Emmy nominations announced... Same Old Story.

The nominations for the 61st annual Primetime Emmy Awards were announced today.

As usual, the TV Academy seems to be incredibly out of touch. The only surprises were the people and shows that were not nominated. The nominations contained alot of the same old names as in recent years.

NBC's '30 Rock' led the pack with 22 nominations, the most of any comedy series in TV history. Best Comedy Series was among the shows nominations.

Last year's Best Drama winner, 'Mad Men' had 16 nominations, including Best Drama Series once again.

Joining "30 Rock" in the best comedy category are HBO's long-running "Entourage," Fox's ribald animated "Family Guy," HBO's quirky "Flight of the Conchords," CBS' popular "How I Met Your Mother," perennial NBC nominee "The Office" and the Showtime drug comedy "Weeds."

Competing with "Mad Men" in the best drama series category are HBO's polygamy melodrama, "Big Love," and AMC's dark "Breaking Bad" – the two have never received nominations in this category before. Also nominated in this category: FX's legal drama, "Damages"; Showtime's lovable serial killer, "Dexter"; Fox's grouchy doctor, "House"; and ABC's enigmatic "Lost."

Notable snubs included no major nominations for the FX Drama 'The Shield.' The show's final season was a hit with critics and audiences alike.

HBO's True Blood was expected to garner many nominations, but instead received no major nominations as well.

Friday Night Lights was, as usual, also ignored in the major categories. The Academy continues to miss the boat on this one.

Critical favorite, but ratings challenged, 'Chuck' was also virtually ignored.

The TV Academy really needs to look at what they are doing. It's one thing to nominate the same people year after year if they are deserving. I can almost forgive 'The Shield' not getting a Best Drama series nomination because of the stiff competition in that category. But to give William Shatner another nomination at the expense of the magnificent performance of Walton Goggins is inexcusable.

Tony Shalhoub again? Really? Why not infuse the Best Actor in a Comedy Series with some new blood, although Jim Parsons for 'Big Bang Theory' was a step in the right direction. Zach Levi from 'Chuck' would have fit very nicely in this category. Adam Baldwin also would have been a nice mention in the Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, although I really can't complain about any of the nominees there.

In the Best Actor in a Drama category, Simon Baker for 'The Mentalist' was a bit of a surprise here. I would have gone with the often overlooked Matthew Fox who has yet to receive an Emmy nomination for his role as Jack on 'Lost.'

The 61st Annual Primetime Emmy's will air September 20th on CBS and will be hosted by nominee Neil Patrick Harris.