It has taken me too long to turn our focus to the Emmys, which are being held this Sunday. ¬†I find the Emmys lacking in suspense because, truthfully, does anyone care who wins? ¬†Not really. ¬†My friend Tom O’Neil is on the case, though, and you can find a plethora of Emmy coverage over at Gold Derby. ¬†He also told me that the reason to tune in is to see Conan O’Brien finally win and stick it to NBC. ¬†But you see, I’ve long since stopped caring about Conan O’Brien. ¬†No offense, but it just doesn’t have the same urgency as, oh, say Inception maybe getting a Best Director nomination or Blue Valentine making the cut for Best Picture. ¬†The Oscars are all about the drama. ¬†The Emmys? ¬†Not so much.
But here we are, nonetheless, the day before the Emmys! ¬†Are you excited yet? ¬†The Emmys! ¬†Television’s biggest night! ¬†Let’s try to do some predicting shall we?
Outstanding Comedy Series
- Curb Your Enthusiasm • HBO
- Glee • FOX
- Modern Family • ABC
- Nurse Jackie • Showtime
- The Office • NBC
- 30 Rock • NBC
This seems like a fairly tight category. The repetitive nature of Emmy would suggest that 30 Rock wins again. The Office could also win. Glee seems like it’s riding high but given the general age of many of the voting members it’s tough to see them voting for it. Modern Family is my favorite of the bunch and would love to see it win.
Safe Prediction: 30 Rock
Better press the following morning: Glee
Deserves it: Modern Family
Outstanding Drama Series
- Breaking Bad • AMC
- Dexter • Showtime
- The Good Wife • CBS
- Lost • ABC
- Mad Men • AMC
- True Blood • HBO
Mad Men may win this yet again. It hardly seems like it could lose given its level of heat lately. Lost went out with a bang (rather, a whimper) and The Good Wife is just happy to be there. True Blood may be too gross overall, and Dexter is great but not a majority kind of popular. So it’s down to Breaking Bad versus Mad Men. The new blood probably favors Breaking Bad but something tells me that it would be considered a major snub for Mad Men not to win this again.
Safe Prediction: Mad Men
Better press the next morning: Lost
Deserves it: Breaking Bad or Mad Men (I love them both. Don’t make me choose).
Outstanding Miniseries
- The Pacific • HBO
- Return To Cranford (Masterpiece) • PBS
Really? That’s it? I don’t know how you hold off The Pacific team, but it was sort of MEH to me. Still, I guess you have to go with it.
Safe Prediction: The Pacific
Outstanding Made For Television Movie
- Endgame (Masterpiece) • PBS
- Georgia O’Keeffe ‚Ä¢ Lifetime
- Moonshot • HISTORY
- The Special Relationship • HBO
- Temple Grandin • HBO
- You Don’t Know Jack ‚Ä¢ HBO
These are all really good. And the truth is, I have no idea what film will win. The Special Relationship was probably half a great movie. Temple Grandin is the most talked about. You Don’t Know Jack has Al Pacino in it.
Safe Prediction: Temple Grandin
Better Press the next morning: Temple Grandin
Deserves to win: Temple Grandin
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
- The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper
- Curb Your Enthusiasm • HBO • Larry David as Himself
- Glee • FOX • Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester
- Monk • USA • Shalhoub as Adrian Monk
- The Office • NBC • Steve Carell as Michael Scott
- 30 Rock • NBC • Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy
Again, given the repetitive nature of the Emmys, one suspects Alec Baldwin again can’t lose. There is Steve Carell to contend with – and he’s leaving the show. Big Bang Theory is a blind spot for me so I can’t really compare it to the others. Something tells me, and I could be totally wrong here, that it’s down to Baldwin vs. Carell, as usual.
Safe Prediction: Alec Baldwin
Better press the next morning: Matthew Morrison from Glee
Deserves it: They all kind of do.
