8:01 - I know this entire open to the Emmys was bad, but the naked Lena Dunham eating cake on a toilet was completely unnecessary.
8:06 - I'm not a Jimmy Kimmel fan, but that President/Homeland, Sheen/Breaking Bad joke was pretty good.
8:10 - That Comedy clip reel was not great. This one for the entire season of television is.
8:13 - Supporting Actor in a Comedy...The Emmy goes to: ERIC STONESTREET! This is somewhat a surprise, but we knew it was staying in the Modern Family family. I was expecting it to go back to Ty Burrell, but we all know it should be in the hands of Donald Glover.
8:20 - Writing for a Comedy...The Emmy goes to: Louis C.K. for Louie's "Pregnant."
8:23 - There were a lot of things that could have been funny about Breaking Bad being made back in the day. Nothing about that sketch was funny.
To read the rest of
my live blog from last night's Emmys, head over to TV Fanatic.
Many of the ladies on the ballot for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series come from the world of procedural. Since this is an area of which I do less watching, I'm not as familiar with the wealth of talent looking to take home the trophy in this category. What I DO know is that Loretta Devine won this thing last year, and before that it was an actress from Law and Order: SVU for four seasons in a row. That means that I will give Devine and SVU guest star Chloe Sevigny the early lead in the polls.
Prediction
Joan Cusack - Shameless
Loretta Devine - Grey's Anatomy
Louise Fletcher - Shameless
Julia Ormond - Mad Men
Chloe Sevigny - Law and Order: SVU
Jean Smart - Harry's Law
I either disliked or didn't see the performances of the rest of the women I'm predicting to make the field this year. I couldn't stand Cusack or Fletcher in Shameless, and I didn't watch any of Harry's Law so I can't speak on Smart's performance. Ormond, meanwhile, was simply decent on this season of Mad Men, but she seems like a choice the Academy will make.
Emmy Wish List
Morena Baccarin - The Mentalist
Baccarin has really proven her talents as of late, playing a wide variety of characters during her work on V, Homeland, and The Mentalist. Her performance on the latter may be my favorite Baccarin's yet.
To read the rest of
my Emmy Wish List for Guest Actress in a Drama Series, head over to TV Fanatic.
He won the award in 2009 for his role on Rescue Me, and he was nominated last year for this The Good Wife performance, so I have to say that Michael J. Fox is the favorite in the 2012 Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series race. I also have Fox as a favorite in the comedy counterpart...boy would that be quite the double victory! I like his Good Wife brethren Matthew Perry and three-time nominee Robert Morse to play Fox's biggest competition.
Prediction
Michael J. Fox - The Good Wife
Chris Messina - Damages
Robert Morse - Mad Men
Edward James Olmos - Dexter
Matthew Perry - The Good Wife
Mykelti Williamson - Justified
I like Justified to repeat its nomination in the category from last year, only this time it will go to Williamson. Jeremy Davies was great again this season, but his Dickie Bennett just wasn't a big enough part of the story this time around. Although many critics hated this season of Dexter, it always does well at awards shows, and Olmos is a big enough name to steal one of the final spots. My final prediction belongs to Chris Messina for his work on Damages.
Emmy Wish List
Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) - Dexter
It was a surprisingly great performance by Mos Def on this season of Dexter. With the mess of a season the show put forth, his performance was one of the only bright spots in 2011-12. Well that, and the news that Yvonne Strahovski will be on next year!
To read the rest of my
Emmy Wish List for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, head over to TV Fanatic.
Other than the fact that Melissa McCarthy will probably head home with the grand prize, the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Race seems pretty wide open. There really are no other favorites that I feel are guaranteed a nomination. As those who have been nominated in the recent past, I like Dot Marie Jones and Elaine Stritch to make it back, but after that it will be tough to figure out.
Prediction
Ellen Barkin - Modern Family
Blythe Danner - Up All Night
Dot Marie Jones - Glee
Melissa McCarthy - Saturday Night Live
Maya Rudolph - Saturday Night Live
Elaine Stritch - 30 Rock
When there are those spots you can't decide on, it's best to predict some big names, so I will say Ellen Barkin and Blythe Danner end up nominated for their guest spots on Modern Family and Up All Night, respectively. The final nominee I'm predicting is Maya Rudolph, as SNL hosts usually get a lot of love in the guest categories.
