Aniston and pals take comedy Emmy

Friends has been named best comedy series at the annual Primetime Emmy awards, with star Jennifer Aniston taking best comedy actress.

A tearful Aniston said the sitcom - entering its ninth and most likely final year - "has been the greatest nine years of my entire life".

The sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond was also a big winner, with star Ray Romano scooping best actor and co-stars Brad Garret and Doris Roberts winning best supporting actor and actress.

The Late Show with David Letterman was named best variety, music or comedy series - although the chat-show host failed to show up at the Los Angeles ceremony, as he never attends awards shows.

The star-studded fundraiser America: A Tribute to Heroes, screened live just ten days after September 11, took the award for the best special in the same category

Sex And The City was named best-directed comedy series, and The Bernie Mac Show the best-written.

And long-running sketch show Saturday Night Live took the Emmy for best writing in a variety, music or comedy programme.

Published: 23 Sep 2002