With the announcement of the 2011 Emmy nominees Thursday morning, I was prepared to toss off some cynical opinion about this year’s television awards. Let’s face it, the nominating process is flawed. Voters receive screeners with one or two episodes (there are rare occasions when they receive an entire season) and they make their judgments of a complete series based on those couple hours. That hardly constitutes a whole season of TV. However, when I read over the list of this year’s nominated series, actors, directors, etc. I was pleasantly surprised by many of the names I saw.

First and foremost, Academy voters have finally recognized DirecTv/NBC’s Friday Night Lights by giving it a Outstanding Dramatic Series nomination. The beloved cult series has been praised from here to Timbuktu as being the most consistent and fully realized drama in the 21st Century (especially here at Popdose). It’s fantastic for the artists behind this show, and for fans, that in its final season Friday Night Lights will be competing for four of the most coveted prizes. Not only was it nominated for Outstanding Drama, but also Kyle Chandler for Outstanding Actor (Drama), Connie Britton for Outstanding Actress (Drama), as well as Outstanding Writing (Drama). Sadly, I don’t think it stands a chance in hell against the competition, but it’s an honor just to be nominated, right?

Among the other surprises that gave me a lift were seeing Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins nominated after a stellar second season on FX’s crime drama, Justified. It still amazes me that Goggins was never nominated for his time on The Shield; he was integral to the success of that show. It’s no shock that Margo Martindale of Justified was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress (Drama). Her scene stealing turn as Mags Bennet was some of the greatest acting on television this year.

How about Louis C.K. getting a nod for starring in his FX comedy series, Louie? Nice! Each episode of his show is bitingly funny, dark, and surprisingly full of many endearing moments. Louis C.K. occupies every frame of each episode and this nomination is well deserved. It’s also great to see Martha Plimpton get an Outstanding Actress (Comedy) nomination. Raising Hope, the comedy in which she stars, is one of the few freshman shows that survived the brutal fall and remains a bright spot on the Fox schedule. Too bad the show itself didn’t get more attention, although the legendary Cloris Leachman was nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series.

My biggest WTF moments were Jon Cryer and Mariska Hargitay. Again? I can only imagine that voters took pity on Cryer for having to deal with the Charlie Sheen debacle on Two and a Half Men. Cryer is a fine actor, but I can name five others who are more deserving of an Outstanding Actor (Comedy Series) nod. They are: Nick Offerman and Chris Pratt of Parks and Recreation (or just about anyone from that show), Donald Glover or Danny Pudi from Community, and Garret Dillahunt from Raising Hope. As for Ms. Hargitay, her being nominated means that Regina King of Southland was once again overlooked. That, my friends, is bullshit.

I also have an issue with Glee’s Chris Colfer being nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy category. Don’t get me wrong, Colfer continues to deliver brave and outstanding work, but his best acting comes in those dramatic moments that Glee has a knack for. In a perfect world, Colfer would be getting acclaim for his dramatic chops. Alas, because Glee is categorized as a comedy, Colfer is pigeon holed into that genre.

Before I wrap this up, I need to give a shout out to my friends on Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time and Regular Show. Both are imaginative series that push the boundaries of television animation and both are well deserving of the nomination for Outstanding Short Format Animated Program. In the case of Regular Show, it has been in my top 20 favorite shows since its debut (just ask Will Harris).

I’m not going to make any predictions today. I mean, there are 65 days until the ceremony! Maybe I’ll take the next two months to review some the nominees and make it a weekly column. Hmm, there could be something to that idea.

See you next week, dear reader, same Popdose time, same Popdose chan…er we address?

I’ll work on my lead out.

