Dog day Emmys

Most of the awards shows have been ratings disappointments this year, and the upcoming Emmy telecast on NBC could have particularly low numbers. Normally, the Emmy ceremony (the one for prime-time shows) airs around mid-September, when television audiences start to bulk up after the summertime doldrums. But this year, because of the network's broadcast of Sunday night football, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences got stuck with Aug. 27 (that's before the regular NFL season begins). Making matters worse is that several of the most popular programs - among them "Desperate Housewives," "Lost" and "Sopranos" - are not up for awards in the best actor and actress categories. And two shows that had a bunch of nominations, "The West Wing" and "Will & Grace," are no longer on the air. The irony is that in recent years the Emmys have done a bit better, ratings-wise, than the Oscars, Grammys and Golden Globes.