Basic cable TV makes historic breakthrough at Emmy nominations

Biggest (nice) Emmy Awards surprise: Not only did FX network's "Damages" and AMC's "Mad Men" get nominated for best drama series, as widely predicted, but Showtime's "Dexter" did too. So all three now reign as the first non-HBO cable series ever to be nominated for either best drama or comedy at the Emmys.

Meantime, terrible news for HBO: This is the first time since 1998 that the pay channel doesn't have a show in the lineup for best drama series at the Emmy nominations! Since "The Sopranos" appeared in the race in 1999, it and/or its network kin "Deadwood" or "Six Feet Under" filled at least one slot. On two occasions, HBO had two shows in the drama series category: 2005 ("Deadwood" and "Six Feet Under") and 2003 ("The Sopranos," "Six Feet Under").

Basic cable also did better than ever in the lead acting races at the Emmy nominations. (I haven't done the math yet in the supporting slots.) If my counting is correct, there are nine actors from basic-cable TV series up for best lead actor or actress in a drama or comedy series. The previous record was eight for 2007 and 2003. Happily, there's one great shockeroo here to make the TV critics dance: Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad"), who never won an Emmy for portraying a different kind of wigged-out dad in "Malcolm in the Middle."

The absence of "Family Guy" in the comedy series category is my biggest personal disappointment. If it had made it, "Family Guy" would've become the first cartoon series nominated for best comedy series since "The Flintstones" in 1961. To read about more Emmy snubs, CLICK HERE.