Here is a complete list of the Emmy nominations (because it shouldn’t be limited to just the major categories):

COMEDY SERIES
“The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)
“Glee” (FOX)
“Modern Family” (ABC)
“The Office” (NBC)
“Parks and Recreation” (NBC)
“30 Rock” (NBC)

COMEDY ACTOR
Louis C.K. (“Louie”)
Alec Baldwin (“30 Rock”)
Steve Carell (“The Office”)
Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”)
Johnny Galecki (“The Big Bang Theory”)
Matt LeBlanc (“Episodes”)

COMEDY ACTRESS
Laura Linney (“The Big C”)
Melissa McCarthy (“Mike & Molly”)
Edie Falco (“Nurse Jackie”)
Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation”)
Martha Plimpton (“Raising Hope”)
Tina Fey (“30 Rock”)

SUPPORTING COMEDY ACTOR
Chris Colfer (“Glee”)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (“Modern Family”)
Ed O’Neill (“Modern Family”)
Eric Stonestreet (“Modern Family”)
Ty Burrell (“Modern Family”)
Jon Cryer (“Two and a Half Men”)

SUPPORTING COMEDY ACTRESS
Jane Lynch (“Glee”)
Betty White (“Hot in Cleveland”)
Julie Bowen (“Modern Family”)
Sofia Vergara (“Modern Family”)
Kristen Wiig (“Saturday Night Live”)
Jane Krakowski (“30 Rock”)

DRAMA SERIES
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“Dexter” (Showtime)
“Friday Night Lights” (DirecTV)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“The Good Wife” (CBS)
“Mad Men” (AMC)

DRAMA ACTOR
Steve Buscemi (“Boardwalk Empire”)
Michael C. Hall (“Dexter”)
Kyle Chandler (“Friday Night Lights”)
Hugh Laurie (“House”)
Timothy Olyphant (“Justified”)
Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”)

DRAMA ACTRESS
Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights”)
Julianna Margulies (“The Good Wife”)
Kathy Bates (“Harry’s Law”)
Mireille Enos (“The Killing”)
Mariska Hargitay (“Law & Order”)
Elizabeth Moss (“Mad Men”)

SUPPORTING DRAMA ACTOR
Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”)
Josh Charles (“The Good Wife”)
Alan Cumming (“The Good Wife”)
Walton Goggins (“Justified”)
John Slattery (“Mad Men”)
Andre Braugher (“Men of a Certain Age”)

SUPPORTING DRAMA ACTRESS
Kelly Macdonald (“Boardwalk Empire”)
Archie Panjabi (“The Good Wife”)
Christine Baranski (“The Good Wife”)
Margo Martindale (“Justified”)
Michelle Forbes (“The Killing”)
Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”)

MINISERIES OR TV MOVIE
“Cinema Verite” (HBO)
“Masterpiece: Downton Abbey” (PBS)
“The Kennedys” (ReelzChannel)
“Mildred Pierce” (HBO)
“The Pillars of the Earth” (Starz)
“Too Big to Fail” (HBO)

LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Diane Lane (“Cinema Verite”)
Elizabeth McGovern (“Masterpiece: Downton Abbey”)
Kate Winslet (“Mildred Pierce”)
Taraji P. Henson (“Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story”)
Jean Marsh (“Masterpiece: Upstairs Downstairs)

LEAD ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Edgar Ramirez (“Carlos”)
Greg Kinnear (“The Kennedys”)
Barry Pepper (“The Kennedys”)
Idris Elba (“Luther”)
Laurence Fishburne (“Thurgood”)
William Hurt (“Too Big to Fail”)

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Maggie Smith (“Masterpiece: Downton Abbey” )
Evan Rachel Wood (“Mildred Pierce”)
Melissa Leo (“Mildred Pierce”)
Mare Winningham (“Mildred Pierce”)
Eileen Atkins (“Upstairs Downstairs”)

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Tom Wilkinson (“The Kennedys”)
Guy Pearce (“Mildred Pierce”)
Brian F. O’Byrne (“Mildred Pierce”)
Paul Giamatti (“Too Big to Fail”)
James Woods (“Too Big to Fail”)

VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SERIES
“The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central)
“Conan” (TBS)
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central)
“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” (NBC)
“Real Time With Bill Maher” (HBO)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)

VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SPECIAL
“Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On” (HBO)
“Carrie Fisher in Wishful Drinking” (HBO)
“The Kennedy Center Honors” (CBS)
“Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden” (HBO)
“The Pee-Wee Herman Show on Broadway” (HBO)

REALITY-COMPETITION PROGRAM
“The Amazing Race” (CBS)
“American Idol” (FOX)
“Dancing With the Stars” (ABC)
“Project Runway” (Lifetime)
“So You Think You Can Dance” (FOX)
“Top Chef” (Bravo)

REALITY PROGRAM
“Antiques Roadshow” (PBS)
“Deadliest Catch” (Discovery Channel)
“Hoarders” (A&E)
“Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List” (Bravo)
“MythBusters” (Discovery Channel)
“Undercover Boss” (CBS)

HOST FOR A REALITY OR REALITY-COMPETITION PROGRAM
Phil Keoghan (“The Amazing Race”)
Ryan Seacrest (“American Idol”)
Tom Bergeron (“Dancing With the Stars”)
Cat Deeley (“So You Think You Can Dance”)
Jeff Probst (“Survivor”)

GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Idris Elba (“The Big C”)
Nathan Lane (“Modern Family”)
Zach Galifianakis (“Saturday Night Live”)
Justin Timberlake (“Saturday Night Live”)
Matt Damon (“30 Rock”)
Will Arnett (“30 Rock”)

GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Bruce Dern (“Big Love”)
Beau Bridges(“Brothers & Sisters”)
Michael J. Fox (“The Good Wife”)
Paul McCrane (“Harry’s Law”)
Jeremy Davies (“Justified”)
Robert Morse (“Mad Men”)

GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Kristin Chenoweth (“Glee”)
Dot-Marie Jones (“Glee”)
Gwyneth Paltrow (“Glee”)
Cloris Leachman (“Raising Hope”)
Tina Fey (“Saturday Night Live”)
Elizabeth Banks (“30 Rock”)

GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Mary McDonnell (“The Closer”)
Julia Stiles (“Dexter”)
Loretta Devine (“Grey’s Anatomy”)
Randee Heller (“Mad Men”)
Cara Buono (“Mad Men”)
Joan Cusack (“Shameless”)
Alfre Woodard (“True Blood”)

VOICE-OVER PERFORMANCE
Brenda Strong (“Desperate Housewives”)
Maurice LaMarche (“Futurama”)
Bob Bergen (“The Looney Tunes Show”)
Christopher Plummer (“Moguls & Movie Stars”)
Seth Green (“Robot Chicken”)
Dan Castellaneta (“The Simpsons”)

ANIMATED PROGRAM
“The Cleveland Show” (FOX)
“Futurama” (Comedy Central)
“Robot Chicken” (Cartoon Network)
“The Simpsons” (FOX)
“South Park” (Comedy Central)

SHORT-FORMAT ANIMATED PROGRAM
“Adventure Time” (Cartoon Network)
“Disney Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa” (ABC)
“Regular Show” (Cartoon Network)
“Robot Chicken” (Cartoon Network)
“SpongeBob SquarePants (Nickelodeon)

ART DIRECTION FOR A MULTI-CAMERA SERIES
“The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)
“Hot in Cleveland” (TV Land)
“How I Met Your Mother” (CBS)
“Mike & Molly” (CBS)
“Rules of Engagement” (CBS)

ART DIRECTION FOR A SINGLE-CAMERA SERIES
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“The Borgias” (Showtime)
“Mad Men” (AMC)
“Modern Family” (ABC)
“True Blood” (HBO)

ART DIRECTION FOR A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
“Masterpiece: Downton Abbey” (PBS)
“The Kennedys” (ReelzChannel)
“Mildred Pierce (HBO)
“Masterpiece: Upstairs Downstairs” (PBS)

