Emmy narrows down favorites
Top 10 finalists for drama, comedy

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

Critical darlings "The Wire," "Mad Men," "Flight of the Conchords" and "Damages" are one step closer to an Emmy - while "Family Guy" may be on the way to breaking the kudofest's animation barrier.

That's a quick read of this year's finalists in Emmy's outstanding drama and comedy categories. The nomination ballots have been counted, and the Academy of TV Arts and Sciences quietly posted the top ten finalists in both categories on its website Thursday afternoon.

The drama competish is wide open, as last year's winner, "The Sopranos," is obviously ineligible. Most of last year's other nominees - "Boston Legal," "Grey's Anatomy" and "House" - made it back to the top ten this year, although "Heroes," which was nominated for an Emmy last year, didn't even crack the top ten this time.

Also among the top ten are "Dexter," "Friday Night Lights" and "Lost," critical darlings that made the top ten last year but ultimately didn't secure nominations. Newcomers "Damages," "Mad Men" and "Tudors" also made the list.

Then there's the one inclusion that's sure to have TV critics cheering. HBO's "The Wire," which just completed its final season, made it on to the list.

On the comedy side, last year's Emmy winner, "30 Rock," is back, as are all four other nominees: "Entourage," "The Office," "Two and a Half Men" and "Ugly Betty."

"Weeds," which also made the top ten last year (but didn't score a nom) is back as well.

Newcomers include "Flight of the Conchords" and "Pushing Daisies," while "Curb Your Enthusiasm" - an Emmy fave that wasn't eligible for inclusion last year - is back.

Then there's the case of "Family Guy," which is one step closer to becoming the first animated primetime series in history to score a nod in the outstanding comedy category.

Other shows, including "The Simpsons," have attempted to break the live action-dominated category in the past, to no avail. Plus, animated series have mostly stuck to the animation category so that the show's animators would be eligible for an Emmy as well.

The folks behind "Family Guy" figured out a way around that Emmy conundrum, however: The entered the show itself in the comedy category, while at the same time submitted its hourlong season opener, the "Star Wars" parody "Family Guy: Blue Harvest," in the animated category (Daily Variety, June 2).