Gervais and Merchant up for more Emmys

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have been nominated for several Emmy awards, the American television production awards considered the TV equivalent of the Oscars. However, this year they are facing competition from the American version of their other notable creation, The Office, which has ten nominations.

Gervais and Merchant's Extras is the only British sitcom to be nominated for an Emmy this year. The pair have been nominated for "Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series" and will be up against rival shows including Scrubs, Entourage, Ugly Betty, and 30 Rock. The pair have also been nominated for "Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series", fighting against two writers from The Office, and two from 30 Rock.

Gervais has also been nominated for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series", against Steve Carell from The Office, Alec Baldwin from 30 Rock, Charlie Sheen from Two and a Half Men, and Tony Shallhoub from the comedy-detective-drama-series Monk. Meanwhile, Extras guest star Sir Ian McKellen has been nominated for "Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series".

Other British interests include comic actor Hugh Laurie, nominated for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" for his role in House, and Jim Broadbent for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie", for Longford.

The full nominations list and a video webcast of the Nominations Ceremony can be seen on the Emmy Awards' website.