ART DIRECTION FOR VARIETY, MUSIC, OR NONFICTION PROGRAMMING
83rd Annual Academy Awards (ABC)
“American Idol” (FOX)
Gettysburg (History)
2010 MTV Video Music Awards (MTV)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)

CASTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
“The Big C” (Showtime)
“Glee” (FOX)
“Modern Family” (ABC)
“Nurse Jackie” (Showtime)
“30 Rock” (NBC)

CASTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“The Good Wife” (CBS)
“The Killing” (AMC)
“Mad Men” (AMC)

CASTING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR SPECIAL
“Cinema Verite” (HBO)
“Masterpiece: Downton Abbey” (PBS)
“Mildred Pierce” (HBO)
“Too Big to Fail” (HBO)
“Masterpiece: Upstairs Downstairs” (PBS)

CHOREOGRAPHY
Mark Ballas (“Dancing With the Stars”)
Mia Michaels (“So You Think You Can Dance”)
Stacey Tookey (“So You Think You Can Dance”)
Travis Wall (“So You Think You Can Dance”)
Tabitha Dumo and Napoleon Dumo (“So You Think You Can Dance”)
Mandy Jo Moore (“So You Think You Can Dance”)

CINEMATOGRAPHY FOR A MULTI-CAMERA SERIES
“How I Met Your Mother” (CBS)
“Pair of Kings” (Disney XD)
“Retired at 35” (TV Land)
“Rules of Engagement” (CBS)
“Two and a Half Men” (CBS)
“Wizards of Waverly Place” (Disney Channel)

CINEMATOGRAPHY FOR A SINGLE-CAMERA SERIES
“Boardwalk Empire” – Pilot (HBO)
“Boardwalk Empire” – “Home” (HBO)
“Boardwalk Empire” – “A Return to Normalcy” (HBO)
“The Borgias” (Showtime)
“The Good Wife” (CBS)

CINEMATOGRAPHY FOR A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
“Masterpiece: Downton Abbey” (PBS)
“The Kennedys” (ReelzChannel)
“Mildred Pierce” (HBO)
“The Pillars of the Earth” (Starz)
“Too Big to Fail” (HBO)

CINEMATOGRAPHY FOR NONFICTION PROGRAMMING
“American Masters – Troubadours: Carole King / James Taylor & the Rise of the Singer-Songwriter” (PBS)
“Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” (Travel Channel)
“Gasland” (HBO)
“Gettysburg” (History)
“If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise” (HBO)
“Whale Wars: To the Ends of the Earth” (Animal Planet)

CINEMATOGRAPHY FOR REALITY PROGRAMMING
“The Amazing Race” (CBS)
“Deadliest Catch” (Discovery Channel)
“Intervention” (A&E)
“Survivor” (CBS)
“Top Chef” (Bravo)

COMMERCIAL
Baby – McDonald’s
Baby Driver – Subaru
Born of Fire – Chrysler 200
Conan – American Express
Polar Bear – Nissan LEAF
Questions – Old Spice Body Wash

COSTUMES FOR A SERIES
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“The Borgias” (Showtime)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Glee” (FOX)
“Mad Men” (AMC)

COSTUMES FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A SPECIAL
“Cinema Verite” (HBO)
“Masterpiece: Downton Abbey” (PBS)
“Mildred Pierce” (HBO)
“Masterpiece: Upstairs Downstairs” (PBS)

DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
“How I Met Your Mother,” Pamela Fryman (CBS)
“Modern Family,” Michael Alan Spiller (ABC)
“Modern Family,” Gail Mancuso (ABC)
“Modern Family,” Steve Levitan (ABC)
“30 Rock,” Beth McCarthy-Miller (NBC)

DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
“Boardwalk Empire,” Martin Scorsese (HBO)
“Boardwalk Empire,” Jeremy Podeswa (HBO)
“The Borgias,” Neil Jordan (Showtime)
“Game of Thrones,” Tim Van Patten (HBO)
“The Killing,” Patti Jenkins (AMC)

DIRECTING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL
“Carlos,” Oliver Assayas (Sundance Channel)
“Cinema Verite,” Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini(HBO)
“Masterpiece: Downton Abbey,” Brian Percival (PBS)
“Mildred Pierce,” Todd Haynes (HBO)
“Too Big to Fail,” Curtis Hanson (HBO)

DIRECTING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES
“American Idol,” Gregg Gelfand (FOX)

“The Colbert Report,” James Hoskinson (Comedy Central)
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Chuck O’Neil (Comedy Central)
“Late Show With David Letterman,” Jerry Foley (CBS)
“Saturday Night Live,” Don Roy King (NBC)

DIRECTING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SPECIAL
83rd Annual Academy Awards, Don Mischer (ABC)
The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, Louis J. Horvitz (CBS)
“Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden,” Laurieann Gibson (HBO)
“Sondheim! The Birthday Concert,” Lonny Price (PBS)
64th Annual Tony Awards, Glenn Weiss (CBS)

DIRECTING FOR NONFICTION PROGRAMMING
“The Amazing Race,” Bertram van Munster (CBS)
“American Masters – A Letter to Elia/Reflecting on Kazan,” Martin Scorsese and Kent Jones (PBS)
“Becoming Chaz,” Fenton Baily and Randy Barbato (OWN)
“Gasland,” Josh Fox (HBO)
“Top Chef,” Paul Starkman (Bravo)

SINGLE-CAMERA PICTURE EDITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“Dexter” (Showtime)
“The Killing” (AMC)
“Mad Men” – “The Suitcase”(AMC)
“Mad Men” – “Blowing Smoke”(AMC)

PICTURE EDITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
“The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)
“How I Met Your Mother” (CBS)
“Modern Family” – “Halloween” (ABC)
“Modern Family” – “Slow Down Your Neighbors” (ABC)
“30 Rock” (NBC)

SINGLE-CAMERA PICTURE EDITING FOR A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
“Cinema Verite” (HBO)
“Masterpiece: Downton Abbey” (PBS)
“Mildred Pierce” (HBO)
“Masterpiece: Sherlock: A Study in Pink” (PBS)
“Too Big to Fail” (HBO)

SHORT-FORM PICTURE EDITING
83rd Annual Academy Awards – Opening (ABC)
82rd Annual Academy Awards – This Year’s Unintentional Musicals (ABC)
“American Idol” (FOX)
The 2010 ESPY Awards (ESPN)
“Jimmy Kimmel Live” – After the Academy Awards (ABC)

PICTURE EDITING FOR A SPECIAL
“Carrie Fisher in Wishful Drinking” (HBO)
“Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden (HBO)
“Louis C.K.: Hilarious” (EPIX)
“Ricky Gervais: Out of England 2 – The Stand-Up Special” (HBO)
“Thurgood” (HBO)

PICTURE EDITING FOR NONFICTION PROGRAMMING
“American Masters: LENNONYC” (PBS)
“Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” (Travel Channel)
“Becoming Chaz” (OWN)
“Freedom Riders” (PBS)
“If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise” (HBO)

PICTURE EDITING FOR REALITY PROGRAMMING
“The Amazing Race” (CBS)
“Deadliest Catch” (Discover Channel)
“Project Runway” (Lifetime)
“Survivor” (CBS)
“Top Chef” (Bravo)

HAIRSTYLING FOR A SINGLE-CAMERA SERIES
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Glee” (FOX)
“Mad Men” – “Hands and Knees”(AMC)
“Mad Men” – “Christmas Comes but Once a Year”(AMC)

HAIRSTYLING FOR A MULTI-CAMERA SERIES OR SPECIAL
“America’s Got Talent” (NBC)
“Dancing With the Stars” (ABC)
“iCarly” (Nickelodeon)
“The Pee-Wee Herman Show on Broadway” (HBO)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)

