Emmys 2013: Julianna Margulies and Jon Cryer are among the snubs

Julianna Margulies of "The Good Wife" wasn't on the list of nominees.

By Greg Braxton

July 19, 2013 12 AM PT

This year’s Emmy nominees reveal a bittersweet side effect of the onslaught of quality dramas and comedies, particularly in the cable universe. There’s too much of a good thing. Key performers and shows that received Emmy recognition in the past were passed over.

Julianna Margulies, who stars as beleaguered attorney Alicia Florrick in the critically acclaimed “The Good Wife,” was absent from the lead actress in a drama category. Margulies has been nominated three times for the CBS series, and won the award in 2011.

PHOTOS: Emmys 2013 nominees react

Another key omission was Jon Cryer, who plays the often-hapless Alan Harper on CBS’ “Two and a Half Men.” Cryer won for lead actor in a comedy series for the role last year, the first time he had entered in the lead actor division. He has been nominated seven consecutive times for the role as supporting actor in a comedy, and won in 2009.

Michael C. Hall of “Dexter” and Zooey Deschanel of “New Girl” were left out despite having been nominated in previous years. Melissa McCarthy might be on a hot streak in theaters, but she was not nominated in the lead actress in a comedy category for “Mike & Molly.”

In the supporting comedy performer categories, Eric Stonestreet of “Modern Family” was a surprise snub. The actor, who plays Cameron Tucker on the hit comedy, has won two Emmys for the role and has been nominated three consecutive years. His costars, Ed O’Neill, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Ty Burrell, were nominated.

Emmys 2013: | Snubs & surprises | Winners timeline | Emmy hosts

On the dramatic front, HBO’s gangster drama “Boardwalk Empire” was a contender last year for drama series and lead actor in a drama (Steve Buscemi) but was shut out of those categories this year.

Although “The Walking Dead” is one of cable’s biggest hits and has also been lauded by critics for its stories and acting, the zombie apocalypse drama was again passed over in major categories.

Also missing out was FX’s highly regarded freshman drama “The Americans,” in particular Keri Russell, who stars as a Russian spy posing as a suburban wife. As usual, “Sons of Anarchy,” the top-rated drama on FX, was ignored.

greg.braxton@latimes.com