William Petersen (Gil Grissom) and Marg Helgenberger (Catherine Willows) could hear their names read out when the Emmy Award nominations are announced on July 15, according to award pundits.

The Hollywood Reporter's special "Emmy Watch" report has tipped that both CSI: Crime Scene Investigation stars could receive a nomination this year. The show itself is considered a "near-lock" for an Outstanding Drama Series nod by Emmy expert Tom O'Neil of GoldDerby.com, with the Hollywood Reporter listing CSI: Miami as a "long shot".

Should Petersen enter the nominee's circle for the first time he will likely be facing off with Anthony La Paglia from CSI's Thursday-night companion, Without a Trace. La Paglia, who won a Golden Globe earlier this year for Trace, has been receiving plenty of "Emmy buzz" in industry circles. Other likely nominees include James Gandolfini from The Sopranos and The West Wing's Martin Sheen.

Drama series actress is a tough field this year, but Helgenberger, a two-time nominee for CSI and a past Emmy winner for China Beach, is considered a "good bet" for another nod. Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia), Edie Falco (The Sopranos) and Allison Janney (The West Wing) are also front-runners.

CSI creator and executive producer Anthony Zuiker told the Hollywood Reporter an Emmy Award would be recognition of the show's impact on the medium. "Every time we get nominated, it's a big win," he said. "But just once, it would be nice to take one of these things home because I believe we've helped change television. But it's tough to win that big ring."

The series has been nominated twice previously, in 2002 and 2003, but lost to The West Wing both times. The political drama is tipped to receive another nomination, with other contenders likely to include The Sopranos, 24 and Without a Trace.

The original article is available at the Hollywood Reporter. The nominations for the 2004 Emmy Awards will be announced at 5:35 a.m. on July 15.

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