Emmy Surprises & Snubs: ‘Family Guy’ In, ‘True Blood’ Out

Many familiar TV favorites were nominated Thursday morning for the 2009 Emmy Awards, but there were also some fresh faces in the mix (including some animated ones), while some very popular favorites were left out.

Emmy darling and last year’s winner, “30 Rock,” was a nominated again for best comedy series with a whopping 22 nods – the most nods ever for a comedy series in a single season. Series creator and star Tina Fey enjoyed double good news, as she was also nominated for her comedic take on Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”

Last year’s drama series winner, “Mad Men,” also had a big morning with 16 nominations. The AMC retro series set in the wild world of the ‘60s New York City advertising world is again up against its AMC sibling “Breaking Bad.”

In what may be the biggest surprise of Emmy morning, FOX’s beloved animated series, “Family Guy,” nabbed a nomination for best comedy series. The only other animated series to earn a nod in this category was “The Flintstones” in 1961, when the category was called “outstanding humor program.” TV’s longest running animated series, “The Simpsons,” has never been nominated in this category.

Amy Poehler was nominated for the second year for supporting actress in a comedy series, alongside her castmate Kristin Wiig, but Poehler did not receive a nod for her new NBC comedy, “Parks and Recreation.”

HBO’s musical cult favorite “Flight of the Conchords,” was also a surprise nomination.

While many stars celebrated Thursday morning, many of television’s best shows and actors were left out in the cold as their phones remained silent.

HBO’s “True Blood,” which was praised by last year’s Golden Globes, was not a series Emmy voters sunk their teeth into. The series and its stars, including Globe winner Anna Paquin, were not nominated. Also skipped over was “Battlestar Galactica,” which wrapped up its last season this year and many thought would be honored by the television academy. Other notable best drama snubs include, “Friday Night Lights,” “Boston Legal,” “ER,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Shield,” “The Tudors” and “24.”

In the comedy department, the stars of “The Big Bang Theory,” “Californication,” and “Desperate Housewives” were not smiling as their shows missed the mark for best comedy series.

Many former Emmy comedy favorites were nowhere to be seen in 2009. All the ladies of “Desperate Housewives” were skipped over, as was “Ugly Betty’s” America Ferrera. “Entourage’s” Jeremy Piven, who has won for the past three consecutive years in the best supporting actor comedy series category, was left out also.

As for the dramatic men of primetime, “Friday Night Lights’” Kyle Chandler, “The Shield’s” Michael Chiklis, “Boston Legal’s” James Spader and “24’s” Kiefer Sutherland were also glossed over.

In the world of reality TV, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Survivor,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and “America’s Next Top Model” failed to make the cut this year.

For a complete list of all the 2009 Emmy Award nominees, CLICK HERE!