Critic thinks 'Family Guy' is bad Emmy choice

The Emmy nominations are out and we can let the grumbling begin:

Critics and fans of quality TV show have no complaints about NBC's "30 Rock" leading the comedy nominations or AMC's "Mad Men" being favored in the drama category.

But does Fox's "Family Guy" deserve to the nomination for best comedy?

It's very, very good but if any animated series ever deserved to get into competition with the live action comedy; it would be "The Simpsons."

Even so, having "Family Guy," "The Flight of the Conchords" and Sarah Silverman in the mix is unexpected and shows the members of the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences are skewing a little younger these days.

The comedy nominees, in addition to "30 Rock" and "Family Guy," include HBO's "Entourage," Showtime's "Weeds," HBO's "Flight of the Conchords," NBC's "The Office," CBS's "How I Met Your Mother."

Snubbed: "The Big Bang Theory."

Nominees for best drama include: AMC's "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad;" HBO's "Big Love;" FX's "Damages:" Showtime's "Dexter" Fox's "House," ABC's "Lost."

I guess you have to be a "Lost" fan to appreciate the series. But it's not what is used to be so I'd rather see something else get a nomination.

Snubbed: HBO's "True Blood;" FX's "Rescue Me," Showtime's "The Tudors." NBC's "Friday Night Lights:" and Syfy's "Battlestar Galactica."

Making a surprise appearance in the nominations is comedian Silverman, who got "Best Actress in a Comedy Series" nod for her role in Comedy Central's "The Sarah Silverman Program."

Other nominees include Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "The New Adventures of Old Christine," CBS; Christina Applegate, "Samantha Who?" ABC; Tina Fey, "30 Rock," NBC; Toni Collette, "United States of Tara," Showtime; and Mary-Louise Parker, "Weeds," Showtime.

No complaints here on those selections. I predict now that Toni Collette will take this one.

As far the best "Actor, Comedy Series, here's a big congrats to Jim Parsons, who plays the lovable nerd Sheldon on "The Big Bang Theory." I hope he wins. If not, then give it to Charlie Sheen of CBS's "Two and a Half Men."

Other nominees include Jemaine Clement, "Flight of the Conchords," HBO; Tony Shalhoub, "Monk," USA; Steve Carell, "The Office," NBC; and Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock."

Shalhoub again?

For best "Actor, Drama Series," I am rooting for Hugh Laurie, of Fox's "House," to finally get it. Others nominated: Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad," AMC; Michael C. Hall, "Dexter," Showtime; Gabriel Byrne, "In Treatment," HBO; Jon Hamm, "Mad Men," AMC; Simon Baker, "The Mentalist," CBS.
Snubbed: Denis Leary of "Rescue Me."

In the "Actress, Drama Series" the nominees are Sally Field, "Brothers & Sisters," ABC; Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer," TNT; Glenn Close, "Damages," FX Networks; Mariska Hargitay, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC; Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men," AMC; Holly Hunter, "Saving Grace," TNT.

Missing: January Jones of "Mad Men."