"The Office," "30 Rock" favored for Emmy nods

"The Office," "30 Rock," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Pushing Daisies" are among the favorites to earn Emmy nominations for best comedy series when the nominations for the 60th annual Emmy awards are announced Thursday morning.

Kristin Chenoweth ("Pushing Daisies") and Neil Patrick Harris ("How I Met Your Mother) will reveal the nominees along with TV academy Chairman John Shaffner at the academy's Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in North Hollywood.

With longtime Emmy favorite "The Sopranos" finally sleeping with the fishes, the best dramatic series category is wide open. Among the shows expected to garner nods are "Mad Men," "The Wire," "Grey's Anatomy," "Lost," "Damages" and "Friday Night Lights."

Due to the crippling Writers Guild of America strike, the television season was cut short with several series -- including the acclaimed "Pushing Daisies" – failing to return after the strike ended in February.

Strike concerns aren't over, however.

This year's Emmy Awards may yet have to grapple with a work stoppage: The Screen Actors Guild recently rejected producers' latest contract proposal.

Back in 1980, the Emmy telecast went on despite an actors strike. Powers Boothe was the only acting nominee who didn't boycott the show. He ended up winning an Emmy that evening.

The Emmys are set to air Sept. 21 on ABC from the Nokia Theatre.

susan.king@latimes.com