It's beginning to look a lot like Logies... In the build up to the best night of the year – I mean, of course, the TV Week Logie Awards – this year’s nominations were announced yesterday.

Packed To The Rafters and Underbelly dominated, with 11 and nine nominations respectively. But will viewers remember the first series of Underbelly given how long ago it aired? (The peer-voted “Outstanding” categories certainly will).

The nominations for Gold Logie (leaked early after Nine ran ads for TV Week on Sunday night – oops!) are Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Andrew Denton, Rebecca Gibney, Adam Hills, Simmone Jade Mackinnon, Rove McManus, Kate Ritchie and Ian Smith.
I will refrain from telling you who should and shouldn’t win… but a good half of the list shouldn’t.
I could not be more delighted that Ian Smith scored his first nomination and I truly hope he wins (not sure of our chances, but hope there are a few bleeding hearts who text on the night). Simmone is a nice inclusion, hopefully somebody gives her a great role this year – maybe in that Police Rescue rip-off Nine are working on? Readers know I love Rebecca Gibney, and she is a great shot given her massive audience and great performances.

The Silver nominations see Jodi Gordon, Kat Stewart, Gyton Grantley, Todd Lasance, Erik Thomson and the late Mark Priestley also recognised.

Kat Stewart and Gyton Grantley

[Click me for the full list of nominees]

There certainly aren't many surprises this year ... at all ... and while that's a little dull, it says a lot about the quantity and quality of Aussie TV we've had in the past year. All Saints and City Homicide didn't even get a look in (neither did Sea Patrol, but there's no surprise there).

But so many questions remain. Where is Christie Hayes’ nomination? Why are Dean Geyer and Ricki-Lee Coulter “new” talents when they were already Australian Idol contestants? Is Anne Charleston spewing she never got a nomination? Why on Earth is Gretel Killeen hosting the awards? How many parties will I con my way into?

I also have a note to the producers (actually I have an entire dossier, but for now): It’s time that the telecast ditched awards for outstanding news, sports, public affairs and documentaries. There is nothing wrong with doing those in the ad breaks and telling us later. It would help me greatly when it comes to my boredom factor.

Scott Keenan
The first of many Logies posts to come o'clock