It’s EMMY TIME. Like any other year, there are some completely deserving nominees, some predictable noms, some undeserved noms and of course the SNUBS. The Emmys are not often as cut and dry as the Oscars when it comes to predicting winners – television is so diverse and it’s hard to know where voter loyalties lie.
Here’s my take on who deserves the win – and who most likely will win in the big ticket categories. My conclusion is that I watch way too much tv. Scroll down for the full list of nominees.
Best Comedy Series
“The Big Bang Theory”
“Louie”
“Modern Family”
“Orange Is the New Black”
“Silicon Valley”
“Veep”
My Take: Why in the world is Big Bang Theory nominated (let alone still running )!? UGH…it’s the worst. Orange Is the New Black (OITNB) and Veep are probably the leads in this category. Even though I don’t think that OITNB is a full-out comedy (more dramadey really) I’ll go with OITNB for my pick as the show most likely to take the win. It has the most buzz and has the freshest storyline/cast/dynamic as compared to the rest of the nominees.
Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Lena Dunham, “Girls”
Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”
Julia Louis Dreyfus, “Veep”
Melissa McCarthy, “Mike & Molly”
Amy Poehler, “Parks & Recreation”
Taylor Schilling, “Orange Is the New Black”
My Take: This one will be a tight race – with Julia Louis Dreyfus and Taylor Schilling in the lead for the win. I’d give it the Julia Louis Dreyfus – she’s a riot on Veep – maybe she can pull off the threepeat in this category.
Also, I’d really like to give a shoutout to my homegirl Amy Poehler – for her consistency in playing the endearing and excellent Leslie Knope for so many seasons!
Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory”
Ricky Gervais, “Derek”
Matt LeBlanc, “Episodes”
Don Cheadle, “House of Lies”
Louis C.K., “Louie”
William H. Macy, “Shameless”
My Take: William H. Macy is criminally underrated on Shameless – which is a key factor as to why I think he’ll be overlooked in this category. Ricky Gervais’ Derek has been hailed all over social media this year, but I think this one will go to the dry and self-depreciating wit of Louis C.K. Louis has had an amazing season and I’d love to hear his acceptance speech.
Supporting Actor, Comedy Series
Andre Braugher, “Brookiyn Nine-Nine”
Adam Driver, “Girls”
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, “Modern Family”
Ty Burrell, “Modern Family”
Fred Armisen, “Portlandia”
Tony Hale, “Veep”
My Take: As one of probably 12 people watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine on a weekly basis, I have a lot of love for Andre Braugher as Captain Holt – enough love to really really really root for him to win the Emmy this year. But alas, there’s some great competition in this category – namely from Tony Hale – who won in this category last year. I still say: HOLT FOR THE WIN!
Supporting Actress, Comedy Series
Mayim Bialik, “The Big Bang Theory”
Julie Bowen, “Modern Family”
Allison Janney, “Mom”
Kate Mulgrew, “Orange Is the New Black”
Kate McKinnon, “Saturday Night Live”
Anna Chlumsky, “Veep”
My Take: I love Kate McKinnon. She has been incredible on the past season of SNL – filling the void left by Kristen Wiig and winning some big laughs. I don’t think Kate has a shot at winning though. With the momentum of OITNB, Kate Mulgrew has earned her first Emmy nomination (during her 42 year career!) – and is a favorite for the win.
Best Variety Series
“The Colbert Report”
“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”
“Jimmy Kimmel Live”
“Real Time With Bill Maher”
“Saturday Night Live”
“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”
My Take: Anyone who knows me could answer this question on my behalf. The clear winner: JIMMY FALLON…king of late night…and my heart. Jimmy has made late night television friendlier, more fun and a lot more interactive for the guests and the audience. Plus, The Roots is the PERFECT house band. Let’s hear it for Jimmy and the Tonight Show crew!
Outstanding Television Movie
“Killing Kennedy”
“Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight”
“The Normal Heart”
“Sherlock: His Last Vow”
“The Trip to Bountiful”
My Take: The Normal Heart was a great, often painful and brilliant adaptation of Larry Kramer’s play of the same name. Devastating performances and solid writing and production make this film an absolute lock for the win. See it.
Best Miniseries
“American Horror Story: Coven”
“Bonnie & Clyde”
“Fargo”
“Luther”
“Treme”
“The White Queen”
My Take: FARGO. All the way. Even though I have a soft spots for Luther (which is phenomenal) and Treme, which is often overlooked, but outstanding. Fargo has an amazing cast, excellent story and is so well written. It deserves the nomination as well as the win in a respectably strong category.
