Actually I've come to realise there is something worth muttering about this evening. It'll be short but the Emmy nominations are worth a quick scan. I'm writing this as I look at them, so here we go.

Link to the nominations is here.

Outstanding Animated Program
Hum, nothing really amazing here. Surprised to see American Dad. Would like to see Robot Chicken take it.

Outstanding Art Direction For A Miniseries Or Movie

I genuinely hope Generation Kill takes this, but it would be nice to see Little Dorrit as well (that said, I still want Generation Kill to win).

Outstanding Art Direction For A Multi-Camera Series
Come on How I Met Your Mother!

Outstanding Art Direction For A Single-Camera Series
As much as I adore Mad Men, I'd actually like to see Pushing Daisies take it, but it's probably not deserving - the nomination is enough.

Outstanding Casting For A Comedy Series
This feels like either 30 Rock or The Office's.

Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series
A really tough category, but Mad Men genuinely has the best cast. Damages wasn't as good this year as the last.

Outstanding Casting For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special & Outstanding Cinematography For A Miniseries Or Movie
Just like a broken record - Generation Kill.

Outstanding Cinematography For Reality Programming
UGH!

Outstanding Cinematography For A Half-Hour Series
I've always been amused that a 20 min show counts as a half hour series stateside. I don't really mind here, but what the heck is According to Jim doing there?

Outstanding Cinematography For A One Hour Series
This should be a two horse race between Breaking Bad and the frankly gorgeously shot Mad Men.

Outstanding Comedy Series
Another hot category.


Outstanding Costumes For A Series
Know what? I really liked the Pushing Daisies and No 1 Ladies Detective Agency costumes.

Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series
3 more for 30 Rock, looks like they're taking this one (and possibly sweeping everything, was this year's 30 Rock really that good?


Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series
BSG's last few moments dragged, Damages *makes so-so wavy hand motion*, so I guess it's between Boston Legal and Mad Men. I do hope BL takes it.

Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special
GK again please Bob!

Outstanding Drama Series
Ok, as Billy over at Geeky Talk pointed out. Not a snifter of The Shield? Seriously, you let the weakest Dexter Season so far in and The Shield doesn't even get a nod? Ridiculous.

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series & Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series &
Nice nominations, can't really argue with most of them

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series & Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series
I do hope CCH Pounder wins her category, she's fantastic.

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series & Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Hamm, Hall or Cranston please in drama, Baldwin in comedy.

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series & Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
I will just about always root for Tina Fey, but I approve of most of the nominations in the comedy section. Not bothered about the drama bunch, but Glenn and Moss were both great this year.


Elsewhere (as it's getting late) I'd like to see the Sons of Anarchy theme win, HIMYM take the picture editing for 'Naked Man' which was just brilliantly done and Neil Patrick Harris MUST win best supporting actor in a comedy series.

Overall I think the nominations this year are better than last years, though the number of nominations 30 Rock received raises an eyebrow - then again, the cynic would not that Hollywood loves shows 'about the business' so it's not exactly a surprise. I am also pleased with the number of nominations Mad Men received but frankly incredulous that The Shield didn't get a single one, nadda, snatch. The Wire at least got a single nod last year but The Shield's final season was the best thing on this past TV year by a long margin. Eh, what can you do?

Go HIMYM (and NPH). Go Mad Men. Go Colbert Report. Go Generation Kill and I guess Go 30 Rock (but you don't really need me cheering you on at this point.)