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
- Breaking Bad • AMC • Bryan Cranston as Walter White
- Dexter • Showtime • Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan
- Friday Night Lights • DirecTV • Kyle Chandler as Eric Taylor
- House • FOX • Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House
- Lost • ABC • Matthew Fox as Jack Shephard
- Mad Men • AMC • Jon Hamm as Don Draper
I think Bryan Cranston might pull out a win here. Big competition with Matthew Fox and of course, Jon Hamm. Michael C. Hall is also a potential winner. Kyle Chandler may be the dark horse. Hugh Laurie seems like the repetitive choice to me.
Safe Prediction: Bryan Cranston
Better press the next morning: Maybe Kyle Chandler
Deserves it: Cranston
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie
- A Dog Year • HBO • Jeff Bridges as Jon Katz
- The Prisoner • AMC • Ian McKellen as Two
- The Special Relationship • HBO • Michael Sheen as Tony Blair
- The Special Relationship • HBO • Dennis Quaid as Bill Clinton
- You Don’t Know Jack ‚Ä¢ HBO ‚Ä¢ Al Pacino as Dr. Jack Kevorkian
I sort of think Pacino will take this, for his own popularity as an actor, because he was damned great in the part, and because maybe a liberal bent towards supporting assisted suicide. I don’t think either Sheen or Quaid can win. I didn’t see McKellen but he’s always good so he probably deserves it. Jeff Bridges could ride the high from his Oscar win.
Safe Prediction: Al Pacino
Better Press: Pacino or Quaid
Deserves it: Pacino
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
- Glee • FOX • Lea Michele as Rachel Berry
- The New Adventures Of Old Christine • CBS • Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell
- Nurse Jackie • Showtime • Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton
- Parks And Recreation • NBC • Poehler as Leslie Knope
- 30 Rock • NBC • Tina Fey as Liz Lemon
- United States Of Tara • Showtime • Toni Collette as Tara Gregson
It is easy to see any of these women winning. My personal preference, believe it or not, is Julia Louis-Dreyfus because she is so so so funny in The New Adventures of Old Christine (and I feel like I’m the only one who knows it; although she landed a nod so perhaps more people are catching on). The safe choice is Tina Fey. Toni Collette is still a threat. Edie Falco is the dark horse but such a charmer she can’t be underestimated. And then there is the new kid on the block, the star of Glee, Lea Michele. Any of them could win and it wouldn’t be that shocking. But these are the Emmys, so …
Safe Prediction: Tina Fey
Better press the next morning: Lea Michele
Deserves it: they all do.
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
- The Closer • TNT • Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson
- Damages • FX Networks • Glenn Close as Patty Hewes
- Friday Night Lights • DirecTV • Connie Britton as Tami Taylor
- The Good Wife • CBS • Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • NBC • Mariska Hargitay as Det. Olivia Benson
- Mad Men • AMC • January Jones as Betty Draper
Yeah, I’m not someone who loves Julianna Margulies in The Good Wife. To me she is the equivalent of watching paint dry. But she is very popular and enjoying a comeback, so she will probably win this. My personal preference is Glenn Close. I don’t see January Jones winning.¬† Everyone still loves Kyra Sedgwick but her character simply doesn’t have enough varying emotions lately. She seems to have settled into a groove and can’t break out of it. Now, it feels sort of boring.
Safe Prediction: Julianna Margulies
Better press the next morning: Glenn Close
Deserves it: Glenn Close
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie
- Capturing Mary • HBO • Maggie Smith as Mary Gilbert
- Georgia O’Keeffe ‚Ä¢ Lifetime ‚Ä¢ Allen as Georgia O‚ÄôKeeffe
- Return To Cranford (Masterpiece) • PBS • Dame Judi Dench as Miss Matty
- The Special Relationship • HBO • Hope Davis as Hillary Clinton
- Temple Grandin • HBO • Claire Danes as Temple Grandin
Do we even need to go over this? Claire Danes has this in a walk. She deserves to win, she will win and it will make for great press the next day.
