The over-200 member committee of television columnists chose the HBO Films screen version of Tony Kushner's "Angels in America" as program of the year and best movie, miniseries or special. Director Mike Nichols and actor Justin Kirk were on hand to accept.

The epic "Angels in America" also recently garnered a record-breaking number of Emmy Award nominations with 21 nods in the miniseries category when the television honors were announced July 15.

The 6-hour drama — which combined both Pulitzer Prize-winning stage drama Perestroika and Millennium Approaches — garnered Emmy nods for its leading actors Al Pacino, Meryl Streep and Emma Thompson and supporting cast Mary-Louise Parker (Proof), Patrick Wilson (The Full Monty), Justin Kirk (Love! Valour! Compassion!), Ben Shenkman (Sight Unseen) and Jeffrey Wright (Angels in America) as well as for Outstanding Miniseries.

Nichols earned an Emmy for his direction and playwright Kushner— who provided the screenplay — also earned a nomination for writing. Other categories include art direction, casting, cinematography, hairstyling, main title design, picture editing, makeup (non-prosthetic), sound mixing and visual effects.

The previous Emmy record for most nominations in the miniseries category was held by HBO's "Band of Brothers" which earned 19 in 2002. "Angels in America" is poised to topple the long-standing record of most wins in the miniseries category which was set by "Roots" in 1977 with nine awards. "Angels in America" earned the most noms of any program this year, beating out "The Sopranos" which took 20 nods. The 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will air live on ABC, Sept. 19. For more information, visit www.emmys.com.