TVScreener.com is a very proud member of the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA), and today, we announce the nominees for our third annual Critics’ Choice Television Awards.

It’s a fantastic list of shows and stars, with The Big Bang Theory and American Horror Story: Asylum leading series nominees with six each, and HBO (21) and FX (19) leading the networks.

“This year’s nominations reflect the expanding definition of television, with nominated programs and performances representing new platforms as well as broadcast and cable,” BTJA President Joey Berlin says.  “As evidenced by nominations for the 3rd annual Critics’ Choice Television Awards, television continues to be a rich and diverse source of high quality entertainment.”

The Critics’ Choice Television Awards ceremony will be held on June 10 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, hosted by Parks and Recreation star Retta. Fans can watch the celeb-packed event in a live webcast at UStream.

Here, the complete list of nominees: 

BEST COMEDY SERIES
The Big Bang Theory – CBS
Louie – FX
The Middle – ABC
New Girl – FOX
Parks and Recreation – NBC
Veep – HBO

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Don Cheadle (House of Lies) – Showtime
Louis C.K. (Louie) – FX
Jake Johnson (New Girl) – FOX
Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) – CBS
Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation) – NBC
Jeremy Sisto (Suburgatory) – ABC

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Laura Dern (Enlightened) – HBO
Zooey Deschanel (New Girl) – FOX
Lena Dunham (Girls) – HBO
Sutton Foster (Bunheads) – ABC Family
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep) – HBO
Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) – NBC

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Max Greenfield (New Girl) – FOX
Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) – CBS
Alex Karpovsky (Girls) – HBO
Adam Pally (Happy Endings) – ABC
Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation) – NBC
Danny Pudi (Community) – NBC

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Carly Chaikin (Suburgatory) – ABC
Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory) – CBS
Sarah Hyland (Modern Family) – ABC
Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory) – CBS
Eden Sher (The Middle) – ABC
Casey Wilson (Happy Endings) – ABC

BEST GUEST PERFORMER IN A COMEDY SERIES
Melissa Leo (Louie) – FX
David Lynch (Louie) – FX
Bob Newhart (The Big Bang Theory) – CBS
Patton Oswalt (Parks and Recreation) – NBC
Molly Shannon (Enlightened) – HBO
Patrick Wilson (Girls) – HBO

BEST DRAMA SERIES
The Americans – FX
Breaking Bad – AMC
Downton Abbey – PBS
Game of Thrones – HBO
The Good Wife – CBS
Homeland – Showtime

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) – AMC
Damian Lewis (Homeland) – Showtime
Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead) – AMC
Timothy Olyphant (Justified) – FX
Matthew Rhys (The Americans) – FX
Kevin Spacey (House of Cards) – Netflix

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Claire Danes (Homeland) – Showtime
Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel) – A&E
Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife) – CBS
Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) – BBC America
Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men) – AMC
Keri Russell (The Americans) – FX

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad) – AMC
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones) – HBO
Michael Cudlitz (Southland) – TNT
Noah Emmerich (The Americans) – FX
Walton Goggins (Justified) – FX
Corey Stoll (House of Cards) – Netflix 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter) – Showtime
Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) – HBO
Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad) – AMC
Regina King (Southland) – TNT
Monica Potter (Parenthood) – NBC
Abigail Spencer (Rectify) – Sundance

BEST GUEST PERFORMER IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jim Beaver (Justified) – FX
Jane Fonda (The Newsroom) – HBO
Martha Plimpton (The Good Wife) – CBS
Carrie Preston (The Good Wife) – CBS
Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones) – HBO
Jimmy Smits (Sons of Anarchy) – FX 

BEST MOVIE OR MINI-SERIES
American Horror Story: Asylum – FX
Behind the Candelabra – HBO
The Crimson Petal and the White – Encore
The Hour – BBC America
Political Animals – USA
Top of the Lake – Sundance

BEST ACTOR IN A MOVIE OR MINI-SERIES
Benedict Cumberbatch (Parade’s End) – HBO
Matt Damon (Behind the Candelabra) – HBO
Michael Douglas (Behind the Candelabra) – HBO
Toby Jones (The Girl) – HBO
Al Pacino (Phil Spector) – HBO
Dominic West (The Hour) – BBC America

BEST ACTRESS IN A MOVIE OR MINI-SERIES
Angela Bassett (Betty & Coretta) – Lifetime
Romola Garai (The Hour) – BBC America
Rebecca Hall (Parade’s End) – HBO
Jessica Lange (American Horror Story: Asylum) – FX
Elisabeth Moss (Top of the Lake) – Sundance
Sigourney Weaver (Political Animals) – USA

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MOVIE OR MINI-SERIES
James Cromwell (American Horror Story: Asylum) – FX
Peter Mullan (Top of the Lake) – Sundance
Zachary Quinto (American Horror Story: Asylum) – FX
Sebastian Stan (Political Animals) – USA
David Wenham (Top of the Lake) – Sundance
Thomas M. Wright (Top of the Lake) – Sundance