Best Actress Miniseries or Movie
Jessica Lange, “American Horror Story: Coven”
Sarah Paulson, “American Horror Story: Coven”
Helena Bonham Carter, “Burton and Taylor”
Minnie Driver, “Return to Zero”
Kristen Wiig, “The Spoils of Babylon”
Cicely Tyson, “The Trip Bountiful”
My Take: Sarah Paulson and Jessica Lange were absolute stunners on the small screen together. While I tend to lean towards Ms. Lange’s devilishly great performance, I think Cicely Tyson has a great shot at winning based on the praise for her terrific work in The Trip Bountiful.
Best Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Benedict Cumberbatch, “Sherlock: His Last Vow”
Chiwetel Ejiofor, “Dancing on the Edge”
Martin Freeman, “Fargo”
Billy Bob Thornton, “Fargo”
Idris Elba, “Luther”
Mark Ruffalo, “The Normal Heart”
My Take: What an impressive category. It’s going to be a close race between Mark Ruffalo and Billy Bob Thornton in this category. Their performances are so different from one another – but serve as the anchors to their respective miniseries. Each of these gentlemen are perfectly cast. It’ll be a close call – as much as I want Mark Ruffalo to win, I’m giving the Emmy to Billy Bob.
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Lizzy Caplan, “Masters of Sex”
Claire Danes, “Homeland”
Michelle Dockery, “Downton Abbey”
Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”
Kerry Washington, “Scandal”
Robin Wright, “House of Cards”
My Take: If all of these impressive characters were facing off against each other on their respective shows – I’d give the win to Clare Underwood. Robin Wright is a force to be reckoned with on House of Cards – captivating and calculated. Give her the award!
Best Actor in a Drama Series
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”
Jeff Daniels, “The Newsroom”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Woody Harrelson, “True Detective”
Matthew McConaughey, “True Detective”
Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards”
My Take: Let’s just list some of my favorite actors on television in one category, shall we?! An impressive listing of very deserving actors. While Breaking Bad took its final bow with Bryan Cranston giving an all or nothing performance – I’d still give the award to Matthew “OSCAR WINNER” McConaughey. McConaughey had an amazing year, with his Oscar win and general McConaissance of his career. He was mesmerizing on True Detective – giving monologues worthy of Shakespeare in his intense and intelligent work on the dark and twisted series. McConaughey might be on his way to the E.G.O.T…. alllllriiiiiight, alllllriiiiiight, alllllriiiiiight….
Supporting Actor, Drama Series
Aaron Paul, “Breaking Bad”
Jim Carter, “Downton Abbey”
Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones”
Josh Charles, “The Good Wife”
Mandy Patinkin, “Homeland”
Jon Voight, “Ray Donovan”
My Take: Aaron Paul, BITCH.
Supporting Actress, Drama Series
Anna Gunn, “Breaking Bad”
Maggie Smith, “Downton Abbey”
Lena Headey, “Game of Thrones”
Christine Baranski, “The Good Wife”
Christina Hendricks, “Mad Men”
Joanne Froggatt, “Downton Abbey”
My Take: Anna Gunn played Skylar White for an impressive five seasons – the woman we loved to hate on Breaking Bad – and that’s an impressive feat – given the characters worth hating on that show. The women in this category did great work, but on the final bow of the show, I think Anna Gunn’s got it.
Best Drama Series
“Breaking Bad”
“Downton Abbey”
“Game of Thrones”
“House of Cards”
“Mad Men”
“True Detective”
My Take: Each of these shows had its big moment last season. Don Draper’s downward spiral on Mad Men, Game of Throne’s red wedding, political power plays in House of Cards, changes afoot in Downton Abbey… but… the end of Breaking Bad and the relentless struggle of True Detective were the most definitive. I can’t call a clear winner. Breaking Bad has left a void since it ended, so much so that AMC plans to re-air the series in its entirety. True Detective was something new – something different, and something that lent a lot of star power to HBO’s staggering list of television accomplishments. In its final bow, Breaking Bad may take the win – but True Detective was an edgy and completely haunting piece of work. I’d take either of these as the winner. I’ll leave it to you to decide.
There you have it. What are your picks? We’ll find out who the winners are on August 25, 2014 during the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards hosted by Seth Meyers.
