Cable's big day: FX, Showtime and AMC make Emmy breakthrough

As shocking as it may seem, HBO is the only cable TV network in past Emmy history to score a nomination for best comedy or drama series. Finally, there is apt recognition for three gutsy cable channels airing brilliant new dramas (Showtime and FX for years). The Emmys have always been broadcast-biased awards. Cable TV wasn't even permitted to compete in any category till 1987 — that's six years after MTV played its first video, ominously titled "Video Killed the Radio Star." The Emmys' refusal to recognize cable TV adequately forced the creation of the Cable Ace Awards, which finally died in 1997.

(FX, Showtime, AMC)