As we head into the last six weeks of the Emmy eligibility period, here's my latest rundown on who's ahead in the battle over best drama series. Remember: there will be six or seven nominees this year instead of the usual five and all will be chosen by a popular vote of the 13,000 members of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Judging panels won't be involved as they were the previous three Emmy years.

At this point, I think the seven with the best shot are "Damages," "Dexter," "House M.D.," "In Treatment," "Lost," "Mad Men" and "24." But our forums modeator Robert "Rob L" Licuria dares to disagree with me. See the predix at his site AwardsHeaven.net.

* = Top 10 Semi-Finalist in 2008

** = Nominee in 2008

FRONT-RUNNERS
"Big Love" (HBO)
"Boston Legal" (ABC) **
"Breaking Bad" (AMC)
"Damages" (FX) **
"Dexter" (Showtime) **
"ER" (NBC)
"Friday Night Lights" (DirecTV/NBC) *
"Grey's Anatomy" (ABC) *
"House M.D." (Fox) **
"In Treatment" (HBO)
"Lost" (ABC) **
"Mad Men" (AMC ** (Winner in 2008)
"Rescue Me" (FX)
"The Tudors" (Showtime) *
"24" (Fox)

POSSIBLE
"Battlestar Galactica" (Sci-Fi)
"Brothers and Sisters" (ABC)
"The Closer" (TNT)
"CSI" (CBS)
"Heroes" (NBC)
"Law & Order: SVU" (NBC)
"Lie to Me" (Fox)
"The Mentalist" (CBS)
"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" (HBO)
"Saving Grace" (TNT)
"The Shield" (FX)
"Southland" (NBC)
"True Blood" (HBO)
"The Unusuals" (ABC)