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EYE-OPENING: Kevin Spacey’s work as a Democratic activist didn’t fully prepare him for his role in HBO’s “Recount,” about voting snafus during the 2000 presidential election. Reading the script, he says, he realized “how remarkably ignorant I was about what really happened.”

WHAT A DAME: At 73, Judi Dench has won virtually every major acting award there is except an Emmy. That could change if enough voters watched the PBS miniseries “Cranford,” in which she made spinsterhood not merely sweet but absolutely radiant.

DESPERATE TIMES: Remember in 2005 when three of the “Desperate Housewives” got Emmy nominations? The love started to taper off after that, but it may be back this year for one reason: Dana Delany.

SMART MOVE: She’s been nominated twice for her dramatic work on “24,” but this year it could be comedy’s turn for Jean Smart, who adds to the many charms of “Samantha Who?” with her wry turn as Christina Applegate’s mother.

DYING FOR NOTICE: Dying might be the way to Emmy heaven on the “Lost” island. Actor John Terry, who plays Jack’s father, Dr. Christian Shephard, has gotten more work on the ABC drama since he died on the show than when he was alive. Take heart, Jin!

BACK IN THE

RUNNING? Will the academy say “Back to You” to former winners Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton? They were certainly funny enough, but Fox canceled their freshman sitcom.

WE WIN! The Oscars, the Grammys and the Tonys regularly garner Emmy nominations but one award show that never does? The Emmy telecast itself. It’s not self-loathing; the show is ineligible to avoid any conflict-of-interest charges.

WE WIN TOO! If viewers could win an Emmy, this year’s prize would surely go to “Jericho” fans. Their peanut assault on CBS may have branded them as nutty but they got what they wanted: closure.