Emmy Nominations Unveiled; Lots of Love for "The Office" and "30 Rock"

Can you believe it's that time again? I can. But then again, I got up at the ungodly hour of 5:35 am to see Jon Cryer and Kyra Sedgwick unveil the nominees for the 2007 Emmy Awards this morning.

So who made the cut in some of the top categories? Let's grab a cup of coffee and find out.

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

Extras • HBO • BBC and HBO Entertainment
Ricky Gervais as Andy Millman

Monk • USA • NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Mandeville Films and Touchstone
Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk

The Office • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Steve Carell as Michael Scott

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy

Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper

This is a seriously tough category, filled with some strong contenders. Who would have ever thought we'd see Extras' Ricky Gervais competing against The Office's Steve Carell, who's playing a character based on a character originally created and performed by.... Ricky Gervais? Likewise, I'm very happy to see that the voicemail incident didn't derail Alec Baldwin's chances at a nomination for his stellar work in 30 Rock. I do want the winner to be one of the three and all three series leads were absolutely superlative this past season. So who has my vote? Steve Carell, by a hair.

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series

Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
James Spader as Alan Shore

House • Fox • Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television
Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House

Rescue Me • FX • Produced by Apostle, the Cloudland Company and DreamWorks Television in association with Sony Pictures Television
Denis Leary as Tommy Gavin

The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano

24 • Fox • Imagine Television & 20th Century Fox Television in association with Realtime Productions
Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer

While normally Kiefer seems a lock for this category every year, this past season of 24 was so sub-par that I don't see the award going to Jack Bauer. Instead, the Academy will either award it to James Gandolfini for his swan song this past season or do something daring and give it to Denis Leary. Please let it be the latter.

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Desperate Housewives • ABC • ABC Studios
Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo

The New Adventures Of Old Christine • CBS • Kari’s Logo Here in association with Warner Bros. Television
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon

Ugly Betty • ABC • ABC Studios
America Ferrera as Betty Suarez

Weeds • Showtime • Showtime Presents in association with Lions Gate Television and Tilted Productions
Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin

Wow! Only one of the Desperate Housewives made the cut this year! Who would have thunk it? I'm thrilled to see some other talented women in this category, especially 30 Rock's Tina Fey, Old Christine's Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Weeds' Mary-Louise Parker. I do love America Ferrera but wish there were another category for one-hour dramedies (you could nominate all the Desperate Housewives alongside her!). But let's be honest: I'm really pulling for Fey to win this, which would be the perfect momentum with which to start 30 Rock's second season. Come on, Academy, give the woman a break: she not only stars in the series but writes and executive produces it. Shouldn't that count for a lil' something?

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

Brothers & Sisters • ABC • ABC Studios
Sally Field as Nora Walker

The Closer • Slippin’ • TNT • The Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Kyra Sedgwick as Dep. Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • NBC • A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson

Medium • NBC • CBS Paramount Television, Grammnet, Picturemaker Productions
Patricia Arquette as Allison Dubois

The Riches • FX • FX Productions and Fox Television Studios
Minnie Driver as Dahlia Malloy

The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano

I'm sure this will end up going to Edie Falco (and there's nothing wrong with that), but I really wish it could go to Minnie Driver, for her amazing performance as addict/Traveler Dahlia Malloy, which was pitch perfect this past season on The Riches, as she catapulted forwards and backwards in her attempts to fit into a buffer's life while longing to return to the only life she's ever known. Heartbreaking and hysterical. But, sigh, no love for Lost's Elizabeth Mitchell?

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Entourage • HBO • Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Kevin Dillon as Johnny Drama

Entourage • HBO • Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold

How I Met Your Mother • CBS • Twentieth Century Fox
Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson

The Office • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute

Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Jon Cryer as Alan Harper

Um, hello? Rainn Wilson. Is there really another choice in this category? Okay, maybe there is. But I am hoping that the Academy voters finally smile some favor onto Dwight Schrute, who has proven a wily and adept Office employee. Can I get some support on this decision?

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
William Shatner as Denny Crane

Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
T.R. Knight as George

Heroes • NBC • Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Masi Oka as Hiro Nakamura

Lost • ABC • ABC Studios
Michael Emerson as Ben

Lost • ABC • ABC Studios
Terry O’Quinn as John Locke

The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti

Talk about conflicted; we've got two Losties up for nominations in this category and it's gonna be tough to choose between Terry O'Quinn and Michael Emerson (hopefully they won't split the vote). I really can't decide between them as both men turned in bravura performances this past season and kept the somewhat listing ship that were the early Season Three episodes of Lost afloat. Slight edge to Michael Emerson for portraying one of the most diabolical and Machiavellian villains on television and for remaining, tantalizingly and brutally, inscrutable, even when his character does heinous things like sell out his people and dump them into a mass grave or shoot Locke. What do you guys think?

