Emmy nominations 2012: Nods for big-screen's Costner, Kidman, more

"Scandal" star Kerry Washington and late night host Jimmy Kimmel, who will host the 64th Prime Time Emmy Awards, announce the nominees early Thursday morning. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times / July 19, 2012) Hey, wait a sec, is this the Oscars or the Emmys? Several big-screen stars -- including Kevin Costner, Nicole Kidman, Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Emma Thompson, Jessica Lange andKathy Bates -- earned Emmy nominations Thursday morning for their work on the small screen. They've all either won or been nominated for an Academy Award in years past. But on Thursday, they were at the center of the TV universe, a shift that underscores the medium's growing appeal to film stars who hunger for meaty roles that are harder to come by in youth-oriented Hollywood. For example, Costner, who won the best director Oscar for the 1990 Western "Dances with Wolves," earned his first Emmy nomination, for outstanding actor in a miniseries or movie, for theHistory Channel's ratings blockbuster "Hatfields & McCoys." Kidman, who won the best actress Oscar for 2002's "The Hours," also picked up her first Emmy nod, for best actress in a miniseries or movie, for HBO's romantic drama "Hemingway & Gelhorn." Her leading man in the film, Owen, an Oscar nominee for best supporting actor for "Closer," received a best actor nomination for the HBO production.  FULL COVERAGE: The Emmys Among the other Oscar-winning or Oscar-nominated performers who were nominated Thursday for Emmys are Glenn Close, Don Cheadle, Melissa McCarthy, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Wiig, Woody Harrelson, Judy Davis, Maggie Smith, Tom Berenger, David Strathairn, Mare Winningham, Joan Cusack, Ed Harris and Uma Thurman. The star wattage illustrates the widening gap between cable television -- with its deep pockets and unfettered restraints -- and broadcast television. So little wonder that HBO dominated the 64th annual Emmy nominations, picking up 81 nods for viewer favorites such as “Boardwalk Empire” and “Game of Thrones” as well as comedyfreshman series “Girls” and “Veep.” Next was CBS, which earned 60 nods, followed by a strong showing by PBS, with 58 nominations.