By Jeffrey Jolson

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 7/17/08 — “John Adams” took a shocking 23 Emmy nominations for the 60th annual primetime Emmys this morning, probably more votes than the statesman could muster in the political backrooms during his contentious helm as an American founding father—giving the HBO miniseries its drama and conflict.

AMC’s “Mad Men” took 16 noms, top among drama series, while NBC’s intelligent comedy “30 Rock” was the top voted series overall, with 17 Emmy bids. Good on you, Tina Fey.

“Lost,” left out of the major balloting last year, is in for best drama this year, along with “House” and “Boston Legal.”

Key oversights include NBC’s “Friday Night Lights” and the final season of HBO’s critically acclaimed “The Wire.”

This year’s primary telecast will air Sept. 21 on ABC. The event will take place for the first time at the Nokia Theatre.

Nominations for the 60th annual Primetime Emmy Awards

COMEDY SERIES
“30 Rock” (NBC)
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO)
“Entourage” (HBO)
“The Office” (NBC)
“Two and a Half Men” (CBS)

DRAMA SERIES
“Boston Legal” (ABC)
“Damages” (FX)
“Dexter” (Showtime)
“House” (Fox)
“Lost” (ABC)
“Mad Men” (AMC)

ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Alec Baldwin — “30 Rock” (NBC)

Steve Carrel “The Office” (NBC)

Lee Pace “Pushing Daisies” (ABC)

Charlie Sheen — “Two and a Half Men” (CBS)

Tony Shaloub – “Monk” (USA)

ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Gabriel Byrne — “In Treatment” (HBO)
Bryan Cranston — “Breaking Bad” (AMC)
Michael C. Hall — “Dexter” (Showtime)
Jon Hamm — “Mad Men” (AMC)
Hugh Laurie — “House” (Fox)
James Spader — “Boston Legal” (ABC)

ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Christina Applegate — “Samantha Who?”(ABC)
America Ferrera — “Ugly Betty” (ABC)
Tina Fey — “30 Rock” (NBC)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus — “New Adventures of Old Christine” (ABC)
Mary-Louise Parker — “Weeds” (Showtime)

ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Glenn Close — “Damages” (FX)
Sally Field — “Brothers & Sisters” (ABC)
Mariska Hargitay — “Law and Order: SVU” (NBC)
Holly Hunter — “Saving Grace” (TNT)
Kyra Sedgwick — “The Closer” (TNT)

REALITY HOST
Tom Bergeron – “Dancing With the Stars”
Heidi Klum – “Project Runway”
Howie Mandel – “Deal or No Deal”
Jeff Probst – “Survivor”
Ryan Seacrest – “American Idol”