Emmy Wish List
Elizabeth Banks - 30 Rock
Avery Jessup had a rough go of it, remaining captured in a foreign land for much of the season, but fortunately Banks was hilarious during that time. My favorite thing was how great she was at giving the crazy news broadcasts for Kim Jong Il.
To read the rest of
my Emmy Wish List for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, head over to TV Fanatic.
Not all great performances are in a leading or supporting manner. Sometimes it is a guest player that steals the show, which means it's time to take a look at the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series race. A Saturday Night Live host has won this award two out of last three years (albeit both awards were given to the fantastic Justin Timberlake), so I wouldn't be surprised to see Jimmy Fallon come away with the trophy this time around.
Prediction
Alan Alda - The Big C
Will Arnett - 30 Rock
Matt Bomer - Glee
Jimmy Fallon - Saturday Night Live
Michael J. Fox - Curb Your Enthusiasm
Greg Kinnear - Modern Family
Fallon's biggest competition will most likely be Michael J. Fox, who was not only a terrific sport in the Curb finale, but also absolutely hilarious in squaring off against Larry David. Will Arnett, who has been nominated three out of the last four years, legend Alan Alda, and a sexy singing Matt Bomer may also vie for the crown this September. I like Greg Kinnear to fill the final spot, putting in a nice little performance on Emmy favorite Modern Family.
Emmy Wish List
Matt Bomer - Glee
I stopped caring about Glee so long ago that I don't really remember what else happened during Bomer's stint as Blaine's brother, but I do remember his duet of "Somebody That I Used to Know." His stare alone had me considering the possibility of switching teams.
To read the rest of
my Emmy Wish List for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, head over to TV Fanatic.
It seems like there are seven shows for six spot in this year's Outstanding Drama Series race, but the big question remains whether or not Mad Men will win for the fifth straight time and break the all-time record. The AMC series is currently tied with Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, and The West Wing with four Best Drama victories. Its biggest competitors are most likely two-time nominee Breaking Bad or newcomer Homeland.
Prediction
Breaking Bad - AMC
Downton Abbey - PBS
Game of Thrones - HBO
The Good Wife - CBS
Homeland - Showtime
Mad Men - AMC
The series that many thought had a chance to unseat Mad Men last year, The Good Wife, should be right in the thick of it again. Downton Abbey, moving up after last year's win for best miniseries should also vie for the crown. I'm giving Game of Thrones a slight edge for the final spot over fellow HBOer Boardwalk Empire, mainly due to the fact that it aired its season closer to the voting period.
Emmy Wish List
Breaking Bad - AMC
As Walter and Jesse got themselves into more and more trouble this season, audiences had the pleasure of watching it all unfold. After maybe its best season yet, Breaking Bad deserves to be among those recognized for excellence once again this year.
To read the rest of
my Emmy Wish List for Outstanding Drama Series, head over to TV Fanatic.
The Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series race is up for grabs, as last year's winner, Margo Martindale, won't be in contention after hitting up Justified for just one season. The surprise 2010 winner, Archie Panjabi, should be right back in the mix as a favorite, but don't count out Maggie Smith. Remember, she won last year in the miniseries category for her work on Downtown Abbey, which has made the move to series in 2012.
Prediction
Christine Baranski - The Good Wife
Anna Gunn - Breaking Bad
Christina Hendricks - Mad Men
Kelly Macdonald - Boardwalk Empire
Archie Panjabi - The Good Wife
Maggie Smith - Downton Abbey
Baranski, Hendricks, and Macdonald should all return to the field after falling to Martindale in 2011, and I'm calling for Anna Gunn to make the jump towards a nomination, taking the place of Michelle Forbes. I'm assuming - and hoping - that The Killing is now off of the Academy's radar, as it bored me to tears throughout all of season one, and the beginning of season two, before I finally quit it.
Emmy Wish List
Bethany Joy Galeotti - One Tree Hill
I know there's no way Bethany Joy gets a nom, but she makes my wish list for nine seasons of great work. A show that was much too soapy most of the time to be recognized, Galeotti put forth some of her best work in this spring's final season of One Tree Hill.
To read the rest of
my Emmy Wish List for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, head over to TV Fanatic.
The competition only gets tougher, and deeper, as we move on to the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series race. The winner from each of the previous two ceremonies should be the favorites going into September. Peter Dinklage will look to repeat after a bit of a surprise win last year, while 2010 winner Aaron Paul returns to the field after Breaking Bad's absence last year.
