Big news for "Big Love"

FOR THE FIRST TIME, HBO’s “Big Love” is up for one of the big awards at the Emmys. The series, about a family of polygamists in Utah, is among the nominees for outstanding drama series.

In its first two seasons, “Big Love” received a few relatively minor nominations: Ellen Burstyn for guest actress in a drama series in 2008; and for casting, directing and main title design in 2006.

(Because of the writers’ strike, “Big Love” didn’t produce a season eligible for the 2007 Emmys.)

In its third season, this largely ignored series is up for one of the top prizes.

You’ve got to wonder if the controversy that arose back in March had anything to do with the outstanding drama series nomination. There’s truth in the old adage that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. And there was a whole lot of noise when the LDS Church and some of its members protested an episode that depicted the church’s temple ceremonies.

This wouldn’t be the first time that a protest against a TV show had unintended consequences. There are myriad examples, including how an attempt to get “Married … With Children” off the air turned that show into a hit and how pre-premiere outrage over the content of “NYPD Blue” made that show an instant success.

There’s also truth in the adage that any publicity is good publicity. And the publicity over the “Big Love” controversy certainly didn’t hurt the show’s Emmy chances.