More Emmy contenders

The Television Academy of Arts & Sciences announced its list of semifinalists for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. The group will be whittled down to five nominees, who will be announced July 17.

Outstanding Supporting Actress - Drama Series - Shortlist:
Jane Alexander - "Tell Me You Love Me"

Candice Bergen - "Boston Legal"

Rose Byrne - "Damages"

Jill Clayburgh - "Dirty Sexy Money"

Sharon Gless - "Burn Notice"

Rachel Griffiths - "Brothers and Sisters"

Christina Hendricks - "Mad Men"

S. Epatha Merkerson - "Law and Order"

Sandra Oh - "Grey's Anatomy"

Dianne Wiest - "In Treatment"

Chandra Wilson - "Grey's Anatomy"

Academy announces more Emmy semifinalists

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has announced its shortlist of actors in contention for the 2008 Emmy categories of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. The final nominees will be announce July 17.

The Academy decided to disclose the semifinalists since the information is often leaked to the press, anyway. Last week the contenders for Outstanding Comedy and Drama Series were announced.


Lead Actress - Comedy - Semifinalists:
Christina Applegate - "Samantha Who"
Marcia Cross - "Desperate Housewives"
America Ferrera - "Ugly Betty"
Tina Fey - "30 Rock"
Anna Friel - "Pushing Daisies"
Felicity Huffman - "Desperate Housewives"
Eva Longoria - "Desperate Housewives"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - "The New Adventures of Old Christine"
Mary Louise-Parker - "WEEDS"
Sarah Silverman - "The Sarah Silverman Program"

Lead Actor - Drama - Semifinalists:
Naveen Andrews - "Lost"

Christian Clemenson - "Boston Legal"
Ted Danson - "Damages"

Bruce Dern - "Big Love"
Michael Emerson - "Lost"
Zeljko Ivanek - "Damages"
T.R. Knight - "Grey's Anatomy"
William Shatner - "Boston Legal"

John Slattery - Mad Men

Blair Underwood - "In Treatment"

Jake Weber - "Medium"

Emmy Award finalists

In an unprecedented move, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has revealed the top 10 finalists for the Emmy Awards categories of best comedy and best drama, TV Week reported.

Comedy Finalists:

- "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

- "Entourage"

- "Family Guy"

- "Flight of the Conchords"

- "The Office"

- "Pushing Daisies"

- "Two and a Half Men"

- "Ugly Betty"

- "Weeds"

Drama Finalists:
- "Boston Legal"

- "Damages"

- "Dexter"

- "Friday Night Lights"

- "Grey’s Anatomy"

- "House"

- "Lost"

- "Mad Men"

- "The Tudors"

The Academy will determine a short list of five shows for each category, although as many as seven could be selected if voting is close. Officials said they decided to reveal the top 10 this year since last year the information was leaked early. The final nominees will be announced at 8:40 a.m. ET on July 17.

Britney's Out in Vegas!

Britney Spears, 26, was spotted lounging poolside in Vegas at the Palms Casino & Resort with a few friends on Friday. She was in town to celebrate Father's Day weekend with her dad, Jamie Spears.

Spears looked great at the pool rocking an Ed Hardy two-piece bikini. Go, Britney! Stay out of those tabloids, we're rooting for her!

In other news, Spears is reportedly one of 41 actresses on the long list of Emmy nominees for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series.

Her two appearances on CBS's "How I Met Your Mother" were ratings gold for the show, which was in danger of being cancelled.

The short list of Emmy nominations will be announced on July 17.