‘Sopranos’ wakes up this morning to Emmy nods

Published Thursday, July 19, 2007

LOS ANGELES (AP) - "The Sopranos," the mob series that went to its grave with a shockingly inconclusive finale, found a happy ending today with 15 Emmy nominations including best drama.

The made-for-TV movie "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" led all nominees with 17 bids.

James Gandolfini, who played the emotionally conflicted mob boss on HBO’s "The Sopranos," and Edie Falco, who played his wife, both received top acting nominations.

Other best drama series were "Boston Legal," "Grey’s Anatomy," "House" and freshman sci-fi sensation "Heroes."

"The Sopranos" emerged with the most nominations for a series, followed by "Ugly Betty" with 11 and, with 10 each, sexy medical drama "Grey’s Anatomy" and critical favorite "30 Rock."

"Grey’s Anatomy," which came through a difficult year in which star Isaiah Washington was fired after twice using an anti-gay slur, wasn’t hurt when it came to Emmy bids. Besides best drama series, there were nominations for four supporting cast members and two guest actors.

While Washington was overlooked, co-star T.R. Knight, who said that Washington had directed the slur at him, did receive a supporting actor nod.

The miniseries "The Starter Wife" also was a top nominee with 10 bids.

The freshman hit, "Ugly Betty," based on a Colombian telenovela, made it into the ranks of best comedy series nominees. It’s joined by "Entourage," "30 Rock," "Two and a Half Men" and last year’s winner in the category, "The Office."

"Ugly Betty" star America Ferrera was recognized with a nod for her starring role.

Joining Gandolfini among lead drama series actor nominees were Hugh Laurie of "House," Denis Leary of "Rescue Me," James Spader of "Boston Legal" and last year’s winner Kiefer Sutherland of "24." Last year’s drama series was "24," but it was snubbed this time.

Falco will compete with Patricia Arquette of "Medium," Minnie Driver of "The Riches," Sally Field of "Brothers & Sisters," Kyra Sedgwick of "The Closer" and last year’s winner, Mariska Hargitay of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Sedgwick got the news immediately. She helped announce bids for the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in a ceremony at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre.

"She’s all ruffled. She didn’t know that was coming!" said Jon Cryer of Sedgwick, who flubbed her lines after announcing her own nomination.

"Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," adapted from Dee Brown’s nonfiction best-seller, received nominations for best made-for-TV movie, writing and for supporting acting. The film chronicles the Sioux victory at Little Big Horn and events leading up to the assassination of Sitting Bull and the Sioux massacre at Wounded Knee Creek in 1890.

"The Sopranos," which premiered in 1999 and had an on-and-off cable run, capped its final episode this year with an ambiguous ending that left fans in the dark about the fate of lead character Tony Soprano, last seen sitting in a diner with his wife and children. A suddenly black screen suggested sudden violence - or not.

Along with Ferrera in the lead comedy actress category were Felicity Huffman of "Desperate Housewives," Tina Fey of "30 Rock," Mary-Louise Parker of "Weeds" and last year’s winner, Julia Louis-Dreyfus of "The New Adventures of Old Christine."

Their actor counterparts included last year’s winner, Tony Shalhoub of "Monk," Ricky Gervais of "Extras," Steve Carell of "The Office," Charlie Sheen of "Two and a Half Men" and Alec Baldwin of "30 Rock."