Emmy Nominations Spur National Controversies

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences made a not so inspired change of the nominations procedures and, by this, generated a genuine media frenzy. It seems that, yesterday, by the announcing of this year's nominees, the Emmy awards are no longer to be considered a tribute to really qualified TV series and programs but to second-rated ones.

Among the biggest 'losers' in the long run are last year's favorites 'Lost' and 'Desperate Wives' and the list of potential winners is only a chaotic mélange of good shows ('24', 'Grey's Anatomy') and poor ones ('Two and a Half Men', 'Curb Your Enthusiasm').

The ceremony date has also been re-scheduled and, instead of being held in September, it will air on August 27, because NBC added an extra Sunday night of football to its schedule. The awards will be handed by host Conan O'Brien at the Shrine Auditorium.

Here is a complete list of the all the nominations:

Outstanding Reality Show (Competition)

'The Amazing Race'
'American Idol'
'Dancing with the Stars'
'Project Runway'
'Survivor'

Outstanding Reality Show

'Antiques Roadshow'
'The Dog Whisperer'
Extreme Makeover: 'Home Edition'
Kathy Griffin: 'My Life on the D-List'
Penn & Teller: 'Bullshit'

Outstanding Drama Series

'Grey's Anatomy'
'House'
'The Sopranos'
'24'
'The West Wing'

Outstanding Comedy Series

'Arrested Development'
'Curb Your Enthusiasm'
'The Office'
'Scrubs'
'Two and a Half Men'

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama

Candice Bergen, 'Boston Lega'
Sandra Oh, 'Grey's Anatomy'
Chandra Wilson, 'Grey's Anatomy'
Blythe Danner, 'Huff'
Jean Smart, '24'

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy

Cheryl Hines, 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'
Alfre Woodard, 'Desperate Housewives'
Jaime Pressley, 'My Name is Earl'
Elizabeth Perkins, 'Weeds'
Megan Mullally, 'Will & Grace'

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama

William Shatner, 'Boston Legal'
Oliver Platt, 'Huff'
Michael Imperioli, 'The Sopranos'
Gregory Itzin, '24'
Alan Alda, 'The West Wing'

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy

Will Arnett, 'Arrested Development'
Jeremy Piven, 'Entourage'
Bryan Cranston, 'Malcolm in the Middle'
Jon Cryer, 'Two and a Half Men'
Sean Hayes, 'Will & Grace'

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama

Kyra Sedgwick, 'The Closer'
Geena Davis, 'Commander In Chief'
Mariska Hargitay, 'Law & Order: SVU'
Frances Conroy, 'Six Feet Under'
Allison Janney, 'The West Wing'

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy

Lisa Kudrow, 'The Comeback'
Jane Kaczmarek, 'Malcolm in the Middle'
Julia-Louis Dreyfus, 'The New Adventures of Old Christine'
Stockard Channing, 'Out of Practice'
Debra Messing, 'Will & Grace'

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama

Christopher Meloni, 'Law & Order: SVU'
Denis Leary, 'Rescue Me'
Peter Krause, 'Six Feet Under'
Kiefer Sutherland, '24'
Martin Sheen, 'The West Wing'

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy

Larry David, 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'
Kevin James, 'The King of Queens'
Tony Shalhoub, 'Monk'
Steve Carell, 'The Office'
Charlie Sheen, 'Two and a Half Men'