LOS ANGELES (AP) – A mob family, a former vice president and the cast of “Roots” brought the audience to its feet at Sunday’s Emmy Awards.

Al Gore received a standing ovation from the Shrine Auditorium audience as his Current TV channel, which features viewer-created videos, was honored for achievement in interactive television.

“We are trying to open up the television medium so that viewers can help to make television, and join the conversation of democracy, and reclaim American democracy by talking about the choices we have to make,” said Gore, whose global-warming documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” received an Oscar earlier this year.

Another standing ovation greeted the sprawling cast of “The Sopranos,” which gathered on stage after the drama had claimed honors for best writing and directing. Actor Joe Mantegna paid tribute to the show as “having changed the face of television.”

Queen Latifah helped pay tribute to the groundbreaking miniseries “Roots” on its 30th anniversary. The saga about a black American family’s history “brought great honor to the art form that we celebrate tonight,” she said.

“Let us all work to ensure that we all honor the legacy of “Roots’ not just tonight but in everything we do,” added “Roots” star John Amos, reunited onstage with his castmates to another standing ovation.

The Emmys spread the wealth, honoring supporting actors in “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost,” “Entourage” and “My Name is Earl.”

“My own mother told me I didn’t have a shot in hell at winning tonight,” said Katherine Heigl of “Grey’s Anatomy.” “This is my dream come true. I’ve been doing this for 17 years.”

The usually staid awards needed attention from the censors from the start, with first presenter Ray Romano. He joked about his former “Everybody Loves Raymond” wife, Patricia Heaton, sleeping with her new “Back to You” co-star Kelsey Grammer.

But he used a stronger word, which prompted Fox to black out the show for a few seconds. Heigl mouthed another expletive, which Fox unsuccessfully tried to evade with a different camera shot.

Terry O’Quinn, who plays the mysterious John Locke on “Lost,” was named best supporting actor in a drama.

“Sometimes when we’re rolling around in the jungle in the mud, hitting each other and stabbing each other, I wonder what it would be like to bake up a sheet of cookies on Wisteria Lane and get one of their checks,” O’Quinn said, referring to “Desperate Housewives.”

“Then I think about my castmates and crewmates, and I realize why I have the best job in the world,” said O’Quinn, whose award came in a resurgent season for the series.

Jeremy Piven, who plays a slick Hollywood agent on the comedy “Entourage,” was another early winner.

“What an embarrassment of riches to even be able to play this role,” said Piven.

Jaime Pressly of “My Name is Earl,” was named best supporting actress in a comedy.

“Broken Trail” was honored as best miniseries and drew awards for stars Robert Duvall and Thomas Haden Church.

Oscar winner Helen Mirren (“The Queen”) was honored as best actress in a miniseries or movie for “Prime Suspect,” making her the category’s biggest winner with four awards.

“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” received its fifth consecutive trophy as best variety, music or comedy series. Stewart noted the satiric news show sent correspondents to Iraq this year who “found laughs in hell. I think it’s the proudest thing we found so far.”

“The Sopranos” took aim Sunday at its final Emmy Awards while “Heroes” and “Ugly Betty” made a stand for television’s new generation. The mob saga, which ended its six-season run in June, was competing for best drama series and was prominent in the acting categories, with stars James Gandolfini and Edie Falco up for honors.

“The Sopranos” wasn’t a sure bet for the top trophy, which it claimed in 2004: It’s rarely gone to a drama after it’s off the air. The series also faced tough rivals that included “Grey’s Anatomy,” the controversy-rocked medical drama, and sci-fi freshman hit “Heroes.”

Last year’s winner, “24,” was snubbed in the nominations.

Ratings expectations were dampened by last year’s outcome, when the show drew its fourth-smallest audience ever of about 16 million viewers. There also was formidable competition from Sunday evening’s National Football League game between the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots, airing on NBC.

—

On the Net:

www.emmys.org

AP-ES-09-16-07 2230EDT