'John Adams' cleans up at Emmys

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- "John Adams," a seven-part HBO series about the second U.S. president, won the Emmy for outstanding miniseries in Los Angeles Sunday night.

Its stars Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney, who played John and Abigail Adams respectively, also earned the Emmys for outstanding lead actor and actress in a miniseries or movie.

"Well, this is a hell of a thing. Thank you," Giamatti said upon receiving his award. "Thank you to HBO for giving me a job and letting me play the president. ... I'm living proof -- kids at home watching -- that anybody can play the president. Anybody can play the president."

Tom Wilkinson, who played Ben Franklin in the miniseries, won the award for outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or movie, while "Adams" screenwriter Kirk Ellis won the award for outstanding writing for a miniseries, movie or dramatic special.

"Recount" won the Emmy for outstanding TV movie and its director Jay Roach won the award for outstanding directing in a miniseries, movie or a dramatic special.

Eileen Atkins won the Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a miniseries or movie for her work in "Cranford."