WGA Nominees: Which Are the Best-Written Shows on Television?

Is it just me, or do the Writer's Guild of America TV awards seem extra exciting this year? Maybe it's just the fact that the true awards season is still a ways away. Or maybe it's because, looking at the list of nominees, it seems clear that we're living in a golden age of television, despite the encroachment of reality TV.

The list of WGA nominees is an impressive one, and there doesn't seem to be an undeserving show on here. Take, for example, the nominees for Best Drama Series:

"Boardwalk Empire" - HBO
"Breaking Bad" - AMC
"The Good Wife" - CBS
"Homeland" - Showtime
"Game of Thrones" - HBO

With the possible exception of "The Good Wife," which seems to be riding the buzz of season one a little long, these are all fantastic TV shows. They're also all (again, except for "Good Wife") cable shows. And looking at it, I'm not sure I could choose one to win this award. How do you compare "Breaking Bad" to "Boardwalk Empire?" Imagine how crowded things would be if "Mad Men" had aired this year.

The list of nominees for Best Comedy Series is perhaps even more difficult to decide upon:

"30 Rock" - NBC
"Louie" - FX
"Parks and Recreation" - NBC
"Modern Family" - ABC
"Curb Your Enthusiasm" - HBO

Five shows, each of them genius in their own right. But how could you choose a winner between the often quiet and dark "Louie" and the rapid-fire "30 Rock?" Who should win between the hilarious and heartfelt "Parks and Recreation" and the almost cruelly funny "Curb?" And we all know how good "Modern Family" is.

The nominees for Best New Series are a fun bunch as well:

"Game of Thrones" - HBO
"New Girl" - Fox
"The Killing" - AMC
"Episodes" - Showtime
"Homeland" - Showtime

There are two notable things here. One, "Thrones" and "Homeland" are nominated both in New Series and Drama Series, which could mean good things for their chances. Two, there's only one network show on the list (of all those different shows that went into development for the networks), and that's "New Girl." Good news for Fox, bad news for pretty much everyone else. As far as quality goes, cable seems to be kicking broadcast's butt.

One last interesting category, if not to see a bit of a win for the tired-out "Dexter"... Best Episodic Drama:

"Dexter" - Showtime - "Just Let Go"
"Homeland" - Showtime - "The Good Soldier"
"Breaking Bad" - AMC - "Box Cutter"
"Breaking Bad" - AMC - "End Times"
"Boardwalk Empire" - HBO - "A Dangerous Maid"
"Boardwalk Empire" - HBO - "The Age of Reason"

In a season that has many wondering if "Dexter" has tired out its storylines, it's good to see ol' Dex getting some recognition. Plus, the first and last episode of this season of "Breaking Bad" are both nominated, and rightly so: both were absolutely breathtaking episodes of television, with heart-pounding suspense built right into the dialogue.

This is just a short list of nominees, but the full WGA Awards will be worth keeping an eye on as a possible indicator of who might take top honors at the Emmys and Golden Globes.