"Lost" won best network series for the fifth time in six years at the Saturn Awards Thursday. Among those shows it beat was 2007 champ "Heroes," which also left the airwaves this year. Also going down to defeat were returning nominee "Fringe" and first-time contenders "Chuck," "The Ghost Whisperer" and "The Vampire Diaries."

These kudos began handing out TV awards in 1989, and "Star Trek: The Next Generation" was the first honoree. More than two decades later, the genres of sci-fi, fantasy, horror and action/adventure/thriller are well-represented on television.

"Lost" combines all of these elements and led at this year's Saturn Awards with eight nominations, including seven acting bids. After losing three times in the supporting category, "Lost" lone wolf Josh Holloway jumped up to lead and won. Among those he edged out was costar Matthew Fox, who had taken two of his last four bids, and "Dexter" star Michael C. Hall, who had won this award with the first of his three previous nominations.

Returning nominee Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") will have to content himself with his two Emmys and wins this year for his show in the cable/syndicated series and supporting actor (Aaron Paul) categories. Departing "Dexter" co-star Julie Benz won the supporting actress award.

The Saturn Awards began handing out TV kudos in 1989, and "Star Trek: The Next Generation" was the first honoree. More than two decades later, the genres of sci-fi, fantasy, horror and action/adventure/thriller are all well-represented on television. As one show, "Lost"," seems to combine all of these elements, it is only appropriate that it leads at this year's Saturn Awards with eight nominations. It is contending for best network series and has seven acting nominations.

"Lost" -- which won the top award for four of its first five seasons -- contends against 2007 champ "Heroes" (one acting nom), returning nominee "Fringe" (three acting bids) and first-time nominees "Chuck" and "The Ghost Whisperer" -- both of which got one acting nom -- and "The Vampire Diaries."

Among the cable/syndicated series contenders, 2008 champ "Dexter," "Breaking Bad" and "True Blood" all have five nominations (series plus four acting bids). "Leverage" has three nominations (series plus two acting bids), "The Closer" has two (series and one acting nom) while "Battlestar Galactica" -- which won three of its four series bids including last year's -- returns to the race for its final season without any nominations for its performers, including last year's lead acting champs Mary McDonnell and Edward James Olmos.

Lead actor nominee Matthew Fox has won two of his last four bids while "Dexter" star Michael C. Hall won the first of his three previous nominations. Looking for a first win is returning nominee Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad"). The newcomers to the race are Zachary Levi ("Chuck"), Stephen Moyer ("True Blood") and David Tennant ("Doctor Who").

"Lost" leading lady Evangeline Lilly has lost all four of her races, twice to Jennifer Love Hewitt, star of "The Ghost Whisperer," who contends again this year. Her competition also includes four-time contender Kyra Sedgwick ("The Closer"), returning nominees Anna Paquin ("True Blood") and Anna Torv ("Fringe") and newcomer Anna Gunn ("Breaking Bad").

Members of the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror decide on both nominees and the winners, which will be announced June 25. Begun in 1972 to honor often overlooked films, the organization has expanded its reach in recent years, adding TV awards in 1989 and DVD honors in 2003.

For the full list of nominees, visit the academy's website.

Photo: "Lost" publicity still. Credit: ABC

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