"30 Rock," honored as best comedy series last year, was the top nominee among sitcoms with 17 bids. "Mad Men" was the leading drama contender with 16 nominations, including one for star Jon Hamm.
"The Wire," the critically acclaimed HBO drama about police and drug dealers in Baltimore, lost its last shot at ending years of Emmy snubs after wrapping its final season.
"Lost," rebounding with a well-received season, joined "Mad Men" and "Damages" in the best-drama series category with six nominees, including "Boston Legal, "Dexter" and "House."
Other best comedy series nominees besides "30 Rock" were "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Entourage," "The Office" and "Two And a Half Men."
The final list of nominees was determined with the help of blue-ribbon panels that screened submitted episodes for the top vote-getters.
Nominees in the top categories for the 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were announced at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences by Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris and TV academy Chairman John Shaffner.
Shaffner surprised Harris and Chenoweth at the end of the telecast by announcing each actor's supporting-actor nomination.
Chenoweth, of "Pushing Daisies," stood open-jawed, while Harris pumped his fist and said, "Nice!"
The trio then blew out candles on a birthday cake to celebrate the Emmys' 60th anniversary.
The Emmy Awards ceremony will be held Sept. 21 and broadcast on ABC. Other Emmy honors, including those for technical achievement and guest actors and actresses in series, will be given at the creative arts ceremony on Sept. 13.
---
On the Net:
www.emmys.tv
