The celebrated political drama, The West Wing has equalled an entertainment record at the 58th annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
The NBC drama has drawn even with the landmark cop show Hill Street Blues for the most prime-time Emmys overall, 26, ever amassed by a single drama during its run.
The West Wing ended its seven-year NBC run in May.
Veteran screen star Alan Alda was named best supporting actor in a drama for playing a Republican presidential nominee on the final season of The West Wing.
Alda, best-known for his performance as Hawkeye Pierce on the long-running TV classic M*A*S*H.
He was also one of three performers at the top of this year’s Emmys show to pick up US television's highest honour for a series that has already gone off the air. It was the sixth Emmy award of Alda's career.
Blythe Danner was named best supporting actress in a drama for her work as the mother on the now-cancelled Showtime cable series Huff.
And Megan Mullally clinched the supporting comedic actress prize for playing the boozy, tart-tongued Karen Walker on Will & Grace, which ended its eight-year run on NBC in May.
Jeremy Piven was named best supporting actor for his role as a shark-like Hollywood agent on the HBO satire Entourage.
Aussies miss out
Australian Hugh Jackman has lost out to Barry Manilow in his quest for a second consecutive Emmy award, while compatriot Judy Davis lost to Dame Helen Mirren in the category for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie.
The 37-year-old Jackman was nominated for outstanding individual performance in a variety or music program for hosting the TV broadcast of the 2005 Tony Awards.
But the Emmy went to crooner Barry Manilow for his show Music And Passion.
Jackman took out the category last year for hosting the 2004 Tony Awards.
Meanwhile Mirren was the favourite for her performance in Elizabeth I, while Judy Davis was nominated for A Little Thing Called Murder.
Ratings fight
Some experts predicted that the 58th annual Emmys may prove a ratings dud for broadcaster NBC because the show is being held a month earlier than usual, in August, when audience levels are traditionally at an ebb.
But the TV industry is closely watching the outcomes as a test of new voting rules designed to give newcomers, smaller networks and low-rated but worthy shows a better chance.