Finally, Some Fresh Blood

The Emmy nominations were announced yesterday, and for once, they're mostly satisfying. Not many also-rans; not too many of those "Why did you nominate them again?" blunders. Mostly: just.... good.

Let's start with what I like: Glee got 19 nominations, including in literally every comedy acting category - Matthew Morrison (lead actor), Lea Michelle (lead actress), Chris Colfer (supporting actor), Jane Lynch, of course (supporting actress), Kristin Chenoweth (guest actress), Mike O'Malley (guest actor) and Neil Patrick Harris (guest actor). Top that with series, writing and directing nods, and you've got... a lot.

Lost had its best Emmy season yet, with 12 bids, including best drama, writing and directing, and acting nominations for lead actor (Matthew Fox), supporting actor (Terry O'Quinn and Michael Emerson) and guest actress (Elizabeth Mitchell for the finale, The End - clearly the academy's "my bad" for never nominating her for her terrific work in seasons 3, 4 and 5).

Mad Men continued its Emmy streak with 17 nominations, including best drama, writing and directing, and nominations for six actors: Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery and Robert Morse.

On the comedy side, Modern Family nabbed a staggering five nominations, of a total 14, in the supporting acting categories. The only omission: family patriarch Ed O'Neill, who is surely due for some Emmy love.

Other observations:

-There are a number of double threats this year: Christine Baranski (supporting drama actress for The Good Wife and guest comedy actress for The Big Bang Theory); Neil Patrick Harris (supporting comedy actor for How I Met Your Mother and guest comedy actor for Glee); Jane Lynch (comedy supporting actress for Glee and guest comedy actress for Two and a Half Men); Jon Hamm (drama actor for Mad Men and guest comedy actor for 30 Rock); and Tiny Fey, who is technically a quadruple nominee (lead comedy actress for 30 Rock, writer and producer of 30 Rock and guest comedy actress for hosting Saturday Night Live).

-The comedy actress category features three Saturday Night Live veterans: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Amy Poehler and Tiny Fey).
-The major nominees feature several canceled series, including Lost, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Damages (possibly).

-At age 88, Betty White (for hosting Saturday Night Live) is definitely this year's oldest acting nominee. A close second: Elaine Stritch for 30 Rock (she's 85).

Notable snubs:
-Cat Deeley (reality host for So You Think You Can Dance)

-Two and a Half Men and Charlie Sheen (yesssss!)

-Any nominations for Fringe or Justified

-Grey's Anatomy, particularly for Chandra Wilson and Sandra Oh

-Ed O'Neill of Modern Family (duh)

-Nestor Carbonell for the fabulous "Ab Aeterno" episode of Lost

-Tracy Morgan and Jack McBrayer for 30 Rock

What do you think?

For a complete list, go to: http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/televisionawards/emmys/2010-07-08-emmy-nominees-list_N.htm