Conchords up for six Emmys

Jemaine Clement (L) and Bret McKenzie's HBO hit, <i>Flight of the Conchords</i>, is up for five Emmys today. Photo / Wairarapa Times-Age

The struggling members of New Zealand's fourth most popular folk-comedy duo will today rub shoulders with the great and good as they compete for some of the most sought-after prizes in television.

The Flight of the Conchords' eponymously named show is nominated for six Emmy awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics & Writing.

And side-burned Conchord Jemaine Clement is in the running for one of the top gongs: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

Actor Neil Patrick Harris - formerly Doogie Howser, MD - will host the awards ceremony, which airs from 10am on Sky's E! channel.

Clement and his HBO-produced brainchild, which chronicles the trials and tribulations of the hapless bass player and bandmate Bret Mackenzie as they struggle for success in New York City, is up against some tough competition.

NBC's self-parody of network TV, 30 Rock, goes to the awards presentation with 22 nominations and Mad Men, the AMC series set in the 1960s advertising industry, has 16 nominations.

Glenn Close looks to be the favourite for best drama actress for FX legal series Damages despite challenges from Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men), Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters), Kyra Sedgwick in The Closer, Mariska Hargitay in crowd-pleaser Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Holly Hunter in Saving Grace.

The race looks tighter for best drama actor, with Hugh Laurie's grouchy doctor in House posing the strongest challenge to last year's surprise winner Bryan Cranston, who plays a drug-dealing teacher Breaking Bad.

Jon Hamm's dapper ad executive in Mad Men, In Treatment therapist Gabriel Byrne, Michael C. Hall's serial killer in Dexter, and Australian Simon Baker of The Mentalist are also in the running for best actor in a drama.

* The Emmys will be screened on Sky's E! channel from 10am today.