Emmy Hearts Guy, Harshes On Heroes, Housewives

TV Academy unveils semifinalists for 2008 Emmy Awards

By Marcus Errico Jun 26, 2008 11:20 PMTags
Stewie, Family GuyFOX

Stewie, a serial killer and Down Under singers are in. Wisteria Laners, Cylon apologists and Heroes are out. Let the grousing begin.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences released its list of Emmy semifinalists for this year's top TV drama and comedy series, and along with usual suspects like The Office, Boston Legal and House, there's plenty of new blood and old favorites still in the running for hardware.

Fox's Family Guy could become the first animated show to win an Emmy for Best Comedy Series, making the top 10 along with newcomers like HBO's Flight of the Conchords and ABC's Pushing Daisies.

On the drama side, critically adored cable hits Damages, Dexter, Mad Men and The Tudors all passed muster, as did HBO's dearly departed The Wire, which has one last shot at an Emmy nomination after five seasons of snubs.

Lost also made the cut, back in play after a snub in 2007.

Speaking of last year, The Sopranos was named Best Drama in its final season, beating a field that also included Boston Legal, Grey's Anatomy, Heroes and House. On the comedy side, 30 Rock triumphed over Entourage, Ugly Betty, The Office and Two and a Half Men.

While all the 2007 comedy contenders were back, Heroes failed to repeat in its second season. Other notable shows on the diss list: prime-time broadcast hits Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, the various CSIs and Law & Orders, along with cable favorites like Battlestar Galactica, Big Love, Saving Grace, Army Wives, The Closer, The Shield, Californication, Rescue Me and—sorry tweens—Hannah Montana.

The five finalists in each category, will be selected by a combination of "blue ribbon panel" balloting (50 percent) and the vox populi of the full TV Academy (50 percent). Nominations for the 60th Primetime Emmys will be announced July 17. The ceremony will go down Sept. 21.

Here's a recap of the semifinalists.

Comedy Series:

  • Curb Your Enthusiasm
  • Entourage
  • Family Guy
  • Flight of the Conchords
  • The Office
  • Pushing Daisies
  • 30 Rock
  • Two and a Half Men
  • Ugly Betty
  • Weeds

Drama Series:

  • Boston Legal
  • Damages
  • Dexter
  • Friday Night Lights
  • Grey's Anatomy
  • House
  • Lost
  • Mad Men
  • The Tudors
  • The Wire