All-time Emmy marks broken

Even before Sunday's prime-time Emmy Awards, "Frasier" and actress Cloris Leachman displaced two longstanding records for achievement. By winning three Creative Arts Emmys last weekend, "Frasier" established the mark for all-time awards by a single show with 30. Leachman won her eighth acting Emmy at the Creative Arts ceremony for her guest turn as the cranky grandma on "Malcolm in the Middle." That tops Mary Tyler Moore's and Ed Asner's seven Emmys apiece, most of which were won during their years together on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." It was "MTM" that held the record for most Emmys, with 29, until being passed by Kelsey Grammer and company Saturday. It took "Frasier" nine seasons to accomplish what "MTM" did in just seven seasons (1970-77). And back then networks weren't inclined to wave multimillion dollar deals under the noses of their stars to persuade them to stay on past their show's prime. Otherwise Mary and the gang might have been on TV much longer. Still, it's unlikely that "Frasier" will hold onto its mark of distinction as long as Leachman does hers. As Tom O'Neil of the GoldDerby Web site points out, the Academy Awards broadcast has won 29 Emmys so far. "Unless 'Frasier' is never canceled," says O'Neil, "one show-biz award will eventually become the biggest winner of another showbiz award." Leachman's eight Emmys suggest that the actress knows a good role when she sees one. Other than two wins while on the "MTM" cast, all her trophies have come from guest appearances or specials, including one Daytime Emmy.