Los Angeles :

The groundbreaking action series 24, which turns one dangerous day into a season, found a satisfying end as it won three Emmys, including for best drama series and best actor for star Kiefer Sutherland.

The US version of The Office, inspired by the British programme of the same name, was honoured as best comedy. One Emmy front-runner, sexy medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, was shut out in the awards.

Mariska Hargitay of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Julia Louis-Dreyfus of the freshman comedy The New Adventures of Old Christine struck Emmy gold with lead actress awards for drama and comedy, respectively.

“Well, I’m not somebody who really believes in curses — but curse this, baby,” Louis-Dreyfus said hoisting her trophy and making a veiled reference to the so-called ‘Seinfeld curse’ that kept three of its stars from launching successful new series.

The Emmy ceremony initially followed a predictable path as Tony Shalhoub won his third acting trophy for Monk and departed series Will & Grace, The West Wing and Huff earned bittersweet toasts.

Until the finale, the surprises in the ceremony were courtesy of host Conan O’Brien and his inventive comedy bits, including a running gag that had Bob Newhart’s life threatened if the show ran long.

Winning didn’t take the sting out of cancellation for at least one star. “It’s not supposed to work this way, is it, when you say goodbye to something?” said Blythe Danner, named best supporting actress in a drama for Huff.

Megan Mullally was honored for her supporting actress work in Will & Grace, which wrapped up its eight-year run.

And Alan Alda was named best supporting actor in a drama for his role as a Republican presidential candidate on The West Wing, cancelled after seven seasons. His win was the 26th Emmy for the White House drama, a drama series record.

Jeremy Piven of Entourage was named best supporting actor in a comedy.

The ceremony paid tribute to producer Dick Clark of American Bandstand fame, who has been recovering from a stroke he suffered in 2004.

American Idol, the blockbuster TV talent show, lost again in the reality-competition category as The Amazing Race picked up its fourth award.