• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, September 19, 2005

All those Emmy awards -- what will happen to them, especially those given to actors who have won too many? Will the trophies be put on the bookcase or the mantel - or taken for a dip in the pool? Since the Emmys became a regular event, one refrain often pops up: Many of the same shows and actors are repeated winners, which according to some critics can be boring. In fact, last year the award show's ratings dipped to new lows.

Last night, Doris Roberts won her fourth Emmy for "Everybody Loves Raymond," while Brad Garrett won his third for the same show, and Tony Shalhoub picked up number two for starring in "Monk." A sentimental farewell for "Everybody Loves Raymond" also had it winning again for best comedy. HBO grabbed its usual truckload.

Oscar and Grammy awards are given out just once for a movie or album. Then the next year it's something -- or someone -- else. Perhaps TV should be the same way -- which would mean giving out one award for a show's entire run. But this would be difficult to do. At least when HBO wins about 100 Emmy awards every year, it's usually for a bunch of different specials or movies. Even the talent who get repeated wins can be taken aback.

Last year Allison Janney, flustered after winning for the fourth time for "The West Wing," asked all of her fellow nominees to come up on stage with her. Only Mariska Hargitay, of "Law and Order: SVU," did. Janney seemed to be saying, "Yes, yes. I appreciate it! But this is ridiculous. Please pick someone else." This year stars made note of the Hurricane Katrina victims -- all good and well. Perhaps hurricane victims also want a bit more entertainment. When the country was in the throes of a deep financial depression in the 1930s, entertainment observers believed U.S. citizens needed to see frivolous, funny musicals, so the financially troubled could forget -- for an evening -- their real-life problems.

Maybe the Emmys -- with the usual stars and winners -- are comforting to some. According to Daily Variety, "The overall show seemed relatively safe and predictable." There were some surprises and new winners, including ABC's "Lost," which won for best drama; Felicity Huffman, who won for ABC's other big hit, "Desperate Housewives"; and Patricia Arquette picking up her first trophy, for NBC's "Medium." I'm sure "Lost," Huffman and Arquette will all win again next year. That may be what viewers want to see. But what will be done with these multiple statuettes is anyone's guess. Hugh Jackman, who had his first win last night -- for hosting the 2004 Tony Awards -- nonetheless had a couple of ideas when he spoke with reporters backstage.

As quoted on Variety, Jackman said his trophy will go into storage until he buys a home, and noted that his son would "probably look at [the Emmy] for an hour, then paint it or throw it in the pool."