Showbiz Commentary: Heidi Oringer

July 12 -- So there I was, getting ready to flip over and tan my back, when I realized, "Good gosh almighty … the 53rd annual Emmy Award nominations are being announced."

I quickly gathered my bikini top in hand … OK, I tried to pry my butt out from between the lounge chair straps, and I headed for the nearest TV.

Still slathered in lotion, I eased, more comfortably, into a recliner to listen to the announcements. "Oh boy, oh boy, this is gonna be good," I thought as I dropped the remote. I figured I was just nervous with anticipation, but then I realized my hands were still greasy. Finally, I was watching Sean Hayes and Patricia Heaton about to spill the beans.

Any New Shows Out There?

The Sopranos led the pack with 22 nominations, including Best Drama, Best Actor for James Gandolfini, Best Actress for both Edie Falco and Lorraine Bracco. Yeah, so tell me something I don't know. This happened last year … incredible numbers, then they virtually got shut out — or perhaps I say "rubbed out"— by The West Wing, which garnered 18 nominations this year.

The Best Drama category featured the exact same shows as last year: The Sopranos, Law & Order, ER, The West Wing and The Practice.

It was almost the same thing with the Best Comedy category, which consists of Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier, Malcolm in the Middle, Will & Grace and Sex and the City. They left out Friends and put in Malcolm. Big whoop!

Best Actresses, with the exception of Marg Helgenberger being recognized for her work on CSI, offered the usual suspects. For Best Actor, they took out the Law & Order regulars and swapped in Rob Lowe for The West Wing and Andre Braugher for Gideon's Crossing.

All in all, the additions or exclusions were minor and expected. I won't list all the nominees, but trust me when I say you will not read the list and throw your hand over your mouth, going, "Holy cow … Now that's a surprise!"

Emmy Gets Real

So where did Emmy really veer off The Road Oft Traveled?