (Episode: "Family Practice"), (NBC) Dennis Franz as Andy Sipowicz on NYPD Blue, (Episode: "The One That Got Away"), (ABC) Jimmy Smits as Bobby Simone on NYPD Blue, (Episode: "Lost Israel"), (ABC)	Christine Lahti as Dr. Kate Austin on Chicago Hope, (Episode: "Cabin Fever"), (CBS) Gillian Anderson as Dr. Dana Scully on The X-Files, (Episode: "All Souls"), (Fox) Roma Downey as Monica on Touched by an Angel, (Episode: "The Spirit of Liberty Moon"), (CBS) Julianna Margulies as Carol Hathaway on ER, (Episode: "Carter’s Choice"), (NBC) Jane Seymour as Dr. Michaela Quinn on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, (Episode: "Point Blank"), (CBS)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie	Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Gary Sinise as George Wallace on George Wallace, (TNT) Jack Lemmon as Juror #8 on 12 Angry Men, (Showtime) Sam Neill as Merlin on Merlin, (NBC) Ving Rhames as Don King on Don King: Only in America, (HBO) Patrick Stewart as Captain Ahab on Moby Dick, (USA)	Ellen Barkin as Glory Marie Jackson on Before Women Had Wings, (ABC) Judy Davis as Gladwyn Ritchie on The Echo of Thunder, (CBS) Olympia Dukakis as Mrs. Anna Madrigal on More Tales of the City, (Showtime) Angelina Jolie as Gia Carangi on Gia, (HBO) Jamie Lee Curtis as Maggie Green on Nicholas’ Gift, (CBS) Sigourney Weaver as Lady Claudia Hoffman on Snow White: A Tale of Terror, (Showtime)

Supporting performances

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
David Hyde Pierce as Dr. Niles Crane on Frasier, (Episodes: "The Maris Counselor" + "First Date"), (NBC) Jason Alexander as George Costanza on Seinfeld, (Episode: "The Strike"), (NBC) Phil Hartman as Bill McNeal on NewsRadio, (NBC) Jeffrey Tambor as Hank Kingsley on The Larry Sanders Show, (HBO) Rip Torn as Arthur on The Larry Sanders Show, (HBO)	Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay on Friends, (Episode: "The One with Ross’s Wedding"), (NBC) Christine Baranski as Maryann Thorpe on Cybill, (Episode: "The Golden Years") (CBS) Kristen Johnston as Sally Solomon on 3rd Rock from the Sun, (NBC) Jane Leeves as Daphne Moon on Frasier, (Episodes: "Where Every Bloke Knows Your Name" + "First Date"), (NBC) Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine Benes on Seinfeld, (NBC)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Gordon Clapp as Greg Medavoy on NYPD Blue, (ABC) Hector Elizondo as Dr. Phillip Watters on Chicago Hope, (Episodes: "Psychodrama" + "Bridge Over Troubled Watters"), (CBS) Steven Hill as Adam Schiff on Law & Order, (NBC) Eriq La Salle as Dr. Peter Benton on ER, (NBC) Noah Wyle as Dr. John Carter on ER, (NBC)	Camryn Manheim as Ellenor Frutt on The Practice, (Episodes: "Checkmate" + "Axe Murderer"), (ABC) Kim Delaney as Diane Russell on NYPD Blue, (ABC) Laura Innes as Dr. Kerry Weaver on ER, (NBC) Della Reese as Tess on Touched by an Angel, (CBS) Gloria Reuben as Jeanie Boulet on ER, (NBC)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
George C. Scott as Juror #3 on 12 Angry Men, (Showtime) Hume Cronyn as Juror #9 on 12 Angry Men, (Showtime) Gregory Peck as Father Mapple on Moby Dick, (USA) Martin Short as Frik on Merlin, (NBC) J. T. Walsh as Ray Percy on Hope, (TNT)	Mare Winningham as Lurleen Wallace on George Wallace, (TNT) Helena Bonham Carter as Morgan Le Fey on Merlin, (NBC) Julie Harris as Leonora Nelson on Ellen Foster, (CBS) Judith Ivey as Lucille on What the Deaf Man Heard, (CBS) Angelina Jolie as Cornelia Wallace on George Wallace, (TNT)

Guest performances

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series	Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Mel Brooks as Uncle Phil on Mad About You, (Episode: "Uncle Phil And The Coupons"), (NBC) Hank Azaria as Nat on Mad About You, (Episode: "Nat and Arly"), (NBC) Lloyd Bridges as Izzy Mandelbaum on Seinfeld, (Episode: "The Blood"), (NBC) John Cleese as Dr. Neesam on 3rd Rock from the Sun, (Episode: "Dick and the Other Guy"), (NBC) Nathan Lane as Professor Twilley on Mad About You, (Episode: "Good Old Reliable Nathan"), (NBC)	Emma Thompson as Herself on Ellen, (Episode: "Emma"), (ABC) Carol Burnett as Teresa on Mad About You, (Episode: "Coming Home"), (NBC) Jan Hooks as Vicki Dubcek on 3rd Rock from the Sun, (Episode: "Eat, Drink, Dick, Mary"), (NBC) Patti LuPone as Zora on Frasier, (Episode: "Beware of Greeks"), (NBC) Bette Midler as Caprice Feldman on Murphy Brown, (Episode: "Never Can Say Goodbye"), (CBS)
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series	Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
John Larroquette as Joey Heric on The Practice, (Episode: "Betrayal"), (ABC) Bruce Davison as Jake on Touched by an Angel, (Episode: "Elijah"), (CBS) Vincent D’Onofrio as John Lange on Homicide: Life on the Street, (Episode: "The Subway"), (NBC) Charles Durning as Thomas Finnegan on Homicide: Life on the Street, (Episode: "Finnegan’s Wake"), (NBC) Charles Nelson Reilly as Jose Chung on Millennium, (Episode: "Jose Chung’s Doomsday Defense"), (Fox)	Cloris Leachman as Aunt Mooster on Promised Land, (Episode: "Mooster’s Revenge"), (CBS) Veronica Cartwright as Cassandra Spender on The X-Files, (Episode: "Patient X"), (Fox) Swoosie Kurtz as Tina-Marie Chambliss on ER, (Episode: "Suffer the Little Children"), (NBC) Lili Taylor as Marty Glenn on The X-Files, (Episode: "Mind’s Eye"), (Fox) Alfre Woodard as Dr. Roxanne Turner on Homicide: Life on the Street, (Episode: "Mercy"), (NBC)

