Also nominated in the category is the writing in "Burn After Reading" and "The Wrestler."

Shortlisted for the WGA award for adapted screenplay are the scripts for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight," "Doubt," "Frost/Nixon" and "Slumdog Millionaire."

Vying for the documentary screenplay honor are "Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story," "Chicago 10," "Fuel," "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson" and "Waltz with Bashir."

The scribes at "Dexter," "Friday Night Lights," "Lost," "Mad Men" and "The Wire" are competing for the award for writing for a drama series, while the teams that pen "30 Rock," "Entourage," "The Office," "The Simpsons" and "Weeds" are vying for the equivalent prize in the comedy series category.

Nominated for best new series are "Breaking Bad," "Fringe," "In Treatment," "Life on Mars" and "True Blood."