'The West Wing' Snags Six Critics Nominations

By Josef Adalian

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - NBC's rookie drama ``The West Wing'' has picked up a nice boost going into Emmy balloting season, snagging six nominations for the 16th annual Television Critics Assn. Awards.

More than 220 print journalists from the U.S. and Canada nominated the White House-set show for best drama, best new program of the year and program of the year. Two cast members (Martin Sheen and Allison Janney) as well as executive producer Aaron Sorkin were nominated for individual achievement in drama.

Fox's midseason hit ``Malcolm In the Middle'' also cleaned up, landing four nominations, including best comedy and best new program. HBO's critical darling ``The Sopranos'' earned three nods.

NBC led all networks in total nominations, picking up 12 mentions. Its now-canceled ``Freaks and Geeks'' scored two nominations.

Winners will be announced Saturday, July 15 during a ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena, with Ben Stein set to host.

Nominations in major categories include:

PROGRAM OF THE YEAR: ``Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' (WB); ''Sex in the City'' (HBO); ``The Sopranos'' (HBO); ``The West Wing'' (NBC); ``Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'' (ABC)

COMEDY: ``Everybody Loves Raymond'' (CBS); ``Frasier'' (NBC); ``Malcolm in the Middle'' (Fox); ``Sex and the City'' (HBO); ``Will & Grace'' (NBC)

DRAMA: ``Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' (WB); ``Freaks & Geeks'' (NBC); ``Once and Again'' (ABC); ``The Sopranos'' (HBO); ``The West Wing'' (NBC); ``The Practice'' (ABC)

NEW PROGRAM: ``Freaks & Geeks'' (NBC); ``Judging Amy'' (CBS); ``Malcolm in the Middle'' (Fox); ``Once and Again'' (ABC); ``The West Wing'' (NBC)

MOVIE, MINISERIES or SPECIAL: ``Annie'' (ABC); ``Arabian Nights'' (ABC); ``The Corner'' (HBO); ``Fail Safe'' (CBS); ''Jesus'' (CBS)