On Thursday, the 2007 Emmy nominations will be announced. Yes, the contest will dare to rear its head again for another year of ouch-errific nods.

So prepare yourselves for yet another nuts-oid gathering of nominees, one that automatically wastes category space with beloved performers such as Mariska Hargitay or flashy Hollywood-story types such as Charlie Sheen while disregarding some of the best that TV has to offer in a given year. And take a moment now to acknowledge the underdogs, the shows and actors who are unlikely to get their due on Thursday. Just as the mainstream Oscars are preceded by the Independent Spirit Awards, here's a look at TV's hidden treasures.

—Matthew Gilbert, Globe Staff