Sopranos leads Emmy noms

The Sopranos, the HBO mob series that went to its grave with a shockingly inconclusive finale, found a happy ending Thursday with 15 Emmy nominations, including best drama series. The made-for-TV movie Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee led all nominees with 17 bids.

James Gandolfini, who played the emotionally conflicted mob boss on The Sopranos, and Edie Falco, who played his wife, both received top acting nominations.

The other best drama series nominees were Boston Legal, Grey's Anatomy, House, and freshman sci-fi sensation Heroes.

Another freshman hit, UglyBetty, based on a Colombian telenovela, made it into the ranks of Best Comedy Series nominees. It's joined by Entourage, 30 Rock, Two and a Half Men, and last year's winner in the category, The Office.Ugly Betty star America Ferrera was recognized with a nomination for her starring role.

Joining Gandolfini among lead drama series actor nominees were Hugh Laurie of House, Denis Leary of Rescue Me, James Spader of Boston Legal, and last year's winner, Kiefer Sutherland of 24. Last year's drama series winner was 24, but it was snubbed this time.

Falco will compete with Patricia Arquette of Medium, Minnie Driver of TheRiches, Sally Field of Brothers &Sisters, Kyra Sedgwick of The Closer, and last year's winner, Mariska Hargitay of Law & Order: Special VictimsUnit.

Sedgwick got the news immediately. She helped announce bids for the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in a brief ceremony at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre.

Friday NightLights, the critically acclaimed but low-rated high school football drama that needed an Emmy boost, failed to gain major nominations.

The Sopranos, which premiered in January 1999 and had an on-and-off cable run, capped its final episode this year with an ambiguous ending that left fans in the dark about the fate of lead character Tony Soprano, last seen sitting in a diner with his wife and children. A suddenly black screen suggested sudden violence--or not.

The series' other nominees included Michael Imperioli, who received a bid for best supporting dramatic actor for his role as the ill-fated Christopher. Aida Turturro, who played Tony's tough sister Janice, and Lorraine Bracco, who costarred as his conflicted psychiatrist, Dr. Melfi, were nominated for supporting actress. (By Lynn Elber, AP)