The Emmy race is on

LOS ANGELES — Stalwart suspense drama "24" and "Grey's Anatomy," the hit hospital drama that focuses as much on its interns' love lives as medicine, were among the top nominees announced Thursday for the Emmys.

The leading nominee, with 16 bids, was the miniseries "Into the West."

In a huge reversal from last year, when both won, neither "Lost" or "Desperate Housewives" received best-series nominations.

A number of acting bids went to stars of shows that have left the air, including Frances Conroy and Peter Krause of "Six Feet Under," Geena Davis of "Commander in Chief" and Martin Sheen, Allison Janney and Alan Alda of "The West Wing."

"Will & Grace," which ended its eight-year run, received a warm farewell with 10 nominations, the most for a comedy series.

Among the nominated reality series were ratings phenomenon "American Idol" and "Amazing Race."

"24" led all series with 12 nominations, followed by "Grey's Anatomy" with 11. Both received best drama series bids and were joined by "House," "The Sopranos" and "The West Wing."

For "24," Kiefer Sutherland received a best-actor bid. Among the "Grey's Anatomy" stars recognized were Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson, with supporting-actress nominations. The show was shut out of the best-actress and actor categories.

The comedy series nominees were "Arrested Development," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "The Office," "Scrubs" and "Two and a Half Men."

The stars of "Desperate Housewives," which lost its status as critical darling in its sophomore season although it held its ratings, were missing this year from the lead acting category. The stars of "Lost" met the same fate.

Besides Sutherland, other best-actor nominations for a drama went to Peter Krause of "Six Feet Under," Denis Leary of "Rescue Me," Christopher Meloni of "Law & Order: SVU" and Martin Sheen of "The West Wing."

Joining Conroy, Davis and Janney in the best drama series actress category were Mariska Hargitay of "Law & Order: SVU" and Kyra Sedgwick of "The Closer."

The nominees for best actress in a comedy series were Stockard Channing of "Out of Practice," Jane Kaczmarek of "Malcolm in the Middle," Lisa Kudrow of "Comeback," Debra Messing for "Will & Grace" and Julia Louis-Dreyfus for "New Adventures of Old Christine."