HAIRSTYLING FOR A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
“Cinema Verite” (HBO)
“The Kennedys” (ReelzChannel)
“Mildred Pierce” (HBO)
“The Pillars of the Earth” (Starz)

CREATIVE ACHIEVEMENT IN INTERACTIVE MEDIA
“ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy Sync” (ABC.com)
“Conan O’Brien Presents: Team Coco” (TBS.com)
“Fringe: Division” (FOX.com)
“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” (NBC.com)
“Oscar Digital Experience” (ABC.com)

LIGHTING DIRECTION FOR VARIETY, MUSICAL OR COMEDY SERIES
“American Idol” (FOX)
“Conan” (TBS)
“Dancing With the Stars” (ABC)
“Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
“So You Think You Can Dance” (FOX)

LIGHTING DIRECTION FOR VARIETY, MUSICAL OR COMEDY SPECIAL
83rd Annual Academy Awards (ABC)
The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards (CBS)
“Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden” (HBO)

MAIN TITLE DESIGN
“Masterpiece: Any Human Heart” (PBS)
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“Game Of Thrones” (HBO)
“Rubicon” (AMC)
“Too Big to Fail” (HBO)

MAKEUP FOR A SINGLE-CAMERA SERIES (NON-PROSTHETIC)
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Glee” (FOX)
“Mad Men” (AMC)
“True Blood” (HBO)

MAKEUP FOR A MULTI-CAMERA SERIES OR SPECIAL (NON-PROSTHETIC)
“Dancing With the Stars” (ABC)
“How I Met Your Mother” (CBS)
“iCarly” (Nickelodeon)
“The Pee-Wee Herman Show on Broadway” (HBO)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)

MAKEUP FOR A MINISERIES OR MOVIE (NON-PROSTHETIC)
“Cinema Verite” (HBO)
“The Kennedys” (ReelzChannel)
“Mildred Pierce” (HBO)
“The Pillars of the Earth” (Starz)

PROSTHETIC MAKEUP FOR A SERIES, MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A SPECIAL
“The Cape” (NBC)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Glee” (FOX)
“Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
“The Walking Dead” (AMC)

ORIGINAL DRAMATIC SCORE FOR A SERIES
“Batman: The Brave and The Bold” (Cartoon Network)
“FlashForward” (ABC)
“Psych” (USA)
XXX()

MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR SPECIAL
“Masterpiece: Any Human Heart,” Dan Jones (PBS)
“Mildred Pierce,” Carter Burwell (HBO)
“The Pillars of the Earth,” Trevor Morris (Starz)
“Masterpiece: Sherlock: A Study in Pink,” David Arnold (PBS)
“Thurgood,” Rob Mathes (HBO)

MUSIC DIRECTION
83rd Annual Academy Awards, William Ross (ABC)
“An Evening Of Stars: Tribute to Chaka Khan,” Rickey Minor (NBC)
“Celtic Woman: Songs From The Heart” (PBS)
“Great Performances: Harry Connick Jr., in Concert on Broadway,” Harry Connick Jr. (PBS)
“Great Performances: Hitman Returns: David Foster and Friends,” David Foster(PBS)
The Kennedy Center Honors, Rob Mathes and Rob Berman (CBS)
2011 Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Paul Shaffer (FUSE)

ORIGINAL MUSIC AND LYRICS
“Family Guy” – Christmastime Is Killing Us,” Ron Jones, Seth MacFarlane and Danny Smith (FOX)
“Robert Klein: Unfair & Unbalanced” – “An American Prayer – Hymn II?” Robert H. Stein and Robert Klein (HBO)
“Saturday Night Live” – “I Just Had Sex,” Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone, Justin Franks and Jerrod Bettis (NBC)
“Saturday Night Live” – “Justin Timberlake Monologue,” Katreese Barnes, Seth Meyers, Justin Timberlake and John Mulaney (NBC)
“Saturday Night Live” – “Jack Sparrow,” Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone and Mike Woods (NBC)

