Kidman toasts Emmy nod with 'popsicle'

"Mad Men," a piercingly bleak portrait of a 1960s American anti-hero, earned a leading 17 Emmy nominations and the chance to set a new record as the most-honored drama in television history. "American Horror Story" also earned 17 nods. (July 19)

Nicole Kidman and Clive Owen in a scene from the HBO film, Hemingway & Gellhorn, which has earned Kidman an Emmy nomination. Picture: HBO Source: The Sunday Telegraph

NICOLE Kidman plans to celebrate her Emmy nomination with "popsicles after school".

The Aussie actress was nominated for best actress in a miniseries or movie for Hemingway & Gellhorn, about the tumultuous romance of Ernest Hemingway and journalist Martha Gellhorn.

"I'll toast the Emmy nomination with a chocolate Popsicle. I know it doesn't sound great, but they're amazing," she said.

Fellow Australian Judy Davis received a nod for best supporting actress in a miniseries or movie for Page Eight.

However, it was Mad Men that was the real story of the day, landing a leading 17 bids and the chance to set a new record as the most-honoured drama in television history.

The series, which has won four best drama series trophies and is tied with Hill Street Blues, LA Law and The West Wing, received a fifth nomination in the category.

"It's insane. I can't believe it," said Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner.

Miniseries, American Horror Story, a nightmarish saga about a haunted house, matched Mad Men with 17 nominations, including an acting nod! for sta r Connie Britton.

Other leading nominees include the British soap opera, Downton Abbey, which earned 16 bids, and two miniseries, Hatfields & McCoys, with 16, and Hemingway & Gellhorn with 15.

Modern Family, honoured as best comedy series for the past two years, was the sitcom leader with 14 bids and practically ran the table in supporting actor nods.

The 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards will be hosted by Kimmel and will air live on September 23 from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

The nominees for the 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards

Best comedyThe Big Bang TheoryCurb YourGirlsModern Family30 RockVeepBest dramaBoardwalk EmpireBreaking BadDownton AbbeyGame of ThronesHomelandMad Men

Lead actress in dramaKathy Bates, Harrys LawGlenn Close, DamagesClaire Danes, HomelandJulianna Margulies, The Good WifeMichelle Dockery, Downton AbbeyElisabeth Moss, Mad Men

Lead actor in a dramaHugh Bonneville, Downton AbbeySteve Buscemi, Boardwalk EmpireBryan Cranston, Breaking BadJon Hamm, Mad MenDamian Lewis, HomelandMichael C. Hall, Dexter

Best comedy actressZooey Deschanel, The New GirlLena Dunham, GirlsEdie Falco, Nurse JackieTina Fey, 30 RockJulia Louis-Dreyfus, VeepMelissa McCarthy, Mike and MollyAmy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

Best comedy actorAlec Baldwin, 30 RockDon Cheadle, House of LiesLouis C.K., LouieJon Cryer, Two and a Half MenLarry David, Curb Your EnthusiasmJim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

Best supporting actress, comedyMayim Bialik, The Big Bang TheoryKathryn Joosten, Desperate HousewivesJulie Bowen, Modern FamilySofia Vergara, Modern FamilyMerritt Wever, Nurse J! ackieKristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live

Best supporting actor, comedyEd ONeill, Modern FamilyJesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern FamilyTy Burrell, Modern FamilyEric Stonestreet, Modern FamilyMax Greenfield, New GirlBill Hader, Saturday Night Live

Best supporting actress, dramaAnna Gunn, Breaking BadMaggie Smith, Downton AbbeyJoanne Froggatt, Downton AbbeyArchie Panjabi, The Good WifeChristine Baranski, The Good WifeChristina Hendricks, Mad Men

Best supporting actor, dramaAaron Paul, Breaking BadGiancarlo Esposito, Breaking BadBrendan Coyle, Downton AbbeyJim Carter, Downton AbbeyPeter Dinklage, Game of ThronesJared Harris, Mad Men

Best miniseries or movieGame ChangeAmerican Horror StoryHatfield and McCoysHemingway and GellhornLutherSherlock

Best competition reality showThe Amazing RaceDancing with the StarsProject RunwaySo You Think You Can DanceThe VoiceTop Chef

Outstanding variety seriesThe Colbert ReportThe Daily Show With Jon StewartJimmy Kimmel LiveLate Night With Jimmy FallonReal Time With Bill MaherSaturday Night Live

Outstanding animated programmeAmerican DadBobs BurgersFuturamaThe Penguins Of Madagascar: The Return Of The Revenge Of Dr. BlowholeThe Simpsons

Outstanding non-competition reality programmeAntiques RoadshowJamie Olivers Food RevolutionMythBustersShark TankUndercover BossWho Do You Think You Are?