‘L.A. Law’ and ‘Promise’ big winners

Press, 22 September 1987, Page 8

‘L.A. Law’ and ‘Promise’ big winners

NZPA-Reuter Pasadena

“Promise,” a study of a carefree man who must suddenly look after his mentally ill brother, was the big winner at the thirty-ninth annual Emmy Awards, at which the television industry gave anything but a unanimous verdict to “L.A. Law." “Promise,” a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation on CBS starring James Gamer, James Woods and Piper Laurie, won five prime-time Emmy Awards in the mini-series or special category. “L.A. Law,” an intelligent and often gripping look at the workings of a Los Angeles law firm, was nominated in 20 categories in its first season on NBC but won just five golden statuettes — for best drama series, directing, writing, guest performer and a technical award made earlier this month.

None of the regular members of the “L.A. Law” ensemble was selected in voting by members of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, who for the most part rewarded proven veterans in the live telecast that ran

nearly an hour over time for a total of four hours.

Woods, who had an Oscar nomination last year as a manic photojournalist in “Salvador,” won his first Emmy by beating Garner and three others as best actor for his role as the schizophrenic brother, D.J., in “Promise.”

“We knew, we felt that we were bringing a disease, schizophrenia, into the open for people to see and for that we are grateful,” said Gamer. Laurie also captured

her first Emmy, after five previous nominations, when she was chosen as the outstanding supporting actress. “Promise” also won for best drama or comedy special, directing and writing. NBC’s “The Golden Girls” won three Emmys, including best comedy series for the second successive year and best directing. Rue McLanahan, who plays the sexually active Blanche in the show about three divorced or widowed women living together in Miami, was named best actress in a comedy. Bruce Willis, who stars opposite Cybill Shepherd in the zany ABC detective romance “Moonlighting,” won as best actor in a drama series, ending the two year reign of the “St Elsewhere” star, William Daniels, in that category. “Moonlighting” won three technical awards in nontelevised ceremonies on September 12. Michael J. Fox, the star of the hit film “Back to the Future,” won as best actor in a comedy series for the second year running for his role as the obsessive, conservative “yuppie” Alex Keaton, on

NBC’s "Family Ties.”

Sharon Gless was named best actress in a drama for the second successive year, after her "Cagney and Lacey” costar, Tyne Daly, had won the award the three previous years.

“It is lovelier the second time around,” said Gless, who won high praise last season for her emotional portrayal of a New York ? detective, Christine Cagney, coping with the death of her alcoholic father * and her own drinking problem. John Laroquette, who

portrays the sex-crazed and cynical prosecutor on the NBC series “Night Court,” won his third consecutive Emmy as best supporting actor in a comedy series. “I think I am going to put three Emmys on the side of my car. you know, like a World War Two bomber,” Laroquette said. John Cleese, the former “Monty Python” and “Fawlty Towers” star, won his first Emmy award as guest performer in a comedy senes for his role as a marriage counsellor on “Cheers.” Gena Rowlands was another first-time winner, taking the lead actress in a mini-series or special for portraying the former First Lady, Betty Ford, in the ABC television movie “The Betty Ford Story.” The 11-month-old Fox Broadcasting Network, which bought the right to televise the Emmy show by outbidding the three established networks, won no Emmys for its five nominations. NBC, the top-rated network for the last three seasons, won 32 Emmy Awards on 140 nominations. ABC was next with 19, CBS had 15 and the Public Broadcasting System took eight