When it comes to the annual TV celebratory dance of the Emmy Awards, “ER” used to be one of the most popular belles of the ball.

For years after the 1994 launch of the medical drama, several of its stars, including George Clooney and Anthony Edwards, were nominated for Emmys, and the series was a regular contender in the outstanding drama category, scoring the trophy in 1996.

Even though “ER” holds the record for the most Emmy nominations of any TV series — 122 — it has been more of a wallflower in recent ceremonies. The NBC series has been repeatedly passed over in marquee categories in favor of fresher dramatic fare. Last season, it earned only two nominations — for guest actor and sound editing.

“We just sort of assumed that the dance had moved on to younger girls,” quipped executive producer John Wells.’