OFF THE AIR

“God knows that [‘Six Feet Under’] and all the other shows in the category deserve this every bit as much as we do.... It’s just a terrific time to be in television.”

AARON SORKIN,

creator of “The West Wing,” which won as best drama series

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“This is one more step in my journey in the 13 years since I’ve been sober. Everything after that I like to call extra innings.”

JOHN SPENCER,

best supporting actor in a drama series, “The West Wing”

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“We just wanted to write a show about parenting and how hard it is

LARRY WILMORE,

who won for best writing in a comedy series for “The Bernie Mac Show”

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“This is the icing on the cake. It’s a delicious cake, and this is an amazing time.”

JENNIFER ANISTON,

best actress in a comedy series, “Friends”

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“It was our turn. The writing was really strong, and it was finally our turn.”

MATT LeBLANC,

actor, on “Friends” finally picking up the Emmy as best comedy series

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“This vindicates us tremendously. If [the violence and raw language] were vacuous or shock for shock’s sake, I wouldn’t have done it. This will bring us a lot more attention.”

MICHAEL CHIKLIS,

best actor in a drama series, “The Shield”

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“I don’t know if anything makes it worth it.”

JOEL GALLEN,

producer, on the bittersweet experience of winning for “America: A Tribute to Heroes,” the telethon for Sept. 11 victims

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“Applaud with verve and laugh even when you think it’s not funny.”

GARY SMITH,

producer of the Emmy broadcast, warming up the audience