...and more nods for Gevais

The sitcom, based behind the scenes of a Saturday Night Live-style TV comedy show, is defending its best comedy title from last year.

But it faces competition from the US remake of British hit The Office, Two and a Half Men, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Entourage.

In other categories, two Flight Of The Conchords tracks are up for best song, against Sarah Silverman’s I’m Fucking Matt Damon, which she sang on boyfriend Jimmy Kimmell’s show before they broke up.

And Extras is up for ssi more Emmies in the Made For Television Movie, categories, including best programme, best writing, best actor for Ricky Gervais and best supporting actress for Ashley Jensen.

Gervais said: 'I’m overwhelmed, this is getting ridiculous!' and co-writer Stephen Merchant added: 'This is a great honour for Ricky and I. There are so many fantastic shows on American TV that I’m amazed they nominated us. I guess they realise that if anything adds glamour to an award show it’s a fat, middle-aged bloke and a gangly geek with glasses.'

Here are some of the key comedy categories:

Outstanding Animated Programme
Creature Comforts America
King Of The Hill
Robot Chicken
The Simpsons
SpongeBob SquarePants

Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series

Entourage
Flight Of The Conchords
The Office
Pushing Daisies
30 Rock

Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics

Disney Phineas And Ferb: I Ain’t Got No Rhythm (Disney Channel)
Flight Of The Conchords: The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)
Flight Of The Conchords: Inner City Pressure
Jimmy Kimmel Live: I’m Fucking Matt Damon
MADtv: Sad Fitty Cent

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

Tony Shalhoub in Monk
Steve Carell in The Office
Lee Pace in Pushing Daisies
Alec Baldwin in 30 Rock
Charlie Sheen in Two And A Half Men

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Julia Louis-Dreyfus in The New Adventures Of Old Christine
Christina Applegate in Samantha Who?
Tina Fey in 30 Rock
America Ferrera in Ugly Betty
Mary-Louise Parker in Weeds

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Jeremy Piven in Entourage
Kevin Dillon in Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris in How I Met Your Mother
Rainn Wilson in The Office
Jon Cryer in Two And A Half Men

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

Kristin Chenoweth in Pushing Daisies
Jean Smart in Samantha Who?
Amy Poehler in Saturday Night Live
Holland Taylor in Two And A Half Men
Vanessa Williams in Ugly Betty

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series

Shelley Berman in Curb Your Enthusiasm
Rip Torn in 30 Rock
Will Arnett in 30 Rock
Steve Buscemi in 30 Rock
Tim Conway in 30 Rock

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series

Polly Bergen in Desperate Housewives
Kathryn Joosten in Desperate Housewives
Sarah Silverman in Monk
Carrie Fisher in 30 Rock
Edie Falco in 30 Rock
Elaine Stritch in 30 Rock

Outstanding Individual Performance In A Variety Or Music Program

Jon Stewart for the Oscares
Stephen Colbert for The Colbert Report
David Letterman for The Late Show With David Letterman
Don Rickles for Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project
Tina Fey, for Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Comedy Series

Curb Your Enthusiasm
Entourage
The Office
30 Rock
Two And A Half Men

Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series

The Colbert Report
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Late Show With David Letterman
Real Time With Bill Maher
Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special

Bill Maher: The Decider
George Carlin: It’s Bad For Ya!
James Taylor: One Man Band
Kathy Griffin: Straight To Hell
The Kennedy Center Honors
Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project

Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series

Flight Of The Conchords
The Office
Pushing Daisies
30 Rock (two episodes)

Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program

The Colbert Report
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Late Night With Conan O’Brien
Late Show With David Letterman
Saturday Night Live

The Primetime Emmy Awards, now in their 60th year, will be announced in Los Angeles on September 21.

Published: 17 Jul 2008