The 13th Annual Genesis Awards paid tribute to Oleg Cassini, the famed fashion designer who made news on behalf of animals with his animal-free "Evolutionary Fur." The 86-year-old Guest of Honor, whose fashions have graced some of the world's most famous women including Jackie Kennedy and Grace Kelly, watched as Miss USA Ali Landry modeled his magnificent, soft-to-the-touch coats.

Set on an "underwater" stage to celebrate the Year of the Ocean, the Genesis Awards acknowledged 21 different winners, including Mighty Joe Young, Spin City, The Practice, Dateline NBC, Extra, and Rugrats. And for the first time in event history, an award was given for Outstanding National Television Commercial: The winner was Gardenburger for an ad called "Paul."

The ceremony, set in The Beverly Hilton's International Ballroom in front of an audience of 1,000, was co-hosted by Montel Williams and Catherine Bell. Celebrity presenters included Jennifer Aspen, Linda Blair, Dyan Cannon, Tia Carrere, David Chokachi, Gordon Clapp, Robert Culp, Frances Fisher, David Gallagher, Robert Guillaume, Tippi Hedren, Earl Holliman, Marty Ingels, Shirley Jones, Ali Landry, Sheryl Lee, Kevin Nealon, Susan Sullivan, Paula Trickey and Joan Van Ark. What's more, Duke, the canine star of TV commercials and his own show on Animal Planet, added his own two barks to the event.

Most Memorable Moments:

Aside from Cassini, who drew a standing ovation, the night belonged to beloved actor Robert Guillaume. Guillaume brought the crowd to its feet when he took the stage to present writer and executive producer Aaron Sorkin with a Genesis Award for their show, Sports Night. Guillaume's appearance touched the audience because he is recovering from a recent stroke.

Winners:

Feature Film: Mighty Joe Young, Walt Disney/RKO Pictures

Television Comedy Series: Spin City, "The Deer Hunter," ABC

Television Dramatic Series: The Practice, "Food Chains," ABC

New Television Series: Sports Night, "The Hungry and the Hunted," ABC

Network Newsmagazine: Dateline NBC, "Victims of Fashion"

Syndicated Newsmagazine: Extra

Television Talk Show: Montel, syndicated

Network Documentary: Don't Say Goodbye, NBC

Cable Documentary: Life with Big Cats, Animal Planet

Cable Documentary Series: National Geographic Explorer, "Chimp Rescue," TBS

PBS Documentary: In the Wild: Orangutans with Julia Roberts

Syndicated Documentary: Vanishing Giants

Television News Feature: NewsStand: CNN & Time, "Politics of Extinction," CNN

Children's Television Programming: Rugrats, "The Turkey Who Came to Dinner," Nickelodeon

Children's Programming, Special Award: Return to the Wild, Channel One

Brigitte Bardot International Award: Inside Quarantine, Channel 4 UK

The Ark Trust International Award: Carte Blanche, South Africa, "A Cruel Fowl Practice" and "Animals in Transit"

Periodical: New York magazine, "Shelter Skelter" by Elizabeth Hess

Series of Articles: Daily News, New York, "Dead End: Racehorses Being Led to Slaughter" by Bill Finley

Cartoonist: Patrick McDonnell, Mutts

National Television Commercial: Gardenburger, "Paul"