Awards Columnist/Chief Film Critic

I often start my Emmy nomination analysis by noting how predictable the nominations are, with the same shows generally dominating year after year after year. Well, the overall list of nominees announced this morning was predictable, but that’s because pundits largely predicted success for shows that aren’t just the same old.

Chief among these was the surprising fact that of the eight Best Drama Series nominees last year, only one, The Crown, was in the running; that hasn't happened in half a century, since The Waltons, which won the year before, was the only returning nominee in 1974. But consider that there were fewer nominees back then (six), so this is pretty notable. The change is possible because last year's winner Succession and perennial nominee Better Call Saul — which had 0-for-53 Emmy nominations — were in their final seasons, and five other nominated dramas didn't have new episodes this time around.

RELATED: Emmy Winners for Best Drama Since 1960: A Photo Gallery