Warner Brothers TV and World-Wide Pants - both led by Tufts graduates - cleaned up big at the 53rd annual Emmy Awards.

Los Angeles [11.05.01] -- While the atmosphere was decidedly low-key, Sunday's Prime-Time Emmy Awards Show was a big hit for Tufts graduates Rob Burnett and Peter Roth. Fueled by the success of hit shows like The West Wing and Everybody Loves Raymond, the two TV execs proved that they know what it takes to make great television, as their projects earned a combined 18 Emmys at the annual award show.

   Burnett's World-Wide Pants Inc - which features a powerful roster including Everybody Loves Raymond, The Late Show with David Letterman and Ed - fared well on Sunday.

   For the fourth straight year, the Late Show was awarded "Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series" - an award that the 1984 Tufts graduate usually accepts in person.

   But two postponements of the show led to many unclaimed trophies, including the Late Show's two Emmys.

   One of the evening's favorites, Everybody Loves Raymond - which is produced and distributed by Burnett's company - earned 3 Emmys, including Lead Actress and Supporting Actress in a Comedy.

   But no program topped NBC's powerhouse drama The West Wing.

   Created with the help of Warner Brothers TV President Peter Roth (who is a 1972 Tufts graduate), The West Wing has dominated the Emmys over the last two years.

   After winning nine awards last year - setting a new record - the White House drama grabbed eight more trophies.

   For the second straight year, Roth was thanked by the West Wing cast. After winning "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series," actor Bradley Whitford - who plays Josh Lyman - thanked the Tufts graduate during a heartfelt speech.

   Roth received similar thanks during last year's Golden Globes, where executive producer Thomas Schlamme called supporters like Roth "knights in shining armor."

   The work of other Tufts graduates earned honors as well. Will and Grace - which is co-executive produced by Jeff Greenstein - took home three Emmys as well.

   Tufts graduates helped secure 19 awards if the 49 nominations they received from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, including top honors in 8 major categories.

   Last year, Roth Burnett, Greenstein and graduate/actor Hank Azaria all came up big at the award show.