The Safe House - Expositions

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - They snagged just two nominations each, but ABC's ``Alias'' and Fox's ``24'' could be the biggest winners among this year's crop of Golden Globe TV nominees.

That's because both shows -- while generating some of the year's best reviews -- have yet to fully connect with audiences. The extra hype and prestige of being nominated can only help ratings, and a win for either show could serve to be a key boost come May, when Fox and ABC decide whether to bring the shows back for a second season.

A hint of controversy surrounded Thursday's ``24'' nominations, however.

As most TV industry insiders understand them, Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. eligibility rules state that a show must have aired seven original episodes in a calendar year to make the cut. But ``24'' has been seen just six times since it bowed in November.

The official start of the TV season was pushed back a week because of Sept. 11, which is one reason that HFPA officials say an exception was made for ``24.'' In addition, Fox next week plans to air a new ``24'' in New York and Los Angeles -- although outside of primetime.

HFPA and Fox reps argue that as long as a show is seen in Los Angeles, it qualifies for nomination.

``The HFPA acknowledges that due to the tragic events of Sept. 11, the drama series '24' did not air seven original episodes in primetime during the qualifying period for the 2002 Golden Globe Awards),'' an HFPA spokesman said. ``However, seven episodes of '24' were screened in the greater Los Angeles area during the stipulated period, thus satisfying all requirements of the association's bylaws.''

Other network and studio insiders questioned that move, however, saying a show should have to air in primetime or at least nationwide. What's more, the TV season was delayed by two weeks last year -- but the Globes rules didn't change.

``There's no doubt '24' deserves to be nominated. It's a great show,'' one executive said. ``But you have to have rules.''

Overall, the Globes' roster of TV nominations offered up the usual mix of repeat performers, pleasant surprises and just-plain-weird nominations.

The marquee drama matchup once again will pit NBC's ``The West Wing'' vs. HBO's ``The Sopranos''; CBS' red-hot ``CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'' also returns as a nominee.

But for the first time in any kudos contest, HBO will be competing against itself in a series category thanks to the addition of ``Six Feet Under'' as a serious contender. (There won't be a similar Emmy showdown, though: HBO is delaying the fourth season of ``Sopranos'' until next September, making the mob series ineligible for the 2002 statuette.) ``Alias'' and ``24'' are the wildcards.

Meanwhile, HFPA members apparently had trouble narrowing their choices in the drama actress category, which this year boasts seven nominees. In addition to ``Alias'' lead Jennifer Garner, newcomers include Marg Helgenberger (``CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'') and Lauren Graham (``Gilmore Girls".

Simon Baker of rookie CBS drama ``The Guardian'' makes his first appearance on the drama actor list, joining other fresh faces such as Peter Krause (``Six Feet Under'') and Keifer Sutherland (``24'').

This year's comedy series race is pretty much a carbon copy of last year's contest, with ``Ally McBeal,'' ``Frasier,'' ``Sex and the City (news - Y! TV)'' and ``Will & Grace'' returning. NBC's resurgent ``Friends,'' however, knocks Fox's ``Malcolm in the Middle'' out of contention.

Once again, the quartet of ``Will & Grace'' stars -- Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally -- landed nominations.

Other comedy actor nominations include Tom Cavanagh (``Ed''), making his first Globe appearance, and Charlie Sheen, new to the list this year for ``Spin City.'' In addition to Messing, the comedy actress roster is notable for the return of Golden Globes fave Heather Locklear (``Spin City'').

Parker's ``Sex'' mates Kim Cattrall and Cynthia Nixon didn't make the cut this year, however, in the TV supporting actress category -- which inexplicably mixes nominations from comedies, dramas and miniseries/TV movies. Thus, Mullally and ``Friends'' vet Jennifer Aniston will compete against ``Six Feet Under's'' Rachel Griffiths, Allison Janney (``The West Wing'') and Tammy Blanchard (``Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows''). The same rules apply for TV supporting actor. This year, the category features ``Will & Grace's'' Hayes along with John Corbett (``Sex and the City''), Ron Livingston (``Band of Brothers''), Stanley Tucci (``Conspiracy'') and Bradley Whitford (``The West Wing'').

As usual, HBO dominated the miniseries/TV movie category, with ``Band of Brothers,'' ``Conspiracy'' and ``Wit'' all snagging mentions. ABC's Emmy-winning miniseries ``Anne Frank'' and ``Life With Judy Garland'' also made the cut.

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