Issue date: September 10, 2000

Last week's Best of the Web
Also this week:
The Emmys: Television's Big Affair

unday night's 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards is setting a broadcasting record. No, not the mind-numbing four-hour run time that's predicted. This is the first year the public will be invited to attend -- online, at abc.com/emmys.

Using ABC's Enhanced TV technology, at-home viewers will be able to watch special video feeds and participate in games during the program. The online action kicks off at 7 p.m. ET when the celebrities take to the red carpet. The special Webcast will catch all the arrivals, as well as backstage interviews. Winners and presenters will be invited to stop by the Webcast's interview booth to share their thoughts on the evening's festivities.

The stars won't be the only ones looking to win. The site will let you predict the winners and compete in trivia contests for ABC and Emmy gear. Top scorers will be posted on the site. You also can create your own leaderboard to see how you match up against friends. If you're not caught up in the online competition, host Garry Shandling will prompt viewers to answer questions throughout the evening. The results will be shown during the live TV broadcast.

By Rachel Cericola, a Massachusetts freelance writer who covers technology, Web and entertainment trends.

Illustration by KAREN L. GREENBERG for USA WEEKEND