Do co-stars split the vote when they're nominated in the same category at the Primetime Emmys? On the contrary, this phenomenon actually helps a show win that category. Remember that each nominee must submit one sample episode to a judging panel that votes for a winner based on those submissions. So when multiple actors from a show are nominated in the same category, each of those actors may appear on each other's episode submissions in addition to their own, essentially getting multiple submissions for the price of one.

Consider The West Wing in its hey day where multiple supporting nominations in various years secured Emmys for Richard Schiff, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney and Stockard Channing.

This year, Supporting Actress in a Comedy features this phenomenon with a twist. Last year's winner Jane Lynch is up again for Glee and she submitted "Funeral" in which Sue Sylvester deals with the death of her sister, thereby allowing Lynch to show a softer side of her abrasive character. Also in the same category is Kristen Wiig who submitted the Saturday Night Live episode that Lynch co-hosted. That means Lynch gets to appear in two episodes for the judging panels' viewing, and she also gets to show a range of talent on two different shows — emotional and vulnerable for Glee, hilarious sketch comedy for Saturday Night Live. That bodes well for a repeat win.
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The Primetime Emmy nominations were announced on July 14 and both broadcast and cable series had something to smile about.  It’s no surprise AMC’s Mad Men earned a Best Drama nomination, plus 18 more for a leading 19 nominations. HBO’s Boardwalk Empire was close behind with 18 nominations, including Outstanding Drama, but will be competing against fellow HBO series Game of Thrones for the big award.

ABC’s Modern Family scored the most comedy nominations, with 17. Fox’s Glee picked up nominations in the Outstanding Comedy, Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor categories.  The Big Bang Theory, The Office, Parks & Recreation and 30 Rock joined Modern Family and Glee as the nominees in the Outstanding Comedy category.

On the drama side, Friday Night Lights earned a much deserved Best Drama nomination. It also took home nominations for Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton in the Lead Actor and Actress categories. The critically acclaimed CBS legal drama The Good Wife didn’t need an injunction to get nominations for Outstanding Drama, Lead Actress, two Supporting Actor nominations and two Supporting Actress nominations. Timothy Olyphant, Walton Goggins and the brilliant Margo Martindale earned nominations for FX’s Justified in the Lead Actor, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress categories, respectively. Peter Dinklage earned Game of Thrones its only acting nomination in the Supporting Actor category, for his portrayal of Tyrion Lannister. Showtime’s Dexter joined Boardwalk Empire, Friday Night Lights, Game of Thrones, The Good Wife and Mad Men with a Best Drama nominations. 

What do you think of this year's Emmy nominations? Is there any series or actor who you think was snubbed of a nomination. AMC's The Walking Dead could make a strong argument for being robbed of an Outstanding Drama nomination. See the full list after the jump!

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On today’s Pop Confidential podcast Jamey Giddens, Luke Kerr, Jillian Bowe, Regan Cellura and Melodie Aikles discuss the latest in TV, movie and celebrity news, including:

Arnold Schwarzenegger's cheating on Maria Shriver.  Prince William and Kate honeymoon, as her siblings make headlines. Jeff Conaway overdoses and is fighting for his life. Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake rock on Saturday Night Live.

The season finale of The Good Wife had everyone tuning in.  The PC gang share which new TV series they are looking forward to in the fall. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides tops the box office.  Find out what music everyone is listening to on their iPods.

All this and much more on today’s show!

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Arguably the best host Saturday Night Live has seen the past two decades, Justin Timberlake returned to the long-running comedy show for the fourth time last Saturday.  There were plenty of old favorites, like the always enjoyable "Barry Gibb Talk Show” and another raunchy Digital Short collaboration with Andy Samberg, helping make this show the funniest it’s been all season.  However, there was a new skit that audiences didn’t get to see because it was cut during dress rehearsal.  The hilarious look at a young Mozart (below), played by Timberlake, who wants to leave his music career behind to act, not only pokes fun at the former boybander himself, but Justin Bieber, and fellow Mousketeer Ryan Gosling. 

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Saturday Night Live boasted its best season finale ratings in seven years with this past weekend's episode, hosted by Justin Timblerlake and featuring musical guest Lady Gaga. The show scored a 7.0 household rating/21 share, up a whopping 21% from last year. Deadline has the full story.

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Justin Timberlake will return for a fourth time to host the season finale of Saturday Night Live.  As one of the best and most memorable hosts of the past two decades, it will be interesting to see if JT can top JT.  The episode will air May 21, with Lady Gaga as the musical guest.

Photos by PR Photos