Honorary Emmy for `American Idol` judge Simon Cowell

Spicezee Bureau

New York: BOB Hoskins and Helena Bonham Carter captured the top acting awards as British television productions won five International Emmys on Monday, including two for the BBC drama The Street. Mr Barun Das, CEO, Zee News Limited was one of the jury members for this year’s award, who attended the function at New York Hilton. At the 38th International Emmy Awards Gala in New York, two honorary awards were also presented to former American Idol judge Simon Cowell, who was recognised for his role in reshaping TV talent competitions and his charitable work, and Lorne Michaels, the creator and producer of Saturday Night Live. News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch surprised guests by appearing on stage to hand Cowell the award at the ceremony, hosted by Jason Priestley. Cowell, the acerbic judge who left Idol this year to launch an American version of The X Factor, received the International Emmy Founders Award, which recognises "significant achievements in television that cross cultural boundaries and contribute to our common humanity". Late night host Jimmy Fallon presented the International Emmy Directorate Award for long-time achievements by a TV professional to his mentor, Michaels, who has helped launch the careers of several generations of TV and film comic stars since Saturday Night Live premiered in 1975. Writer-producer Jimmy McGovern`s The Street, which follows the stories of neighbours living on the same road in Manchester, received the Emmy for best drama series. Hoskins took the best actor award for his role in the 2009 season of The Street as a pub owner whose morals lead him to stand up to the local gangster. Bonham Carter, who is appearing in the latest Harry Potter film and may be a supporting actress Oscar contender for playing the queen in The King`s Speech, was named best actress for the biopic Enid, in which she portrayed British children`s author Enid Blyton. (with Bureau inputs)