ALWAYS THE ONLOOKERS

Hart Hanson, executive producer of “Bones,” has almost everything a show runner could want -- a hit series with a hot leading man and woman, praise from critics and a loyal and growing fan base.

But one day a year, Hansen laments what he hasn’t got. On those annual mid-July mornings when the nominations for the Primetime Emmy Awards are announced, Hanson always hopes to see his show among the list of award contenders. And he is almost always let down.

“It’s very troubling to me,” says Hansen, who was also a producer of “Joan of Arcadia” and “Judging Amy.” “We’re not in the zeitgeist. It’s like we’re invisible. I always look at the nominees with one eye open, and I’m always disappointed.”

“Bones,” after four seasons, ranks with several other popular or critically acclaimed (and in some cases, both) series, including “Ghost Whisperer,” “Rules of Engagement,” “Numb3rs,” “Friday Night Lights” and “Criminal Minds” that rarely wind up with nominations or nods in marquee categories. While some series, such as “30 Rock,” “Lost,” “Entourage,” “The Office” and “24,” are almost certain to get recognized each season, there are plenty of others that are consistently shut out of the race.

“In three seasons, we’ve never been nominated for anything,” says Tom Hertz, executive producer of CBS’ “Rules of Engagement,” which has been a part of the network’s successful Monday comedy block. “I don’t know what they base their voting on. It seems like popularity and ratings aren’t important.”

The absence of recognition by industry peers also irks Ian Sander and Kim Moses, executive producers of CBS’ “Ghost Whisperer.” The drama, which stars Jennifer Love Hewitt and Emmy winner Camryn Manheim (“The Practice”) has notched solid ratings since its 2005 debut but has earned only two nominations -- in 2006 for music composition and in 2007 for main title design (the series lost both years).

Says Sander, “There’s a certain part of everybody’s ego in showbiz where they know it would be nice to be recognized. But it’s also important to be recognized by our audience base, and that’s what we’ve accomplished.”

The producers of “Whisperer,” “Engagement” and “Bones” agree that perceptions about their shows may have damaged their Emmy chances.

“I think the reason why we don’t get recognized is because we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” Hansen says. “We’re a ‘crimedy’ -- a mix between a crime show, a procedural and a comedy. The shows that seem to be honored all the time are the ones that take themselves very seriously, or do one thing very well.”

Naturally, the producers all stand by their talent against any other regular Emmy contenders.

“Jennifer Love Hewitt is just incredible,” Moses says. “She’s in every scene, and it would be not only nice for her to get noticed, it would be appropriate.” Sander adds, “Jennifer hits all the emotional notes that the show needs.”

Hansen says he’s particularly miffed that the stars of “Bones” -- David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel -- have never been nominated. “That really rankles me. These performers turn on a dime in every scene. I really think they should be in there.”

He adds that he thinks “Bones” one day will get its Emmy due: “Maybe if the buzz gets loud enough if and when we get to our last season, we’ll get honored for our body of work.”

An Emmy would be particularly beneficial for “Rules of Engagement,” says Hertz. “It would be a sure sign that it’s a good show. I know how hard everyone works, and they deserve it. But if it doesn’t happen, that’s the way it goes. I’m fine without it.”

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greg.braxton@latimes.com