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Nominees for Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series

By Thomas Tennant, About.com

Here are the nominees for Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series:

1. Late Show with David Letterman

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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.

2. The Colbert Report

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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.

3. 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.

4. Real Time With Bill Maher

Cable talk show host Bill Maher's 'Real Time' delivers political punch and topical commentary in the no-nonsense, open-minded approach Maher made famous on his critically acclaimed 'Politically Incorrect.'

5. Other nominees include:

Saturday Night Live

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