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Jet, August 11, 1997

Della Reese of the inspirational series "Touched By An "Angel" and actor Eric LaSalle of TV's hit medical drama "ER" are among the Black performers nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards.

Reese, who stars as an angel sent to help people through life's ordeals, was nominated in the best supporting actress category.

LaSalle, who portrays a physician on the popular show "ER" was nominated in the best supporting actor in a drama series category.

"ER" also led the Emmy pack with 22 nominations including the President's Award, a category introduced last year to recognize social value.

"ER" stars CCH Pounder and Gloria Reuben were both nominated in the best supporting actress in a drama series category.

Among special programs, the HBO movie Miss Euers' Boys received a leading 12 nominations, including best made for television movie and the President's Award.

Laurence Fishburne won a nomination as best actor in a miniseries or special for his performance as a syphilis patient in HBO's Miss Evers' Boys.

Alfre Woodard was awarded a nomination as best actress in a miniseries or a special for her performance as the sympathetic nurse in the HBO movie Miss Evers' Boys.

Famed actor Ossie Davis and actor-dancer Obba Babatunde each received a nomination in the best supporting actor in a miniseries or a special for their roles in Miss Evers'Boys.

Veteran actor Sidney Poitier won a nomination as best actor in a miniseries or special for his portrayal of world famous South African President Nelson Mandela in Mandela and De Klerk on the Showtime cable network.

Black actors who made special guest appearances on popular TV shows are also among the nominees for this year's Emmy Awards.

James Earl Jones won a nomination as best guest actor in a comedy series for his appearance on "Frasier."

Louis Gossett Jr. received a nomination as best guest actor in a drama series for his performance on "Touched By An Angel."

Comedian Chris Rock picked up a nomination in the best variety, music or comedy special category for his "Chris Rock: Bring the Pain."

In the field of music, Bobby McFerrin walked away with a nomination in the cultural music-dance program for "Bobby McFerrin: Loosely Mozart, the New Innovators of Classical Music."

Former "Today" show host Bryant Gumbel, who recently moved over to CBS to anchor a prime time news magazine, will serve as master of ceremonies for the awards.

The 49th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony will be held Sept. 14 at the Pasadena (CA) Civic Auditorium and will be broadcast live on CBS-TV.