Chiklis' Emmy Puts Shine on 'The Shield'

Sunday, September 22, 2002

Michael Chiklis © FX Network

In his role as tough cop Vic Mackey on "The Shield," Michael Chiklis' expression is usually one of anger. On Sunday (Sept. 22) night's Emmy telecast, he was expressing a different emotion -- shocked elation.

His win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama was arguably the biggest upset of the show. Chiklis beat out Martin Sheen for "The West Wing," Kiefer Sutherland for "24" and "Six Feat Under" leads Peter Krause and Michael C. Hall for the Emmy.

"This has been a pretty extraordinary year," said the former star of "The Commish" and "Daddio." "We were up against some really formidable competition."

He was appreciative, if a bit embarrassed, of the strong show of support FX gave their first original series and his nomination. "I look at the trades and I was starting to get embarrassed at how often I've been in them," he admitted.

This was the first lead acting Emmy won by a basic cable network. Chiklis hopes that the recognition will quiet criticisms about "The Shield's" graphic content. "It vindicates us tremendously," he said. "If it was vacuous and if it was shocking for the sake of shock, I wouldn't have done it. It speaks to things going on in law enforcement today, and it is just dealing with it in a brutal matter."

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