Award Central News

Michael O'Connor ("The Duchess") triumphed in the period category over such other contenders as "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Milk." The third feature award, for fantasy film, went to Lindy Hemming for "The Dark Knight."

With "Slumdog" out of the running for Academy consideration, it's the period work that claims a leg up, as usual, come Oscar night, with "The Duchess," "Milk" and "Button" among the nominees (the others are "Australia" and "Revolutionary Road").

"Mad Men" kicked the evening off when Katherine James Bryant drew the period/fantasy series nod for the show's New Frontier duds, while Donna Zukowska of "John Adams" came out on top among the TV movie or miniseries contenders, and Eduardo Castro and Patricia Field (also nominated for her film work in "Sex and the City") won for contemporary TV series "Ugly Betty." CDG award was Field's fifth and Castro's fourth.

Among the honorary recipients, Michael Douglas was given the evening's closing slot as he accepted his Swarovski President's Award from Sharon Stone, his co-star in "Basic Instinct." TV director James Burrows was given the distinguished collaborator award from the evening's emcee, Debra Messing.

Receiving career laurels were Marilyn Vance ("Fast Times at Ridgemont High," "The Untouchables") for her feature work, and Van Broughton Ramsey ("Lonesome Dove," "The Tempest") for his TV accomplishments.