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES:
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”
Jeff Daniels, “The Newsroom”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Woody Harrelson, “True Detective”
Matthew McConaughey, “True Detective”
Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards”
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES:
Lizzy Caplan, “Masters of Sex”
Claire Danes, “Homeland”
Michelle Dockery, “Downton Abbey”
Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”
Kerry Washington, “Scandal”
Robin Wright, “House of Cards”
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE:
Benedict Cumberbatch, “Sherlock: His Last Vow”
Chiwetel Ejiofor, “Dancing On The Edge”
Idris Elba, “Luther”
Martin Freeman, “Fargo”
Mark Ruffalo, “The Normal Heart”
Billy Bob Thornton, “Fargo”
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE:
Helena Bonham Carter, “Burton And Taylor”
Minnie Driver, “Return To Zero”
Jessica Lange, “American Horror Story: Coven”
Sarah Paulsone, “American Horror Story: Coven”
Cicely Tyson, “The Trip To Bountiful”
Kristen Wiig, “The Spoils Of Babylon”
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES:
Louis C.K., “Louie”
Don Cheadle, “House of Lies”
Ricky Gervais, “Derek”
Matt LeBlanc, “Episodes”
William H. Macy, “Shameless”
Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory”
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES:
Lena Dunham, “Girls”
Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”
Melissa McCarthy, “Mike & Molly”
Amy Poehler, “Parks and Recreation”
Taylor Schilling, “Orange is the New Black”
OUTSTANDING VARIETY SERIES:
“The Colbert Report”
“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”
“Jimmy Kimmel Live”
“Real Time With Bill Maher”
“Saturday Night Live”
“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”
OUTSTANDING REALITY-COMPETITION PROGRAM:
“The Amazing Race”
“Dancing With The Stars”
“Project Runway”
“So You Think You Can Dance”
“Top Chef”
“The Voice”
OUTSTANDING MINISERIES OR MOVIE:
“American Horror Story: Coven”
“Bonnie & Clyde”
“Fargo”
“Luther”
“Treme”
“The White Queen”
OUTSTANDING TELEVISION MOVIE:
“Killing Kennedy”
“Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight”
“The Normal Heart”
“Sherlock: His Last Vow”
“The Trip to Bountiful”
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES:
“The Big Bang Theory”
“Louie”
“Modern Family”
“Orange is the New Black”
“Silicon Valley”
“Veep”
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES:
“Breaking Bad”
“Downton Abbey”
“Game of Thrones”
“House of Cards”
“Mad Men”
“True Detective”
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES:
Andre Braugher, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
Adam Driver, “Girls”
Ty Burrell, “Modern Family”
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, “Modern Family”
Fred Armisen, “Portlandia”
Tony Hale, “Veep”
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES:
Julie Bowen, “Modern Family”
Allison Janney, “Mom”
Kate Mulgrew, “Orange is the New Black”
Kate McKinnon, “Saturday Night Live”
Mayim Bialik, “The Big Bang Theory”
Anna Chlumsky, “Veep”
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING IN A COMEDY SERIES:
“Episodes,” directed by Iain B. MacDonald
“Glee,” directed by Paris Barclay
“Louie,” directed by Louis C.K.
“Modern Family,” directed by Gail Mancuso
“Orange is the New Black,” directed by Jodie Foster
“Silicon Valley,” directed by Mike Judge
OUTSTANDING WRITING IN A COMEDY SERIES:
“Episodes,” written by David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik
“Louie,” written by Louis C.K.
