Simpsons lead Writers Guild list

The Simpsons is US TV's longest-running comedy

Animated comedy The Simpsons is leading the charge for the Writers Guild of America's (WGA) annual broadcasting awards, with five nominations.

The series was one of five nominees for best comedy series, along with Entourage, Weeds and previous winners 30 Rock and The Office.

Four episodes of the show were also nominated separately in the best animation category.

The WGA awards will given out at a ceremony in Los Angeles on 7 February.

The Simpsons, which has been running for 19 series, has collected numerous WGA awards in the animation category over the years, but this is the first time the show is competing for best comedy series.

Comedy 30 Rock, starring Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey, was the second most nominated show with four nods in all, including three for best comedy episode.

Castaway show Lost competes with Friday Night Lights, Dexter, The Wire and Mad Men for the best drama award.

The US version of BBC show Life on Mars is also up for best new series, against JJ Abrams' Fringe, True Blood, In Treatment and Breaking Bad.

Nominations for the screen and video gaming awards will be announced in January.