Prediction
Alan Cumming - The Good Wife
Peter Dinklage - Game of Thrones
Giancarlo Esposito - Breaking Bad
Walton Goggins - Justified
Aaron Paul - Breaking Bad
John Slattery - Mad Men
The dark horse to top the two favorites is probably Paul's castmate, Giancarlo Esposito, who was phenomenol as the super creepy Gus Fring this season. Add Cumming, Goggins and four-time nominee John Slattery to the mix, and you have one heck of a group.
Still on the outside looking in may be folks like Andre Braugher and Josh Charles, who both made the field last year, as well as great performers like Neal McDonough, Michael Pitt, John Noble, Mandy Patinkin and everyone's favorite crazy man, Nick Nolte. It's a very deep field.
Emmy Wish List
Peter Dinklage - Game of Thrones
The second season might not have lived up to the first, but our love of Tyrion Lannister never wavered. Dinklage's performance was a big reason for that, as the actor continued to play sarcastic, loving, scared, and powerful all a the same time.
To read the rest of
my Emmy Wish List for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, head over to TV Fanatic.
It's time for the ladies. The Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series race has been very interesting as of late, mostly due to the fact that each year we assume it will be the year that Mariska Hargitay is left out as a nominee. I think it's going to take her not being on the ballot to stop the SVU star from being nominated. However, she certainly isn't the favorite. That title should go to Claire Danes, who is new to the field, but whose work on Homeland was undeniably fantastic.
Prediction
Kathy Bates - Harry's Law
Glenn Close - Damages
Claire Danes - Homeland
Mariska Hargitay - Law and Order: SVU
Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife
Elisabeth Moss - Mad Men
Last year's champ Margulies, as well as 2008 and 2009 winner Close, should also vie for the crown in 2012. I correctly predicted Bates to join the field to her huge name, and I don't see the Academy getting rid of her just yet. Elisabeth Moss rounds out my group of nominees, and it was so difficult to leave her new costar Jessica Pare off of this list given how much the Emmys love to nominate Mad Men actors.
Emmy Wish List
Claire Danes - Homeland
It's tough to make an argument against Danes being the best overall performer of the year. er depiction of the slightly (dramatically?) insane CIA agent Carrie Mathison was the cornerstone of the season's best new drama.
To read the rest of
my Emmy Wish List for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, head over to TV Fanatic.
It's time to get serious. That's right, it's the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series race. Chock full of possible nominees, all five of last year's runners-up return to the field. None of them are the favorite, though, as three-time winner Bryan Cranston is back in action after a season of no new episodes in 2011. Although he's never lost for a season of Breaking Bad, Cranston will face plenty of competition from Kelsey Grammer, who has won four Emmys over on the comedy side of things.
Prediction
Steve Buscemi - Boardwalk Empire
Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad
Kelsey Grammer - Boss
Jon Hamm - Mad Men
Dustin Hoffman - Luck
Damian Lewis - Homeland
Jon Hamm and Steve Buscemi should return to the field as members of two of the Academy's favorite series, and I predict Damian Lewis and Dustin Hoffman to round out the field. That means that Michael C. Hall, Hugh Laurie and Timothy Olyphant are in serious trouble of not making the cut. Laurie was the most difficult to leave out, since House just aired its final season, but there are just too many quality performers in the category.
Emmy Wish List
Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad
It's a tough question with this group of actors, but is there anyone you are scared of more than Walter White? Cranston continued his award-winning performance of the high school teacher turned drug dealer with maybe the best season to date.
To read the rest of
my Emmy Wish List for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, head over to TV Fanatic.
Finishing up our look at the funniest folks on television, we conclude with the Outstanding Comedy Series race. I'm sure there is no doubt in anyone's mind that two-time defending champion Modern Family is on its way to a three-peat, but there should not be any chicken counting before they get a chance to hatch. Three-time champion 30 Rock, and critical favorite Parks and Recreation should give Modern Family some stiff competition in the category.
Prediction
The Big Bang Theory - CBS
Curb Your Enthusiasm - HBO
Louie - FX
Modern Family - ABC
Parks and Recreation - NBC
30 Rock - NBC
Six-time nominee Curb Your Enthusiasm should return to the field after not airing any episodes last year. Louie and The Big Bang Theory, which were both highly represented in a number of categories at the most recent Emmys, round out my group of predicted nominees.
Emmy Wish List
Chuck - NBC
There's no way that this action comedy earns a bid, but after its final season it would be a dream come true for Chuck to be nominated for an Emmy. The series that kept coming back year after year, to the delight of passionate fans, went out on a very high note in its final season.
