Gold Derby nuggets: EW: Emmy debate over Conan O'Brien | Jonas Brothers 'super excited' about Emmys | Jeff Bridges displays 'True Grit'

• Does Conan O'Brien deserve to win the Emmy this year for his short-lived edition of "The Tonight Show"? Lynette Rice thinks so: "The public has certainly been on his side (witness the I’m With Coco campaign that surfaced on the internet earlier this year). That’s why it seems unlikely that anyone at the Aug. 29 ceremony would begrudge O’Brien if he wins the statuette. We already know his comedy is worth its weight in gold; his team, after all, won the Emmy in 2007 for writing 'Late Night with Conan O’Brien.' And voters will probably want to give O’Brien the final word on the whole sordid affair and on NBC, no less, which is broadcasting the ceremony this year." ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

• However her colleague Ken Tucker begs to differ, arguing in favor of "The Daily Show," which has owned this category for the past seven years: "Jon Stewart plowed new ground this season, which is to say, he built up rage against so many worthy targets, and found fresh ways of expressing that anger through humor, that his show achieved a whole new level of comic effectiveness. He deserves the win." ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

• Those sassy promos for the Emmys that feature host Jimmy Fallon in a tongue-in-cheek tribute to two-time drama champ and current contender "Mad Men" have been pulled for now. "An NBC source said the video was aired 'prematurely' and that no more of Fallon's 'Mad Men" spoofs will run until after the voting window closes on Tuesday. The video was also removed from online. 'This promo was posted prematurely,' said a TV Academy spokesperson, "and the Television Academy appreciates NBC pulling the content until after the voting window closes." ABC

• The first season of the Disney Channel hit "Jonas" starring the Jonas Brothers is contending for top children's program at the upcoming Emmy Awards. And, as Joe Jonas admitted to MTV News, "We are very super excited! We've never been up for an Emmy before. That's never been on our radar, so something like that's really exciting. We don't know who will win." The boys face off against two other Disney staples — "Hannah Montana" and both the series and telefilm versions of "Wizards of Waverly Place" — as well as the Nickelodeon smash "iCarly." Joe added, "There's a lot of Disney in there, so I think we're gonna have some friendly competition going on there. Me and ['Wizards' star] David Henrie, we've been talking to each other and kind of making fun of each other here and there about the Emmy thing. But whoever wins, it'll be cool for us to be honored." MTV

• "127 Hours" is set to close the London Film Festival on Oct. 28. The biopic from director Danny Boyle stars James Franco as hiker Aron Ralston forced to cut off his own arm to free himself from a rock slide. As Steve Pond notes, "Boyle also had the closing-night film at the festival in 2008 with 'Slumdog,' which went on to win eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director." In making the announcement, fest director Sandra Hebron referred to this fact: "It is unprecedented for us to chose a closing night film from the same director only two years later. But '127 Hours' was the obvious choice for us — with filmmaking as bold and adventurous as its subject matter, it confirms Danny Boyle as one of the world's finest and most visionary directors." THE WRAP

• Reigning best actor Oscar champ Jeff Bridges ("Crazy Heart") could be back in the race this year. He reunites with the Coen brothers for their remake of "True Grit" and is taking on the 1969 role that won John Wayne his Oscar. Greg Ellwood previews the picture, which is due out on Christmas Day. "Paramount Pictures released the first image of "True Grit" today which features Bridges and co-star Hailee Steinfield.  Most intriguing is the eyepatch Bridge's character wears is on his right eye. Wayne wore it on left. A nod to the original film? More importantly, this potential Best Picture contender is on this pundit's must-see list, has it made yours?"
HIT FIX

• Christopher Lisotta says that "If the first time is a charm, then 2010 could be shaping up as a downright charming year for a host of rookie Emmy nominees." He thinks that, "as voting wraps up Tuesday, buzz is building behind freshmen series 'The Good Wife,' 'Glee' and 'Modern Family,' any of which could wrest key wins from veteran series like '30 Rock' and 'Mad Men,' which have become the shows to beat." HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Upper photo: "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" promotional still. Credit: NBC.

Middle photo: "Jonas" promotional still. Credit: Disney Channel.

Lower photo: Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfield in "True Grit." Credit: Paramount.

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