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MOVIE OR MINI-SERIES
Ellen Burstyn (Political Animals) – USA
Sienna Miller (The Girl) – HBO
Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story: Asylum) – FX
Lily Rabe (American Horror Story: Asylum) – FX
Imelda Staunton (The Girl) – HBO
Alfre Woodard (Steel Magnolias) – Lifetime

BEST REALITY SERIES
Duck Dynasty – A&E
The Moment – USA
Pawn Stars – History Channel
Push Girls – Sundance
Small Town Security – AMC
Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan – BBC America

BEST REALITY SERIES – COMPETITION
Chopped – Food Network
Face Off – Syfy
Shark Tank – ABC
So You Think You Can Dance – FOX
Survivor – CBS
The Voice – NBC 

BEST REALITY HOST
Tom Bergeron (Dancing With the Stars) – ABC
Cat Deeley (So You Think You Can Dance) – FOX
Gordon Ramsay (Hell’s Kitchen/Masterchef) – FOX
RuPaul (RuPaul’s Drag Race) – Logo
Ryan Seacrest (American Idol) – FOX
Kurt Warner (The Moment) – USA

BEST TALK SHOW
Conan – TBS
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart – Comedy Central
The Ellen DeGeneres Show – Warner Brothers Television Distribution
Jimmy Kimmel Live! – ABC
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon – NBC
Marie – Hallmark Channel

BEST ANIMATED SERIES
Adventure Time – Cartoon Network
Archer – FX
Phineas and Ferb – Disney Channel
Regular Show – Cartoon Network
The Simpsons – FOX
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Cartoon Network

BTJA will also announce nominees for the Most Exciting New Series award on June 3.

The Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA) is a partner organization to the Broadcast Film Critics Association. BTJA includes TV, radio and Internet journalists who cover television on a regular basis. For more information, visit: CriticsChoice.com.

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• Filed in Award shows, Breaking Bad, Cable TV, Comedy, Drama, Fall 2012-13 TV season, Reality, Walking Dead
• Tags: Behind the Candelabra, Big Bang Theory, BTJA, Critics Choice Television Awards, TV awards, Walking Dead

(ALL TIMES ET)

9PM, SAT | HBO – ORIGINAL MOVIE PREMIERE
Cinema Verite – James Gandolfini plays filmmaker Craig Gilbert, the man behind the groundbreaking 1973 documentary An American Family, considered to be the first reality show. The PBS series followed the Loud family, led by dad Bill (Tim Robbins) and mom Pat (Diane Lane), a suburban duo was whose marriage disintegrated on camera. Pat Loud was widely criticized for making the decision to divorce Bill, and for her support of openly gay son Lance (Thomas Dekker), one of the first gay “characters” seen on TV. Verite is a compelling story itself – no one, least of all the Loud family – knew exactly how this new TV format would be received, and putting it into the context of the early ’70s, it still seems a bit shocking that the Louds laid their family life so open for the TV cameras. PS: NYC’s PBS station is airing the original American Family series this weekend, and if you’ve never seen it, it’s also must-see TV; the station’s Website has preview clips of each episode.

9PM, SAT | BBC AMERICA – SEASON 6 PREMIERE
Doctor Who – In part one of the season opener, “The Impossible Astronaut,” The Doctor (Matt Smith), Amy, Rory and River Song travel to Utah and the Oval Office, 1969-era, after receiving some TARDIS-colored envelopes with directions. Coolest part: It’s the first time Doctor Who‘s cast has ever shot principal photography in the United States.

10PM, SAT | A&E
Parking Wars – Back-to-back new episodes find a mother and son stirring up a ruckus in Philly, while another driver tries to take off with a boot on his car.

8PM, SUN | CBS
The Amazing Race – The teams hit Switzerland, where they face a double u-turn.

8PM, SUN | VH1
Mob Wives – Is there a guiltier pleasure on TV right now? Nope. So just go ahead and watch, as Karen and Renee continue their meltdown at Carla‘s birthday party, prompting some of the other women to jump in.

9PM, SUN | NBC
The Apprentice – Now that drama magnet Gary Busey‘s gone, methinks this is the week when we finally find out how Star Jones and NeNe Leakes became such bitter enemies, as the two butt heads while working on an ad campaign for a hotel chain.

9PM, SUN | CBS
Beyond the Blackboard – It’s a fact-based story, and yes, you’re going to need a tissue for the inspiring tale, about a teacher who’s challenged to make a school in the basement of a homeless shelter, with few resources. Everwood stars Emily VanCamp and Treat Williams are reunited in the movie, based on the experiences of a woman named Stacey Bess in Salt Lake City.

9PM, SUN | HBO
Game of Thrones – Ned, accompanied by his daughters, heads off to take his place in King Robert’s court, but Catelynn stays behind with Bran.

