61st Annual Emmy nominations

By CHRIS KRAPEK

The 61st Annual Primetime Emmy nominations were announced late last week and has turned Hollywood on its head with its snubs and surprises. Here is an examination of what won, what lost and what is just plain frustrating:

THE WINNERS

1. “30 Rock”

Nominations: 22

Although lacking in the rating’s department, Tina Fey’s skewed examination of the inner-workings of a sketch comedy show has always been a critical darling. Season 3 went into troubled territory when it began to put guest stars (Jennifer Aniston, Salma Hayek) at the forefront of the show, but the holy trio of Fey, Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan –not to mention the slew of bit players, have made “30 Rock” one of the consistently funny shows on the air.

2. “Flight Of The Conchords”

Nominations: 6

This HBO cult classic in the making is finally getting well-deserved recognition outside of the college crowd. The New Zealand one-two punch of Jemaine Clement, who picked up a Best Leading Actor nomination, and Bret McKenzie changed up the formula for the shows’ second season by putting more of an emphasis on the characters themselves rather than the music, and did so with great success.

THE LOSERS

1. “Lost”

Nominations: 5

“Lost” is the best show on television, get over it already. The trippy, time-traveling story arc last season was complemented by the flawless ensemble, yet the show only scored 1 acting nod to make room for bland “Boston Legal” and “Grey’s Anatomy” stars.

2. The American Public

This year it feels like The Emmy’s are unpopular nerds and its viewers are the cool kids. By nominating shows like “Entourage,” “The Office,” and “Family Guy” for major awards, it should impress the hipster elitists who don’t play into hogwash like “Two And A Half Men.” The issue is that these shows are all past their prime and have already, or are revving their motorcycles up to jump the shark. Genuinely good shows like “Eastbound & Down,” “Summer Heights High” and “Dirty Sexy Money” end up getting the short end of the stick because Steve Carrell is good being awkward.

THE FRUSTRATING

1. “Family Guy”

Nominations: 2

Pandering to the lowest common denominator, “Family Guy” is the second animated show in history to score a Best Comedy nod after “The Flinstones.” “The Simpsons” and “South Park” have never been recognized, but a show that literally recants the past with an added fart joke is. A baby eating horse sperm is award-worthy?

2. “Weeds”

Nominations: 6

“Weeds” went from a biting satire on suburbia to an unbelievable farce filled with drug lords, unlikable characters and a underground tunnel to Mexico. The writers need to regain focus (even it does harsh their buzz) before this one-time good show succumbs to lack of motivation.