Emmy smiles on expiring 'Sopranos'

LOS ANGELES -

The Sopranos

, the mob series that went to its grave with a shockingly inconclusive finale, found a happy ending yesterday with 15 Emmy nominations including best drama.

The HBO movie Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee led all nominees with 17 bids.

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

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

The Sopranos emerged with the most nominations for a series, followed by Ugly Betty with 11 and, with 10 each, sexy medical drama Grey's Anatomy and critical favorite 30 Rock.

Grey's Anatomy, which came through a difficult year in which star Isaiah Washington was fired after twice using an anti-gay slur, wasn't hurt when it came to Emmy bids. Besides best drama series, there were nominations for four supporting cast members and two guest actors.

While Washington was omitted, costar T.R. Knight, the object of Washington's slur, received a supporting-actor nod.

Last year's drama series winner, 24, was snubbed.

The mini-series The Starter Wife also was a top nominee with 10 bids.

The freshman hit Ugly Betty, 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, The Office.

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera was recognized with a nomination for her starring role.

Joining Gandolfini among nominees for lead actor in a drama series were Hugh Laurie of House, Denis Leary of Rescue Me, James Spader of Boston Legal and last year's winner, Kiefer Sutherland of 24.

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

Along with Ferrera in the lead comedy actress category were Felicity Huffman of Desperate Housewives, Tina Fey of 30 Rock, Mary-Louise Parker of Weeds and last year's winner, Julia Louis-Dreyfus of The New Adventures of Old Christine.

Their actor counterparts included last year's winner, Tony Shalhoub of Monk, Ricky Gervais of Extras, Steve Carell of The Office, Charlie Sheen of Two and a Half Men and Alec Baldwin of 30 Rock.

Nominees for top actor in a mini-series or movie included Jim Broadbent for Longford, Robert Duvall for Broken Trail, William H. Macy for Nightmares & Dreamscapes, Matthew Perry for The Ron Clark Story and Tom Selleck for Jesse Stone: Sea Change.

Lead actresses nominated in that category were Queen Latifah for Life Support, Debra Messing for The Starter Wife, Helen Mirren for Prime Suspect: The Final Act, Gena Rowlands for What if God Were the Sun and Weeds star Parker for The Robber Bride.

The Emmy Awards will be broadcast Sept. 16 by Fox.