Fey gets nominations for 'SNL,' '30 Rock'
By Bruce R. Miller, Journal staff writer | Posted: Saturday, July 19, 2008
Actress Tina Fey plays Liz Lemon on NBC’s "30 Rock." (AP photo)
HOLLYWOOD - Sure, "Mad Men" and "Damages" made history by nabbing the first Emmy nods for basic cable shows in the drama category. But this year's show is all about Tina Fey.
She has best performing nods for her work on both "30 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live." Additionally, "30 Rock" topped the nominations for series (17) and "SNL" got its most traction in years thanks to her guest appearance. She's poised to thank or be thanked countless times Sept. 21. Last year, its first, "30 Rock" pulled a surprise and won the Best Comedy Series trophy. It could do it again.
Among the missing: "Desperate Housewives," which had one of its best years and was considered a shoo-in this year. It made do with four nominations. Last year's darling, "Ugly Betty," was also reduced to a handful.
Among the surprises: Sarah Silverman's confessional song on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" is in contention with a couple of songs from "Flight of the Conchords." Those two goofy guys from "Conchords" are also nominated in the writing category but their series wasn't nominated for Best Comedy. Ricky Gervais also did well with his "Extras" finale, landing nods in writing, directing, performing and producing.
Newcomers: Kristin Chenoweth and Lee Pace for "Pushing Daisies," Amy Poehler for "Saturday Night Live," Gabriel Byrne for "In Treatment," John Hamm and John Slattery for "Mad Men" and Paul Giamatti for "John Adams."
"Adams," the sprawling miniseries on HBO, topped the list with 23 nominations (and nods for just about every historical figure included). "30 Rock" got 17, "Mad Men" got 16, "Pushing Daisies" got 12 and "Recount" got 11.
Several winners from last year won't be in the hunt this year. Missing: Jaime Pressly, "My Name is Earl," Katherine Heigl, "Grey's Anatomy," Terry O'Quinn, "Lost."
Reality show hosts will have their own category this year, which means Ryan Seacrest, Howie Mandel, Tom Bergeron, Jeff Probst and Heidi Klum will duke it out.
And, yes, the inroads made by "Damages" and "Mad Men" are significant. While HBO has always been a player in the series categories, this is the first major break for basic cable networks.
"Damages" landed nominations for lead Glenn Close and supporting actors Ted Danson and Zeljko Ivanek. "Mad Men" won nods for Hamm, Slattery and Robert Morse.
Closer to home, Iowan Michael Emerson will be carrying the banner for "Lost." He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama.
She has best performing nods for her work on both "30 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live." Additionally, "30 Rock" topped the nominations for series (17) and "SNL" got its most traction in years thanks to her guest appearance. She's poised to thank or be thanked countless times Sept. 21. Last year, its first, "30 Rock" pulled a surprise and won the Best Comedy Series trophy. It could do it again.
Among the missing: "Desperate Housewives," which had one of its best years and was considered a shoo-in this year. It made do with four nominations. Last year's darling, "Ugly Betty," was also reduced to a handful.
Among the surprises: Sarah Silverman's confessional song on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" is in contention with a couple of songs from "Flight of the Conchords." Those two goofy guys from "Conchords" are also nominated in the writing category but their series wasn't nominated for Best Comedy. Ricky Gervais also did well with his "Extras" finale, landing nods in writing, directing, performing and producing.
Newcomers: Kristin Chenoweth and Lee Pace for "Pushing Daisies," Amy Poehler for "Saturday Night Live," Gabriel Byrne for "In Treatment," John Hamm and John Slattery for "Mad Men" and Paul Giamatti for "John Adams."
"Adams," the sprawling miniseries on HBO, topped the list with 23 nominations (and nods for just about every historical figure included). "30 Rock" got 17, "Mad Men" got 16, "Pushing Daisies" got 12 and "Recount" got 11.
Several winners from last year won't be in the hunt this year. Missing: Jaime Pressly, "My Name is Earl," Katherine Heigl, "Grey's Anatomy," Terry O'Quinn, "Lost."
Reality show hosts will have their own category this year, which means Ryan Seacrest, Howie Mandel, Tom Bergeron, Jeff Probst and Heidi Klum will duke it out.
And, yes, the inroads made by "Damages" and "Mad Men" are significant. While HBO has always been a player in the series categories, this is the first major break for basic cable networks.
"Damages" landed nominations for lead Glenn Close and supporting actors Ted Danson and Zeljko Ivanek. "Mad Men" won nods for Hamm, Slattery and Robert Morse.
Closer to home, Iowan Michael Emerson will be carrying the banner for "Lost." He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama.
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