Director Jay Roach on stage at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Nokia Theatre on September 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

The contest for best actor in a drama is likewise a toss-up. "Boston Legal" star James Spader is favored to clinch his fourth trophy for playing the gifted but ethically shady attorney Alan Shore, a role he originated on the precursor ABC series "The Practice."

However, he faces a tough challenge this year from "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm, who plays a suave advertising executive with a dark past; and Hugh Laurie, the cranky but brilliant doctor on the Fox medical hit "House."

The outcome of the race for best actress in a drama is regarded as more certain, with most Emmy pundits ranking five-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close a sure bet for her role as a ruthless trial lawyer on the new FX series "Damages."

(Agencies via China Daily September 22, 2008)