Streep was recognised for her tour-de-force role

An even better performance came from HBO's Angels In America. The miniseries won in all the five categories it was nominated in including citations for Al Pacino and Meryl Streep. The series runs for over six hours. It takes place in New York in 1985 during the Reagan era and features multiple storylines. In all the network won seven awards including Sarah Jessica Parker for Sex And The City.

The Office won in the best television comedy category where the competition included HBO's Sex And The City. Ricky Gervais was announced as Best Actor in a Leading Role - Musical or Comedy Series for his performance as middle manager David Brent. In the clip that was aired he cheerfully announced that while some of his colleagues had been given the sack he got a promotion.

The show is filmed in spoof documentary style and chronicles the daily lives of employees at Wernham Hogg. This is a fictional paper supply company situated in the small town of Slough near London. Gervais' character is a smug lower middle manager who makes appalling jokes and constantly craves the affection of his staff. His team include army-obsessed office creep, a smart under-achiever.

Speaking on the award Gervais said, "It hasn't really sunk in yet. It's absolutely fantastic - a highlight of my career. Here I am, this fat bloke from Reading sharing a room with Jack Nicholson, Bill Murray and Michael Douglas. It is fantastic."