'The Simpsons' Get Ninth Emmy

The ceremony held on Saturday is the prelude of the bigger one that is to take place next week, on August 27, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The Creative Arts Emmys celebrate technical achievement in television and the nominees are voted, just like in the primetime event, by the viewers.

This year, the 58th annual ceremony, was dominated by HBO and ABC, with the first cable network taking home 17 awards and the latter, 10. NBC came in third, with only 8.

But the biggest winner of the night was declared the episode 'The Seemingly Never-Ending Story' from 'The Simpsons', which got its ninth distinction as Best Animated Program.

Thus, the series entered its 17th year of airing on cable with the right foot ahead. Especially as the winning episode was voted over the 'Trapped in the Closed' from 'South Park'. 'Closet' has been, from the very beginning, nothing but trouble for its producers as, earlier this year, controversy made its second running on air impossible.

Because it mocks Tom Cruise and his Scientology church, it was believed at the time that the actor was the one behind the banning of the episode. On his acceptance speech, 'The Simpsons' producer Al Jean said on a humorous note: 'This is what happens when you don't mock Scientology'.

Other shows awarded at the ceremony were 'Elizabeth I' (UK/US- made historical drama), which won five prizes, 'Baghdad ER' and 'Rome', each with five awards. The entire ceremony will air on E! Entertainment Television on August 26, at 8 P.M.