“Orange is the New Black,” written by Liz Friedman and Jenji Kohan
“Silicon Valley,” written by Alec Berg
“Veep,” story and teleplay by Simon Blackwell and Tony Roche, story by Armando Iannucci
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES:
Nathan Lane, “Modern Family”
Steve Buscemi, “Portlandia”
Jimmy Fallon, “Saturday Night Live”
Louis C.K., “Saturday Night Live”
Bob Newhart, “The Big Bang Theory”
Gary Cole, “Veep”
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES:
Uzo Aduba, “Orange is the New Black”
Laverne Cox, “Orange is the New Black”
Natasha Lyonne, “Orange is the New Black”
Tina Fey, “Saturday Night Live”
Melissa McCarthy, “Saturday Night Live”
Joan Cusack, “Shameless”
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES:
Aaron Paul, “Breaking Bad”
Jim Carter, “Downton Abbey”
Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones”
Mandy Patinkin, “Homeland”
Jon Voight, “Ray Donovan”
Josh Charles, “The Good Wife”
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES:
Anna Gunnl, “Breaking Bad”
Maggie Smithll, “Downton Abbey”
Joanne Froggattl, “Downton Abbey”
Lena Headey, “Game of Thrones”
Christina Hendricks, “Mad Men”
Christine Baranski, “The Good Wife”
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING IN A DRAMA SERIES:
“Boardwalk Empire,” directed by Tim Van Patten
“Breaking Bad,” directed by Vince Gilligan
“Downton Abbey,” directed by David Evans
“Game of Thrones,” directed by Neil Marshall
“House of Cards,” directed by Carl Franklin
“True Detective,” directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga
OUTSTANDING WRITING IN A DRAMA SERIES:
“Breaking Bad,” written by Vince Giligan
“Breaking Bad,” written by Moira Walley-Beckett
“Games of Thrones,” written by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss
“House of Cards,” written by Beau Willimon
“True Detective,” written by Nic Pizzolatto
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES:
Paul Giamatti, “Downton Abbey”
Reg E. Cathey, “House of Card”
Robert Morse, “Mad Men”
Beau Bridges, “Masters of Sex”
Joe Morton, “Scandal”
Dylan Baker, “The Good Wife”
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES:
Diana Rigg, “Game of Thrones”
Kate Mara, “Mad Men”
Allison Janney, “Masters of Sex”
Kate Burton, “Scandal”
Margo Martindale, “The Americans”
Jane Fonda, “The Newsroom”
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE:
Colin Hanks, “Fargo”
Martin Freeman, “Sherlock: His Last Vow”
Jim Parsons, “The Normal Heart”
Joe Mantello, “The Normal Heart”
Alfred Molina, “The Normal Heart”
Matt Bomer, “The Normal Heart”
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE:
Kathy Bates, “American Horror Story: Coven”
Angela Bassett, “American Horror Story: Coven”
Frances Conroy, “American Horror Story: Coven”
Alison Tolman, “Fargo”
Ellen Burstyn, “Flowers in the Attic”
Julia Roberts, “The Normal Heart”
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A DRAMATIC SPECIAL:
“American Horror Story: Coven,” directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
“Fargo,” directed by Adam Bernstein
“Fargo,” directed by Colin Bucksey
“Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight,” directed by Stephen Frears
“Sherlock: His Last Vow,” directed by Nick Hurran
“The Normal Heart,” directed by Ryan Murphy
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A DRAMATIC SPECIAL:
“American Horror Story: Coven,” written by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk
“Fargo,” written by Noah Hawley
“Luther,” written by Neil Cross
“Sherlock: His Last Vow,” written by Steven Moffat
“The Normal Heart,” screenplay by Larry Kramer
“Treme,” written by David Simon and Eric Overmyer
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A VARIETY SERIES:
“Portlandia,” directed by Jonathan Krisel
“Saturday Night Live,” directed by Don Roy King
“The Colbert Report,” directed by James Hoskinson
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” directed by Chuck O’Neil
“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” directed by Dave Diomedi
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY SERIES:
“Inside Amy Schumer”
“Key & Peele”
“Portlandia”
“The Colbert Report”
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart”
“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”
OUTSTANDING VARIETY SPECIAL:
“AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute To Mel Brooks”
“Best Of Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Primetime Special”
“Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays”
“Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles”
“The Beatles: The Night That Changed America”
“The Kennedy Center Honors”
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A VARIETY SPECIAL:
“Six By Sondheim,” directed by James Lipine
“The Beatles: The Night That Changed America,” directed by Gregg Gelfand
“The Kennedy Center Honors,” directed by Louis J. Horvitz
“The Oscars,” directed by Hamish Hamilton
“The Sound of Music Live!”, directed by Beth McCarthy Miller, theatrical direction by Rob Ashford
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY SPECIAL:
“67th Annual Tony Awards”
“Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays”
“Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles”
“The 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards”
“The Beatles: The Night That Changed America”
OUTSTANDING HOST FOR A REALITY OR REALITY-COMPETITION PROGRAM:
Betty White, “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers”
Tom Bergeron, “Dancing With The Stars”
Jane Lynch, “Hollywood Game Night”
Heidi Klum & Tim Gunn, “Project Runway”
Cat Deeley, “So You Think You Can Dance”
Anthony Bourdain, “The Taste”
OUTSTANDING UNSTRUCTURED REALITY PROGRAM:
“Alaska: The Last Frontier”
“Deadliest Catch”
“Flipping Out”
“Million Dollar Listing New York”
“Wahlburgers”
“Wild Things With Dominic Monaghan”
OUTSTANDING STRUCTURED REALITY PROGRAM:
“Antiques Roadshow”
“Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives”
“MythBusters”
“Shark Tank”
“Undercover Boss”
“Who Do You Think You Are?”
rambling rooby 