MUMBAI: It was a great night for HBO at the 56th edition of the Primetime Emmy Awards. Its gangster drama The Sopranos became the first cable show to win the Emmy for best drama series.

Meanwhile the landmark television miniseries Angels in America received 11 awards. This is the most ever won by a miniseries.

Al Pacino won the best actor award for 'Angels In America'

For the broadcast networks Fox comedy - Arrested Developed surprisingly won in the comedy series category. Angels In America's 'A' list cast of Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Mary-Louise Parker and Jeffrey Wright received awards. In addition, the writer Tony Kushner also bagged a trophy along with the director Mike Nichols.

At the ceremony Nichols said, "As you know the fight against Aids isn't over yet. We must do what we can for Africa."

Michael Imperioli and Drea de Matteo, who played a hard-luck mob couple in The Sopranos, whose relationship ended in betrayal were crowned supporting actor and actress at the Emmys.

Meanwhile NBC's The West Wing won an award for Allison Janney. James Spader who stars in ABC's The Practice also walked away with honours.

The satirical news show The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, won an award for best variety series for the second year in a row. His writing staff also won an Emmy. In India, the show airs on CNN on Sundays.

Sarah Jessica Parker won best actress in comedy series for 'Sex and the City'
In the comedy section, the four major comedy acting awards went for work in series that concluded their successful runs earlier this year in the US. Kelsey Grammer won his fourth Emmy for best actor in a comedy for Frasier and Sarah Jessica Parker won best actress in comedy series for Sex and the City. In India, the second season of Sex And the City is airing on HBO, whereas Frasier airs on Star World.

In the reality category, CBS' The Amazing Race won best reality series for the second year in a row. In India, the show airs on AXN.