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Best of prime: 2008 Emmy Awards picks

By Mike Pearson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 19, 2008 at 3 p.m.

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When the 60th annual Emmy Awards get under way Sunday night, a viewer might reasonably ask: "How did we get this far?"

After all, a 100-day Hollywood writers' strike caused much of the prime-time season to be aborted last spring, and the networks had to scramble to get pilots produced for a fall season that begins in earnest later this month.

Nonetheless, Sunday's show will spotlight the glitter of television, led by its five hosts (Jeff Probst, Ryan Seacrest, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Tom Bergeron), who are also nominated in the first-ever Best Reality Show Host category.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences also will present a retrospective of TV's best moments. In recent weeks, viewers have been invited to vote on the best five comedy and drama moments in television history.

Expect a montage that includes Sammy Davis Jr.'s 1972 encounter with Archie Bunker, the last moments of Newhart (when the entire series turns out to have been a dream); The Carol Burnett Show's infamous Gone with the Wind spoof; Lucille Ball trying to keep up with a runaway candy assembly line; the Seinfeld cast proposing its famous "Contest"; scenes from Brian's Song, Lost, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Roots, and of course, the pivotal scene from Dallas leading to the question, "Who shot J.R.?"

The Emmys want to remind us why we love television, and push our occasional frustration with the medium to the side.

As for the awards proper, look for HBO's John Adams to take the lion's share of the contest-leading 23 awards for which it's been nominated. Lots of familiar faces will make their way to the podium and look for Oscar winners Holly Hunter, Dianne Wiest, Paul Giamatti and Susan Sarandon to take home trophies.

Can't wait until prime time for your Emmy fix? TV Guide Channel, E! Entertainment Television and ABC will begin trolling the red carpet as early as 1 p.m. Sunday.

Tuning in

Before Sunday's show TV Guide Channel offers two programs:

* Countdown to the Emmys 1 p.m., interviews with nominees

* Live at the Emmys with Lisa (Rinna) and Joey (Fatone), 4 p.m., red carpet arival special

Or try the cable channel E!:

* Live from the Red Carpet 4 p.m. (repeats at 11 p.m.)

Then tune to ABC:

* Jimmy Kimmel's Big Night of Stars 6 p.m., precedes the Emmys

The show: 7 p.m. Sunday, KMGH-Channel 7