'Sopranos' seeks Emmy revenge

(CNN) -- So, in America, what makes for the best drama: Washington politics, told with the help of patriotic, behind-the-scenes speeches and vivid, likable characters; or mob politics, told with scenes that include murder and adultery committed by vivid, disturbing characters?

For the second year in a row, that question will be answered at the annual Emmy Awards.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced its nominations for the 53rd Emmy Awards, and HBO's "The Sopranos" -- the tale of a troubled mob boss and his sometime disloyal "family" -- whacked the competition, picking up 22 nominations including one for best drama.

However, NBC's "The West Wing" -- the tale of an ailing American president and his loyal staff -- was second, with 18 nominations. It also received a nod for best drama, and last year it beat "The Sopranos" in that category.

VIDEO 'Sopranos' receives 22 nominations, 'West Wing' gets 18. CNN's Lauren Hunter reports (July 12) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   RESOURCES TV Guide's Mark Schwed: The Emmy nominees     EXTRA INFORMATION Interactive: List of nominees

In fact, "West Wing" pretty much kicked Tony Soprano and Co. back to New Jersey at the 2000 Emmys. Both shows were nominated for 18 golden statuettes. "West Wing" set a record for a first-year show with nine Emmys. "The Sopranos" won just one, for best actor in James Gandolfini.

So, will the government prevail over the mob again? Viewers will find out on September 16, when the academy reveals its winners of television's top honors at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. It will be telecast on CBS.

'It's going to be quite fun'

The nominations were revealed Thursday morning in a brief news conference from Los Angeles. Sean Hayes, nominated this year for best supporting actor in a comedy for "Will & Grace," and Patricia Heaton, nominated for best actress in a comedy for "Everybody Loves Raymond," announced the nominees.

The HBO drama "The Sopranos" picked up 22 nominations to lead all series. Actors James Gandolfini and Edie Falco were among its nominees

Holding the unenviable position of taking on "The Sopranos" and "The West Wing" in the drama category: "ER," "Law & Order" and "The Practice."

The nominees for best comedy were "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Frasier," "Malcolm in the Middle," "Sex and the City," and last year's winner, "Will & Grace."

Along with Heaton, nominees for best actress in a comedy series are Calista Flockhart ("Ally McBeal"), Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm in the Middle"), Sarah Jessica Parker ("Sex and the City"), and Debra Messing ("Will & Grace").

Heaton told reporters she was stunned by the nod, but she credited her success in the role to playing a "rare sitcom wife who has her own paranoia and faults and downfalls."

Of the awards ceremony, she said, "It's going to be quite fun."

Outstanding actor in a comedy series went to Kelsey Grammer ("Frasier"), John Lithgow ("3rd Rock From the Sun"), Eric McCormack ("Will & Grace"), Frankie Muniz ("Malcolm in the Middle"), and Ray Romano ("Everybody Loves Raymond").

In the lead actor in a drama category, Gandolfini once again gets the nod, and he'll face off against two "West Wing" stars in Rob Lowe and Martin Sheen. Also nominated in that category: Andre Braugher ("Gideon's Crossing") and Dennis Franz ("NYPD Blue").

Nominees for lead actress in a drama: Lorraine Bracco ("The Sopranos"), Amy Brenneman ("Judging Amy"), Edie Falco ("The Sopranos"), Marg Helgenberger ("CSI"), and Sela Ward ("Once and Again").

Five for 'Survivor'

The various editions of "Survivor" received five nominations, including one in the new best reality program category. It was joined in that category by MTV's "Road Rules: Maximum Velocity Tour," the VH1 series "Band on the Run," USA's "Eco-Challenge: Borneo" and TLC's (The Learning Channel) "Junkyard Wars."

Other nominations include:

Best miniseries: "Anne Frank," "Armistead Maupin's Further Tales of the City," "Horatio Hornblower," "Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows," and "Nuremberg."

Best made-for-TV movie: "Conspiracy," "For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story," "Neil Simon's Laughter on the 23rd Floor," "61*," and "Wit."

Best actor in a miniseries or movie: Kenneth Branagh ("Conspiracy"), Andy Garcia ("For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story"), Gregory Hines ("Bojangles"), Ben Kingsley ("Anne Frank"), and Barry Pepper ("61*").

Best actress in a miniseries or movie: Judy Davis ("Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows"), Dame Judi Dench ("The Last of the Blonde Bombshells"), Hannah Taylor Gordon ("Anne Frank"), Holly Hunter ("When Billie Beat Bobby"), and Emma Thompson ("Wit").

In a battle reflective of the "Sopranos"-"West Wing" warfare, HBO led all networks with 94 nominations, while NBC received 76. ABC earned 63, CBS had 46 and Fox got 40.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences was founded one month after network television was born in 1946. The organization bills itself as a non-profit corporation devoted to the advancement of telecommunications arts and sciences and to fostering creative leadership in the telecommunications industry.