Best series and TV movie nominees
From “Curb” to “Colbert” and “American Idol,” a look at what’s in competition.
EMMY winners are determined by judges who watch DVD screeners. In the race for outstanding comedy and drama series, producers submit six sample episodes that are divided into three pairings that are randomly distributed to voters. Programs nominated in the reality and variety genres submit just one sample episode. Winners will be announced at the ceremony Sunday at the Nokia Theatre that will be telecast on ABC at 8 p.m.
COMEDY SERIES
Curb Your Enthusiasm": After the show's four consecutive losses, Emmy enthusiasm seems curbed. Apparently, it's no " Seinfeld" (winner, 1993) -- not that there's anything wrong with that.
"Entourage": An upset win is possible. The deciding factor: Do voters look at this wolf-pack cast with warm fuzzies, recalling their own early careers, or with horror, viewing them as pampered thugs who turned dear ol' Hollywood into a club-crazy playground for Paris Hilton?
"The Office": When "The Office" won in 2006, it was a groundbreaking novelty that made TV viewers squirm. Now it's still great but still off-putting without being fresh and new.
"30 Rock": Last year's winner is the fave to triumph again. Like "The Office," it spotlights a wacky work environment but it's the Emmy judges' work -- the TV biz -- so that's OK. Can voters resist?
"Two and a Half Men": It's TV's top-rated comedy because it's outrageously brave, daring to reward Charlie for often being a skirt-chasing hooligan. That can be a turnoff to Emmy voters, notorious snobs who usually prefer uppity shows like "Frasier," which won this category an unprecedented five times and holds the record as Emmy's biggest champ (37 awards).
COMEDY SERIES
"Entourage": An upset win is possible. The deciding factor: Do voters look at this wolf-pack cast with warm fuzzies, recalling their own early careers, or with horror, viewing them as pampered thugs who turned dear ol' Hollywood into a club-crazy playground for Paris Hilton?
"The Office": When "The Office" won in 2006, it was a groundbreaking novelty that made TV viewers squirm. Now it's still great but still off-putting without being fresh and new.
"30 Rock": Last year's winner is the fave to triumph again. Like "The Office," it spotlights a wacky work environment but it's the Emmy judges' work -- the TV biz -- so that's OK. Can voters resist?
"Two and a Half Men": It's TV's top-rated comedy because it's outrageously brave, daring to reward Charlie for often being a skirt-chasing hooligan. That can be a turnoff to Emmy voters, notorious snobs who usually prefer uppity shows like "Frasier," which won this category an unprecedented five times and holds the record as Emmy's biggest champ (37 awards).
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