THE 62ND Annual Primetime Emmy Awards airs Sunday night on NBC with Jimmy Fallon (“Saturday Night Live” alum and his eponymous NBC late night talk show) hosting. Controversy quickly surfaced when the peacock network began to broadcast on-air promos spoofing “Mad Men” that featured series star/Emmynominee Christina Hendricks with Fallon as the slick character, Don Draper. Other cable networks cried foul citing unfair advantage to the show and its network AMC because Emmy voting had not been ended. The promos were pulled immediately only to return after the polls close according to an NBC rep. Nonetheless, this year’s Emmy night seems to be enjoying the wave of infusing excitement and suspense back into the kudos-cast, especially with nominations for several newcomers (“Glee”), series ending (“Lost”) and nominees who may benefit from the effect of expanding the number of nominations in several major categories (“Friday Night Lights” stars Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton finally received one each in lead acting categories).

The major contenders – at least the most nominated shows – include the HBO World War II miniseries, “The Pacific” and “Glee” with 24 and 19 noms respectively. The celebration for both those shows already started as each picked up trophies last Saturday night at the Creative Arts Emmys, the prelude to the “big show” that honors technical (casting, make-up, editing, etc.) and a handful of other glitzy categories that can’t be squeezed into the very stuffed primetime telecast. “The Pacific” picked up 7 and “Glee” nabbed 2, including one for Neil Patrick Harris for his guest turn. Harris also won his 2nd for the Tonys (he hosted) in the Special Class Program category. He’s up for a 3rd on Sunday night as Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy. While he might finally get that one, watch for Chris Colfer as the scene-stealing Curt in “Glee” who has garnered much voter love. Colfer’s co-star, Jane Lynch, will take one home for Supporting Actress/Comedy, one of her two nominations. Lynch already lost at the Creatives in the Guest Actress/Comedy category she shared with Betty White who took that prize for hosting “Saturday Night Live,” the gig she landed after fans launched a loud campaign on Facebook.

Going into Sunday night, it will be a night of surprises and upsets. “Glee” seems to have the edge over the other newcomer, “Modern Family” for Best Comedy; the groundbreaking series should win for being a musical comedy on TV that’s not a variety show, among other reasons. “Mad Men” had a weaker third season and it might be time to end its streak after winning for its first two seasons as Best Drama. “The Good Wife” or the “Lost” series finale are its biggest competition. In the lead acting categories, the race is wide open, but Julianna Margulies (“The Good Wife”) seems to be favored for Lead Actress/Drama and Jim Parsons (“Big Bang Theory”) for Lead Actor/Comedy. George Clooney will be honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.

An edited version of the Creative Awards will air on Friday, August 27th at 1pm (ET/PT) on E!. The 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will air on Sunday, August 29th on NBC at 8pm (ET) on NBC.