So it’s rolled around again, the television industry’s big night. The Emmys! It’s like the Oscars of television. Well, no. It’s like the kinda fabulous, but not quite an Oscar, and then we have to see if they win the Golden Globe, bestest television award! At any rate, the nominations for the award every actor wants to have read right before “Oscar winner” will be announced tomorrow.
Here are some nomination predictions.
Outstanding Comedy Series
Modern Family
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Louie
The Big Bang Theory
Parks and Recreation
30 Rock
Who’s a Lock: Everything with the exception of Curb Your Enthusiasm is probably a lock. I’m not sure who’s still watching “Curb” and finding it that funny. Like I don’t get the Larry David humor at. all. In a sketch, sure. But a whole long running series for years, and years? No. While Emmy voters will probably stick pretty close to form, it’s possible they’re beginning to tire of Modern Family in the winner’s seat. So that may leave the door open for a new entry into the noms.
Would-be Pleasant Surprise: New Girl. Yep, this little show with the blinkity, blink Zooey Deschanel eyeballs could very well pop up and surprise us all. With a solid ensemble and a pretty easy folding in of Deschanel’s character, it was a good little offering. There’s also been some talk about Girls, but we’re going to say that it’s not time quite yet. There’s a nice following for the show, but it does still have a bit of a squick factor, and some other issues, diversity being one, that has been in the media a little too much for this to feel safe for Emmy voters.
Outstanding Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire
Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
Homeland
Mad Men
Who’s a Lock: We’re going to say the potential snub-ee for this group is Boardwalk Empire. This last season just didn’t resonate the way the past few have. It seemed almost like a “between the seasons” season, where we spend time catching up with characters, but not really getting anywhere substantial, until the end of the season. And that place was a risky proposition that has yet to be resolved.
Would-be Pleasant Surprise: Some will say The Good Wife or even Dexter with its newly introduced incesty storyline, but with freeze-dried plot points. However by and large folks are rallying around Justified. It received four acting nominations last year, and well, just who doesn’t love Timothy Olyphant’s swag and ability to eat up an entire scene? Sadly, we think there was just too much time spent on Hershel’s farm contemplating the meaning of life for The Walking Dead to get a real shot. Pity that. It has the makings of being revolutionary television. But first they have to get out of their own way.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly
Zooey Deschanel, The New Girl
Lena Dunham, Girls
Who’s a Lock: Oh, yes, this is a good category. The only locks here are Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, and that’s how we like it. It’s good to see a category that could comprise so many stars of new shows. We’ll go further and say if it does come down this way Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ portrayal in Veep will probably outshine Deschanel and Dunham. She’s just that effortless on the show. In fact, we’ll go on record and hope that she takes the whole bag.
Would-be Pleasant Surprise: Well, for once it looks like the pleasant surprise, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, could actually be nominated. We’re not going to say Laura Linney or Edie Falco. They’re both brilliant, but their characters are already reading a bit stale.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory
Louis C.K., Louie
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Ed Helms, The Office
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Who’s a Lock: Parsons, Louis C.K., Baldwin, and David are probably locks here. We can’t add Ed Helms because The Office is just a sinking ship looking for an abandoned port somewhere, and a second nomination for The Big Bang Theory just seems like too much, no? I’m not even going to go there with Larry David. Louis could walk away with it all and that would surprise no one.
Would-be Pleasant Surprise: Well, what about the crew from Community? Danny Pudi is just as gifted as a Jim Parsons or a Johnny Galecki, but something about his Abed is often a bit more dynamic than those two. We’d love to see him get a nod, but on an ensemble show like Community where he’s a scene stealer definitely, we wonder if in dipping in that well, voters would feel obligated to choose Joel McHale? For us that’s not really necessary. Jeff needs to grow on the show.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama
Claire Danes, Homeland
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Elizabeth McGovern, Downton Abbey
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Glenn Close, Damages
Who’s a Lock: Everyone here with the exception of Hargitay and Close. We love Law & Order SVU, but something has just been a little off with Hargitay without Chris Meloni. It’s like having an ER era Julianna Margulies without George Clooney. SVU is still a really good, chilling show, but some of the heart is definitely gone.
Would-be Pleasant Surprise: Well, we’ll say Debra Messing. But that’s really more of a knee-jerk. Smash while it had all the potential in the world, wasn’t nearly successful enough for Messing to pull off a Will & Grace coup. No, not with those ugly scarves and that piss-poor adultery storyline. Sorry Smash. There’s really no where for you to go this year. Come back next year! Cut the crap and be better!
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
Timothy Olyphant, Justified
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Who’s a Lock: Everyone except Hugh Laurie because really House? and Michael C. Hall. Dexter just wasn’t as compelling this year.
Would-be Pleasant Surprise: Kelsey Grammer for Boss. He was excellent and by far out-acted many nominated save Bryan Cranston who’s just magnificent at what he does.