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
- Glee • FOX • Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel
- How I Met Your Mother • CBS • Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson
- Modern Family • ABC • Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell
- Modern Family • ABC • Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker
- Modern Family • ABC • Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy
- Two And A Half Men • CBS • Jon Cryer as Alan Harper
Don’t you just know Jon Cryer will win again? He always wins, doesn’t he? He is absolutely the safe choice here. There is a Glee cast member to contend with. And then the three Modern Family guys. They are all three funny and any of them could win and it wouldn’t be a big deal. But they will likely split up their own vote. I’m going to stubbornly go with….
Safe prediction: Jon Cryer
Better Press: Chris Colfer
Deserves it: all three of the Modern Family guys
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
- Breaking Bad • AMC • Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman
- Damages • FX Networks • Martin Short as Leonard Winstone
- Lost ‚Ä¢ ABC ‚Ä¢ Terry O’Quinn as John Locke
- Lost • ABC • Michael Emerson as Ben Linus
- Mad Men • AMC • Slattery as Roger Sterling
- Men Of A Certain Age • TNT • Andre Braugher as Owen
Not really sure how this one will play out. My preference is Martin Short in Damages. And I really hope he wins. But Michael Emerson was also so brilliant on Lost, really the best actor on the show, so he’s a force to reckon with. Not really feeling Slattery or Terry O’Quinn. Aaron Paul is probably lucky to be nominated – though he is so, so brilliant on Breaking Bad.
Safe Prediction: Michael Emerson on Lost
Better press: maybe Martin Short, but for reasons that are too shameful to mention
Deserves it: Martin Short
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie
- Emma (Masterpiece) • PBS • Michael Gambon as Mr. Woodhouse
- Hamlet (Great Performances) • PBS • Patrick Stewart as Ghost / Claudius
- Return To Cranford (Masterpiece) • PBS • Jonathan Pryce as Mr. Buxton
- Temple Grandin • HBO • David Strathairn as Dr. Carlock
- You Don’t Know Jack ‚Ä¢ HBO ‚Ä¢ John Goodman as Neal Nicol
I’m kind of at loss here, having seen only two of these performances.
Safe prediction: John Goodman
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
- Glee • FOX • Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester
- Modern Family • ABC • Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy
- Modern Family • ABC • Sofia Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett
- Saturday Night Live • NBC • Kristen Wiig as Various Characters
- 30 Rock • NBC • Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroney
- Two And A Half Men • CBS • Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper
It would be just like Emmy to pick Jane Krakowski to win this. But I really think Jane Lynch can’t lose.
Safe Prediction: Jane Lynch
Better press the next morning: Jane Lynch
Deserves it: Jane Lynch
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
- Burn Notice • USA • Sharon Gless as Madeline Westen
- Damages • FX Networks • Rose Byrne as Ellen Parsons
- The Good Wife • CBS • Archie Panjabi as Kalinda Sharma
- The Good Wife • CBS • Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart
- Mad Men • AMC • Christina Hendricks as Joan Harris
- Mad Men • AMC • Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson
This is a tough one. Sharon Gless is so old school and familiar – a comeback might be nice. Rose Byrne, probably not, although it’s possible. The two Good Wife actresses could cancel each other out – and are they really THAT good in those roles? That leaves it down to the two Mad Men girls. I would love to see Christina Hendricks win. And she might. But something tells me Elisabeth Moss might be the one to win.
Safe prediction: Elisabeth Moss (not that safe of a prediction)
Better press: Christina Hendricks
Deserves it: Christina Hendricks
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
- Alice • Syfy • Kathy Bates as Queen of Hearts
- Temple Grandin ‚Ä¢ HBO ‚Ä¢ Julia Ormond as Eustacia (Temple’s Mom)
- Temple Grandin ‚Ä¢ HBO ‚Ä¢ Catherine O’Hara as Aunt Ann
- You Don’t Know Jack ‚Ä¢ HBO ‚Ä¢ Brenda Vaccaro as Margo Janus
- You Don’t Know Jack ‚Ä¢ HBO ‚Ä¢ Susan Sarandon as Janet Good
Susan Sarandon was great in You Don’t Know Jack, as was Brenda Vaccaro. Catherine O’Hara and Julia Ormond are both wonderful in Temple Grandin. And of course, Kathy Bates is just great, always. Tough call all around. I’m so not sure on this. But I feel like Julia Ormond was the most moving in her role, Sarandon the most showy.
