Photos: 2011 Emmy Nominations

A look at the 2011 Emmy nominations, with commentary from TV Column writer Lisa de Moraes.

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Best drama: “Mad Men.” Lead actor in a drama: Jon Hamm. LISA SAYS: Can any drama series loosen “Mad Men’s” stranglehold on the best-drama Emmy? The best-drama derby is considered the crown jewel of the Emmy competition, and “Mad Men” has won for the past three years. But “Mad Men’s” most recent season was watched by an average of less than 3 million people, which illustrates one of the reasons it’s harder these days for the Emmy trophy show to attract viewers.

/ AP

Best drama: <strong>“Dexter.”</strong> Lead actor in a drama: <strong>Michael C. Hall</strong> as Dexter Morgan on Showtime’s “Dexter.”

Best drama: “Dexter.” Lead actor in a drama: Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan on Showtime’s “Dexter.”

Peter Iovino / Peter Iovino

Best drama: <strong>“The Good Wife.”</strong> Lead actress in a drama: <strong>Julianna Margulies.</strong> Chris Noth and best actress nominee Julianna Margulies from CBS’s “The Good Wife.”

Best drama: “The Good Wife.” Lead actress in a drama: Julianna Margulies. Chris Noth and best actress nominee Julianna Margulies from CBS’s “The Good Wife.”

Jeffrey Neira / CBS

Best drama: “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO). Best actor in a drama: Steve Buscemi

Abbot Genser / HBO

Best drama: <strong>'Game of Thrones'</strong> (HBO).

Best drama: "Game of Thrones" (HBO).

/ HBO

Best comedy: ABC's<strong> 'Modern Family.' </strong> LISA SAYS: Last year’s best comedy Emmy winner is considered a shoo-in to win again this year.

Best comedy: ABC's "Modern Family." LISA SAYS: Last year’s best comedy Emmy winner is considered a shoo-in to win again this year.

Bob D'Amico / ABC

Best comedy: <strong>“The Office.”</strong> Lead actor in a comedy: <strong>Steve Carell</strong>. (NBC). LISA SAYS: Will Carell finally win the best comedy actor trophy for his swan song on the long-running show? From left, John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson and Steve Carell on “The Office.”

Best comedy: “The Office.” Lead actor in a comedy: Steve Carell. (NBC). LISA SAYS: Will Carell finally win the best comedy actor trophy for his swan song on the long-running show? From left, John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson and Steve Carell on “The Office.”

Trae Patton / Copyright NBC Universal

Lead actress in a comedy: <strong>Edie Falco</strong>. LISA SAYS: Last year, when Showtime’s “Nurse Jackie” star Edie Falco picked up her best comedy actress trophy, she complained, “I’m not funny.” Will academy members take her at her word and this year give the Emmy to someone who is at least willing to acknowledge she’s working in a comedy series?

Lead actress in a comedy: Edie Falco. LISA SAYS: Last year, when Showtime’s “Nurse Jackie” star Edie Falco picked up her best comedy actress trophy, she complained, “I’m not funny.” Will academy members take her at her word and this year give the Emmy to someone who is at least willing to acknowledge she’s working in a comedy series?

/ Ken Regan/Showtime

Best comedy: <strong>“30 Rock.”</strong> Lead actress in a comedy: <strong>Tina Fey</strong>. Lead actor in a comedy: <strong>Alec Baldwin</strong>. LISA SAYS: Fey last won this derby on ’08 for playing Liz Lemon on “30 Rock” — a comedy series she also created and writes. Since then, the category has been dominated by Showtime actresses in dark comedies — Edie Falco on “Nurse Jackie” in ’10 and Toni Collette in “United States of Tara” in ‘09.

Best comedy: “30 Rock.” Lead actress in a comedy: Tina Fey. Lead actor in a comedy: Alec Baldwin. LISA SAYS: Fey last won this derby on ’08 for playing Liz Lemon on “30 Rock” — a comedy series she also created and writes. Since then, the category has been dominated by Showtime actresses in dark comedies — Edie Falco on “Nurse Jackie” in ’10 and Toni Collette in “United States of Tara” in ‘09.

Barbara Nitke / NBC

Best comedy: <strong>“Glee”</strong> (Fox).

Best comedy: “Glee” (Fox).

Carin Baer / FOX

Lead actress in a comedy: <strong>Laura Linney</strong> as Cathy in Showtime’s “The Big C.”

Lead actress in a comedy: Laura Linney as Cathy in Showtime’s “The Big C.”

