Now Hear This: Quotes From The Emmys

Heard at the 59th annual Primetime Emmy Awards:

“My own mother told me I didn’t have a shot in hell of winning tonight so I don’t really have anything prepared. But she’s a really big supporter. She does love me.” — “Grey’s Anatomy” actress and Emmy winner Katherine Heigl

“In essence, this is a story about a gangster. And gangsters are out there taking their kids to college, and taking their kids to school, and putting food on their table. And, hell, let’s face it, if the world and this nation was run by gangsters — maybe it is.” — David Chase, creator of “The Sopranos,” accepting the Emmy for drama series

“I feel like I just stole a pile of money from the mob. And they are all sitting right over there.” — “Boston Legal” star James Spader, looking in the direction of “The Sopranos” cast after winning lead actor in a drama series

“Last year, I impaled myself kissing this up to my father, and I’m gonna do it again, because I love him and I miss him and I do it for him.” — Jeremy Piven of “Entourage,” who won consecutive Emmys

“You know, sometimes when we’re rolling around the jungle and the mud, and we’re hitting each other, and stabbing each other, and shooting each other and pouring on the blood and turning on the sprinklers, I wonder what it would be like to bake up a sheet of cookies on Wisteria Lane. And get one of their checks.” — Emmy winner Terry O’Quinn of “Lost,” referring to fellow ABC show “Desperate Housewives”

“There are over 6,000 people here tonight. All of them talented, all of them looking incredible, all of them passed on hosting this year.” — Emmy host Ryan Seacrest

“I never knew an actor in my lifetime or anybody’s lifetime who didn’t want to do a Western. We all want to do Westerns and believe me it belongs to us in this country, uniquely to us. … The Western is here to stay.” — “Broken Trail” actor and Emmy winner Robert Duvall

“This is probably going to be my daughter’s favorite toy when we get home, next to SpongeBob. Product placement.” — Thomas Haden Church, holding the Emmy he won for supporting actor in “Broken Trail”

“You Americans are wonderfully generous people. You are a lot of other things as well. Some good, some bad.” — Helen Mirren, accepting her Emmy for “Prime Suspect: The Final Act”

“I am going to prove tonight that for once and for all that I’m funnier than Tony Bennett. Done. This will be proof that it’s over.” — Jon Stewart, nominated along with Bennett for individual performance in a variety or music program, on the red carpet. Bennett won the Emmy