In the wee hours of the morning (on the west coast anyway), the nominations for the 2012 Primetime Emmy’s were announced. As usual the list included some happy surprises, some ludicrous choices and even a few head scratchers.

The Flickcast favorites Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad both got some solid recognition in the Drama categories, while some of our Comedy favs, Community and Parks & Recreation, got snubbed for the most part.

Not listed in the main nominations list, because it is oddly not apart of the main Emmy broadcast, was the Outstanding Animated Series category. Both Bob’s Burgers and American Dad shockingly were recognized for their awesomeness, but the incumbent Futurama should be the odds on favorite to win. Oddly South Park, who lately have dominated this category, is absent.

Speaking of incumbent winners who extra-deserve the award again this year, Peter Dinklage thankfully was recognized for the second year in a row. In season one he was a bad ass, in season two he was downright epic. If there is any justice he becomes a two-time winner in September.

Check out the full list of nominees after the jump, and be sure to hop on the comments and register your biggest snubs and surprises!

You might not know the name H. Jon Benjamin, though you should, but you have probably heard his voice. The star of the FX animated series Archer has been a staple of primetime and late night animation for years. From Adult Swim to FX and even Fox, Benjamin has been almost anywhere animation is aimed at teens and adults.

TheFlickcast recently had the opportunity to hear insights on all things H. Jon Benjamin from the man himself. He discusses the process of Archer as well as the new season, how he is just like Sterling Archer and even the fate of his Comedy Central show.

On ad-libbing in the Archer recording booth 

Very little.  There is not a lot of room.  The scripts are tightly written and he encourages sometimes on occasion, he’ll be like do you want to add anything, and I’ll say no.  So it’s not the same kind of production as Bob’s Burgers, which is a lot improvising all the time, but the scripts don’t really require it.

On Archer‘s popularity with the masses

Well, the masses are idiots, so they don’t know any better.  They’re too busy just staring at the light and cartoons are colorful.  So don’t get me started about the masses.  I’m really not a fan.

Starting with the cultural phenom that is The Simpsons in 1989, Fox has been the undisputed king of prime-time animation. They have given us King of the Hill, Futurama, Family Guy and American Dad, but they maintain a reputation of being corporate monsters who will kill any show that doesn’t meet their insane expectations. Even going as far as trying to murder two of those classic shows in their primes and snuffing out The Critic before it’s time.

So fans of the wonderful new show Bob’s Burgers have had the nagging fear in the back of their heads that Fox doesn’t quite get it. Well fear no more Bob’s Burger-philes (or is it Bob’s Burgonians?), Fox has renewed the show for a second season.

This is fantastic news because Bob’s Burgers is the best animated show currently running in the Animation Domination line-up on Sunday nights. Family Guy has lost it’s way, The Simpsons is solid, but has lost the spark that made it must watch TV in the 90’s, and the less said about The Cleveland Show the better. Only American Dad seems to be firing on all cylinders these days, and even that show doesn’t match the consistency Bob’s Burgers has shown in its short run thus far.

Until they gets off the Seth MacFarlane bandwagon, Bob’s Burgers is the last, best hope for Fox’s reign as prime-time animation king.

April showers bring great television, as you’ll see in this month’s installment of Cortney’s TV Digest.

Game of Thrones

HBO premiered the first fifteen minutes of Game of Thrones on Sunday night, and audiences got a taste of the gorgeous cinematography, stellar acting, and killer violence that is sure to be a part of every episode of this new series. Based on George R. R. Martin’s best-selling A Song of Ice and Fire series of novels, Game of Thrones takes place in the world of Westeros, where many noble familes fight for control of the Iron Throne.

Game of Thrones stars the likes of Sean Bean, Peter Dinklage, and will be directed by Thomas McCarthy, best known for his work on The Station Agent and The Visitor.

Game of Thrones will premiere April 17th on HBO.

As we did with ABC’s new shows earlier today and NBC’s show’s yesterday, we’ve got a preview of some of the new Fox shows for you as well. This time around the shows are more drama heavy but also feature a comedy and an animated show.

First up is the new drama Lonestar which features Jon Voight in a show described as “a modern-day Dallas” and “a sophisticated and provocative drama set against the sprawling backdrop of big Texas oil.” Mmm, could be interesting.

Next up is the new cop show Ride-Along from Shawn Ryan, creator of The Shield. This drama follows the exploits of a veteran cop (Jason Clarke of Brotherhood) doing whatever he can to keep the streets clean. It also stars Jennifer Beals.

Moving along to the next show we’ve got a preview for the new comedy Running Wild which features Wil Arnett as a rich guy who’s wife, played by Kerri Russell, tries to keep him in line and do some good along the way. It was created by Arrested Development’s Mitchell Hurwitz so it’s definitely got a comedy pedigree.

Finally, the last preview for today is the new animated show Bob’s Burgers from the guy who brought you Dr. Katz. It focuses on a struggling family-run burger joint that seems to violate a great deal of health codes. Of all of these shows I think I’m most interested in Ride-Along.

Shawn Ryan created one of the best cop shows of all time with The Shield and he knows this world and the people in it. I expect great things from Ride-Along. The others? I guess we’ll see.

Check out all the previews after the jump.