CBS/AP/ July 18, 2013, 8:57 AM

Emmy nominations 2013: "House of Cards" makes history, "American Horror Story" leads

Updated 10:31 a.m. ET

The Netflix series "House of Cards" is making Emmy history.

The political intrigue saga received a best drama series nomination Thursday, marking the first time that television's top awards have recognized a program delivered online as equal in quality to the best that TV has to offer. It earned nine nominations in all, including acting bids for stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright.

"American Horror Story: Asylum" earned the most nominations, with 17. Close behind was "Game of Thrones" with 16 nods, while "Saturday Night Live" and the Liberace biopic "Behind the Candelabra" earned 15 nominations each, including nods for stars Michael Douglas and Matt Damon.

The bonanza of nominations for "Game of Thrones" -- is the show's most-ever -- includes a best drama series nod and three acting bids, including a supporting nod for previous Emmy winner Peter Dinklage.

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Another Netflix series, the new season of "Arrested Development," didn't earn a best comedy series but scored three nominations, including one for star Jason Bateman.

Joining "House of Cards" and "Game of Thrones" in the outstanding drama series category are "Breaking Bad," "Downton Abbey," "Mad Men" and last year's winner, "Homeland."

"Mad Men," which last year missed out on the best drama trophy that would have been its record-setting fifth, eclipsing fellow four-time winners "Hill Street Blues," "L.A. Law" and "The West Wing," gets another shot this year. "Boardwalk Empire" was the only show not to return in the category, its spot claimed by "House of Cards."

The nominees for outstanding comedy series are "The Big Bang Theory," "Girls," "Louie," "Modern Family, "Veep" and "30 Rock," which got recognized for its final season. Another departing show, "The Office," didn't receive a nomination in that category.

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Emmy Awards 2013: The nominees

Nominees for the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards were announced on Thursday morning, by actor Aaron Paul ("Breaking Bad") and Emmys host Neil Patrick Harris ("How I Met Your Mother"). Both received nominations -- Paul for supporting actor in a drama for "Breaking Bad" and Harris for hosting the Tony Awards.

Kate Mara ("House of Cards") had been scheduled to read the nominees' names with Paul, but her plane had a mechanical malfunction and couldn't take off from Santa Fe, where she is on location. Harris filled in for her.

"Special thanks to Kate Mara for getting me out of the house before my kids start screaming and crying," the "How I Met Your Mother" star said.

A six-year-old TV academy rules change allows online entries to compete with cable and broadcast programs, although so far Internet shows have popped up only in lower-profile categories. That changed with the 65th Primetime Emmys.

Joining Spacey in the contest for best drama series actor are Hugh Bonneville of "Downton Abbey"; Jon Hamm of "Mad Men"; Jeff Daniels of "The Newsroom" and Damian Lewis of "Homeland," last year's winner. Kevin Bacon, one of the big-screen stars trying their hand at TV, was not recognized in the category for "The Following."

Actresses nominated for their drama series work besides Wright include Vera Farmiga of "Bates Hotel"; Michelle Dockery of "Downtown Abbey"; Elisabeth Moss of "Mad Men"; Connie Britton of "Nashville"; Kerry Washington of "Scandal"; and last year's winner, Claire Danes from "Homeland."

In the comedy category, Bateman of "Arrested Development" is joined in the leading actor category by Jim Parsons of "The Big Bang Theory"; Matt LeBlanc of "Episodes"; Don Cheadle of "House of Lies"; Louis C.K. of "Louie"; and Alec Baldwin of "30 Rock." Last year's winner, Jon Cryer of "Two and a Half Men," didn't make the cut this year.

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Nominees for leading actress in a comedy series are Laura Dern of "Enlightened"; Lena Dunham of "Girls"; Edie Falco of "Nurse Jackie"; Amy Poehler of "Parks and Recreation"; Tina Fey of "30 Rock"; and last year's winner, Julia Louis-Dreyfus of "Veep."

Most of the 2012 trophy holders have a chance to repeat. Maggie Smith was nominated again as best supporting actress in a drama series for "Downton Abbey," which has brought her two trophies. Julie Bowen is up for supporting actress in a comedy for "Modern Family." However, Eric Stonestreet, who claimed the supporting actor award last year for the show, was snubbed while co-stars Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ed O'Neill and Ty Burrell got nods.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Emmy ceremony will air Sept. 22 on CBS.

© 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
14 Comments Add a Comment
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ahsobsessed says:
it's vera farmiga in bates motel not hotel you uncultured little *****
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Zoengert says:
I can't understand why The Newsroom doesn't sweep the Emmys every year! It is the best show i have ever seen. It is real and revealing. The writing and the acting are extraordinary. Am i living in an alternate universe?
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Mr-Gav-85 says:
Let's be serious the last season of walking dead didn't deserve to be nominated, I'm very pleased that the newsroom was nominated however, there is no reason that non cable TV providers can't produce a half decent script some decent actors and be contenders there is no need for all of this complaining about cable providers always winning because simply they produce better shows, I'm happy that american horror story has scored so well and it's nice to see a British show in there
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Jerzygirl45 says:
I'm surprised there was nothing for The Walking Dead - especially Michael Morissey or Lennie James
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lilcrumb033 replies:
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Walking Dead gets shafted way too much. Andrew Lincoln this season (Rick) had me in tears. You fans out there KNOW why.
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KateKate8 says:
Not ONE nominaton for The Borgias??! Ridiculous.
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Brox111 says:
Sons of Anarchy?
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Jerzygirl45 replies:
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Typical. Disappointing, but typical ;-(
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BystIA says:
Wow... So no Walking Dead. I'm not lame, but I feel it may be due to the lack of sexual content vis-a-vis "nip slips"?? Hmm... Andrew Lincoln makes me forget he is a Brit, he nails the Georgia accent! "It's like molasses rolling off of your tongue."

Alright, I'm done.
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JADEDNOSTALGIA says:
So I am not quite sure I agree with the above - these are the awards for best television - if it was split up, the awards for all those regular cable shows would be less meaningful. At the moment, it means something to be put in with the same calibre as the HBO and Showtime shows. The best is the best period. Yes there are HBO shows in there, no doubt, but there is proof in these nominations that it is not all in the name or the calibre of station. For instance, AMC is NOT a premium channel and frankly this season of Walking Dead did not deserve any nominations. I love the show but this season, on top of last season, was a grave disappointment. It ended with something they called a season finale but was nothing more than a regular episode. "Downton Abbey", "Mad Men", "Breaking Bad", "Big Bang Theory", "Modern Family" - ALL regular cable shows. I agree some people worth nominating aren't on this list and vice versa but so it is with any awards program.
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Resin-Smoker says:
Regular Channels should hurry up and die. As it is i no longer watch traditional TV and I gave up cable 3 years ago.

Havent looked back sinse.
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TDFro says:
I really don't think the premium channels, such as HBO and Showtime shows should be linked with regular channels like CBS, etc. Premium channels because they are paid for have a higher budget and more money. I think they should be different categories, "Best Drama premium" and "Best Drama Public", something like that. It's just not far to regular great TV shows.
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SoapboxSuzi replies:
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I agree with you completely. I say let the cable shows have their own emmys. I'm sick of the same old people getting nominations and wins over and over again simply because of their name and not necessariy because of their work. It's also hard to believe that the highest rated cable drama, The Walking Dead continues to fail to score a single nomination in any of the major categories.
TM101dotcom replies:
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Right, because CBS and the other big networks don't make enough money to compete with them. And @ SoapBox: Your sick of higher quality television getting nominated over lesser quality television?

Well thought out posts.

Though I do agree on the Walking Dead portion of your post.
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