Emmy Nominations

[Janice]

'Six Feet Under' Leads Emmy Nominations

By LYNN ELBER

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The front-runner status of "Six Feet Under" and "The West Wing" will be no guarantee at the Emmy awards ceremony in September.

Last year, HBO's macabre funeral home drama was the top nominee with 23 but converted only one into a major award, for directing. Can "Six Feet Under" exhume more trophies among the 16 nominations it received Thursday?

NBC's "The West Wing," which received 15 bids, is a three-time best-drama series winner. But the White House drama slipped in the ratings and in critical esteem last season - and writer-producer Aaron Sorkin's recent departure from the show could affect Emmy voting.

"People ask how does the (TV) academy think, and I have to say I have no idea," said Alan Ball, creator of "Six Feet Under." Even when it comes to nominations, he said, "I go into these things without any expectations. I think you have to."

Competing in the best drama series category with "Six Feet Under" and "The West Wing" are HBO's "The Sopranos," Fox's "24" and CBS'"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."

"The Sopranos," back in contention after missing out on last year's awards because it didn't air during the eligibility period, received 13 nominations, as did the comedies CBS'"Everybody Loves Raymond" and HBO's "Sex and the City."

Other nominated comedy series were HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm," NBC's "Will & Grace" and last year's winner, "Friends," also on NBC.

HBO dominated the nominations with its highest-ever total, 109. NBC was second with 77, followed by CBS with 59, Fox with 37 and ABC with 33. PBS earned 16 nominations.

"Six Feet Under" earned lead acting bids for Peter Krause, who plays troubled undertaker Nate Fisher and Frances Conroy, who plays his mother. Cast members Rachel Griffiths and Lauren Ambrose were nominated in the supporting category, and guest-appearance nominations went to James Cromwell and Kathy Bates.

Although the character of Ruth Fisher has a plain exterior, Conroy said she enjoys drawing out the humor and sadness from a woman "who doesn't seem to be a peacock in her life."

Conroy said she isn't concerned about the show getting shut out of most awards, like last year. "I think the Emmys are a lovely event and everybody should just be happy to be there," she said.

Jennifer Aniston, the reigning best comedy series actress, was nominated again. Other nominees were Patricia Heaton of "Everybody Loves Raymond," Jane Kaczmarek of "Malcolm in the Middle," Debra Messing of "Will & Grace" and Sarah Jessica Parker of "Sex and the City."

Kaczmarek, taking part in the announcements Thursday, laughed and playfully dropped to the stage floor after hearing her name called.

Ray Romano will have a chance to repeat his best comedy actor award for "Everybody Loves Raymond." Other nominees were Matt LeBlanc of "Friends," Larry David of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," Bernie Mac of "The Bernie Mac Show," Eric McCormack of "Will & Grace" and Tony Shalhoub of "Monk."

Shalhoub received his nomination for USA cable channel's comedy-drama in which he plays an obsessive-compulsive detective.

Besides Conroy, other actresses nominated in the drama series category: Edie Falco of "The Sopranos," Jennifer Garner of "Alias," Marg Helgenberger of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and Allison Janney of "The West Wing," who took home the trophy last year.

In addition to Krause, a drama series acting bid went to last year's surprise winner, Michael Chiklis of "The Shield," who garnered the first such honor for a basic cable show. Other nominees: James Gandolfini of "The Sopranos," Martin Sheen of "The West Wing" and Kiefer Sutherland of "24."

Chiklis, also helping announce the nominations, grinned when his name made the list.

"That's kind of like asking somebody to the prom in front of a pep rally," he said at the podium.

Only three miniseries made the cut, "Hitler, The Rise of Evil" and "Napoleon," each with seven, and "Steven Spielberg Presents: Taken" with six.

In the category for reality-competition programs, nominees were "The Amazing Race,""American Idol,""Survivor,""AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Passions: America's Greatest Love Stories" and "100 Years of Hope and Humor." A second reality category, for alternative programming, includes "The Osbournes,""Da Ali G Show,""Trading Spaces,""Antiques Roadshow" and "Cirque Du Soleil Fire Within."

A total of 435 nominations in 89 categories were announced by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The Emmy Awards are scheduled to air Sept. 21 on Fox.

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On the Net:

http://www.emmys.tv

[Sitcomwriter]

I wish it wasn't the same old people getting nominated.What is this? Sarah Jessica Parker's 5th in a row? Give her (and a few others **COUGHkacsmarekandheatonCOUGH**) a break!

[Pitooey]

Originally posted by Sitcomwriter
I wish it wasn't the same old people getting nominated.What is this? Sarah Jessica Parker's 5th in a row? Give her (and a few others **COUGHkacsmarekandheatonCOUGH**) a break!

I agree with you. The same people keep getting nominated year after year. There are many other fine actors out there. I won't be watching this year.

[TJL]

Originally posted by Pitooey
I agree with you. The same people keep getting nominated year after year. There are many other fine actors out there. I won't be watching this year.

Please, don't get me started about that...

I was looking over the nominations and two great actors that were overlooked in the best supporting actor (comedy) category were John C. McGinley from "Scrubs" and Kurtwood Smith from "That 70's Show."
Both of them are extremely funny, and practically steal the show every week.
Nominating the same people over and over is just stupid.

[JT]

I also agree about the same people getting nominated year after year. I'm so sick and tired of "Friends" always being nominated at least once for Lead Actress and Lead Actor, and of course, for Best Comedy Series. Give the show a break. There's no show ever that deserves to be nominated for the same thing every single year. At least when THEY are nominated they win sometimes. My poor Susan was nominated for that Emmy 21 times and never got it until the 21st...

[Central Perk]

I am really dissapointed with the emmy nominations. I can't believe that neither Andy Richter, Paget Brewster, or Andy Richter Controls the Universe were nominated. The show and their performances were hilarious. I really thought that they might have gotten nominated since Cheers won Best Comedy Series when it was in last place, but I guess those days are over. I'm also mad that Friends was nominated for Best Comedy Series, this season was not that great at all. John C. McGinley should have also been nominated, he's great on Scrubs.

[Rhiannon]

I agree that Friends and Sarah Jessica Parker need to take a break from getting nominated while several others are overlooked. I am happy about the fact that reality series are being added this year.

[Pitooey]

Originally posted by JT
I also agree about the same people getting nominated year after year. I'm so sick and tired of "Friends" always being nominated at least once for Lead Actress and Lead Actor, and of course, for Best Comedy Series. Give the show a break. There's no show ever that deserves to be nominated for the same thing every single year. At least when THEY are nominated they win sometimes. My poor Susan was nominated for that Emmy 21 times and never got it until the 21st...

Now "I" know Susan should've won way before that 21st Emmy....... She was really, really good playing Erica Kane. I loved her feistiness! They embarassed poor Susan by dangling that Emmy award like it was a carrot and she was a horse. She didn't deserve that...

[Sal]

I am most upset that John Ritter didn't get nominated as Best Actor for his work in "8 Simple Rules". He clearly deserves it!

[Adamantium]

Originally posted by Sal
I am most upset that John Ritter didn't get nominated as Best Actor for his work in "8 Simple Rules". He clearly deserves it!

Agreed. I don't always watch that show, but when I do, I notice that he does a great job with the character.