43rd Primetime Emmy Awards


The 43rd Primetime Emmy Awards were held on Sunday, August 25, 1991. The ceremony was broadcast on Fox from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California. The network TNT received its first major nomination at this ceremony.
For its ninth season, Cheers won Outstanding Comedy Series for the fourth time, tying All in the Familys record. Cheers spinoff Frasier would later break this record, ultimately winning five in a row. Cheers also received the most major nominations and major awards during the ceremony. The drama field also saw a four-time winner crowned as L.A. Law won Outstanding Drama Series for the fourth time in five years. This tied the record set by Hill Street Blues whose four wins came consecutively. James Earl Jones joined an exclusive club, as he won two acting Emmys for his work on two different series.
John Gielgud's win made him the fourth person to become an EGOT.

Winners and nominees

Programs

Outstanding Comedy SeriesOutstanding Drama Series

  • L.A. Law,
  • * China Beach,
  • * Northern Exposure,
  • * Quantum Leap,
  • * thirtysomething,
  • Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy ProgramOutstanding Drama/Comedy Special and Miniseries
  • The 63rd Annual Academy Awards,
  • * In Living Color,
  • * The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts,
  • * Late Night with David Letterman,
  • * The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson,
  • * The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,
  • Separate but Equal,
  • * Decoration Day,
  • * The Josephine Baker Story,
  • * Paris Trout,
  • * Sarah, Plain and Tall,
  • * Switched at Birth,
  • Acting

    Lead performances

    Supporting performances

    Guest performances

    Directing

    Writing

    Most major nominations

    ;By network
    ;By program
    ;By network
    ;By program
    ;Notes