NBC Scores Again at TV Guide Noms

December 28 -- NBC garnered plenty of recognition last week, when many of the peacock net's shows raked in the Golden Globe Award nominations. That hot streak appears to be more than luck; this week, the network's top shows were top vote-getters at the Third Annual TV Guide Award noms.

NBC's Emmy-winning political drama, The West Wing, grabbed eight nods, while the entire casts of both Friends and Will & Grace earned nominations in the comedy categories, as did the shows themselves, with a total of seven and five noms, respectively. Medical hit ER is in the running for five different awards.

Fox's Ally McBeal garnered seven nominations, including one for its troubled supporting actor, Robert Downey Jr. ABC's legal drama The Practice (six votes) and cop series NYPD Blue (five votes) and HBO's Sex and the City (six votes) all earned tallies for the majority of their staff as well.

CBS managed five votes for Everybody Loves Raymond and four apiece for the courtroom drama Judging Amy and the blue-collar comedy King of Queens.

Spin City star Charlie Sheen, who debuted on the ABC laffer after Michael J. Fox's departure last season, was ignored — though his father, Martin, was short-listed for his role on The West Wing. The X-Files' men didn't fare so well either: Newcomer Robert Patrick and disappearing star David Duchovny were both shut out, though Gillian Anderson will compete for best actress in a drama series.

Fox's freshman show Boston Public and its second-year comedy That '70s Show were both dissed by the committee of TV execs that selects the nominees. While both received best show nods, Boston Public's Chi McBride was the only cast member to be singled out with a nomination.

Winners will be voted on by fans, who can cast ballots in TV Guide mag's Jan. 6 and Jan. 13 issues or at www.tvguide.com. The awards will be given out Feb. 24, and Fox will broadcast the ceremony March 7.