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

My Name Is Earl • NBC • Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Jaime Pressly as Joy Turner

The Office • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Jenna Fischer as Pam Beesly

Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper

Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Conchata Ferrell as Berta

Ugly Betty • ABC • ABC Studios
Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater

Weeds • Showtime • Showtime Presents in association with Lions Gate Television and Tilted Productions
Elizabeth Perkins as Celia Hodes

Man, another tough category filled to the brim with talent. I'm rooting for Jenna Fisher for obvious reasons, though failing that, I would be happy if Vanessa Williams or Elizabeth Perkins took home the prize. (I'm hoping the two Two and a Half Men noms cancel one another right out.) Fisher's performance this season on the The Office was funny, wry, and heartfelt, turning Pam from Jim's object of affection to a jealous, jilted would-be lover.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Brothers & Sisters • ABC • ABC Studios
Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Whedon

Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
Katherine Heigl as Isobel “Izzie” Stevens

Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
Chandra Wilson as Dr. Bailey

Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang

The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Aida Turturro as Janice Soprano

The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Jennifer Melfi

Um, let's just give it to Rachel Griffiths, okay? Just because.

Outstanding Comedy Series

Entourage • HBO • Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

The Office • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio

Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television

Ugly Betty • ABC • ABC Studios

Oh, don't make me choose here. This is probably the hardest category for me to choose a top contender because most of these are just simply hysterically funny, well-crafted series that each deserve a shot at the top prize. While I'd normally be voting for The Office, I'm actually going to switch it up a bit and give this category to 30 Rock, which had such a superlative first season. That series has proven that mighty oaks really do spring from little acorns, crafting a pitch perfect episode every week that has me rolling on the floor (a rare feat, trust me).

Outstanding Drama Series

Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television

Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios

Heroes • NBC • Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio

House • Fox • Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio

The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

I'm hoping there is backlash against the completely unfulfilling ending of The Sopranos and it doesn't walk away with the win. Other than that, I'm not really rooting for any particular series in this category though I am a bit perturbed that Lost isn't in here, especially given the strength of the second half of the season.

Outstanding Reality Program

Antiques Roadshow • PBS • WGBH Educational Foundation

Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan • National Geographic • Produced by MPH Entertainment, Inc. in association with Emery/Sumner Productions for the National Geographic
Channel

Extreme Makeover Home Edition • ABC • Endemol USA

Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List • Bravo • Picture
This Television, Bravo

Penn & Teller: Bullshit! • Showtime • Showtime Presents in association with Penn & Teller, A Division of Buggs and Rudy Discount Corporation, Star Price Productions, The Wolper Organization

Cesar's great but let's do Kathy Griffin a favor and vote her series in. With everything she's been through lately, she could use a little emotional lift. Besides, her series is wry, funny, and strangely endearing and she's not afraid to mock herself every single week.

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program

The Amazing Race • CBS • Amazing Race Productions Inc. and Touchstone Television Productions, LLC in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and WorldRace Productions, Inc.

American Idol • Fox • FremantleMedia N.A., Inc. & 19TV Ltd.

Dancing With The Stars • ABC • BBC Worldwide Productions, LLC

Project Runway • Bravo • Magical Elves for The Weinstein Company/Miramax, Full Picture, Bravo

Top Chef • Bravo • Magical Elves, Bravo

Wow. For me it's a toss-up between Amazing Race, Project Runway, and Top Chef. If I were forced to make a decision, my gut says to go with... Project Runway this time around. It would be nice to see this taut, polished reality production get some awards love this year.

Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series

Extras • Daniel Radcliffe • HBO • BBC and HBO Entertainment
Ricky Gervais, Writer
Stephen Merchant, Writer

The Office • Gay Witch Hunt • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Greg Daniels, Written by

The Office • The Negotiation • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Michael Schur, Written by

30 Rock • Tracy Does Conan • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Tina Fey, Written by

30 Rock • Jack-Tor • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Robert Carlock, Written by

Seriously, this is a tough one. I'd have given it to 30 Rock had "Fireworks" or "Black Tie" been submitted but for me it's tough fight between The Office's "The Negotiation" or Extras' "Daniel Radcliffe." In the end, I'm going to give it to The Office as "The Negotiation" was one of my favorite episodes this season and was hysterical from start to finish. Well done, Mike.

Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series

Battlestar Galactica • Occupation/Precipice • Sci Fi Channel • R+D TV in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Ronald D. Moore, Written by

Lost • Through The Looking Glass • ABC • ABC Studios
Damon Lindelof, Written by
Carlton Cuse, Written by

The Sopranos • Kennedy And Heidi • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Matthew Weiner, Writer
David Chase, Writer

The Sopranos • The Second Coming • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Terence Winter, Writer

The Sopranos • Made In America • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
David Chase, Writer

It's amazing to see that Battlestar Galactica was even singled out for an Emmy nomination this year (apparently, hell IS freezing over); at least some of the voters have realized how intricately plotted and beautifully written this series is. It might be sci fi but BSG deftly turns a mirror on our own society, providing a metaphor for post-9/11 America while also remaining a kick-ass drama series, week in and week out. "Occupation" and "Precipice" put our beloved characters into something rather akin to occupied Iraq and forced us to ask us what we would do in their situation. Meanwhile, Lost's "Through the Looking Glass" completely exploded all narrative rules, propelling the castaways off of the island and jumping into the "future" after their rescue from that terrible, smoke monster-haunted place. It proved that, in a series filled with plot twists and turns, it could still pull one over on the audience, creatively recharging the series and demolishing all expectations. This was one season finale that left you aching for more and ratcheted up the tension to an 11. Simply an effing brilliant episode.

The 59th Primetime Emmy Awards will be handed out Sunday, September 16th. Who are you rooting for this year?