Often we are rewarding series that have been bypassed for Emmys -- sometimes for the first time because nobody else appreciates the series, sometimes because the Emmys are just lame. Each year I half expect nobody will show up, and then they do. It's not televised. It's not a big to-do. In fact, it seems a little bit low-rent. But at least they know we're not doing this because we like glitz or stardom. We do this because we want to reward excellence. When we actually love something, after dismissing or even hating most of what we see otherwise, then we honestly, truly want to honor a show or a performer. Somehow in our low-wattage affair, that comes through.

We may not be slick or polished, we may not provide dinner (in fact, we don't). Some of us may be a little geeky or oddly standoffish (as compared to, say, "Access Hollywood" or something). But we're relatively harmless in person (in print: different matter) and nobody is going to snap a picture of you eating an Oreo you dipped in a fountain of chocolate and then spilled on your dress. If you want to hang out after the show and have drinks and dessert with us, great. If not, see you later. There's no pressure. On Sunday night, long, long after the ceremony was over and most of the critics were at the Fox check-in party, I happened by the post-awards terrace and found Isaiah Washington and James Pickens Jr. from "Grey's Anatomy" just hanging out and talking.

Mary Lynn Rajskub, who plays Chloe on "24," was our host for the 22nd annual awards, held Sunday night. She also does stand-up and sings, but on Sunday she tried some offbeat, weirdly funny bits of comedy that were both quirky and -- there's a word for this -- "different," maybe? Let's just say that had you seen her, you'd probably say "Well, I wasn't expecting that." But it fit perfectly into TCA lore and nobody is the wiser.

Hugh Laurie from "House," who also won last year, won again this year for individual achievement in drama. He's a funny man, seemed to appreciate his award and seemed to tolerate being talked to.

Steve Carrell won for individual achievement in comedy, and was hilarious as he read a savage review of him in the short-lived 1997 series, "Over the Top." Of course, he's brilliant in "The Office" and a box-office star, so there's no real reason he had to show up, but it was an unpretentious, honestly funny acceptance.

"Lost" won for outstanding achievement in drama, even though it was snubbed for an Emmy (after winning it the year before). Writer-producer Damon Lindelof and actor Daniel Dae Kim accepted the award (the "Lost" cast has been here in full in the past). Lindelof was gracious and honored.

"The Office" won for outstanding achievement in comedy and -- literally -- the entire cast was there. Even all the bit players (some of whom are writers on the show). "My Name Is Earl" won for outstanding new program and it, too, had a packed cast, including Jason Lee, Jaime Pressly and wow, even better looking in person, Nadine Velazquez (theme alert!). I resisted the urge to say "Hey, Crabman" to Eddie Steeples, figuring he's heard it a billion times, but it was tempting.

"High School Musical," the addictive musical on the Disney Channel, won for outstanding achievement in children's programming.

"American Masters -- Bob Dylan: No Direction Home" won for outstanding achievement in movies, miniseries or specials.

"Frontline" won for outstanding achievement in news and information.

"The West Wing" won our heritage award and creator Aaron Sorkin, who was joined on stage by co-producers Thomas Schlamme (who is married to actress Christine Lahti, who was also there) and John Wells, noted that the first award "The West Wing" ever won -- before all the Emmys -- was our new program award. Sorkin said the critics helped "The West Wing" stay afloat, supported "ER" from the beginning and were the earliest fans of his "Sports Night." As usual, he was gracious and laudatory of the critics, which is naturally what we hear at these things, but it's nice when you hear a genuine belief in the words. That's what makes our little awards work -- in the end it's not a popularity contest or a trick of the voting process. It's validation for great work.

"Grey's Anatomy" won for program of the year (I would have preferred "The Sopranos," a multiple past winner, but you can't have everything).

But clearly the best moment of the night was Carol Burnett winning our career achievement award. You've never seen a room full of stars and critics get to their feet faster than that. (Though, truth be told, this category is always a showstopper.) The ovation for Burnett lasted several long minutes and people like Carrell and Laurie were clapping with true enthusiasm. At the end of her acceptance speech, Burnett said that if anyone from "The Office" had an opening, she had the time. The producers later were seen talking with her (and naturally, critics were goading this to happen), so here's to the cameo -- if it ever happens -- actually being as electric as Burnett's award.

Tim Goodman provides continuing updates on the Television Critics Association's summer press tour on his blog, the Bastard Machine, on SFGate.com.