"Of course, they should release the list of Emmy finalists!" Jane Kaczmarek harrumphed when she telephoned to say where she stands on how the TV academy should deal with the new Emmy voting system. "More people will be excited about the Emmys if they know more about them, including the people on the lists who won't end up getting a nomination. At least they'll know that they were seriously considered. That's great."

Jane was among the half dozen actors who I asked to speak up on this issue, all performers who — I think — are on those finalist lists. So far the others have dodged me — cowards! — but leave it to the gal who played TV's gutsiest mom on "Malcolm in the Middle" not to weenie out.

"Frankly, I don't expect to get nominated this year," she added. "There's so much competition. It's fierce. If I don't get in, that's OK. I've had six nominations for every previous year of the show. That's a terrific run. I'm happy."

In addition to noting heavy competition, Jane cited a second reason why she might get bumped: the new voting system probably doesn't favor actors whose last names land in the first half of the alphabet.

"I have this theory about why, for example, Eva Longoria and Debra Messing weren't nominated for comedy actress last year," she said. "When voters get the lists of eligible actresses, it's alphabetical. You get to check off five names. Look at last year. Marcia Cross, Teri Hatcher, Patricia Heaton, Felicity Huffman, Jane Kaczmarek. By the time you get to the 'L' for Longoria or the 'M' for Messing, you've already checked off your choices and, let's face it, people are too lazy to go back and erase. Lucky for me my last name begins with 'K.'

"I admit that there's one apparent flaw in my theory," she added. "I happen to be married to someone whose last name begins with 'W' and who won an Emmy. But I'm sure that they consider Bradley Whitford such a brilliant actor that they had to recognize him, of course!"

If Jane gets snubbed, she'll probably have an excellent chance to return next year, but in the supporting category. Even though she planned to take time off from TV after "Malcolm" ended so she could spend more time at home with Bradley and their three kids, she agreed to take a bit part in Ted Danson's new series. In "Help Me Help You," the former "Cheers" bartender plays a grumpy psychiatrist who spends most of his TV air time interacting with his group therapy clients, but he has some personal business of his own he needs to work out: a lingering itch for his ex-wife (Jane).

"It was just supposed to be a small part in the pilot episode," she said. "I didn't want to do anything more than that, but the producers said that, you know, if I liked it, and it worked out, maybe it could become a recurring role. Now it looks like that's how it's turning out and it's terrific because I only shoot two days a week at most. I've got the rest of the time to be at home with my family. Perfect!"

Photo: "The role I play in Ted Danson's new series is tough like Lois was on 'Malcolm,' but she has a different sensibility and a new haircut," Jane revealed about her latest job and possible next Emmy nomination.
(Fox)