HBO’s Cinema Verite

Stats: Nine nominations, including one for lead actress Diane Lane

Strengths: HBO revisited the original reality show, PBS’ American Family, in a surprisingly original telefilm.

Weaknesses: Even though the cast was stellar—Lane, Tim Robbins and HBO favorite James Gandolfini—this show remained mostly off the radar.

PBS’ Downtown Abbey

Stats: 11 nominations, including acting nods for Elizabeth McGovern and Maggie Smith

Strengths: ITV’s serialized version of Gosford Park. All Anglophile TV critics, which is most of them, fell immediately in love with this British import.

Weaknesses: British plus PBS might make this miniseries too upper crust even for Emmy voters.

ReelzChannel’s The Kennedys

Stats: 10 nominations, including nods for lead actors Greg Kinnear and Barry Pepper

Strengths: Surprising the heck out of everyone after being controversially dropped by The History Channel.

Weaknesses: That controversy could cause voters to not see it as a serious contender.

HBO’s Mildred Pierce

Stats: 21 nominations, the most of any single show this year. Acting noms for Kate Winslet, Mare Winningham, Evan Rachel Wood, Melissa Leo, Guy Pierce and Brian F. O’Byrne, and a directing nod for Todd Haynes.

Strengths: After notching the most nominations of any program, Mildred Pierce should own Emmy night.

Weaknesses: It’s possible, but unlikely, that being such the strong favorite will work against it.

Starz’ The Pillars of the Earth

Stats: Seven nominations

Strengths: Most of this show’s nominations came in the technical categories, such as hairstyling and costumes.

Weaknesses: Nowhere near as good as the book, making this miniseries a disappointment for fans of Ken Follett’s epic novel.

HBO’s Too Big to Fail

Stats: 11 nominations, including acting nods for Paul Giamatti, William Hurt and James Woods; a directing nod for Curtis Hanson; and a writing nod for Peter Gould.

Strengths: A well-done scripted examination of a very recent national crisis.

Weaknesses: May hit a little too close to home.