As usual, HBO leads in Emmy Awards nominations. However, the paycaster reaped just 81 bids, down significantly from last year’s haul of 104 nominations. CBS came on strong with 60 nominations, followed by PSB (58), NBC (51) and ABC (48).
AMC’s four-time defending champ “Mad Men” is first among all dramas with 17 nods, including a bid for Best Drama Series. Its competition for this top prize is led by last year’s movie/mini champ PBS’ “Downton Abbey” which shifted genres for its second season and earned 16 nominations.
AMC’s returning “Breaking Bad” netted 13 nominations while two of HBO’s sophomore shows are also nominated for Best Drama Series — “Boardwalk Empire” (12) and “Game of Thrones” (12). Rounding out the category is Showtime’s freshman “Homeland” (nine nods).
Two-time comedy series winner ABC’s “Modern Family” leads among all laffers with 14 nominations, defending its title and reaping bids once again for all six of its adult cast members.
Three-time comedy champ NBC’s “30 Rock” (2007 – 2009) earned 13 nominations. CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory” contends in this category for a second year, netting five nominations in total.
Five-time also-ran “Curb Your Enthusiasm” contends once more for the top prize, and the HBO staple has five nominations in all. Two HBO freshman laffers — “Girls” (five) and “Veep” (three) round out the race.
“American Horror Story” was introduced as a drama series on FX but was reclassified as a miniseries when it was revealed that each season will be distinct. It leads that genre with 17 nominations, including a bid for Best Movie/Miniseries.
Its competition for that award is: History’s “Hatfields and McCoys” (16 nominations), HBO’s “Hemingway and Gellhorn” (14 nominations) and “Game Change” (12), PBS’ “Sherlock: Scandal in Belgravia” (13) and BBC America’s “Luther” (4).
