For the first time in its history, the Emmy academy went along with the pleas of entertainment journalists worldwide and released its list of the top 10 shows competing for five finalist spots in the Best Comedy and Best Drama awards. The actual finalists won't be announced until July 17; Emmy voters are expected to begin voting this weekend.

In comedy, the surprise is HBO newbie Flight of the Conchords in the running, alongside popular freshman series Pushing Daisies. And Fox's Family Guy -- which has always seemed to me like a crasser less funny version of The Simpsons -- is also in the running. Otherwise, the comedy list includes all the series nominated for best comedy last year, proving that Emmy can be as predictable as ever.

In drama, the impact of cable's growing quality is felt even more, with upstart AMC's buzzed-about  drama Mad Men in the running alongside Showtime's Dexter and the Tudors. The big news here may be that HBO only has one nominee in the running, much-overlooked The Wire. The only two shows from last year's nominees not included in this top 10 list is the defunct Sopranos and Heroes -- which offered a strike-shortened season so bad it might as well have been canceled.

So which shows would you like to see take home the brass ring? My predictions for the five finalists in each category are in bold. See if you can pick better!

Top 10 Comedy Series Finalists

Curb Your Enthusiasm
Entourage
Family Guy
Flight of the Conchords
The Office
Pushing Daisies
30 Rock
Two and a Half Men
Ugly Betty
Weeds

Top 10 Drama Series Finalists

Boston Legal
Damages
Dexter
Friday Night Lights 
Grey’s Anatomy
House
Lost
Mad Men
The Tudors
The Wire