As expected, “Mad Men” snagged an Emmy nomination Thursday as it began its bid for a record fifth outstanding drama series prize, while “Modern Family” earned a nod for best comedy as it seeks a record sixth win in the category.
“Mad Men” will compete for best drama series with “Better Call Saul,” “Downton Abbey,” “Game of Thrones,” “Homeland,” “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black.
The AMC period advertising drama won the Emmy in the category each of its first four seasons, but last won in 2011. It completed its run in May and has history on its side. Both “Breaking Bad,” the winner each of the past two years,” and “The Sopranos” won in their final seasons.
“Mad Men” is among three series to be a four-time winner, along with “Hill Street Blues,” “L.A. Law” and “The West Wing.”
This is the fourth year in a row that none of the nominees for outstanding drama series came from the major broadcast networks. “The Good Wife” was the most recent nominee from a major broadcast network.
“Modern Family” has won the outstanding comedy series Emmy for a record-tying five consecutive seasons. “Frasier” is the other five-time winner in the category.
The ABC comedy will compete for the honor this year with “Louie,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Silicon Valley,” “Transparent,” “Veep” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”
The 67th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, which honor programming initially airing between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. from June 1, 2014, to May 31, 2015, will be presented Sept. 20 at the Microsoft Theater (formerly the Nokia Theatre) with “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Andy Samberg as the host. The ceremony will be televised on Fox.
The bulk of the Primetime Emmys will be presented at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony Sept. 12, also at the Microsoft Theater.
— Wire reports