2012 Emmy Surprises & Snubs: Major Networks Out! New Girl & Girls Stars In

Many familiar TV favorites were nominated Thursday morning for the 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards, but there were also some fresh faces in the mix while some very popular favorites were left out.

It was a good morning for “Mad Men ” (which racked up 17 noms), “Modern Family” stars (all six adult stars were honored), “Downton Abbey” (which moved from the miniseries category to the drama field earning an impressive 16 nods) and “American Horror Story” (which competed in the miniseries category pulling in 17 nods).

AccessHollywood.com takes a closer look at the surprise nominations and those who were snubbed!

DRAMA:

– The major four TV networks (CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX) failed to make the cut (for the first time in Emmy history!) in the Outstanding Drama Series category with HBO, AMC, PBS and Showtime dominating.

– Many thought “The Good Wife” would be nominated, but 2012 was the first time the popular series was snubbed.

– AMC’s “The Walking Dead” – loved by fans, fanboys and zombies alike, was left out of the major categories.

– Other drama snubs included four-time nominee John Slattery for “Mad Men,” Hugh Laurie for his final season of “House,” and “Sons of Anarchy’s” Katey Sagal (who some are crying foul that she was left out when Kathy Bates earned a nod for the now-cancelled “Harry’s Law.”)

(AH Nation Poll: Which show should win Best Drama Series? VOTE HERE!)

COMEDY:

– There were no celebratory laughs, calls our songs for the stars of “Glee” (with the exception of Dot Marie Jones who earned Guest Actress nomination).

– “Parks and Recreation” had a stellar season, but was left out of the Outstanding Comedy category, while fellow beloved sitcoms “Community” and “Happy Endings” and “Cougar Town” were also shut out.

– Mayim Bialik became the first female star from “Big Bang Theory” to earn a nod.

– Other first time Emmy love went to “New Girl” stars Zooey Deschanel and Max Greenfield, “Girls” star/creator/writer/director Lena Dunham (who scored four noms!) and scene-stealer Merritt Wever from “Nurse Jackie,” who was finally honored with a nomination.

REALITY:

– “American Idol” out! For the first time, FOX’s reality singing competition was left out of the best Reality-Competition category (host Ryan Seacrest did however score a nom for host).

– “Survivor’s” Jeff Probst – who has been nominated for four years straight – had his Emmy torch extinguished, with Betty White getting nominated for “Off Their Rockers.”

The 64th annual Primetime Emmys will air Sunday, September 23 on ABC.

— Jesse Spero