Emmys Love 'Ally'

"From the Earth to the Moon," HBO's sweeping chronicle of America's space program, received the lion's share with 17 nominations today for the Primetime Emmy Awards. Fox TV's surprise hit "Ally McBeal" was the top-nominated comedy, with 10 bids. The nominations were announced this morning, and the Emmy ceremony will be broadcast on NBC Sunday, Sept. 13. Other top nominees included NBC's medical drama "ER" and Fox's "The X-Files," each with 16 bids, and NBC's miniseries "Merlin," with 15.

In Emmy sidelights: Phil Hartman, shot to death by his wife May 28 in a murder-suicide, was nominated as best supporting actor for his work in "NewsRadio." Jerry Seinfeld, however was snubbed (though his show wasn't; it's in the running for best comedy series). Emmy also turned her back on "Friends," though Lisa Kudrow received a supporting actress bid. "Homicide: Life on the Street" again was bypassed for a drama nomination. As for "Ellen," the show may have been canceled, but its star Ellen DeGeneres was nominated.