ORIGINAL MAIN TITLE THEME MUSIC
“Masterpiece: Any Human Heart,” Dan Jones (PBS)
“The Borgias,” Trevor Morris (Showtime)
“Camelot,” Jeff Danna and Mychael Danna (Starz)
“Episodes,” Mark Thomas (Showtime)
“The Kennedys,” Sean P. Callery (ReelzChannel)
“Mildred Pierce,” Carter Burwell (HBO)

SPECIAL CLASS PROGRAM
83rd Annual Academy Awards (ABC)
The 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards (NBC)
The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards (CBS)
64th Annual Tony Awards (CBS)

SPECIAL CLASS SHORT FORMAT LIVE-ACTION ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM
“The Daily Show Correspondents Explain” (thedailyshow.com)
“30 Rock: The Webisodes” (NBC.com)

SPECIAL CLASS SHORT FORMAT NON-FICTION PROGRAM
“Jay Leno’s Garage” (JayLenosGarage.com)
“Writer’s Draft: Kazuo Ishiguro and Alex Garland of ‘Never Let Me Go'” (FOX Movie Channel)

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
“A Child’s Garden of Poetry” (HBO)
“Degrassi” (TeenNick)
“iCarly” (Nickelodeon)
“Victorious” (Nickelodeon)
“Wizards of Waverly Place” (Disney Channel)

CHILDREN’S NONFICTION REALITY OR REALITY-COMPETITION PROGRAM
“Masterclass” (HBO)
“Nick News With Linda Ellerbee: Under the Influence: Kids of Alcoholics” (Nickelodeon)

NONFICTION SPECIAL
“Becoming Chaz” (OWN)
“Gettysburg” (History)
“His Way” (HBO)
“Jaws: The Inside Story” (BIO)
“Stand Up to Cancer”

NONFICTION SERIES
“American Masters” (PBS)
“Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” (Travel Channel)
“Biography” (BIO)
“Moguls & Movie Stars” (TCM)
“Pioneers of Television” (PBS)
“30 for 30” (ESPN)

EXCEPTIONAL MERIT IN NONFICTION FILMMAKING
“Freedom Riders” (PBS)
“Gasland” (HBO)
“The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers” (PBS)

SOUND EDITING FOR A SERIES
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“CSI: NY” (CBS)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Nikita” (The CW)
“True Blood” (HBO)
“The Walking Dead” (AMC)

SOUND EDITING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR SPECIAL
“Masterpiece: Any Human Heart” (PBS)
“Masterpiece: Downton Abbey: (PBS)
“Mildred Pierce” (HBO)
“The Pillars Of The Earth” (Starz)

SOUND EDITING FOR NONFICTION PROGRAMMING
“The Amazing Race” (CBS)
“American Idol” (FOX)
“American Masters” (PBS)
“Baseball: The Tenth Inning” (PBS)
“Gettysburg” (History)
“Whale Wars” (Animal Planet)

SOUND MIXING FOR A ONE-HOUR COMEDY OR DRAMA SERIES
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“Burn Notice” (USA)
“Dexter” (Showtime)
“Glee” (FOX)
“House” (FOX)
“Mad Men” (AMC)

SOUND MIXING FOR A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
“Cinema Verite” (HBO)
“The Kennedys” (ReelzChannel)
“Mildred Pierce” (HBO)
“Too Big to Fail” (HBO)

SOUND MIXING FOR A HALF-HOUR COMEDY OR DRAMA SERIES AND ANIMATION
“Californication” (Showtime)
“Family Guy” (FOX)
“Modern Family” (ABC)
“The Office” (NBC)
“Parks and Recreation” (NBC)

