Perennial Emmy nominee Michael C. Hall.
Early this morning, when New York City was taking its first sips of coffee and Hollywood was still dreaming up its latest dating reality show, The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences revealed its nominations for the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. The shortlists were presented by Jim Parsons of The Big Bang Theory and Chandra Wilson of Grey's Anatomy (Surprise! They both got nominated!).
The nominations had a combination of old reliables and new faces, with Parsons, Aaron Paul, Jemaine Clement, Jack McBrayer, and Simon Baker leading the Emmy rookies. The biggest shocker was the inclusion of Family Guy (really? Family Guy?) in the Best Comedy Series category alongside its live-action competition (Creator Seth MacFarlane opted to submit Family Guy in the Best Comedy category, an unusual and bold move). Flight of the Conchords was also a pleasant surprise in the comedy category.
More telling was who wasn't invited to the party. The Shield, in its farewell season, was blanked from the major nominations despite being a critics' favorite. Ditto goes for Battlestar Galactica, which gets the same treatment as The Wire as two of the best shows in television over the last ten years without appreciation from Emmy voters in the major categories. Unbelievable! True Blood may currently be the talk of the town, but was also left off the list of potential award winners. And America's most-watched comedy, Two and a Half Men, did not make the Best Comedy Category, despite seven slots (How I Met Your Mother snuck in in its place). Oh, and that nomination for Kyle Chandler or the magnificent Connie Britton from Friday Night Lights we've been championing? Nyet.
But enough of the downers and snubs; 30 Rock scored 22 Emmy nominations in total, a record for a comedy. Alec Baldwin, nominated once again for Best Actor in a Comedy said, "I'm thrilled for everyone connected to the show, but I'm especially excited for Jane (Krakowski), Jack (McBrayer) and Tracy (Morgan). It's great working with the entire group and I'm grateful for the recognition of our work."
The nominations for the 2009 Primetime Emmy Awards are below.
Best Drama Series
Big Love
Breaking Bad
Damages
Dexter
House
Lost
Mad Men
Best Comedy Series
Entourage
Flight of the Conchords
How I Met Your Mother
The Office
30 Rock
Weeds
Family Guy
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Simon Baker, The Mentalist
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Glenn Close, Damages
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
Lead Comedy Actor
Jemaine Clement, Flight of the Conchords
Steve Carrell, The Office
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men
Lead Comedy Actress
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Toni Collette, United States of Tara
Sarah Silverman, The Sarah Silverman Program
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
Supporting Drama Actress
Rose Byrne, Damages
Hope Davis, In Treatment
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment
Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy
Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy
Cherry Jones, 24
Supporting Drama Actor
William Shatner, Boston Legal
Christian Clemenson, Boston Legal
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
William Hurt, Damages
John Slattery, Mad Men
Michael Emerson, Lost
Supporting Comedy Actress
Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live
Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Elizabeth Perkins, Weeds
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty
Supporting Comedy Actor
Kevin Dillon, Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Rainn Wilson, The Office
Tracy Morgan, 30 Rock
Jack McBrayer, 30 Rock
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
For a full list of nominations, head over to the official Emmys Web site. Be sure to find out who wins and who goes home empty-handed when CBS airs the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards on September 20.
Comments (76)
The one thing besides the 2 Lost noms I'm happy with is the nomination of Aaron Paul for Breaking Bad. He was amazing in the second season, so much so that his performance actually overshadowed the enigmatic Bryan Cranston in certain scenes, glad to see he's getting some much deserved recognition.
Simon Bakers nomination is such a joke. While he does reek of cuteness, his character, Patrick Jane, isn't all that noteworthy.30 Rock is overrated but I'm almost certain that Tina Fey will take home another armful of awards. I'm hoping that House wins best Drama show and Hugh Laurie wins best Actor in a Drama.
"Damages" should not be nominated. The second season was horrible.
Go Shatner!
actually it is that funny
Isn't it time they create a category for the "genre" shows? Seriously, every type of show has its own category. Isn't it time shows like True Blood, Supernatural, Battlestar Gallactica and so on have some recognition? They obviously won't ever make the Best Drama category and it's revolting to see that American Idol, Top Chef or even freakin' Hannah Montana have more chances of winning an Emmy than any of those shows. I'm glad to see that Breaking Bad, Dexter and Lost have got nominations, but seriously, does Lost, or any of them, stand any chance against Mad Men? It's all just a big joke.
Wow my comment was nearly unreadable >.> And William Shatner deserves the Supporting Actor Emmy as well.
Best Drama: Lost Best Lead Actor in Drama: Simon BakerBest Lead Actress in Drama: Elisabeth MossBest Supporting Drama Actor: Christian Clemenson
sandra oh,hugh of house should just win for the rest i dont care but the nominees are well chosen
30 Rock, 22 nominations?! What an overrated piece of trash...actually the whole Emmys are a joke.That said, I hope Family Guy wins.
