Hollywood was abuzz this morning as the nominations for the 61st annual Emmy Awards were announced.
It should come as no surprise that a cable channel, not broadcast, took the most nominations. HBO snagged the most nods for the ninth year in a row. Big Love and Entourage will compete for best drama and comedy series, respectively. More impressive, is the first-time nomination of another HBO gem, Flight of the Conchords.
For all the Chuck fans out there, it looks like the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences agreed with my earlier sentiment, merely awarding the series a stunt nomination.
Other notable shows earning nominations include Family Guy — a first for Seth MacFarlane’s animated comedy — and Grey Gardens — HBO’s film telling the story of those lovable Beales, Big and Little Edie.
Expect a few more shattered dreams this September, as there are now extra nominees in the categories of top drama, comedy and lead actor and actress — although David Mamet might have something to say about that last category. I’ve heard he doesn’t believe there is such thing as an actress. Sorry, ladies.
While publicists and studio executives tire themselves out today making calls and greasing the marketing wheels, celebrities took things into their own hands on Twitter. Here are a few 140-character messages that showed up this morning from those internet savvy celebs — or possibly their overpaid ghost tweeters.
Rainn Wilson, star of NBC’s The Office, played things cool — @rainnwilson: Hey, twitterverse, I just got an Emmy nomination!
American Idol huckster Ryan Seacrest congratulated himself — @ryanseacrest: Thank you so much! RT @TheFranny: Congrats @RyanSeacrest on your Emmy Nomation! We are all rooting for you!!
William Shatner got philosophical about his final nomination for Boston Legal — @williamshatner: What a fitting tribute to a unique show. The Emmy would enter a pantheon to memorialize a wonderful television event. My best, Bill
Former Samantha Who? star Christina Applegate tried to stay upbeat despite her show already being canceled — @1capplegate: Thank you all for such nice words. A bittersweet accomplishment…
Creator of Showtime’s United States of Tara, Diablo Cody, couldn’t understand why slackjaws didn’t care about Hollywood — @diablocody: The staff at Six Flags Over Georgia seem curiously disinterested in the Emmys
Even old man John McCain jumped on the Emmy bandwagon, picking favorites with a shout-out to Rainn Wilson — @SenJohnMcCain: @rainnwilson congratulations and hope you win!!
The 61st annual Emmy Awards will air September 20. You can expect live blogging/tweeting of the event right here on Sofa Snark and @columbiajames.