"Damages" and "Mad Men" became the first basic cable series to receive nominations for outstanding drama series as nominations for the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards were announced on Thursday.

"Damages," an FX legal drama starring Glenn Close, and "Mad Men, " an AMC drama about a New York City advertising agency in 1960, were joined by ABC's "Boston Legal" and "Lost," Showtime's Dexter" and Fox's "House" as nominees for outstanding drama series.

The nominees for outstanding comedy series are HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Entourage"; NBC's "The Office" and "30 Rock;" and CBS' "Two and a Half Men."

As usual, HBO led the field, garnering 85 nominations, with its miniseries "John Adams" leading all programs with 23 nominations. "30 Rock" led all broadcast series with 17 nominations.

ABC was second with 76 nominees, followed by CBS with 51, NBC with 50, Fox Broadcasting with 28, Showtime with 21 and AMC with 20.

The nominees for outstanding made-for-television movie are HBO' s "Bernard and Doris," "Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale" and "Recount;" Lifetime's "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" and ABC's "A Raisin in the Sun."

Joining "John Adams" in the outstanding miniseries category are A&E's "The Andromeda Strain;" PBS' "Masterpiece Theatre" presentation of "Cranford," and Sci Fi Channel's "Tin Man."

The nominees for outstanding lead actor in a drama are James Spader from "Boston Legal;" Bryan Cranston from "Breaking Bad;" Michael C. Hall from "Dexter;" Hugh Laurie from "House;" Gabriel Byrne from "In Treatment" and Jon Hamm from "Mad Men."

The nominees for outstanding lead actress in a drama are Sally Field from "Brothers & Sisters," the winner last year; Kyra Sedgwick from "The Closer;" Glenn Close from "Damages;" Mariska Hargitay from "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and Holly Hunter from "Saving Grace."

The nominees for outstanding lead actor in a comedy are Tony Shalhoub from "Monk;" Steve Carell from "The Office;" Lee Pace from "Pushing Daises;" Alec Baldwin from "30 Rock;" and Charlie Sheen from "Two and a Half Men."

The nominees for outstanding lead actress in a comedy are Julie Louis-Dreyfus from "The New Adventures of Old Christine;" Christina Applegate from "Samantha Who?;" Tina Fey from "30 Rock;" America Ferrera from "Ugly Betty" and Mary Louise-Parker from " Weeds."

Among the changes in this year's awards is the addition of an Emmy for outstanding host for a reality or reality-competition program. The nominees are Ryan Seacrest from "American Idol;" Tom Bergeron from "Dancing with the Stars;" Howie Mandel from "Deal or No Deal;" Heidi Klum from "Project Runway;" and Jeff Probst from " Survivor."

The nominations cover programs that initially aired between June 1, 2007, and May 31 this year.

Of the 51 nominees for comedy and drama programs, and lead and supporting performers, 21 were not among last year's nominees, a 40 percent change.

The 60th annual Primetime Emmy Awards will be presented Sept. 21 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, with winners in 29 categories announced. Winners in 64 categories will be presented at the 60th Creative Arts Emmy Awards Sept. 13 at the same venue.

(CRI July 18, 2008)