America Ferrera, star of 'Ugly Betty'. - reuters

LOS ANGELES (AP):

The Sopranos claimed its final Emmy award as best dramatic TV series. Winners in other top categories were scattered across the prime-time landscape.

A stunned James Spader said he felt like he just "stole a pile of money from the mob" in winning best drama series actor as a devilish lawyer on Boston Legal at Sunday night's ceremony.

And Sally Field was her flustered self as winner of best actress in a drama for her matriarchal role in Brothers & Sisters. Spader rubbed out three-time winner James Gandolfini of The Sopranos and last year's upset victor, Kiefer Sutherland of 24.

Field, fondly remembered for her years-ago TV stints as Gidget and The Flying Nun, bumped off Edie Falco of The Sopranos.

"Surely, this belongs to all the mothers of the world," Field said in a rambling acceptance speech that wound up with a swear word that had to be bleeped by Fox censors.

Field's speech recalled her much-parodied 1985 acceptance of the best-actress Oscar for Places in the Heart, in which she said the famous line: "I can't deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you really like me."

The biggest laugh of the night was earned by presenters Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, after they announced that Gervais won.

"Ricky Gervais could not be here tonight. Instead, we're going to give this to our friend Steve Carell," Stewart said. Carell bounded on stage, sharing a group hug with Stewart and Colbert.

America Ferrera, TV's breakout star as the dumpy fashion magazine assistant on Ugly Betty, was the lone acting front-runner to win. She added an Emmy as leading comedic actress to her Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild victories this year.

"This is such an amazing, wonderful achievement," Ferrera said. "The award is to be able to get up and go to work tomorrow."

Regarded as one of television's best-ever series, The Sopranos aired its final show this past June, leaving many viewers grumbling about its enigmatic, cut-to-black ending.

Winners

Drama Series: The Sopranos.

Supporting Actor - Comedy: Jeremy Piven Entourage.

Supporting Actor - Drama: Terry O'Quinn Lost.

Supporting Actress - Comedy: Jamie Pressly My Name is Earl.

Supporting Actress - Drama: Katherine Heigl Grey's Anatomy.

Reality Competition Programme: The Amazing Race.

Lead Actor - Movie or Miniseries: Robert Duvall Broken Trail.

Lead Actress - Movie or Minseries: Helen Mirren Prime Suspect.

TV Movie: Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee.

Miniseries: Broken Trail.

Lead Actress - Comedy: America Ferrara Ugly Betty.

Lead Actor - Comedy: Ricky Gervais Extras.

Lead Actress - Drama: Sally Field Brothers and Sisters.

Lead Actor - Drama: James Spader Boston Legal.

Comedy Series: 30 Rock.