The producers of "Family Guy" came so close to being nominated for best comedy series at the Emmys last year that they plan to try it again, Gold Derby has learned exclusively.

However, there's a glitch — and a major sacrifice the show must now make. Last year, due to a quirk in the Emmy rules, "Family Guy" was able to gamble on nabbing a bid for best comedy without abandoning the separate race for best animated program. The latter category permits ongoing series to compete against stand-alone specials. Since "Family Guy" had a notable special — its celebrated "Star Wars" spoof titled "Blue Harvest" — it could enter that for best animated program (it lost to "South Park's" Imaginationland") while also entering "Family Guy" for best comedy series ("30 Rock" won). "Family Guy" will not be eligible in the race for best animated program this year.

"Family Guy" didn't get nominated for best laffer last year, but it came close. It was one of the top 10 semi-finalists after a popular vote of the TV academy's 13,000 members. There won't be a semi-finalist run-off this year since judging panels will no longer determine nominees after screening sample episodes, but the number of nominees will be increased to six or seven from the usual five, thus giving "Family Guy" some Emmy hope.

But perhaps it's only slim hope. Obviously, there's a bias against animated fare at the Emmys just like the Oscars, which recently had to create a separate category for best animated feature after repeated, embarrassing snubs in the best picture race. Only one animated film has ever been nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards: "Beauty and the Beast" (1991). At the Emmys, only one animated show has ever been nominated for best comedy or drama series: "The Flintstones" (1961). Alas, "The Jack Benny Show" got the last laugh back then.

Not too long ago "The Simpsons" tried what "Family Guy" is attempting. After sweeping the animation race in the early 1990s, "The Simpsons" moved over to compete in the comedy category, but got shut out in 1993 and 1994. Then frustrated producers gave up in 1995 and moved back to animation.

All three of our spies not only report that "Family Guy" got raves from Emmy judges during screenings this weekend, but they — oh, shockeroo! — predict it'll be nominated for best comedy series.

Yep, all three. That's unanimous. How can they possibly be wrong?

Answer: By forgetting the history of showbiz awards and glossing over how Emmy voting works.

Animation seldom gets serious respect at these kudos. That's why the Oscars and Emmys had to create separate categories for that fare. Only once has a cartoon flick been nominated for best picture at the Oscars (READ MORE — or see blog post below about "Wall-E"). And the equivalent has only occurred at the Emmys once in the past — back when "The Flintstones" scored a shocking bid for best comedy series in 1961. The L.A. Times got so excited that TV critic Cecil Smith predicted it would win, but, alas, "The Jack Benny Show" got the last laugh.

Not too long ago "The Simpsons" tried what "Family Guy" is attempting. After sweeping the animation race in the early 1990s, "The Simpsons" moved over to compete in the comedy category, but got shut out in 1993 and 1994. Then frustrated producers gave up in 1995 and moved back to animation.

Considering all of the media hoopla surrounding "The Simpsons" Emmy switcheroo back then, it's a good guess that, if a Top 10 semifinal runoff existed, the rascally cartoon probably would've made it. But, alas, it didn't get nominated among the final five. Why does anyone now believe that "Family Guy" can do what the mighty "Simpsons" — the longest-running cartoon in primetime TV history — couldn't?

Let's walk through the voting scenario. In order for "Family Guy" to be nominated, it needs to land in the top five after accountants combine tallies of the original popular vote with results of the judges' scoring.

Considering the general low regard of animation at showbiz awards, it's logical to assume that "Family Guy" probably ranked eighth, ninth or 10th in the popular vote. In order to be nominated, it needs to land in the top three of judges' scores. None of three judges we polled this weekend gave it their highest score (10 points). Our secret judge No. 1 ranked it eighth. Secret judge No. 2 ranked it third. Secret judge No. 3 ranked it fourth.

In other words, just because the "Padre de Famila" episode of "Family Guy" got one of the most enthusiastic responses from Emmy judges doesn't mean that the vast majority of those judges ranked it high on their ballots.

You do the math. Now re-do your Emmy predix.

(Photos: ABC/Fox)

Why, oh why, don't the producers of "Family Guy" just talk to their kin down the hallway at Fox TV who produce "The Simpsons"? Is rivalry between them that tense? Right now "Family Guy's" Emmy drama is like a scene in a scary movie where the characters won't listen as you scream, "Don't go in the attic!"

Horrified over having lost the Emmy for best animated program three times (twice to "The Simpsons," once to "South Park") and not being nominated at all last year, "Family Guy" has decided to switch to the contest for best comedy series this year.

Noooooo! Don't go there! Memo to producers: Don't you recall what happened when "The Simpsons" tried that back in the 1990s?

At first "The Simpsons" wasn't permitted to go there and the uproar resulted in angry pickets marching outside the Pasadena Civic Auditorium demanding that the Emmys "SET 'THE SIMPSONS' FREE!"

After winning best animated show in 1990 and 1991, "Simpsons" Executive Producer James L. Brooks said that the cartoon's creative team resented the academy's "get to the back of the bus" attitude. "The Simpsons" should be able to compete with the "grown-up" shows, he added. "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening admitted, "It's just not that much of a thrill beating 'Garfield' every year."

However, having no other choice in 1992, "The Simpsons" again entered the Emmy race for best animated show and the L.A. Times warned, "If it doesn't win this Emmy again, there should be an investigation by the CIA, FBI, the NCAA, [independent presidential candidate] Ross Perot's private eyes, someone!"

Emmy watchers feared that "The Simpsons" might lose to popular new gross-out cartoon Ren & Stimpy. Instead it lost to "A Claymation Easter."

"Scandalous!" cried Yeardley Smith, who performs the voice of Lisa Simpson.

Groening vowed never to forgive voters, warning, "Hollywood thrives on hurt feelings and lingering bitterness."

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