Emmys 2009 Snubs and Surprises

SNUB! Jay Leno

OK, so, he'll be back this fall in primetime, but still ... you'd think his final bow after 17 years of hosting 'The Tonight Show' would have garnered him a farewell nomination for the gig, but rival David Letterman was the lone late-night host on the Big Three to score a nod. Is this a sign of things to come?



AP

SURPRISE! Simon Baker

Simon Baker, who charmed millions of viewers on 'The Mentalist' this season, apparently charmed Emmy voters as well, earning a well-deserved Best Drama Actor nomination for the show's inaugural season. 'The Mentalist' may have missed out on Best Drama Series, but if season 2 can keep the momentum going (considering the show's moving to Thursdays, it should), we expect Baker to become a familiar face on Emmy noms morning.

CBS

SNUB! Katherine Heigl

She wants to leave the show, she wants to stay. She wants an Emmy, she doesn't. Looks like the 'Grey's Anatomy' star screwed herself out of a Best Supporting Actress nod by being so indecisive, despite being front and center with a decent storyline this season. But contrary to rumors, she'll be returning to the show -- so, better luck next time!

ABC

SURPRISE! Sarah Silverman

She's known for her knock-you-off-your-chair humor, but it's still a surprise that the acerbic comedian would land next to the likes of Tina Fey and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the category for the Best Actress in a Comedy. Let's just hope the 'Sarah Silverman Show' star is on her best behavior come Emmy night (or maybe we should hope she isn't -- that would be more fun).

Comedy Central

SNUB! 'Two and a Half Men'

After being nominated the past three years and continuing to be a critical and ratings juggernaut for CBS, how can the Emmys not reward the show again? The oversight sticks out like a sore thumb, especially considering that the flailing 'Entourage' is still hanging on. Oh well, at least Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer didn't get shut out of the acting categories.

CBS

SURPRISE! Jack McBrayer

It's about time! As the lovably geeky Kenneth the page on '30 Rock,' McBrayer brings a charming innocence to the series. A relative unknown, he's been able to hold his own against big dogs Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski (all nominated). We just hope the much deserved pat on the back doesn't cause him to hang up his page jacket anytime soon.

NBC

SNUB! America Ferrera

'Ugly Betty' may have stumbled last season, but it has gracefully picked itself up and dusted itself off. Apparently, though, it was too little too late for the actress to land a Lead Actress in a Comedy Series nomination. But like Betty herself, we're sure Ferrera will take it all in stride and put her best face forward.

ABC

SURPRISE! 'Family Guy'

'Family Guy' managed to pull off something not even 'The Simpsons' could do: land a nomination for Best Comedy Series. If that isn't shocking enough, it's only the second nomination ever for an animated series in this category. The first was for 'The Flintstones' in 1961.

Fox

SNUB! Jeremy Piven

The gleam is off Emmys' Golden Boy, who's been nominated for every season of 'Entourage' so far, winning the past three years. The empty-handedness could be because the series as a whole has been wearing thin ... but Kevin Dillon still nabbed a nod. So that kinda just leaves Piven's off-screen, overblown mercury poisoning claim to blame.



HBO

SURPRISE! Tom Colicchio and Padma Lakshmi

Don't get us wrong, 'Top Chef' is a terrific show, and Padma -- not to put too fine a point on it -- is smoking hot. But she seems like a lightweight amid the other reality-show host nominees ... plus, is Colicchio, who was nominated alongside her as co-host, really a host at all? Last time we checked, there was only one person telling contestants to "pack your knives and go."