Well, there but for the grace of GOB go they.  The 2012 Emmy nominations are out, and with them the usual squabbling over under-appreciated gems and the series that the academy seems to vomit awards upon without any inking of whether or not they deserve it.  Of course, some of the nominations are well deserved, and others pleasantly surprising, so who’s causing the biggest stir among TV viewers this year?

Though we have until September 3 to debate, this morning saw the announcement of the 2012 Emmy nominees, and as usual, they’ve got everyone up in a huff.  Precious little love for comedic gems like ‘Parks and Recreation‘ or ‘Community,’ while Jon Cryer once again ends up nominated for Leading Actor in a Comedy Series, and even Kathy Bates scored a guest not for her portrayal of the departed Charlie Sheen.

Plenty of nods in the mini-series department this year, including for The History Channel’s blood-feuding ‘Hatfields & McCoys,’ and that of ‘American Horror Story,’ counted here instead of as a typical drama.  And yes, before you ask, plenty of other dramas were snubbed, including ‘Fringe,’ ‘The Walking Dead,’ ‘Sons of Anarchy,’ ‘Justified,’ and even Emmy darling ‘The Good Wife‘ as far as best series!

We’ve included the major nominations below (for the FULL list check the website), as well as a bit of what we think on each category:

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES

  • ‘Boardwalk Empire’
  • ‘Breaking Bad’
  • ‘Downton Abbey’
  • ‘Mad Men’
  • ‘Homeland’
  • ‘Game of Thrones’

No real surprises here, and we’re glad that ‘Breaking Bad’ has a chance to compete this year, after being left out of 2011 for scheduling purposes.  ‘Homeland’ is also a welcome inclusion, but really?  No ‘The Good Wife?’  And call us crazy, but ‘Awake‘ should’ve gotten at least SOME love in any category.

LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

  • Kathy Bates – ‘Harry’s Law’
  • Glenn Close – ‘Damages’
  • Claire Danes – ‘Homeland’
  • Michelle Dockery – ‘Downton Abbey’
  • Julianna Marguiles – ‘The Good Wife’
  • Elizabeth Moss – ‘Mad Men’

In short?  Needs more Katey Sagal for ‘Sons of Anarchy.’  She did some of her finest work on the show this season, and nothing.  We’re rooting for either Claire Danes or Elizabeth Moss.  Also, Kathy Bates?  Really?  Emmy Rossum of ‘Shameless’ deserved that spot far more.

LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

  • Hugh Bonneville – ‘Downton Abbey’
  • Steve Buscemi – ‘Boardwalk Empire’
  • Bryan Cranston – ‘Breaking Bad’
  • Michael C. Hall – ‘Dexter’
  • Jon Hamm – ‘Mad Men’
  • Damian Lewis – ‘Homeland’

It’s a curious thing to see Michael C. Hall nominated yet again, considering the role hasn’t evolved much in the last few years, and ‘Dexter‘ has precious few other nominations.  And where’s Kelsey Grammer for his acclaimed role in ‘Boss?’  Still, all our base are belong to Bryan Cranston, even if someone manages to finally de-throne the king.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

  • Aaron Paul – ‘Breaking Bad’
  • Giancarlo Esposito – ‘Breaking Bad’
  • Brendan Coyle – ‘Downton Abbey’
  • Jim Carter – ‘Downton Abbey’
  • Jared Harris – ‘Mad Men’
  • Peter Dinklage – ‘Game of Thrones’

WHY WOULD YOU MAKE US CHOOSE THIS?  Seriously, a choice between Aaron Paul and Giancarlo Esposito could be explosive enough to blow half our faces off.  This would be a great year for Jared Harris given his ‘Mad Men‘ exit, and most people love ‘Downton Abbey,’ but Peter Dinklage is probably on the short list for the year.  And so much for our hope of ‘Fringe’s John Noble ever being recognized.

OUTSTANDING MINISERIES OR MOVIE

  • ‘American Horror Story’
  • ‘Game Change’
  • Hatfields & McCoys
  • ‘Hemingway & Gellhorn’
  • ‘Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia (Masterpiece)’
  • ‘Luther’

So really, of the nominees, which of these are actually mini-series or movies, and which were just submitted as such?  As much as we’d love to see ‘American Horror Story’ at the top, we suspect ‘Hatfields’ & McCoys’ will be quicker on the draw.

LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

  • Zooey Deschanel – ‘New Girl’
  • Lena Dunham – ‘Girls’
  • Edie Falco – ‘Nurse Jackie’
  • Tina Fey – ’30 Rock’
  • Julia Louis Dreyfus – ‘Veep’
  • Amy Poehler – ‘Parks And Recreation’
  • Melissa McCarthy – ‘Mike & Molly’

Quite a mouthful, no?  We’re at least happy that Amy Poehler got nominated if ‘Parks and Recreation’ couldn’t, and it’s impressive to see ‘Girls‘ and ‘Veep’ burning up the ballot so quickly.  Zooey Deschanel is far and away not the best part of ‘New Girl,’ and seriously, none of our ‘Community’ ladies?

LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

  • Alec Baldwin – ’30 Rock’
  • Don Cheadle – ‘House of Lies’
  • Louis C.K. – ‘Louie’
  • Jon Cryer – ‘Two and a Half Men’
  • Larry David – ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’
  • Jim Parsons – ‘The Big Bang Theory’
  • Don Cheadle – ‘House of Lies’

Don Cheadle?  Really?  Fantastic actor, but ‘House of Lies’ should be enough of a train wreck to pull him right into the ravine with it.  It’s also a bit strange to see Louis C.K. nominated as an actor, but the series itself not scoring for Outstanding Comedy.  The less said about Jon Cryer, and the continued snub of “Parks and Recreation’s Nick Offerman, the better.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

  • Ed O’Neill – ‘Modern Family
  • Jesse Tyler Ferguson – ‘Modern Family’
  • Ty Burrell – ‘Modern Family’
  • Eric Stonestreet – ‘Modern Family
  • Bill Hader – ‘Saturday Night Live’
  • Max Greenfield – ‘New Girl’

NOMINATE ALL THE ‘MODERN FAMILY!’  Ugh.  Well, at least Max Greenfield got a well-deserved nod for his role as Schmidt of ‘New Girl.’

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES

  • ‘The Big Bang Theory’
  • ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’
  • ‘Girls’
  • ‘Modern Family’
  • ’30 Rock’
  • ‘Veep’

We would like to remind you that ‘Community’ is not on this list, though the series did score a writing nod for “Remedial Chaos Theory,’ at least.  ‘Parks and Recreation’ is not on this list.  ‘Happy Endings’ is not on this list.  ‘Louie’ is not on this list.  ‘Two and a Half Men’ is not on this list, but we’re quite okay with that.  Anyone want to to take an over-under on ‘Girls’ taking home the gold?  Or will ‘The Big Bang Theory‘ and ‘Modern Family’ overpower it.

I’ve not watched a single episode of ‘Modern Family.’  I’m okay with that.

What say you?  Were there any more deserving shows or actors that belong in the nominations that you feel were left out?  Who got what they rightly deserved?  Sound off in the comments below, and we’ll tell you what we think!

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