#3

September 22, 2002

The 54th Emmy Awards were held on September 22, 2002. Allison attended the show for the third consecutive year and wearing a red gown with a plunging neckline created for her by designer Eric Gaskins, a Kenyon College classmate and friend.

After winning two Emmys in a row for Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Allison returned to the Emmys in 2002 nominated in a new category for her portrayal of C.J. Cregg on ‘The West Wing’. Moving her submission to the Lead Actress in a Drama Series category was a strategic choice that paid off; with Allison shifting out of the supporting category, this freed up the chance for her cast mate Stockard Channing to also be recognized that year with a win.

Allison won this Emmy for Season 3 of ‘The West Wing’ over Amy Brenneman (‘Judging Amy’), Frances Conroy (‘Six Feet Under’), Jennifer Garner (‘Alias’), and Rachel Griffiths (‘Six Feet Under’). As per Lead Actress category rules, Allison submitted one Season 3 episode for voter consideration; that episode was ‘The Women of Qumar’. The award was presented by Kelsey Grammar, with whom Allison had guest starred on ‘Frasier’ just a few months prior in March 2002.

‘The West Wing’ won a total of 4 Emmys for the third season, including Allison’s, as well as John Spencer for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Stockard Channing as previously mentioned, and the main prize for the third consecutive year: Outstanding Drama Series.

Based on her reaction to hearing her name called, Allison was genuinely shocked by the win in a new category; after taking the stage the first thing she did was charmingly thank Emmy voters for the “promotion”. Well deserved, no doubt.