'WEST WING,' 'RAYMOND' RECEIVE 'Q' AWARDS
FOR QUALITY PROGRAMS

BY: Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV Editor -- Viewers for Quality Television, the Fairfax, Va.-based group that lobbies the networks to retain high-quality series, announced yesterday its top annual "Q" Awards will go to "The West Wing" (best drama), "Everybody Loves Raymond" (best comedy) and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (Founder's Award).

"Raymond" also won honors for Ray Romano (best actor in a quality comedy), Patricia Heaton (best actress) and Doris Roberts (best supporting actress).

"West Wing" took home additional prizes for Martin Sheen (best actor in a quality drama) and John Spencer (best supporting actor).

Sela Ward ("Once and Again" ) won best actress in a quality drama, Tyne Daly ("Judging Amy") was named best supporting actress in a quality drama, and David Hyde Pierce ("Frasier") won for best supporting actor in a quality comedy.

Winners were selected by VQT's 2,000 nationwide participants.

The Founder's Award recipient is chosen by VQT president and founder Dorothy Swanson, who said she chose "Buffy" this year because "the VQT members who adore it have such regard and affection for it, it was time that I awarded it."

Previous Founder's Award winners include "Will & Grace," "Nothing Sacred," "EZ Streets," "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "Homefront."__Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (August 8, 2000)