Emmy watchers take note: this could be a big year for non-HBO cable series.
The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the first time released a list of top-10 nominees, or semi-finalists, in the drama and comedy categories. The announcement comes in advance of this weekend’s “blue-ribbon panel” meetings which will narrow the lists to five nominees per category. Evidently, the Academy’s intent is to head off the inevitable industry leaks that keep its Emmy nominee lists from being a surprise.
AMC’s “Mad Men” and FX’s “Damages” made the cut–first time representation for basic cable in the best drama series category.
Showtime’s “Dexter” and “The Tudors” also made the semifinals. Without HBO’s “The Sopranos” in the running this year, the field seems to have opened up.
The lists:
Top 10 Comedy Series Finalists
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Entourage
Family Guy
Flight of the Conchords
The Office
Pushing Daisies
30 Rock
Two and a Half Men
Ugly Betty
Weeds
Top 10 Drama Series Finalists
Boston Legal
Damages
Dexter
Friday Night Lights
Grey’s Anatomy
House
Lost
Mad Men
The Tudors
The Wire
The 60th Annual Emmy telecast is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 21, on ABC.
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
