20 Best Moments in Emmy History

What do Michael J. Fox, Meryl Streep and Kirstie Alley have in common? They all know how to give outrageous acceptance speeches.

Browse our gallery of the most memorable moments in Emmy history.

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20. Small Stuff


The Year Was 1986 ... Five-foot, four-inch 'Family Ties' star Michael J. Fox was delighted to beat out taller, more acclaimed stars like Ted Danson and Bob Newhart for best actor in a comedy. He jokingly exclaimed, "I feel four feet tall!"


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19. Save Bob!


The Year Was 2006 ... As a gimmick to keep acceptance speeches short, host Conan O'Brien jokingly trapped TV icon Bob Newhart in an enclosed box with only three hours of air. O'Brien warned that if the telecast ran over the allotted time, the beloved star would die.


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18. Just in Tyne


The Year Was 1985 ... 'Cagney & Lacey' star Tyne Daly was pregnant and one week overdue when she accepted her third consecutive best actress trophy. She proudly proclaimed that she was "the luckiest lady alive." The female-dominated show also upset the favored 'Miami Vice' and 'Hill Street Blues' for best drama.


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17. We're Listening


The Year Was 1995 ... 'Frasier' star Kelsey Grammer accepted his best actor award amid a flood of rumors that he'd engaged in sexual relations with a minor. He addressed the situation very simply from the stage: "It was kind of a rough year this year, but everything turned out OK."


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16. Three Cheers!


The Year Was 1990 ... After nine losses, Ted Danson took a lot of ribbing from his 'Cheers' co-star Kirstie Alley. But the one-time Sam Malone finally won and graciously accepted his award, telling the audience, "I guess you'll be saying 'you've been robbed' to some other boy. I'll miss that."


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15. Size Matters


The Year Was 1998 ... Plus-size 'Practice' co-star Camryn Manheim had the audience cheering as she celebrated her win for best supporting actress with the enthusiastic declaration, "This is for all the fat girls!"


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14. And the Emmy Goes to ... ?


The Year Was 1975 ... Presenters Lucille Ball and an ailing Groucho Marx attempted to give out the coveted best comedy Emmy, but Lucy was unable to read the envelope because she forgot her glasses. Thankfully Milton Berle stepped up and gave the prize to 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show.'


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13. Yep, She's Gay!


The Year Was 1997 ... Before Ellen DeGeneres started racking up Emmys for her talk show, she won a writing award for the groundbreaking coming-out episode of her sitcom 'Ellen.' She told fans, "Don't ever let anybody make you feel ashamed of who you are."


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12. Follow That Bird


The Year Was 1970 ... Big Bird may have had his feathers ruffled a bit when 'Sesame Street' lost the best new series award to 'Room 222,' but he didn't show it while presenting an award with co-host Dick Cavett. Besides, Big Bird and co. still took three other trophies home to 'Sesame Street.'


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