But judges divide Conchords stars

30 Rock has landed a record 22 Emmy nominations, the most for any comedy series.

Flight Of The Conchords have also been nominated in the 61st annual awards, with Jemaine Clement shortlisted as best comedy actor – although his co-star Bret McKenzie wasn’t.

Ricky Gervais's stand-up special Out Of England won three nominations, for best Variety, Music or Comedy Special, for best writing in the same category, and for picture editing.

He said: 'This is particularly special for me, as it is my first Emmy nomination for my stand-up work,” says Gervais.'

Those in with a shot in the key comedy categories are:

COMEDY SERIES: Entourage, Family Guy, Flight of the Conchords, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, 30 Rock, Weeds

ACTOR IN A COMEDY: Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory, Jemaine Clement for Flight Of The Conchords, Tony Shalhoub for Monk, Steve Carell for The Office, Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock , Charlie Sheen for Two And A Half Men

ACTRESS IN A COMEDY: Julia Louis-Dreyfus for The New Adventures Of Old Christine, Christina Applegate for Samantha Who?, Sarah Silverman for The Sarah Silverman Program, Tina Fey for 30 Rock, Toni Collette for United States Of Tara, Mary-Louise Parker for Weeds

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY: Jon Cryer for Two And A Half Men, Kevin Dillon for Entourage, Neil Patrick Harris for How I Met Your Mother, Jack McBrayer for 30 Rock, Tracy Morgan for 30 Rock, Rainn Wilson for The Office

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY: Jane Krakowski for 30 Rock, Kristin Chenoweth for Pushing Daisies, Amy Poehler for Saturday Night Live, Kristin Wiig for Saturday Night Live, Vanessa Williams for Ugly Betty and Elizabeth Perkins for Weeds.

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

VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SPECIAL: Chris Rock: Kill The Messenger, Kathy Griffin: She'll Cut A Bitch, Ricky Gervais: Out Of England, The Kennedy Center Honors, Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America. A Final Night With George W. Bush

The Emmys will be handed out in two ceremonies: the Creative Arts Awards for technical areas on September 12, and the main awards on September 20.

Published: 16 Jul 2009