The BBC's adaptation of Charles Dickens's Little Dorrit has been nominated for the award for long-form television.

BBC: Avatar, Star Trek and District 9 lead award shortlist

Not because of Charles Dickens adaptations (Little Dorrit notwithstanding) but because a generation ago, viewers were eager to sample, and maybe even embrace, the new stuff the networks were turning out.

NPR: The Emmys, Where Cable Reigns Supreme

Multiple awards last night went to the telemovie Grey Gardens on HBO, the miniseries Little Dorrit from Masterpiece Classic on PBS, the low-rated 30 Rock on NBC, Jon Stewart's Daily Show on Comedy Central, and the critically adored Mad Men on AMC, which draws a very small but very fervent viewership.

NPR: The Emmys, Where Cable Reigns Supreme