‘Mad Men’ looms big over Emmy nominations

LOS ANGELES — “Mad Men” dominated nominations for the primetime Emmy awards Thursday, a triumph for the 1960s-themed series that almost failed to return for its fifth season this year.

It’s up against “Boardwalk Empire,” “Breaking Bad,” the British-made “Downton Abbey,” “Game of Thrones” and “Homeland” for best drama series — but unlike any of its rivals, it figures in all nine drama-related categories.

Nominations for the top honors in US television were announced online at the not-very-primetime hour of 8:40 a.m. (1240 GMT). The awards night, hosted by late-night comic Jimmy Kimmel, is set for September 23.

Set in a New York advertising agency in a decade of radical social change, “Mad Men” returned in March after a break of more than a year and a pitched battle between creator Matthew Weiner and the AMC network over its future.

Up for best comedy are “The Big Bang Theory,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Girls,” “Modern Family,” “30 Rock” and “Veep.”

Hit new sitcom “New Girl” failed to make the grade, but its star Zooey Deschanel, who plays a quirky schoolteacher sharing an apartment with three men, copped a nomination for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series.

Up for best miniseries or TV movie are “American Horror Story,” “Game Change,” “Hatfields and McCoys,” “Hemingway and Gellhorn,” “Luther” and “Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia.”

In the race for best competition reality show are “The Amazing Race,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Project Runway,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” “Top Chef” and “The Voice” — but not “American Idol,” which is at a crossroads after the sudden departure of judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.