HOLLYWOOD – The defending-champion comedy and drama series dominated the Emmy Award nominations announced Thursday: NBC’s “30 Rock” received 22 – the most nominations for any comedy in Emmy history – and AMC’s stylish “Mad Men,” set in the 1960s advertising world, earned 16.
For “30 Rock,” creator and star Tina Fey was nominated for lead comedy actress and Alec Baldwin for lead comedy actor. They were joined by Jane Krakowski, Tracy Morgan and Jack McBrayer in the supporting actress and actor categories.
“30 Rock” and “Mad Men” generated their large number of nominations in part by dominating the writing awards: Episodes of the two series accounted for four of the five nominations in their respective categories.
In the case of “30 Rock,” five of its nominations came in the guest actor and actress categories: Steve Martin, Alan Alda, Jennifer Aniston, Elaine Stritch and Jon Hamm received nominations.
“This is incredible. With 22 nominations, it’s incredible,” said Morgan, who plays Tracy Jordan. “I’m just so happy for everyone on our show from Lorne Michaels and Tina to the craft services staff.”
The size of the show’s audience hasn’t always reflected its award haul and critical acclaim, but McBrayer said that was changing. “People are catching on big-time,” said McBrayer, who plays NBC page Kenneth.“Mad Men’s” nominations included lead actor for Hamm and lead actress for Elisabeth Moss.
Joining “30 Rock” in the best comedy category are HBO’s long-running “Entourage,” Fox’s ribald “Family Guy,” HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords,” CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother,” perennial NBC nominee “The Office” and the Showtime comedy “Weeds.”
Competing with “Mad Men” for best drama series are two newcomers: HBO’s polygamy melodrama “Big Love” and AMC’s dark “Breaking Bad.” Also nominated: FX’s legal drama “Damages,” Showtime’s “Dexter,” Fox’s “House” and ABC’s “Lost.”
Joining Fey in the lead comedy actress category is Julia Louis-Dreyfus for “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” Christina Applegate for the now-canceled “Samantha Who?,” Sarah Silverman for “The Sarah Silverman Program,” Toni Collette for “The United States of Tara” and Mary-Louise Parker for “Weeds.”
Vying with Baldwin for best lead actor in a comedy series are Jim Parsons for “The Big Bang Theory,” Jemaine Clement for “Flight of the Conchords,” three-time winner Tony Shalhoub for “Monk,” Steve Carell for “The Office” and Charlie Sheen for “Two and a Half Men.”
Joining Hamm in the lead actor in a drama series category are last year’s winner, Bryan Cranston, for “Breaking Bad,” Michael C. Hall for “Dexter,” Hugh Laurie for “House,” Gabriel Byrne for “In Treatment” and Simon Baker for “The Mentalist.”
The nominees for lead actress in a drama series are Sally Field for “Brothers & Sisters”; Kyra Sedgwick in “The Closer”; last year’s winner, Glenn Close, for “Damages”; Mariska Hargitay for “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”; Moss for “Mad Men”; and Holly Hunter for “Saving Grace.”
The Emmys will air Sept. 20 on CBS from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
