LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Emmy nominations are out and "Mad Men" and "American Horror Story" are leading the pack.
"Mad Men," a piercingly bleak portrait of a 1960s American anti-hero, earned a leading 17 Emmy nominations Thursday and the chance to set a new record as the most-honored drama in television history.
"Mad Men," which has won four best drama series trophies and is tied with "Hill Street Blues," ''L.A. Law" and "The West Wing," received a fifth bid in the category.
The miniseries "American Horror Story," a nightmarish saga about a haunted house, received a matching 17 awards, including an acting nod for star Connie Britton.
"Portlandia" was nominated for outstanding directing in a variety series and outstanding writing for a variety series.
Ashland native Ty Burrell was nominated for best supporting actor in a comedy series for his role in "Modern Family."
Other leading nominees include the elegant British-born soap opera "Downton Abbey," which earned 16 bids, and two miniseries, "Hatfields & McCoys," with 16, and "Hemingway & Gellhorn" with 15.
"Modern Family," honored as best comedy series for the past two years, was the sitcom leader with 14 bids, but the category also saw an infusion of girl power.
Breakout comedies with women at their center — in fashion after the box-office success of "Bridesmaids" — proved alluring to Emmy voters.
"Girls," creator-star Lena Dunham's darkly comedic coming-of-age New York story, received a best comedy nod and an acting nomination for its star, Lena Dunham. Zooey Deschanel's offbeat charm in "New Girl" earned her an acting bid.
"Girls" is HBO's "current spin on 'Sex and the City,' which was a strong past Emmy favorite," said Tom O'Neil, editor of the Gold Derby awards website.
Emmy darling Julia Louis-Dreyfus, with past wins for "Seinfeld" and "New Adventures of Old Christine," earned an acting nod for "Veep."
Betty White, 90, brought her brand of female empowerment to the nominations, earning a best reality series host nod for "Betty White's Off Their Rockers." A no-show in the category was perennial winner Jeff Probst of "Survivor."
Top nominations were announced by Kerry Washington of "Scandal" and by Jimmy Kimmel, who will host the awards and who filled in Thursday for Nick Offerman of "Parks and Recreation," who was held up by weather-related travel delays on the East Coast.
"This is a sex dream, isn't it," joked Kimmel, ABC's late-night host, who arrived on stage at the TV academy dressed in pajamas.
The Emmy ceremony is scheduled to air on ABC on Sept. 23.