SOUND MIXING FOR A VARIETY OR MUSIC SERIES OR SPECIAL
83rd Annual Academy Awards (ABC)
“American Idol” (FOX)
The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards (CBS)

SOUND MIXING FOR NONFICTION PROGRAMMING
“The Amazing Race” (CBS)
“American Idol” (FOX)
“American Masters: LENNONYC” (PBS)
“Deadliest Catch” (Discovery Channel )
“Gettysburg” (History)

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS FOR A SERIES
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“The Borgias” (Showtime)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Stargate Universe” (Syfy)
“The Walking Dead” (AMC)

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR SPECIAL
“Gettysburg” (History)
“Mildred Pierce” (HBO)
“The Pillars of the Earth” (Starz)
“Masterpiece: Sherlock: A Study in Pink” (PBS)

STUNT COORDINATION
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Hawaii Five-0” (CBS)
“Southland” (TNT)
“Spartacus: Gods of the Arena” (Starz)

TECHNICAL DIRECTION, CAMERAWORK, VIDEO CONTROL FOR A SERIES
“American Idol” (CBS)
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central)
“Dancing With The Stars” (ABC)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
“30 Rock” (NBC)

TECHNICAL DIRECTION, CAMERAWORK, VIDEO CONTROL FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR SPECIAL
83rd Annual Academy Awards (ABC)
“Don Pasquale – Great Performances At The Met” (PBS)
The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards (CBS)
The Kennedy Center Honors (CBS)
“Lady GaGa Presents The Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden” (HBO)

WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, “Episodes” (Showtime)
Louis C.K., “Louie” (FX)
Steve Levitan and Jeffrey Richman, “Modern Family” (ABC)
Greg Daniels, “The Office” (NBC)
Matt Hubbard, “30 Rock” (NBC)

WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Jason Katims, “Friday Night Lights” (DirecTV)
David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, “Game of Thrones” (HBO)
Veena Sud, “The Killing” (AMC)
Matthew Weiner, “Mad Men” (AMC)
Andre Jacquemetton and Maria Jacquemetton, “Mad Men” (AMC)

WRITING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL
Julian Fellowes, “Masterpiece: Downton Abbey” (PBS)
Todd Haynes and Jon Raymond, “Mildred Pierce” (HBO)
Steven Moffat, “Masterpiece: Sherlock: A Study in Pink” (PBS)
Peter Gould, “Too Big to Fail” (HBO)
Heidi Thomas, “Masterpiece: Upstairs Downstairs” (PBS)

WRITING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES
“The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central)
“Conan” (TBS)
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central)
“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” (NBC)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)

WRITING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SPECIAL
Colin Quinn, “Colin Quinn: Long Story Short” (HBO)
Louis C.K., “Louis C.K.: Hilarious” (EPIX)
Erick Slovin, “Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit For Autism Education” (Comedy Central)
Paula Pell, Seth Meyers, Emily Spivey and John Solomon, “The Real Women of SNL” (NBC)
Dave Boone, Matt Roberts and Mo Rocca, 64th Annual Tony Awards (CBS)

WRITING FOR NONFICTION PROGRAMMING
Anthony Bourdain, “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” (Travel Channel)
Stanley Nelson, “Freedom Riders” (PBS)
Josh Fox, “Gasland” (HBO)
Richard Bedser and Ed Fields “Gettysburg” (HBO)
Jon Wilkman, “Moguls & Movie Stars” (TCM)

About the Author

Scott Malchus

Scott Malchus is a writer, filmmaker and die hard Cleveland Indians fan. His memoir, “Basement Songs,” is available in paperback and Kindle. He wrote and directed the film “King's Highway." His family is heavily involved in fund raising to find a cure for cystic fibrosis. Scott Malchus is an employee of Cartoon Network and Turner Broadcasting. The opinions expressed on Popdose are his own and do not reflect those of his employer. Email: Malchus@popdose.com. Follow him @MrMalchus

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