'Ramzor' wins International Emmy

Best comedy series for 2010 goes to Israeli sitcom about three friends in their 30s, each enmeshed in differing stages of relationships. 'I felt like part of a crazy movie,' creator Adir Miller tells Ynet

Eran Bar-On|Published: 11.23.10 , 07:53

No red lights: Israeli sitcom "Ramzor" (traffic light) won an Emmy for best comedy series on Monday night at the annual prizes for television produced outside the United States.

The show's creator, actor Adir Miller, and producer Elad Kuperman were present at the ceremony which was held at the Hilton New York Hotel. "I went up to the stage trembling and gave a speech, and it felt like I was part of a crazy movie," Miller told Ynet after receiving the award.

"Ramzor" is about three friends in their 30s, each enmeshed in differing stages of relationships.

'Ramzor' stars Nir Levy (R), Adir Miller and Lior Halfon (Photo: Pini Siluk)

The international award ceremony was held for the 38th time Monday night. Presenters at the ceremony, hosted by actor Jason Priestley, included Elisabeth Moss of AMC's hit show "Mad Men," veteran actor Eli Wallach, who recently received an honorary Academy Award, and journalist Bill Moyers.

The Israeli series competed against Argentinean television series "Los Simuladores", Thailand's "Talok Hok Chak", and British "Peep Show".

The award is another stage in the success of "Ramzor" overseas. Last year, American TV network FOX announced that it would air an adaptation of the Israeli sitcom called "Mixed Signals". American viewers will be able to enjoy the show every Tuesday starting February 9, 2011.

The sitcom was also bought by Russia, and it will be aired on the leading CTC channel in 2011. It will also be aired in 14 other countries, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Georgia.

Miller (L) an Kuperman with the award. Respect (Photo: AFP)

"Ramzor" is not the first Israeli winner of the prestigious award. Documentary film "Kapo" by Daniel Paran and Dan Setton was awarded the best documentary prize in 2000.

Talking to Ynet from the ceremony, Miller said, "I just can't believe it. I had a feeling. We had a panel there before the ceremony and saw the responses. It's just amazing. We were sitting there and all the Hollywood big shots got on the stage. The award was presented to us by the chief writer of 'Saturday Night Live'."

Miller delivered the thank you speech on behalf of Kuperman and himself, and naturally concluded with a joke: "I would like to thank my wife who's sitting in the audience for her understanding, support and the great sex."

Other honors

While Britain dominated the 38th annual awards, winning five of the 10 awards, the Emmys were more widely international this year with Romania, Argentina, South Korea and Portugal, which won its first-ever Emmy in the telenovela category for "My Love," all taking home awards.

British music impresario and prickly former "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell received an honorary award during the ceremony.

Top acting honors went to Bob Hoskins for "The Street" and Helena Bonham Carter for "Enid," in which she plays children's author Enid Blyton. Neither was on hand to accept the awards.

"The Street," which chronicles the lives of neighbors all living on the same street in Manchester, was named best drama series.

Romania's "The World According to Ion B.," about a homeless man who finds success as a contemporary artist, won for arts programming, while "Mom and the Red Bean Cake," a South Korean production about a mother fighting stomach cancer, won the documentary Emmy.

Britain's also won for children's programming for "Shaun the Sheep," while "Small Island" was named best TV movie or miniseries.

"CQC," Argentina's irreverent look at the week's news, won for non-scripted programming.

The Directorate Award was presented to Lorne Michaels, creator and producer of the long-running NBC comedy show "Saturday Night Live," by Jimmy Fallon, one of the show's former stars, and "30 Rock" star Alec Baldwin.