To read the rest of
my Emmy Wish List for Outstanding Comedy Series, head over to TV Fanatic.
The Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series field should look very familiar to Emmy fans in 2012. I'm predicting all six nominees from last year to return to the field this summer, including the 2011 champion Julie Bowen, who should be the favorite once again. Bowen will face stiff competition from the now 90-year old Betty White, and maybe Kristen Wiig for her last season on SNL.
Prediction
Julie Bowen - Modern Family
Jane Krakowski - 30 Rock
Jane Lynch - Glee
Sofia Vergara - Modern Family
Betty White - Hot in Cleveland
Kristen Wiig - Saturday Night Live
Bowen's castmate on the Emmy's favorite comedy, Vergara, should also vie for the top spot. Three-time nominee Jane Krakowski and 2010 winner Jane Lynch round out the field of nominees I expect to see this July.
Emmy Wish List
Elisha Cuthbert - Happy Endings
She went from the girl most people couldn't stand watching on 24, to the girl I can't stop laughing at and with on Happy Endings. A series riddled with female talent, Cuthbert takes the cake as the top performer on this hilarious ABC sitcom.
To read the rest of
my Emmy Wish List for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, head over to TV Fanatic.
Moving onto Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, we are handed one of the stranger categories of the Emmys. Stacked with talent, it is amazing that the Academy continues to give all the nominations to the Modern Family guys. Last year's winner, Ty Burrell, should be the favorite once again, but his pretend relatives will be right behind him.
Prediction
Ty Burrell - Modern Family
Jesse Tyler Ferguson - Modern Family
Max Greenfield - New Girl
Nick Offerman - Parks and Recreation
Ed O'Neill - Modern Family
Eric Stonestreet - Modern Family
With Jon Cryer moving up to lead, and my assumption that Chris Colfer and Glee are falling out of favor, there should be room for up-and-comers Max Greenfield and Nick Offerman to join the Pritchett-Dunphys clan at this year's Emmys.
Emmy Wish List
Ty Burrell - Modern Family
Modern Family hasn't been nearly as good as it was in its first season, but Ty Burrell hasn't slowed down one bit. His performance, and mainly his dynamic with Nolan Gould, has been the only thing keeping this show all that watchable.
To read the rest of
my Emmy Wish List for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, head over to TV Fanatic.
Today we'll take a look at the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series race. A category truly stacked with the Academy's favorites, I can imagine last year's winner, Melissa McCarthy, not even making the six woman field. Instead, watch for Golden Globe winner Laura Dern, long-time Emmy favorite Julia-Louis Dreyfus or the best darn politician in Indiana to vie for the crown.
Prediction
Laura Dern - Enlightened
Zooey Deschanel - New Girl
Tina Fey - 30 Rock
Laura Linney - The Big C
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Veep
Amy Poehler - Parks and Recreation
Poehler has been nominated in either lead or supporting the past four years, but is yet to take home the trophy. Tina Fey has won it before, I thought Laura Linney was sure to win last year and Zooey Deschanel is on everyone's radar, so the competition is stronger than ever.
Emmy Wish List
Rachel Bilson - Hart of Dixie
The decision to put Hart of Dixie in the comedy race is interesting, but since it's here, I can't think of anyone I'd rather see nominated than Bilson. I might have enjoyed her Zoe Hart even more than Summer Roberts!
To read the rest of
my Emmy Wish List for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, head over to TV Fanatic.
We begin with Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, which returns a healthy contingent from last year's nominees. Two-time defending champion Jim Parsons should prove to be the favorite come September, but he will face plenty of competition from two-time winner Alec Baldwin, critical favorite Louis C.K., and long-time Emmy darling Jon Cryer, who makes the move from supporting to lead this season.
Prediction
Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock
Don Cheadle - House of Lies
Louis C.K. - Louie
Jon Cryer - Two and a Half Men
Larry David - Curb Your Enthusiasm
Jim Parsons - Big Bang Theory
Larry David, who has been nominated four times for his Curb performance, and Oscar-nominated movie star Don Cheadle round out the crew that I expect to see listed as this year's nominees.
Emmy Wish List
Larry David - Curb Your Enthusiasm
Although it wasn't one of the better Curb seasons of late, LD always brings the heat. Between admitting he was a social assassin and going to war with Michael J. Fox, Larry David had audiences laughing as much as any actor on television.
To read the rest of
my Emmy Wish List for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, head over to TV Fanatic.
