The Sci Fi channel received its first major nomination this year for Outstanding Miniseries for Taken; the series won the award.

With the win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Debra Messing, Will & Grace became only the third television show to have all credited actors win a Primetime Emmy Award for their respective role, following All in the Family and The Golden Girls (also later tied by The Simpsons).

For its seventh season, Everybody Loves Raymond won its first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Also Joe Pantoliano's win for Supporting Actor in a Drama marked the first time HBO had won in this category.

The ceremony featured 11 presenters, which included: Ellen DeGeneres, Brad Garrett, Darrell Hammond, George Lopez, Conan O'Brien, Bernie Mac, Dennis Miller, Garry Shandling (who opened the show with a comedic monologue), Martin Short, Jon Stewart, and Wanda Sykes.