7 nods raise profile

With “Huff’s” seven Emmy nominations, the phones are finally starting to ring for the creators of Showtime’s critically admired but frustratingly low-profile show about a Los Angeles psychiatrist caught in his own midlife crisis.

“I was just hoping for a nod,” said creator and writer Bob Lowry. “I didn’t care if it was for hair.”

In addition to a nomination for Hank Azaria as best lead actor in a drama series, “Huff” was nominated for best directing, main title design, main title theme music, supporting actor, supporting actress and guest actress in a drama series. Robert Greenblatt, Showtime’s president of entertainment, said the nominations represent the first time the Emmys have recognized the small subscription network in a major way for its dramas.

While they could not be counted on to bring in more viewers and subscribers, Greenblatt said, “what nominations do, and even if we don’t win anything, is keep reinforcing to the public and the press that it’s seen as a high-quality show. It adds to the buzz and excitement for next season.”

He said “Huff” had already signed on some high-profile actors who had expressed interest in being on the show, including Sharon Stone, who will be playing a client with “health and morality issues” in the second season.

Actually, said Azaria, who also serves as one of the show’s producers, “We do well for a Showtime show. It’s all incremental. With a day like today, we’re now on the playing field. We can start competing.”

Showtime has supported the show “200%,” Lowry said. The problem, he said, is that “not a lot of people subscribe to Showtime.”