-I knew that my easy choice for the best performance of the year –  Tatiana Maslany of Orphan Black – was far from a sure thing, but the way Lead Actress in a Drama was blown up – half of last year’s nominees are gone, a seventh slot was added, three ladies are up in their shows’ first seasons and another in her show’s second season that feels more like a first – suggests the field may have actually been open enough for her to have a chance.  The lesson here is that it helps to be a familiar face.  I would’ve thought, though, that Tatiana’s chances compared favorably to those of Vera Farmiga, who isn’t that big a movie star – and if Emmy voters could turn their dials up to A&E, then I believe in them enough that they can make it up to BBC America.

-Lead Actor in a Comedy is an interesting category.  There are a few really deserving fellows, but overall it’s a light field.  Thankfully, last year’s way too safe winner, Jon Cryer, was left out.  But, seriously, Don Cheadle AND Matt LeBlanc?  I know Joel McHale (still excellent despite a down year for Community) and Neil Flynn (his and his show’s best years yet) were going to be ignored, but they shouldn’t have been.  What about Jake Johnson (even though I think he should have submitted as Supporting)?  New Girl was on Emmy’s radar last year (although this year it got zilch overall).  As long as Don or Matt don’t win, we’re good.  And since Alec and Jim have both won multiple times, let’s spread the wealth around to Louie or Jason.

-The Modern Family stranglehold is weakening!  Only 5 of the 6 adult cast members were nominated!  Interestingly enough, last year’s Supporting Actor winner, Eric Stonestreet was the one left off.  I’ll take that, because it made room for a stranger choice like Adam Driver.  (A lot of great guys were still left out of this field, but progress is progress.)

-No Guest Actor slot for David Lynch?!  The most egregious non-Tatiana Maslany snub of this year.

–Bob’s Burgers up for Outstanding Animated Program is great news, seeing as it had one of the best seasons of an animated series ever.  It deserved more recognition (Original Song several times over, hello!), but at least we know some voters are watching it.

-No Writing or Directing nods for Mad Men?  What is going on?

-Laura Dern for Lead Actress Comedy was the most pleasant surprise.  I’ve only watched Season 1 of Enlightened so far, but I hear Season 2 is even better, so I’m sure Laura is deserving in what remains one of the most unbelievably competitive categories.

-Didn’t we all decide that, despite how great Jane Lynch is, Sue Sylvester stopped being a great character – or really, good at all – after Season 1 of Glee?  Wasn’t that why she was not nominated the past two years?  We could have used the extra seventh Supporting Actress slot for a lot of ladies, but not Sue Sylvester.

-Look, I love Will Forte.  I probably love him more than anyone else.  But you don’t need to keep nominating him for Guest Actor for 30 Rock.  Especially if it means leaving out people like David Lynch for Louie.  Actually, now that I think about it, I love Will Forte.  He deserves all the nominations he can get.

-Does Louis C.K. hold the record for most Emmy nominations ever yet?