Emmys: Glee-ful; Modern Family-fest

As expected, "Glee" gets a big tip of the hat, and so does "Modern Family," in the just-announced 62nd Emmy Awards.

But surprises? The old girl had a couple or three of those in store, too.

Here's one: "Modern Family" scored FIVE supporting actor nods, which is a record for a single series, I believe.

Another that you won't see from the list below: "Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" gets a nod for best comedy/variety.  This means . . . Conan will have to turn up at the ceremony which will be telecast by NBC AND hosted by Jimmy Fallon.

Oh, the glories of Emmy.

To the list . . . my analysis follows . . .

Outstanding Comedy Series

Curb Your Enthusiasm • HBO

Glee • FOX •

Modern Family, ABC

Nurse Jackie • Showtime

The Office • NBC •

30 Rock • NBC •

(Quick thought: Nothing for "Entourage," which is a suprise, certainly, while "Curb" waltzes in. I think the brilliant Seinfeld arc made all the differerence. Nevertheless, the big battle is between "Glee" and "Mod Family" and it COULD go either way. I'd be shocked if "Rock" re-ups. This is the most competitive category of them all.)

Outstanding Drama Series

Breaking Bad • AMC •

Dexter • Showtime •

The Good Wife • CBS •

Lost • ABC •

Mad Men • AMC •

True Blood • HBO

(Quick thought: Well, I love the addition of "True Blood" and fully expected it, too. But if you know me, and you probably don't --- I think "Breaking Bad" is far and away the greatest series on TV of the decade so far. Sure, I'd love to see "Lost" score in August, and who wouldn't, but if the gods of Emmy are fair and reasonable and smart -- often they are not -- then "Bad" is your winner.) 

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)

Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)

Matthew Morrison (Glee)

Tony Shalhoub (Monk)

Steve Carell (The Office)

Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)

  (Quick thought: What the heck. Nothing here raises an eyebrow even a micromilimeter. It is ridiculously obvious, though I totally overlooked Tony Shalhoub in my list yesterday. Silly me - Emmy is a sentamentalist at heart. Baldwin is frontrunner but don't be surprised to see any of the others pop up either in Aug.)

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series

Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)

Michael C. Hall (Dexter)

Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights)

Hugh Laurie (House)

Matthew Fox (Lost)

Jon Hamm (Mad Men)

 (Quick thought: The inclusion of Chandler is one of high points of the entire Emmy list, with Britton, below. This is perfect, and he was/is perfect on one of TV's classic series. Fox is a surprise - I love the guy of course, and that final scene, with his eyes closing, and Walt's dog laying next to him, could certainly end up surprising us all in Aug. But again, Cranston is just unbeatable - probably.)

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Lea Michele (Glee)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Old Christine)

Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie)

Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)

Tina Fey (30 Rock)

Toni Collette (United States of Tara)

 (Quick thought: I didn't quite expect Poehler but I know a lot of Emmy forecast lists had her name up here. She deserves to be here, without question. Michele, to my mind, should iwn. Sings/dances and had a stupendous freshman season. )

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)

Glenn Close (Damages)

Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights)

Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife)

Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU)

January Jones (Mad Men)

 (Quick thought: January Jones? JANUARY JONES!!?? Well, OK. Why not. Sure. Give her a nod. God bless her. But Close probably repeats.)

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Glee • FOX • A Ryan Murphy TV Production in association with 20th Century Fox TV
Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel

How I Met Your Mother • CBS • Twentieth Century Fox Television
Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson

Modern Family • ABC • Twentieth Century Fox Television
Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell

Modern Family • ABC • Twentieth Century Fox Television
Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker

Modern Family • ABC • Twentieth Century Fox Television
Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy

Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Jon Cryer as Alan Harper

 (Quick thought: Ed O'Neill SHOULD have been on this list either as a best actor or supporting. I wonder if perhaps the show had entered him in the best actor category and he just got boxed out because of the strength of the field.  But THREE hits for "Family," which will likely win, but don't count out Colfer. I can't see Harris winning - but that's personal. I just think Barney is a tired cliche.)

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman

Damages • FX Networks • Sony Pictures Television, FX Productions and KZK Productions
Martin Short as Leonard Winstone

Lost • ABC • Grass Skirts Productions, LLC in association with ABC Network and Studios
Terry O'Quinn as John Locke

Lost • ABC • Grass Skirts Productions, LLC in association with ABC Network and Studios
Michael Emerson as Ben Linus

Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
John Slattery as Roger Sterling

Men Of A Certain Age • TNT • TNT Original Productions
Andre Braugher as Owen

  Example: "True Blood" enters the best show pantheon - a possible boost for even greater audience interest in our blood-sucking brethren, and nothing for Charlie Sheen - please read nothing into the close juxtapostion with words "blood sucking." He had a bad year, with the exception of scoring a zillion-dollar contract for what may be his last season. But the best actor Emmy nod will likely never come now. And to be honest, should it? I don't think so.

  But "Modern Family" is the biggest winner this morning. While Ed O'Neill was left out in the cold, a total of five cast members scored best supporting actors nominations which is almost certainly a record in the history of the history of the awards. In fact, this is an indication that "Family" could actually edge out "Glee" for best comedy this August, IF sheer numbers are an indication.