Jordin Althaus / Showtime

Best comedy: <strong>“Big Bang Theory.”</strong> Lead actor in a comedy: both <strong>Johnny Galecki</strong>, left and <strong>Jim Parsons</strong>. LISA SAYS: Will Parsons, who won his first best comedy actor Emmy last year, beat perennial winner Alec Baldwin again? Or, will academy members vote to give it to “Two and a Half Men’s” Jon Cryer, as a sort of badge of courage for having survived the last season with Charlie Sheen?

Best comedy: “Big Bang Theory.” Lead actor in a comedy: both Johnny Galecki, left and Jim Parsons. LISA SAYS: Will Parsons, who won his first best comedy actor Emmy last year, beat perennial winner Alec Baldwin again? Or, will academy members vote to give it to “Two and a Half Men’s” Jon Cryer, as a sort of badge of courage for having survived the last season with Charlie Sheen?

Sonja Flemming / CBS

Lead actor in a comedy: <strong>Matt LeBlanc</strong> of Showtime’s “Episodes.”

Lead actor in a comedy: Matt LeBlanc of Showtime’s “Episodes.”

John Marshall Mantel / AP

Lead actor in a comedy: <strong>Louis C.K. </strong>of FX’s “Louie.”

Lead actor in a comedy: Louis C.K. of FX’s “Louie.”

Eric Leibowitz / FX

Best comedy: <strong>“Parks and Recreation”</strong> (NBC). Lead actress in a comedy: <strong>Amy Poehler</strong>.

Best comedy: “Parks and Recreation” (NBC). Lead actress in a comedy: Amy Poehler.

Paul Drinkwater / NBC Universal

Lead actress in a comedy: <strong>Melissa McCarthy</strong> of “Mike & Molly” (CBS).

Lead actress in a comedy: Melissa McCarthy of “Mike & Molly” (CBS).

Richard Cartwright / CBS

Best drama: <strong>“Friday Night Lights.”</strong> Lead actor in a drama: <strong>Kyle Chandler</strong> for the final season of “Friday Night Lights” (NBC).

Best drama: “Friday Night Lights.” Lead actor in a drama: Kyle Chandler for the final season of “Friday Night Lights” (NBC).

Bill Records / NBC

Lead actress in a drama: <strong>Kathy Bates</strong> for “Harry’s Law” (NBC).

Lead actress in a drama: Kathy Bates for “Harry’s Law” (NBC).

Lewis Jacobs / Lewis Jacobs/NBC

Featured Photo Galleries

In this image released by the Miss Universe Organization, Miss Washington USA 2012, Christina Clarke; Miss West Virginia USA 2012, Andrea Rogers; and Miss Wisconsin USA 2012, Emily Guerin compete in their swimwear by Kooey Australia and fashion footwear by Chinese Laundry during the 2012 Miss USA Presentation Show on May 30, 2012 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2012 MISS USA Pageant will air LIVE on NBC June 3 at 9:00 p.m. ET from the Theatre for Performing Arts in Las Vegas. = RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT 'AFP PHOTO / Miss Universe Organization / DARREN DECKER' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS =DARREN DECKER/AFP/GettyImages

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NEW YORK, NY - MAY 30: Jon Stewart attends the Sesame Street Workshop 10th Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 30, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

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The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is seen in a camera on the end of the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm as it moves away from the station in preparation for its return to earth in this image from NASA TV May 31, 2012. REUTERS/NASA TV (SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

SpaceX prepares to return home

The SpaceX Dragon capsule detached from the international space station Thursday morning.

Police investigate the scene where a man who was believed to have shot and killed several people earlier in the day shot himself Wednesday, May 30, 2012, in the West Seattle neighborhood of Seattle. A gunman opened fire at a Seattle cafe earlier Wednesday, killing three people and critically wounding two others and later a man believed to be the same suspect shot and killed a woman and took her car near downtown, abandoning it less than two miles from where the alleged shooter shot himself as officers closed in on him, authorities said. His condition wasn't immediately known. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Gunman kills five, shoots himself in Seattle

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LANDOVER, MD May 30, 2012 U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Fabian Johnson (23) hits a crossing pass to forward Herculez Gomez (9) for their 1st half goal against Brazil Men's National Team goalie Rafael (12) on May 30, 2012 in Landover, MD (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)

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Herculez Gomez scores just before halftime, but Brazil runs away with a 4-1 victory.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

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HANDOUT PHOTO: Camera men film as the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft carrying the International Space Station (ISS) crew, U.S. astronaut Joseph Acaba and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin, blasts off from it's launch pad at Baikonur cosmodrome, May 15, 2012. (Courtesy of Shamil Zhumatov/ADAY.org)

A snapshot of life

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