It's Emmy time on Sunday (8 p.m. on Channel 10), and this year, some good shows even got nominated – with the major exception, as always, of "The Wire," but I don't want to start down that dark tunnel.

Anyway. Emmys. Sunday. Still lots to like.

However, I'm not so sure the new Outstanding Reality Host category is such a good idea. I'm even less sure about having the pack of them host the show. But the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences wants to look modern and cool, and that's what they came up with.

In any case, here are the major category nominees, and my picks.

Outstanding drama series: "Boston Legal" (ABC), "Damages" (FX), "Dexter" (Showtime), "House" (Fox), "Lost" (ABC), "Mad Men" (AMC).

Rick's pick: Six nominees, and still no "The Wire." Just saying. "Mad Men" tops the list for its dazzling look and tone, and for its mesmerizing story, characters, acting and writing. If the academy goes more mainstream, think "Lost."

Outstanding comedy series: "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO), "Entourage" (HBO), "The Office" (NBC), "30 Rock" (NBC), "Two and a Half Men" (CBS).

Rick's pick: Watching "The Office" is pure joy, but "30 Rock" was wild, funny and unpredictable, and it gets my vote. If I could actually vote.

Lead drama actress: Glenn Close ("Damages"), Sally Field ("Brothers & Sisters," ABC), Mariska Hargitay ("Law & Order: SVU," NBC), Holly Hunter ("Saving Grace," TNT), Kyra Sedgwick ("The Closer," TNT).

Rick's pick: Glenn Close's penetrating, unnerving portrayal of a master manipulator stands out.

Lead drama actor: Gabriel Byrne ("In Treatment," HBO), Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad," AMC), Jon Hamm ("Mad Men"), Hugh Laurie ("House"), James Spader ("Boston Legal").

Rick's pick: Hamm gets my pick because he's powerful and hypnotic to watch, and does it with subtlety.

Lead comedy actress: Christina Applegate ("Samantha Who?" ABC), Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("The New Adventures of Old Christine," CBS), America Ferrera ("Ugly Betty," ABC), Tina Fey ("30 Rock"), Mary-Louise Parker ("Weeds," Showtime).

Rick's pick: Fey is the class of a good field.

Lead comedy actor: Alec Baldwin ("30 Rock"), Steve Carell ("The Office"), Lee Pace ("Pushing Daisies," ABC), Tony Shalhoub ("Monk," USA), Charlie Sheen ("Two and a Half Men").

Rick's pick: Baldwin's smart/insane TV exec was terrific, and he's the likely winner. I still like Carell even more, because he's the core, and sometimes even the heart, of his superb show.

Supporting drama actress: Candice Bergen ("Boston Legal"), Rachel Griffiths ("Brothers & Sisters"), Sandra Oh ("Grey's Anatomy," ABC), Chandra Wilson ("Grey's Anatomy"), Dianne Wiest ("In Treatment").

Rick's pick: Wilson would be a solid choice. A better pick would be Griffiths, who makes her show better every time she's on screen.

Supporting drama actor: Ted Danson ("Damages"), Michael Emerson ("Lost"), Zeljko Ivanek ("Damages"), William Shatner ("Boston Legal"), John Slattery ("Mad Men").

Rick's pick: Among this bunch, Danson was staggeringly good and creepy, and Slattery is magic in every scene. Still, I'm going with Emerson, whose calm intensity added depth to "Lost."

Supporting comedy actress: Kristin Chenoweth ("Pushing Daisies"), Jean Smart ("Samantha Who?"), Amy Poehler ("Saturday Night Live"), Holland Taylor ("Two and a Half Men"), Vanessa Williams ("Ugly Betty").

Rick's pick: Poehler is the bright spot on "SNL." Everything she touches gets pizazz.

Supporting comedy actor: Jon Cryer ("Two and a Half Men"), Kevin Dillon ("Entourage"), Neil Patrick Harris ("How I Met Your Mother," CBS), Jeremy Piven ("Entourage"), Rainn Wilson ("The Office").

Rick's pick: I can't get enough of Wilson.

Outstanding reality host: Tom Bergeron ("Dancing With the Stars," ABC), Heidi Klum ("Project Runway," Bravo), Howie Mandel ("Deal or No Deal," NBC), Jeff Probst ("Survivor," CBS), Ryan Seacrest ("American Idol," Fox).

Rick's pick: Seacrest has the host gene, but Probst does it outside in the elements , plus he leaves you feeling better about liking him.

Call The Bee's Rick Kushman, (916) 321-1187. Listen to him Thursdays at 8:40 a.m. on NewsTalk 1530 (KFBK) and 8:50 a.m. on Armstrong & Getty, Talk 650 KSTE.