Director Spike Lee celebrates his Emmy win for 'Exceptional Merit in Non-fiction Film-making' for his documentary 'When The Levees Broke' during the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles last Saturday. - Reuters

LOS ANGELES (AP):

The Emmys got edgy as an off-colour Saturday Night Live video featuring Justin Timberlake and strategically placed gift boxes was honoured at the Creative Arts ceremony.

(Blank) in a Box, last December's fake music video performed by Timberlake and SNL cast member Andy Samberg, is about wrapping a certain part of the male anatomy and presenting it to a loved one as a holiday present.

"I think it's safe to say that when we first set out to make this song, we were all thinking "Emmy!" Samberg said in accepting the award last Saturday for best original music and lyrics.

Internet sensation

"The other thing we were thinking was, 'Hey! Here's this young up and comer, Justin Timberlake, who is clearly very talented and could clearly use a break'," Samberg said. "So, Justin, if you're out there, congrats to you, kid."

The video, which beat out competition that included two songs from a musical edition of Scrubs, became an Internet sensation. It garnered millions of views on YouTube and NBC's website, which posted an un-bleeped version.

The Creative Arts Emmys, which recognise technical and other achievements for the 2006-07 season, will air on September 15 on E!, the night before the Primetime Emmy Awards on Fox.

As Samberg arrived at the Creative Arts awards, he told The Associated Press that he had yet to be asked by the TV academy to perform the song with Timberlake on the Fox broadcast, but he was willing, he said.

Other winners Saturday included the four actors who received awards for series guest roles: Elaine Stritch for 30 Rock, Leslie Caron for Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, John Goodman for Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and Stanley Tucci for Monk.

Rewarded for potential

"I think I was nominated in 1951 for the most promising newcomer. I'm glad I finally realised my potential," Caron said.

Spike Lee's New Orleans documentary, When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts, received three awards, including a directing trophy.

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee won a leading five awards. The film, which chronicles events leading up to the assassination of Sitting Bull and the Sioux massacre at Wounded Knee Creek in 1890, is up for more Emmy honours, including best TV movie, next weekend.

HBO collected the most trophies, 15, followed by NBC with 12, CBS with nine and Cartoon Network with eight. Fox earned seven awards, PBS six and ABC four.