10PM, SUN | A&E
Breakout Kings – The team has to track two inmates who got the bright idea to escape by poisoning another inmate and sneaking out in the dude’s coffin.

10PM, SUN | BRAVO
The Real Housewives of Orange County – Former castmate Lynne returns and drops a supposedly “shocking” secret, while Slade and Gretchen celebrate her birthday with takeout food and a major gift.

10PM, SUN | HBO – SEASON 2 PREMIERE
Treme – The new season opens on Nov. 1, 2006, with the city still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, especially the police department, which is overwhelmed with the increase in crime.

Worth flipping to during commercials:
– During back-to-back new Til Debt Do Us Part episodes (Sat., 10PM, CNBC), Gail helps a couple who may have to file bankruptcy for a third time;
– The final four head to Las Vegas, where they have to prove their eatery ideas work with a clientele outside Los Angeles on America’s Next Great Restaurant (Sun., 8PM, NBC);
– Challenge: Sugar and Candy Fashion (Sun., 8PM, Food Network) finds chefs whipping up wearable works of sugar art;
– A woman who raised more than 35 foster kids, two biological kids and adopted six more gets a new home on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (Sun., 8PM, ABC);
– Carlos forbids Gaby to be friends with Bree after the revelation about Andrew, but Gaby, of course, goes against him on Desperate Housewives (Sun., 9PM, ABC);
– On The Borgias (Sun., 10PM, Showtime), Lucrezia’s solution to her unhappy marriage? A hot young stable boy;
– Sarah and Holder get new evidence from one of Rosie’s teachers on The Killing (Sun., 10PM, AMC);
– Pies, and where to find the yummiest ones, are the subject of the series premiere of Unique Sweets (Sun., 10:30PM, Cooking Channel).

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• Filed in Cable TV, Movies, Real Housewives, TV Picks
• Tags: Breakout Kings, Cinema Verite, Doctor Who season 6, Game of Thrones, Mob Wives, Parking Wars, The Amazing Race, The Real Housewives of Orange County, Treme season 2

Star Rating: 4 out of 5

Stars: Matt LeBlanc, Tamsin Grieg, Stephen Mangan, John Pankow, Kathleen Rose Perkins and Mircea Monroe

The Big Idea: Beverly (Grieg) and Sean (Mangan) Lincoln are British TV producers with an award-winning series on their hands. That has a Hollywood TV exec, Merc Lapidus (Pankow), sniffing around them, with promises of fame and fortune if they’ll move to Los Angeles to launch a U.S. version of their series, Lyman’s Boys, about a British boarding school and its proper headmaster (guest star Richard “Uncle Vernon Dursley” Griffiths). The big detail the slippery Merc neglects to mention to Bev and Sean: He wants Friends star Matt LeBlanc to be the lead in the show … yes, Joey Tribbiani as the headmaster of a stuffy boarding school.

To Watch or Not to Watch: Absolutely. Not only is Episodes the best non-Dexter and Weeds excuse for signing up for Showtime, it’s easily LeBlanc’s best non-Friends work ever. Though much of the premise revolves around how miscast “Joey from Friends” is in the British series remake — and LeBlanc is a good sport to agree to be the butt of jokes about the real and pseudo-real versions of his career and his personal life — LeBlanc also gives as good as he gets, playing a version of himself that is anxious for a TV comeback and very savvy about how to play the Hollywood game, but also weary of the fact that everyone, from fans to industry players, continues to see him as Joey.

There’s also a bit of drama thrown into the mix — too good to spoil, though I’ll tease that TV-LeBlanc’s reputation as a ladies man plays out into a major romantic entanglement and a big cliffhanger that ends the show’s seven-episode first season — and some delicious, right-on-the-money jabs at the more ridiculous aspects of how TV execs sometimes operate.

And, though Episodes most definitely showcases LeBlanc, British TV and movie stars Grieg and Mangan are both funny and charming (particularly Mangan, as his Sean begins a bromance with LeBlanc); Pankow, probably best remembered as Paul Reiser’s cousin on Mad About You, is a scene stealer as the fickle, glad-handing Merc; and Perkins is a delightfully stressed mess as Carol, Herc’s second in command at the network, and the one who has to clean up after his shenanigans. Like the fact that, though he’s professed to love Bev and Sean’s show, Merc has never actually seen it. “He’s not a big TV watcher,” Carol explains, with a straight face.

TV Screener Tidbit: Though LeBlanc continues to be very vocal about his opinion that a Friends reunion should be a no-go, he’s very free with the Friends/Joey Tribbiani/”How you doin’?” jokes in Episodes. One of the best: In episodes six and seven, a pivotal plot point involves a Joey cologne that was (in TV version of LeBlancland) released during Friends‘ run. The cologne’s tagline: “How you smellin’?”

Episodes premieres Sunday, January 9, at 9:30PM ET on Showtime

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• Filed in Cable TV, Comedy, Review - TV
• Tags: Episodes, Episodes Matt LeBlanc, Matt LeBlanc, Showtime