Mt. Emmy: Ascendant Timothy Olyphant gets ‘Justified’

MT. EMMY: To scale the heights of the Emmys, wrap yourself in raves and pack lots of buzz. This week’s altitude readings are by Greg Braxton, Matea Gold, Meg James, Rene Lynch, Mary McNamara and Tom O’Neil.

PEAKING

HAT TRICK: Timothy Olyphant, who often wore a hat as Seth Bullock on the HBO western “Deadwood,” never scored an acting nomination. But he’s back in a hat in FX’s hit “Justified” playing U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, and he’s received raves from critics and fans alike.

CLIMBING

THE RACE IS ON: Showtime’s wearing its heart on its sleeve — its coffee sleeve — with its push for “Dexter” and two of television’s most disturbing characters. And “The Big Bang Theory” pops out of the campaigning doldrums.

CONTENDER CONFUSION: Three-time winner Edie Falco on her confusion over judging different roles for the Emmys: “It’s like apples and oranges. If you want to give the same scene to five actresses and judge that, for some godforsaken reason, then I would understand.”

AT BASE CAMP

DOING DAMAGE: What is it about “Damages” that brings out such serious acting chops from some of TV’s most lovable comic actors? Consider the Emmy-worthy performances from Ted Danson, Martin Short and Lily Tomlin.

TROPHY MOM: As good as she is in her role on “Parenthood,” Lauren Graham was NBC’s third choice to play Sarah Braverman. Maura Tierney had to leave the show last year to undergo treatment for breast cancer and Helen Hunt was considered for the role before it went to Graham.

LOOKING FOR A SHERPA

A “HEROES” HURRAH? Masi Oka, who played the excitable Hiro Nakamura in “Heroes,” was the only cast member to receive a nomination for the drama. Since the show is departing this season, can Oka or any other performers get one last nomination for the road?

TRIPLE TROUBLE: Beware Titus Welliver. After his roles on “Lost,” “The Good Wife” and “Sons of Anarchy,” when you see him coming next, you know nothing good’s going to come of it.

SHADY KATEY? Katey Sagal, who many felt was overlooked last season in her role as the ruthless matriarch of a motorcycle gang in “Sons of Anarchy,” could get a nod this year. But might it be for the caring fiancée of sideways-world John Locke on “Lost”? Will voters prefer their Katey good or bad?