Safe Prediction: there aren’t any.
My best guess: Julia Ormond
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
- Glee ‚Ä¢ Pilot – Director’s Cut ‚Ä¢ FOX ‚Ä¢ Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan
- Modern Family • Pilot • ABC • Steven Levitan, Christopher Lloyd
- The Office • Niagara • NBC • Greg Daniels, Mindy Kaling
- 30 Rock • Anna Howard Shaw Day • NBC • Matt Hubbard
- 30 Rock • Lee Marvin Vs. Derek Jeter • NBC • Tina Fey, Kay Cannon
Safe prediction: 30 Rock – either one.
Better press the next morning: Glee
Deserves it: Modern Family
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
- Friday Night Lights • The Son • Rolin Jones
- The Good Wife • Pilot • Michelle King, Robert King
- Lost • The End • ABC • Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse
- Mad Men • Guy Walks Into An Advertising Agency • AMC • Robin Veith, Matthew Weiner
- Mad Men • Shut The Door. Have A Seat. • AMC • Matthew Weiner, Writer, Erin Levy, Writer
One of the Mad Men ones will likely win, and since Matthew Weiner’s name is on both, it’s hard to choose. But I guess the Guy Walks into an Advertising Agency could win. Can Lost win? It’s possible.
Safe prediction: Mad Men — either one
Better press: Friday Night Lights
Deserves it: Mad Men — either one
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special
- The Pacific • Part Eight • HBO • Michelle Ashford, Robert Schenkkan
- The Pacific • Part Ten • HBO • Bruce C. McKenna, Robert Schenkkan
- The Special Relationship • HBO • Peter Morgan
- Temple Grandin • HBO • Christopher Monger, William Merritt Johnson
- You Don’t Know Jack ‚Ä¢ HBO ‚Ä¢ Adam Mazer
I think it’s down to Temple Grandin or You Don’t Know Jack. The Pacific might also take it based on the subject matter and pedigree involved.
Safe prediction: The Pacific
Better Press: The Special Relationship
Deserves it: in my opinion, You Don’t Know Jack
Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series
- Glee ‚Ä¢ Pilot – Director’s Cut ‚Ä¢ FOX ‚Ä¢ Ryan Murphy
- Glee • Wheels • FOX • Paris Barclay
- Modern Family • Pilot • ABC • Jason Winer
- Nurse Jackie • Pilot • Showtime • Allen Coulter
- 30 Rock • I Do Do • NBC • Don Scardino
Safe prediction: 30 Rock
Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series
- Breaking Bad • One Minute • AMC • Michelle MacLaren
- Dexter • The Getaway • Showtime • Steve Shill
- Lost • The End • ABC • Jack Bender
- Mad Men • Guy Walks Into An Advertising Agency • AMC • Lesli Linka Glatter
- Treme • Do You Know What It Means (Pilot) • HBO • Agnieszka Holland
Despite the fact that it’s Agnieszka Hollad for Treme, I still think it’s down to either Breaking Bad or Mad Men.
Safe Prediction: Mad Men
Better Press: Lost
Deserves it: Breaking Bad
Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special
- Georgia O’Keeffe ‚Ä¢ Lifetime ‚Ä¢ Bob Balaban
- The Pacific • Part Eight • HBO • David Nutter, Jeremy Podeswa
- The Pacific • Part Nine • HBO • Tim Van Patten
- Temple Grandin • HBO • Mick Jackson
- You Don’t Know Jack ‚Ä¢ HBO ‚Ä¢ Barry Levinson
Barry Levinson kind of seems to have this in the bag because he’s Barry Levinson. But if it weren’t Barry Levinson, I’d say it was down to The Pacific versus Temple Grandin.
Safe prediction: The Pacific – either one
My prediction: Barry Levinson, You Don’t Know Jack
And that was all she wrote.¬†¬† We’ll find out how the Emmys play out Sunday night.