SOUND BITES

“I’m so glad I put on pants.”

David Hyde Pierce, accepting his award for “Frasier” right after performing an opening dance number in tights

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“Her gifts are the reason we’re all standing up here.”

David E. Kelley, praising “Ally McBeal” star Calista Flockhart in accepting the award for best comedy series

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“I’ve had the speech in my pocket for seven years--I’m telling it to someone!”

Paul Reiser, talking about having been nominated six times for best actor in a comedy for “Mad About You” without having won (he lost again)

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“I can’t lose to ‘Frasier’ tonight, can I? I’m just presenting.”

Garry Shandling, whose “Larry Sanders Show” was a perennial loser to “Frasier” as best comedy series

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“Conan has the best show. . . . So Conan, you should’ve got it--but I’m gonna take it.”

Chris Rock, accepting the award for best writing on a variety or music program

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“ ‘Death of a Salesman,’ ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’--in my mind, it’s all just acting.”

Martin Short, humorously equating winning an Emmy to winning a Tony Award

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“Anybody can write a one-man show. All you need is one year, paper, pen and a messed-up life.”

John Leguizamo, picking up the award for best performance in a variety or music program for his HBO show, “Freak”

BOX SCORE

Top Shows: Emmys

“The Practice”: 4

“The Sopranos”: 4

“Alice in Wonderland”: 4

“Animated Epics: The Canterbury Tales”: 4

“Ally McBeal”: 3

“NYPD Blue”: 3

“Winchell”: 3

“The Rat Pack”: 3

Network: Emmys

HBO: 23

NBC: 17

ABC: 13

CBS: 11

FOX: 7

A&E;: 5

PBS: 4