The Emmy’s expanded categories from five to six (or sometimes seven), opening slots for many shows and actors who had never been there before.

In the comedy series arena, four of the seven nominees are new to Emmy land: the delightful CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother,” the first animated series to be nominated since “The Flintstones” in “Family Guy” on Fox, Showtime’s “Weeds” and in a bit of a surprise, HBO’s critically acclaimed but modestly rated “Flight of the Conchords.” The three others have been around the block before: “The Office,” (NBC), last year’s winner “30 Rock” (NBC) and “Entourage.” (HBO)

The drama category featured four cable shows: HBO’s “Big Love,” AMC’s “Breaking Bad,” FX’s “Damages,” Fox’s “House,” ABC’s “Lost” and AMC’s “Mad Men.” (which won last year)

Atlanta-based TNT, again, nabbed two nominations in the female lead actress in a drama with Holly Hunter (”Saving Grace”) and Kyra Sedgwick (”The Closer”). This is Hunter’s second nomination in this category, Kyra’s fourth. Sweet Elisabeth Moss from “Mad Men” got her first nod, but she’s against some tough returnees: prior winner Mariska Hargitay (”Law & Order: SVU” on NBC), Sally Field (”Brothers & Sisters” on ABC) and Glenn Close (”Damages”), who won last year.

Simon Baker, who starred in the biggest new show of 2008-09 “The Mentalist” on CBS, joined the men’s club among lead actors in a drama. Bryan Cranston, last year’s surprise winner from “Breaking Bad” is back, joined by Michael C. Hall (”Dexter”), Hugh Laurie (”House”), Gabriel Byrne (”In Treatment” on HBO) and Jon Hamm (”Mad Men”).

It was heartening to see Jim Parsons, who plays the neurotically hilarious Sheldon on CBS’s “Big Bang Theory,” get his first nomination in the best actor in a comedy category. Another surprise was Jemaine Clement for “Flight of the Conchords.” The other four were repeat nominees: Tony Shalhoub for “Monk,” Steve Carell for “The Office,” Alec Baldwin for “30 Rock” and Charlie Sheen for “Two and a Half Men.”

Among women, Sarah Silverman (Comedy Central’s “The Sarah Silverman Show”) and Toni Collette (Showtime’s “The United States of Tara”) were newbies. The others have had their time in the sun before including Christina Applegate (the now cancelled ABC sitcom “Samantha Who?”), previous winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“The New Adventures of Old Christine” on CBS), Mary Louis-Parker (”Weeds”) and Tina Fey (”30 Rock”), the 2008 winner.

Kiefer Sutherland, for the first time since “24″ started (and when he qualified), did not get a nomination for best actor in a drama, though he did get a nomination for best actor in a miniseries or movie for “24: Redemption.”

The reality show nominees are the same as last year: “American Idol,” (Fox) “Dancing With the Stars,” (ABC) “Top Chef,” (Bravo) “Project Runway” (was Bravo, now Lifetime) and perennial winner “The Amazing Race” (CBS)

Among variety/talk shows, the same five nominees from last year were out in force: 2008 winner “The Daily Show,” (Comedy Central), “The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central), “Real Time With Bill Maher” (HBO), “Saturday Night Live” (NBC) and “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS). Jay Leno never gets any love in this category, eh?

A local tie: former Conyers man Jack McBrayer was nominated for best male actor in a comedy.

Winners are named September 20 on CBS, with Neil Patrick Harris (”How I Met Your Mother”) the host.

“30 Rock” took home the most nominations overall with 22. “Mad Men” grabbed 16, the most among dramas.

TNT also received a few other nods:

— “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story” got noms for “Outstanding Cinematography For a Miniseries Or Movie,” “Outstanding Hairstyling For a Miniseries or Movie,” “Outstanding Sound Mixing For a Miniseries or Movie,” and “Outstanding Makeup For a Miniseries or Movie” (Non-Prosthetic)

— “Christmas in Washington” for “Outstanding Music Direction”

— “The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice” for “Outstanding Costumes For a Miniseries, Movie Or a Special,” “Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie” for Bob Newhart, and “Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries or Movie”

Cartoon Network/Adult Swim got three nominations:

— ”Robot Chicken” for “Outstanding Voice-Over Performance” and ‘Outstanding Animated Program” (one hour or less)

— ”Destination Imagination” for “Outstanding Animated Program” (one hour or more)

TBS didn’t get a single nomination. This is not an area where Tyler Perry is going to get much love.

“Heroes” on NBC, which used to be well loved but has been drubbed lately by critics and viewers, got two minor Emmy noms. Another show which is still getting decent ratings but is aging, ABC’s “Desperate Housewives,” also got two minor Emmy noms as well. How about “Grey’s Anatomy?” Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson got supporting actress nods for a drama series.

The final season of FX’s “The Shield” and “Battlestar Galactica” were also snubbed.