The Emmys have just been announced in Los Angeles with a few surprises, one or two very welcome but others simply a little confusing. These 2006 awards saw the introduction of a new voting system behind-the-scenes. The aim was to shake-up an institution often accused of voting out of habit more than actual merit. Did it work? Somewhat.

The biggest surprise was that a lot of acclaimed but very popular shows like "Grey's Anatomy", "Lost", "CSI", "Desperate Housewives" and "House" were completely ignored, whilst smaller shows both old and new gots nods including many cable titles. NBC, the network considered to be in the biggest slump creative wise by many pundits, actually won as much as the other three free-to-air networks combined.

HBO won the night with nine nods, most for its acclaimed Helen Mirren led mini-series "Elizabeth I", followed by NBC with six, FOX with three, CBS and Comedy Central with two and ABC with one. Despite not landing major awards, shows like "Rome", "Baghdad ER" and "My Name is Earl" won for technical merits. "Elizabeth I" has ended up wi

Still, the real notable winner for the night was "24". In its fifth year the action thriller series received its best critical notices and ratings ever, and that paid off with the most nominations of any series and a win of the two big awards - Best Drama Series and Best Actor for Kiefer Sutherland.

Other notable wins were long-running TV stalwart Mariska Hargitay winning best dramatic actress for "Law & Order: SVU" and Jeremy Piven's much loved performance in "Entourage" getting an award. Alan Alda's award for "The West Wing" takes that departing series to 26 wins in total for the show, the most any show has ever received in the Academy's history.

Here's the final list of major winners:


DRAMA SERIES
"24", FOX


COMEDY SERIES
"The Office", NBC


MINISERIES
"Elizabeth I", HBO


MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE
"The Girl In The Café", HBO


REALITY
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition", ABC


REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM
"The Amazing Race", CBS


ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Tony Shalhoub, "Monk"


ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Kiefer Sutherland, "24"


ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Andre Braugher, "Thief"


ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "The New Adventures Of Old Christine"


ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Mariska Hargitay, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"


ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Helen Mirren, "Elizabeth I"


SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Jeremy Piven, "Entourage"


SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Alan Alda, "The West Wing"


SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Jeremy Irons, "Elizabeth I"


SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Megan Mullally, "Will & Grace"


SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Blythe Danner, "Huff"


SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Kelly Macdonald, "The Girl In The Café"


GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Leslie Jordan, "Will & Grace"


GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Christian Clemenson, "Boston Legal"


GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Cloris Leachman, "Malcolm In The Middle"


GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Patricia Clarkson, "Six Feet Under"


INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE IN A VARIETY OR MUSIC PROGRAM Barry Manilow, "Barry Manilow: Music And Passion"


ANIMATED PROGRAM (less than one hour)
"The Simpsons"


VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES
"The Daily Show With Jon Stewart"


VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SPECIAL
"The XX Olympic Winter Games - Opening Ceremony"