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Nominees for Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program

By Thomas Tennant, About.com

Here are the nominees for Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program:

1. Late Night with Conan O’Brien

NBC
Hosted by the fiery redhead Conan O’Brien, there isn’t a hipper traditional talk show on the air. But be forewarned, Conan’s for the nerdy set. If you like beer with your talk show host, turn to Jimmy Kimmel. But if you enjoy broad humor in 'The Simpsons' vein (after all, O’Brien was a writer and producer on that show), you’ll love 'Late Night'.

2. Late Show with David Letterman

Getty Images
After nearly 25 years, David Letterman and his Late Show(s) are the gold standard for modern day talk shows. Since Dave sauntered onto the stage at NBC in 1982, he has reinvented the genre by using his New York humor (with a heavy dose of Midwestern humility) to turn the tables on viewer expectations. A mid-career move to CBS barely slowed him down. And while talk show hosts may come and go, Dave remains our foundation.

3. The Colbert Report

Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Like The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the show from which it spun off, Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report provides blistering political and media satire, but rather than traditional newscasts, The Report jabs at political pundits like Bill O’Reilly and Chris Matthews. When it’s good, it’s really good. And when it’s bad, it’s still pretty darn good.

4. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

With such an affable, everyman like Jon Stewart behind the desk, how can you not enjoy The Daily Show? For those who like their discourse without the doublespeak, The Daily Show is a breath of fresh air.

5. Other nominees include:

Saturday Night Live

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