(NewsCore) – The Emmys again showered nomination love on old favorites Thursday, giving just a handful of newcomers a shot at television’s top awards.
The hit AMC series “Mad Men,” picked up a whopping 19 nominations, while the ABC comedy “Modern Family” grabbed 17 nods, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced Thursday in Los Angeles.
Both picked up top honors at last year’s ceremony. “Mad Men” has nabbed Best Drama honors for three years running.
“I’m sort of stunned,” Ty Burrell of “Modern Family” told The Hollywood Reporter after all six of the show’s adult actors were nominated. “I feel like there are 1,000 actors who deserve it more than I do.”
In its first year of eligibility, the Prohibition-era drama “Boardwalk Empire” garnered 18 nominations, while other leading nominees included “Saturday Night Live” with 16, and 13 nods each for the medieval saga “Game of Thrones” and the sitcom “30 Rock.”
The miniseries “Mildred Pierce” received 21 nominations, including Best Movie or Miniseries and a nomination for its star Kate Winslet, already an Academy Award winner.
But among the expected nods for old stalwarts like Jon Hamm, Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin, there were a few fresh faces in the mix.
Newcomers Mireille Enos of “The Killing” and Timothy Olyphant of “Justified” were both nominated for their lead roles in the dramas, while former “Friends” star Matt LeBlanc picked up his first nomination in seven years for his turn in “Episodes.”
Melissa McCarthy found out about being nominated for her lead role in the comedy “Mike and Molly” in grand fashion — on live television as she announced the list of nominees alongside Joshua Jackson.
She immediately grabbed her chest and squealed “Oh my God!,” adding to herself “OK, keep it together. Wow!”
In another surprise, critical-favorite “Friday Night Lights” was finally nominated for Best Drama in its final season, where it will face off against “Boardwalk Empire,” “Dexter,” “Game of Thrones,” “The Good Wife,” and “Mad Men.”
“There’s something that feels right for this show that the nomination would happen at the end,” “Friday Night Lights” executive producer Jason Katims told Variety afterward.
The Best Comedy field included “Modern Family,” “30 Rock,” “Glee,” “The Office,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and “Parks and Recreation.”
Among the snubs: Kyra Sedgwick of “The Closer” was left off the list after winning last year as Outstanding Female Actress in a Dramatic Series
The comedy “Community” was also left empty-handed in the major categories, perhaps displaced by the musical “Glee” in a season that some critics have noted leaned heavily toward drama.
And the ladies of “Desperate Housewives,” who once dominated the acting categories, will be able to watch this year from home, as the show was only nominated for Outstanding Voiceover.
The Emmy ceremony, to be hosted by nominee Jane Lynch of “Glee,” will air Sept. 18 on FOX. News Corp. is the parent company of both FOX and NewsCore.
Tags: Favorites, Old Favorites
Posted July 13, 2011 by Charlie Esson