TV Decoder: Emmy Nominations: 'Mad Men,' 'Damages' Make History

Emmy Nominations: ‘Mad Men,’ ‘Damages’ Make History By Brian Stelter The 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will be historic for at least one reason: a basic cable series will contend for the outstanding drama award for the first time. And as it happens, not one but two cable dramas made the cut. AMC’s “Mad Men” and FX’s “Damages,” two shows that are preparing for their second seasons, are among the six nominees in the drama category. The two basic cable series are going up against ABC’s “Boston Legal,” Fox’s “House,” ABC’s “Lost” and Showtime’s “Dexter.” (Showtime and other pay cable channels have received nominations in the past, but basic cable channels have not.) “Mad Men,” a show that practically defines the term “critical darling,” tells artfully constructed stories about the 1960s advertising world. The show’s creator,... [read full story]