The nominations, that is.  Let’s take a look.

Right off the bat, two things must be mentioned.  First, NBC’s 30 Rock received a record 22 nominations, the most for a comedy series ever.  Second, Fox’s Family Guy was nominated for best comedy; an animated series has not been nominated in this category since The Flintstones in 1961.  Not even The Simpsons has acheived this feat in its long 20 season span.  Now, on to the main category nomination selections, including my personal selections and predictions.

Outstanding Comedy Series: Entourage, Flight of the Conchords (!), 30 Rock, Weeds, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, Family Guy  [Tough to choose; my selection – FOTC; my prediction – 30 Rock]

Oustanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Charlie Sheen (Two and a Half Men), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) (!), Steve Carrell (The Office), Tony Shalhoub (Monk), Jemaine Clement (FOTC)

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Kevin Dillon (Entourage), Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men), Rainn Wilson (The Office), Neil Patrick Harris (HIMYM), Tracy Morgan (30 Rock), Jack McBrayer (30 Rock)

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: 4 nominations for 30 Rock, 1 nomination for Flight of the Conchords (James Bobin, Writer; Jemaine Clement, Writer; Bret McKenzie, Writer)

Outstanding Drama Series: Lost, House, Big Love, Dexter, Damages, Breaking Bad, Mad Men  [House is great, but easy decision here; my selection – Lost; my prediction – Mad Men]

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Hugh Laurie (House), Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Simon Baker (The Mentalist), Gabriel Byrne (In Treatment), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Jon Hamm (Mad Men)

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: William Shatner (Boston Legal), Michael Emerson (Lost), William Hurt (Damages), Christian Clemenson (Boston Legal), Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), John Slattery (Mad Men)

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: 4 nominations for Mad Men, 1 nomination for Lost (Carlton Cuse, Writer; Damon Lindelof, Writer)

Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics: 2 nominees include: Akiva Schaffer, Lyrics By Jorma Taccone, Andy Samberg, Justin Timberlake, Asa Taccone (SNL); James Bobin, Composer and Lyricist Bret McKenzie, Jemaine Clement (FOTC)

Oustanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, Real Time With Bill Maher, Late Show With David Letterman, Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Special Class – Short-format Live-Action Entertainment Programs: The Daily Show, Bruce Springsteen Super Bowl Halftime Show, Battlestar Galactica, 30 Rock, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (!)  [This category was CREATED because of Dr.H.]

The Emmy’s air on September 20th at 8PM on NBC.  Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris.

[Via Emmys; NYT]