'Ugly Betty' leads AlMA Awards nominations

Stars of hit TV shows 'Ugly Betty', 'Without a Trace' and 'Wizards of Waverly Place' are leading the nominations for the 2008 American Latino Media Arts (ALMA) Awards with three nods each.

The cast of 'Ugly Betty' is to be honoured with the Outstanding Performance of a Latino/Latina-Led Ensemble in a Television Series special achievement prize, while writer Silvio Horta is nominated in the Outstanding Writing for a Television Series category for the episode entitled Jump.

Director Linda Mendoza is also up for contention in the Outstanding Director of a Television Series gong, for her work on the 'Betty's Baby Bump' segment.

'Without A Trace' star Enrique Murciano is up for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Television Series, and his co-star Roselyn Sanchez is nominated in the female equivalent. Scriptwriter Jose Molina has been recognised in the Outstanding Writing for a Television Series for the 'Without You' episode.

Meanwhile, the stars of Disney show 'Wizards of Waverly Place' have also scored nominations - Jake T. Austin and co-stars Selena Gomez and Maria Canals-Barrera will fight it out in the male and female categories for Outstanding Performance in a Comedy Television Series.

Other nominees include 'Desperate Housewives' actor Ricardo Chavira and 'Lost's Jorge Garcia for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Television Series; 'Grey's Anatomy's' star Sara Ramirez for Outstanding Actress In A Drama Television Series; and 'Two and A Half Men's Charlie Sheen for Outstanding Male Performance In A Comedy Television Series.

The nominations were announced on Monday and the winners will be unveiled at a ceremony hosted by Eva Longoria Parker on August 17. The show will air on US TV on 12 September 12.