2009 Emmy Nominations: More Nominees, New Faces

July 16, 2009— -- HBO and NBC's "30 Rock" grabbed the lion's share of 2009 Emmy nominations.

The nominees, announced this morning in Hollywood, Calif., also included a number of a first-timers.

HBO led the way with 99 nominations overall, including nods for the off-beat show "Flight of the Conchords," about a hapless pair of aspiring rock musicians, and "Big Love" in the best drama series category. NBC's "30 Rock" was the most-nominated comedy series with 22 nods, and "Mad Men" led the way among drama series with 16.

Actress Chandra Wilson of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and actor Jim Parson of CBS' "Big Bang Theory" announced the nominees for the 61st annual Primetime Emmys , which will be awarded Sept. 20. Both Wilson and Parsons garnered nominations.

The number of nominees allowed in each category was expanded this year, making room for some first-time nominees.

The awards are "always looking for new blood," TV Guide's Matt Roush told "Good Morning America." "It's good to see some new faces."

Jemiane Clement of "Flight of the Conchords'" and Parson both got their first-ever nominations, for lead actor in a comedy series.

"A lot of people thought Jim Parson would break through," Roush said.

Simon Baker also got a first-time nomination as best lead actor in a drama for "The Mentalist," and Elisabeth Moss of "Mad Men" got her first nomination as best actress in a drama.

Among the first-timers, Roush said he expects the nominations for the Fox animated series "Family Guy", which got it's first ever best comedy nod, to get some attention.

"It offends a lot of people, but it makes a lot of noise," he said.

Among returning shows, Roush noted that "'Lost' is back ... it had another extraordinary year."

Actor Neil Patrick Harris of "How I Met Your Mother" is set to host the awards ceremony.

Here are the nominees in the comedy and drama series categories:

Best Drama Series
"Damages"
"Dexter"
"House M.D."
"Lost"
"Mad Men"
"Big Love"
"Breaking Bad"

Best Comedy Series
"Entourage"
"Family Guy"
"The Office"
"30 Rock"
"How I Met Your Mother"
"Weeds"
"Flight of the Conchords"

Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Simon Baker, "The Mentalist"
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
Michael C. Hall, "Dexter"
Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
Hugh Laurie, "House M.D."
Gabriel Byrne, "In Treatment"

Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Glenn Close, "Damages"
Sally Field, "Brothers & Sisters"
Mariska Hargitay, "Law & Order: SVU"
Holly Hunter, "Saving Grace"
Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer"
Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men"

Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"

Steve Carell, "The Office"

Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory"

Tony Shalhoub, "Monk"

Charlie Sheen, "Two and a Half Men"

Jemaine Clement, "Flight of the Conchords"

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Toni Collette, "United States of Tara"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "The New Adventures of Old Christine"
Tina Fey, "30 Rock"
Mary-Louise Parker, "Weeds"
Christina Applegate, "Samantha Who?"Sarah Silverman, "The Sarah Silverman Program"

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Kevin Dillon, "Entourage"
Neil Patrick Harris, "How I Met Your Mother"
Rainn Wilson, "The Office"
Tracy Morgan, "30 Rock"
Jack McBrayer, "30 Rock"
Jon Cryer, "Two and a Half Men"

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
William Shatner, "Boston Legal"
Christian Clemenson, "Boston Legal"
Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad"
William Hurt, "Damages"
Michael Emerson, "Lost"
John Slattery, "Mad Men"

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Kristin Chenowith, "Pushing Daisies"
Amy Poehler, "Saturday Night Live"
Kristin Wiig, "Saturday Night Live"
Jane Krakowski, "30 Rock"
Vanessa Williams, "Ugly Betty"
Elizabeth Perkins, "Weeds"

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Rose Byrne, "Damages"
Sandra Oh, "Grey's Anatomy"
Chandra Wilson, "Grey's Anatomy"
Dianne Wiest, "In Treatment"
Hope Davis, "In Treatment"
Cherry Jones, "24"

For the complete list of nominees: Click Here to visit the Emmy Web site.