Today's News: Our Take - American Horror Story, Game of Thrones Top Emmy Nominations

American Horror Story: Asylum topped the Primetime Emmy Award nominations Thursday with 17, while Kerry Washington made history.The Scandal star nabbed a Best Drama Lead Actress nomination, becoming only the fifth African-American actress to be nominated in the category and the first in 18 years. She's up against Connie Britton (Nashville), defending champ Claire Danes (Homeland), Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey), Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel) and Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men).

Neil Patrick Harris to host Emmy AwardsHomeland will try to defend its Best Drama Series crown against Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, House of Cards and Mad Men.House of Cards also earned acting nominations for Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, but its fellow and Netflix series and former Emmy champ Arrested Development was snubbed in the Best Comedy Series race.Modern Family will gun for a four-peat in Comedy Series against The Big Bang Theory, Girls, Louie, 30 Rock and Veep.The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, will air Sunday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS.Check out the nominees below.Drama SeriesBreaking BadDownton AbbeyGame of ThronesHomelandHouse of CardsMad MenComedy SeriesThe Big Bang TheoryGirlsLouieModern Family30 RockVeepLead Actor in a Drama Series Hugh Bonneville, Downton AbbeyBryan Cranston, Breaking BadJeff Daniels, The NewsroomJon Hamm, Mad MenDamian Lewis, HomelandKevin Spacey, House of CardsLead Actress in a Drama Series Connie Britton, NashvilleClaire Danes, HomelandMichelle Dockery, Downton AbbeyVera Farmiga, Bates MotelElisabeth Moss, Mad MenKerry Washington, ScandalRobin Wright, House of CardsSupporting Actor in a Drama SeriesJonathan Banks, Breaking BadBobby Cannavale, Boardwalk EmpireJim Carter, Downton AbbeyPeter Dinklage, Game of ThronesMandy Patinkin, HomelandAaron Paul, Breaking BadSupporting Actress in a Drama SeriesMorena Baccarin, HomelandChristine Baranski, The Good WifeEmilia Clarke, Game of ThronesAnna Gunn, Breaking BadChristina Hendricks, Mad MenMaggie Smith, Downton AbbeyLead Actor in a Comedy SeriesAlec Baldwin, 30 RockJason Bateman, Arrested DevelopmentLouis C.K., LouieDon Cheadle, House of LiesMatt LeBlanc, EpisodesJim Parsons, The Big Bang TheoryLead Actress in a Comedy Series Laura Dern, EnlightenedLena Dunham, GirlsEdie Falco, Nurse JackieTina Fey, 30 RockJulia Louis-Dreyfus, VeepAmy Poehler, Parks and RecreationSupporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesWill Arnett, Arrested DevelopmentTy Burrell, Modern FamilyAdam Driver, GirlsJesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern FamilyBill Hader, Saturday Night LiveEd O'Neill, Modern FamilyTony Hale, VeepSupporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesMayim Bialik, The Big Bang TheoryJulie Bowen, Modern FamilyAnna Chlumsky, VeepJane Krakowski, 30 RockJane Lynch, GleeSofia Vergara, Modern FamilyMerritt Wever, Nurse JackieTV Movie/MiniseriesAmerican Horror Story: AsylumBehind the CandelabraThe BiblePhil SpectorPolitical AnimalsTop of the LakeActor in a TV Movie/MiniseriesBenedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock: Scandal in BelgraviaMatt Damon, Behind the CandelabraMichael Douglas, Behind the CandelabraAl Pacino, Phil SpectorToby Jones, The GirlActress in a TV Movie/MiniseriesJessica Lange, American Horror Story: AsylumLaura Linney, The Big C: HereafterHelen Mirren, Phil SpectorElisabeth Moss, Top of the LakeSigourney Weaver, Political AnimalsSupporting Actor in a TV Movie/MiniseriesScott Bakula, Behind the CandelabraJames Cromwell, American Horror Story: AsylumJohn Benjamin Hickey, The Big C: HereafterPeter Mullan, Top of the LakeZachary Quinto, American Horror Story: AsylumSupporting Actress in a TV Movie/MiniseriesEllen Burstyn, Political AnimalsSarah Paulson, American Horror Story: AsylumCharlotte Rampling, RestlessImelda Staunton, The GirlAlfre Woodard, Steel MagnoliasReality-Competition ProgramThe Amazing RaceDancing with the StarsProject RunwaySo You Think You Can DanceTop ChefThe VoiceReality HostAnthony Bourdain, The TasteTom Bergeron, Dancing with the StarsCat Deeley, So You Think You Can DanceHeidi Klum and Tim Gunn, Project RunwayRyan Seacrest, American IdolBetty White, Betty White's Off Their RockersVariety, Music or Comedy SeriesThe Colbert ReportThe Daily Show with Jon StewartJimmy Kimmel Live!Late Night with Jimmy FallonReal Time with Bill MaherSaturday Night Live