‘Lost’ in race for Emmy’s best drama

Ten drama series and 10 comedies emerged as the top vote-getters in balloting by members of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the academy said yesterday.

The final five nominees in each category will be determined after blue-ribbon panels screen submitted episodes this weekend, with results to be announced July 17. The awards will be held in September.

Joining "Lost" on the best-drama list: "Boston Legal," "Damages," "Dexter," "Friday Night Lights," "Grey's Anatomy," "House," "Mad Men," "The Tudors" and "The Wire."

Semifinalists for best comedy: "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Entourage," "Family Guy," "Flight of the Conchords," "The Office," "Pushing Daisies," "30 Rock," "Two and a Half Men," "Ugly Betty" and "Weeds."

"The Wire," the HBO drama that traces urban decay through the stories of police and drug dealers in Baltimore, has a last shot at ending years of Emmy snubs: It recently wrapped its fifth and final season.

Basic cable also has the chance for a breakthrough this year, with AMC's "Mad Men" and FX's "Damages" among the semifinalists. Although premium channels like HBO routinely field nominees, a basic cable series has yet to nab a best drama or comedy series bid, the academy said.

Last year's group of nominees was dominated by network series, although "The Sopranos" went out with a blaze of glory and claimed the best-drama trophy.

"Family Guy" has the chance to achieve what has eluded even stellar veteran "The Simpsons": a best comedy series bid. "Family Guy" is on the short list for the category, and also submitted a special episode for best animated program longer than an hour.

Among snubbed series were "Desperate Housewives" and "Heroes," a nominee last year that failed to make even the top-10 cut this time around.