Simpsons lead contender for Writers Guild awards

With five nominations, The Simpsons is at the front of the pack of U.S. television shows vying for the Writers Guild of America's broadcasting awards for the 2008 season.

One episode of The Simpsons has been nominated for best comedy series, and four episodes were separately nominated in the best animation broadcast category.

The Simpsons, the edgy cartoon series featuring slow-witted family man Homer Simpson, has aired on the News Corp.-owned Fox network for 19 seasons.

It is the first time television's longest-running comedy is competing in the best comedy series category, although over the years it has collected several WGA awards in the animation category.

In September, The Simpsons extended its record Emmy-winning streak by claiming the prime-time cartoon award for a 10th year.

30 Rock rolls on

NBC comedy 30 Rock, starring Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey, was the second most-nominated show with four nominations, three of them in the best comedy episode category, and one bid for best comedy series.

Also competing in the best comedy series category are Entourage (HBO), The Office (NBC) and Weeds (Showtime).

Two episodes of King of the Hill (Fox) compete with The Simpsons in the best animation category.

ABC's castaway thriller Lost competes with Friday Night Lights (NBC), Dexter (Showtime), Mad Men (AMC) and The Wire (HBO) in the best drama category.

And Breaking Bad (AMC), Fringe (Fox), In Treatment (HBO), Life on Mars (ABC) and True Blood (HBO) are up for the best new series award.

The annual WGA awards will be presented Feb. 7 in Los Angeles and New York.