HIMYM isn't that funny
NO KATHERINE HEIGL?Her performance on emmy last season 5 was emmy-worthy
what are you talking about guys where is 24 the best show
My choice: House, 30 rock, Simon Baker, Mariska Hargitay, Jim Parsons, Tina Fey, Chandra Wilson, William Shatner, Jane Krakowski, and Jon Cryer.
I can't believe how Charlie Sheen got a nomination for lead actor in a comedy and Lee Pace didn't. I mean he's okay but not exeptionally good nor does he have a very challenging role in his show unlike Lee Pace does i also can't get over the fact that The Office with it's worst season yet and Family guy got a nom for best comedy show but Pushing Daisies didn't which I think is a way better show than FG and is better than The Office's 5th season. I guess there's just no love for the lovable funny quirky show.
But I am glad that HIMYM, NPH, Christen Chenoweth, Michael C hall and Alec Baldwin got a nomination I really hope they'll win their categories they deserve it.
I'll have to echo the uproar for the BSG snubbing (again), pleasantly surprised with Jim Parsons and the How I Met Your Mother nomination. Breaking Bad nominations were well deserved.To see both The Shield and The Wire ignored was a bummer though but the Emmys aren't a sport to be cheered for that's why I'll reserve my fandom for Hockey and just watch the programs I enjoy and hope they don't get cancelled prematurely like Firefly or Freaks & Geeks.
No James Spader???!!!
NPH should win every category!
Same old, same old.
I expected BSG to be nominated for its last epic season. This is beyond ridiculous.
Nothing for BSG, Rescue Me, Scrubs, or 24, but they sure like House. WTF?
Some great choices here!!!
most of the nominations are the same as last year!! the second season of damages is really bad . dexter this year was good but doesnt deserve to win. madmen is the worst series in the history of tv . lost is a miracle it really shoud win also house is great too but they give the awards to shows that contain lots of sex and nudity the emmys are idiots they dont care about the story .if lost or house dont win this year then they will prove that they are the worst and dumbest awards ever.
Good for Simon Baker, Rose Byrne, Neil Patrick Harris and HIMYM!
The list is seems to be made of one another. Haven't they considered shows like Criminal Minds or something?
hugh laurie should win
hopefully hugh laurie will win this year
scrubs? big bang theory for best comedy? jeremy piven?emmys are a joke
I really can't envision <em>Family Guy</em> winning an Emmy.
WHAT A JOKE
NO 24 and NO Kiefer Sutherland!!! He was absolutely awesome once more... as he was in the previous seasons...
F yea! Amy Poehler got nominated for something! She's hilarious and did a lot this year in comedy. I
NO 24 !!! i mean come on what going on really !!!!
Justin Chambers was amazing this year. I was really hoping he'd get nominated. :(
Wow, Family Guy? Really? That makes me almost cry that got nominated instead of the recently deceased Pushing Daisies. But then again, dead shows hardly get nominated. At least Kristen Chenoweth got something. I'm crossing my fingers for her.
But on the plus side at least How I Met Your Mother and Neil Patrick Harris got something. :)
Well folks, get ready for another 30 rock and Mad Men landslide...that said, I am pretty happy with the nominees list..except for the folks at how I met your mother and Office, the rest deserve nominations...
Aside from the complete snubbing of True Blood (I really thought Anna Paquin was a lock after the Golden Globe win), this is a really good line-up.
I miss the Big Bang Theory but at least Parsons got nominated.Breaking Bad gets another nod this time: Aaron Paul is finally on the list! Go Bryan, go BB! Still best drama this year - can't believe House is still in the circle.
No BSG what a crock
No Scrubs? I was kinda wishing for a nom. Maybe for directing or writing. We'll see! oh, when I saw the shat was nominated, and didnt see James Spader, I thought that was weird!
Where is the big bang theory for best comedy? and i think more actors from the show should have been nominated.. and i like monk, but i don't think tony shaloub needs another award for this show
The missed 3 key nominations. John Noble/ Fringe - Best Lead Actor Drama. Robert Nepper/Prison Break - Best supporting actor Drama. Ian McShane/Kings - Best Leed Actor Drama
Robert Nepper/T-bag from Prison Break - Best supporting actor drama and Ian McShane/King Silas Kings - Best Lead Actor Drama. Those are two nominations that should have made the shortlist.
I was really hoping Psych would get nominated.
House will win in the two categories it has been nominated, as for the rest, well, let's just say that I don't bet on anything... except for Family Guy, which will win best comedy series.
i hope family guy wins that would be amazing!!