“Mad Men,” AMC’s sleek drama set in the advertising world circa 1960, and FX’s legal thriller “Damages” made Emmy nominations history Thursday as the first basic cable programs to gain best-series nods.

The HBO historical drama “John Adams” was the overall frontrunner with 23 bids, including a lead-actor nomination for Paul Giamatti’s turn as one of America’s founding fathers.

“30 Rock,” last year’s best comedy Emmy winner, was the top nominee among sitcoms with 17 bids. “Mad Men” was the leading drama series contender with 16 nominations, including one for star Jon Hamm.

“The Wire,” the just-ended, critically acclaimed HBO drama about police and drug dealers in Baltimore, lost its last shot at a best-drama nod after years of Emmy snubs. It received one nomination Thursday, for writing.

But other cable series made a serious dent in several top categories as broadcast networks watched their share of Emmy nominations glory erode.

In the lead drama actor category, four of the five nominees were stars of cable shows, including Jon Hamm of “Mad Men.” In the corresponding actress category, three of the slots went to cable series stars, including Glenn Close of “Damages.”

HBO failed to field a best-drama series contender for the first time in nearly a decade, after “The Sopranos” claimed the honor last year. But the premium cable channel had a leading 85 bids overall, followed by ABC with 76.

Network audience favorites that failed to make a serious showing included “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Desperate Housewives,” both left out of the best-series categories, although “Grey’s” stars Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson received nominations.

“Lost,” rebounding with a well-received season, joined “Mad Men” and “Damages” in the best-drama series category with six nominees, including “Boston Legal, “Dexter” and “House.”

Other best comedy series nominees besides “30 Rock” were “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Entourage,” “The Office” and “Two And a Half Men.”

Oh and Wilson are competing in the best supporting drama actress category that last year was won by castmate Katherine Heigl — who took herself of the running this time, blaming her decision on lackluster scripts.

“Lost,” rebounding with a well-received season, joined “Mad Men” and “Damages” in the best-drama series category with six nominees, including “Boston Legal, “Dexter” and “House.”

Other best comedy series nominees besides “30 Rock” were “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Entourage,” “The Office” and “Two And a Half Men.”

Joining Hamm with lead drama acting nods were last year’s winner James Spader, “Boston Legal,” Bryan Cranston of “Breaking Bad,” Michael C. Hall, “Dexter,” Hugh Laurie, “House” and Gabriel Byrne, “In Treatment.”

Close’s competition for lead drama actress honors includes 2007 winner Sally Field for “Brothers & Sisters,” Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer,” Mariska Hargitay, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and Holly Hunter, “Saving Grace.”