My hunches for the Emmy nominations

Which shows will be nominated for best drama and comedy Emmys when they are announced Thursday?

Honest answer: I don't know.

But there are clues, hunches, guesses -- some wild, admittedly some wishful -- that might indicate the following list is not entirely unreasonable. These are all good shows, but the Emmy voters have a way of confounding predictions. You'll note I haven't included "Glee" in this list. Reason: The sophomore year was a sharp departure from its freshman -- and it didn't exactly "depart" in a more comic direction.

Which shows will be nominated for best drama and comedy Emmys when they are announced Thursday?

Honest answer: I don't know.

But there are clues, hunches, guesses -- some wild, admittedly some wishful -- that might indicate the following list is not entirely unreasonable. These are all good shows, but the Emmy voters have a way of confounding predictions. You'll note I haven't included "Glee" in this list. Reason: The sophomore year was a sharp departure from its freshman -- and it didn't exactly "depart" in a more comic direction.

Best drama

* "Treme" (HBO). My choice for best show of the year, but probably not the voters'. HBO and producer David Simon have just enough episodes to squeeze in the superior second season for eligibility.

* "Justified" (FX). Beloved by critics and hard-core fans. But maybe too violent for voters.

* "The Good Wife" (CBS). The winds of fortune are blowing strong in its favor. A certain nominee.

* "Boardwalk Empire" (HBO). Another lock, or something's wrong in Emmyland.

* "Game of Thrones" (HBO). Tired of all these HBO nominees suggestions? But a good show is a good show is a good show . . .

* "Men of a Certain Age" (NBC). A good show and cast -- and it just seems to get better.

Best comedy

* "Modern Family" (ABC). Last year's winner; this year's favorite.

* "Louie" (FX). The New York locale works against one of TV's best comedies, but it certainly deserves to be nominated.

* "Parks and Recreation" (NBC). No question, this will be and should be on the nomination list.

* "30 Rock" (NBC) I can hear all the groans out there . . . "Not again!" . . . "I'm sick of this show!" . . . "Who cares!" But Emmy voters have rewarded time and again. And this time? Again.

* "The Big Bang Theory" (CBS). Come on! You telling me CBS can't scrape together six funny episodes that voters can see? I think so.

* "Episodes" (Showtime). Matt LeBlanc's hilarious newcomer deserves a nod.

* "Family Guy" (Fox) / "Acher" (FX). Going on a long limb here, friends, but these two deserving animated shows could be here. Of course, probably way too raunchy for Emmy voters.