Directing

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series	Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
Todd Holland, for The Larry Sanders Show, (Episode: "Flip"), (HBO) Allan Arkush for Ally McBeal, (Episode: "Cro-Magnon"), (Fox) James Burrows for Dharma & Greg, (Episode: "Pilot"), (ABC) James Frawley for Ally McBeal, (Episode: "Pilot"), (Fox) Terry Hughes, for 3rd Rock from the Sun, (Episode: "Dick and the Other Guy"), (NBC)	Paris Barclay for NYPD Blue, (Episode: "Lost Israel", Part 2), (ABC) Mark Tinker for Brooklyn South, (Episode: "Pilot"), (CBS) Chris Carter for The X-Files, (Episode: "The Post-Modern Prometheus"), (Fox) Bill D’Elia for Chicago Hope, (Episode: "Brain Salad Surgery"), (CBS) Thomas Schlamme for ER, (Episode: "Ambush"), (NBC)
Outstanding Directing for a Variety or Music Program	Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or Movie
Louis J. Horvitz for The 70th Annual Academy Awards, (ABC) Marty Callner for Garth Live from Central Park, (HBO) Luke Cresswell, Steve McNicholas for Stomp Out Loud, (HBO) Bruce Gowers for Fleetwood Mac: The Dance, (MTV) Robert Iscove for Cinderella (ABC) Don Scardino for Tracey Takes On..., (Episode: "Smoking"), (HBO)	John Frankenheimer for George Wallace, (TNT) Steve Barron for Merlin, (NBC) William Friedkin for 12 Angry Men, (Showtime) Tom Hanks for From the Earth to the Moon, (Episode: "Part I"), (HBO) John Herzfeld for Don King: Only in America, (HBO)

Writing

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series	Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Peter Tolan and Garry Shandling for The Larry Sanders Show, (Episode: "Flip"), (HBO) Lawrence Broch for Ellen, (Episode: "Emma"), (ABC) Richard Day, Alex Gregory, Peter Huyck for The Larry Sanders Show, (Episode: "Putting the ‘Gay’ Back in Litigation"), (HBO) David E. Kelley for Ally McBeal, (Episode: "Time of Life"), (Fox) Joe Keenan for Frasier, (Episode: "The Ski Lodge"), (NBC)	David Milch, Nicholas Wootton and Bill Clark NYPD Blue, (Episode: "Lost Israel", Part 2), (ABC) Chris Carter for The X-Files, (Episode: "The Post-Modern Prometheus"), (Fox) David Milch, Ted Mann, Bill Clark and Meredith Stiehm for NYPD Blue, (Episode: "Lost Israel", Part 1), (ABC) David E. Kelley for The Practice, (Episode: "Betrayal"), (ABC) James Yoshimura for Homicide: Life on the Street, (Episode: "The Subway"), (NBC)
Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program	Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries or Movie
Dennis Miller Live (HBO) The Chris Rock Show, (HBO) Late Night with Conan O'Brien, (NBC) Late Show with David Letterman, (CBS) Mr. Show with Bob and David, (HBO)	Kario Salem for Don King: Only in America, (HBO) Jay McInerney and Michael Cristofer for Gia, (HBO) David Stevens, Peter Barnes, Edward Khmara for Merlin, (NBC) Nicholas Wright for More Tales of the City, (Showtime) Graham Yost for From the Earth to the Moon, (Episode: "Part II"), (HBO)

Most major nominations

By network

• NBC – 49
• HBO – 29
• ABC – 25
• CBS – 19
• Fox – 13

By program

• ER (NBC) – 9
• NYPD Blue (ABC) – 8
• The Larry Sanders Show (HBO) / The X-Files (Fox) – 7
• 3rd Rock from the Sun (NBC) / Frasier (NBC) / Mad About You (NBC) / Merlin (NBC) – 6

Most major awards

By network

• ABC – 9
• NBC – 7
• HBO – 7
• CBS – 5
• TNT – 2

By program

• Frasier (NBC) / George Wallace (HBO) / NYPD Blue (ABC) / The Practice (ABC) – 3
• Don King: Only in America (HBO) / The Larry Sanders Show (HBO) / Mad About You (NBC) – 2

Notes

In Memoriam

Patrick Stewart presented a clip tribute to the TV actors who had died: Red Skelton, Shari Lewis, Lloyd Bridges, Roy Rogers, singer John Denver, Robert Young, dancer Jerome Robbins, sports narrator Harry Caray, Frank Sinatra, singer Buffalo Bob, E. G. Marshall, J. T. Walsh, Sonny Bono, Phil Hartman and Chris Farley.

External links

• Emmys.com list of 1998 Nominees & Winners
• Template:IMDb award