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MT. EMMY: To reach the pinnacle or, in this case, the golden Emmy, wrap yourself in raves and pack lots of buzz. Altitude readings are by Scott Collins, Elena Howe, Gina McIntyre, Tom O’Neil, Michael Ordona and Jevon Phillips.

PEAKING

LOTS OF VAMPING: Some people are calling “True Blood” a surprise hit for HBO. We say, what’s the surprise? All the actors are ripped, and they all find reasons to run around shirtless.

CLIMBING

LIGHTEN UP: Bryan Cranston surprised everyone with his lead-actor-in-a-drama win last year. But he’s really taken “Breaking Bad’s” Walter White to some dark places this season. Too dark for Emmy to follow?

CLEAR THE MANTLE: Only 10 people have won the grand slam of showbiz peer-group prizes -- the Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony. Elton John just needs the Emmy to join their ranks, and his variety series, “Spectacle With Elvis Costello,” just may be his ticket.

AT BASE CAMP

WE’RE NOT AUSSIES: New Zealand’s fourth-most-popular novelty folk duo, Flight of the Conchords, seems likely for a return visit to the Emmys, especially for the absurd “My Humps” answer song “Sugar Lumps.” Or would voters prefer something Australian?

IS HE TRUTHY? When the Emmys nixed the individual variety performance category, Stephen Colbert threw down the gauntlet, alerting his “Colbert Report” viewers that in response he plans to qualify in every other Emmy category.

LOOKING FOR A SHERPA

WE NEED HEROES: In its first season, “Heroes” had eight nominations; three in its second. And this year? Well, it’s in a bit of a creative slide, one that may have tarnished even its chances in special effects.

THE PAGE’S TURN: Is the only thing stopping the academy from honoring “30 Rock’s” Jack McBrayer for his hilarious turn as Kenneth the studio page the fear that they might be accidentally voting for Louisiana’s Gov. Bobby Jindal?

TOUGH SUBJECT: Viewers have been voting with their absence when it comes to stories about the war in Iraq. HBO’s “Generation Kill,” with its frightening you-are-there approach, has to be among the hardest to take of all these dramas, which may obscure its many virtues.