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And the Emmy Goes to... Well, for Now, We're Just Guessing -- and So Can You
August 27, 2010  | By David Bianculli
 
emmys-fallon.jpg

The 62nd Annual Prime-Time Emmy Awards, with host Jimmy Fallon, will be televised on NBC Sunday night at 8 ET. Until then, it's anybody's guess who will win in the major categories -- so we here at TV WORTH WATCHING thought it would be fun to have anybody guess. We'll start with some of our correspondents, who are fighting for bragging rights. Then we'll open it up to you, for your OWN bragging rights, plus some tacky TV prize to be named later...

[UPDATE: Friday's USA Today features an Emmy advance article by Marco R. della Cava which both quotes me and credits TV WORTH WATCHING. Thanks, Marco! Read it HERE...]

Now that the website has been relaunched for, oh, almost a week, I thought I'd provide not only my own predictions for the winners of the top six categories, but those of others here at TVWW as well. Some were vacationing, and others were, let's just say, less than eager.

("Hell," Eric Mink wrote me in what he may have mistakenly thought was a private message, "even when I WATCHED everything, my Emmy predictions were always wrong!" By the way, I worked alongside the guy. They weren't.)

But I did get seven to play along -- managing editor Diane Werts, and correspondents P.J. Bednarski, Mark Bianculli, Tom Brinkmoeller (the Bs were well-accounted for), Eric Gould, Ed Martin and Alan Pergament. [Actually, there are eight: Theresa Corigliano slipped in tardily, but still welcomed.] Counting me, that's enough for a quorum, so let's see who's predicting what. And, because these folks are writers, expect commentary as well as votes. Some voted only in some categories, or only for winner, or only for whom they wanted to win. Others, after supplying their predictions, just kept writing.

In fact, three of them -- P.J., Mark, and Ed -- wrote such lengthy commentaries that they qualify as separate blogs. So, in addition to tallying their votes here, that's how I decided to publish them. On their own column pages here on TVWW, as well as on the overall Contributors blog, check out their comments, and reasoning, in their individual blog postings. We want you to get comfortable checking out the entire home page, and here's another good reason. Three of them, actually.

And when you're done reading the overall predictions here, feel free to add your own predictions. Just do it before 8 p.m. ET Sunday, or it won't be impressive -- and it won't count.

Here goes:

mad-men-01.jpg

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Nominees: Breaking Bad, Dexter, The Good Wife, Lost, Mad Men, True Blood

P.J. Bednarski--
SHOULD WIN: The Good Wife
WILL WIN: Mad Men

David Bianculli--
SHOULD WIN: Breaking Bad, Dexter and Mad Men all had fabulous, win-worthy seasons.
WILL WIN: Mad Men

Mark Bianculli--
SHOULD WIN: Mad Men
WILL WIN: Mad Men

Bill Brioux--
SHOULD WIN: Dexter and Breaking Bad had electrifying finales, but Mad Men ended a marriage, dissolved an ad agency and assassinated a president.
WILL WIN: Lost, for six years viewers will never get back. Now that's drama!

Theresa Corigliano--
SHOULD WIN: The Good Wife

Eric Gould--
SHOULD WIN: Mad Men, perhaps the most adult, believable drama since thirtysomething. I miss Miles.
WILL WIN: Mad Men

Ed Martin--
SHOULD WIN: Mad Men
WILL WIN: Mad Men

Alan Pergament--
SHOULD WIN: Mad Men
WILL WIN: Lost

Diane Werts--
SHOULD WIN: Dexter. Or Breaking Bad. I implore you Emmy people!
WILL WIN: But sigh, I suspect it'll be more so-sleek, so-cold Mad Men.

curb-your-enthusiasm-09-O25.jpg

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
Nominees: Curb Your Enthusiasm, Glee, Modern Family, Nurse Jackie, The Office, 30 Rock

P.J. Bednarski--
SHOULD WIN: 30 Rock
WILL WIN: Curb Your Enthusiasm

David Bianculli--
SHOULD WIN: Curb Your Enthusiasm, for its brilliant faux Seinfeld reunion - though Glee and Modern Family, in different ways, were brilliant, too.
WILL WIN: Modern Family

Mark Bianculli--
SHOULD WIN: Glee
WILL WIN: Glee

Tom Brinkmoeller--
SHOULD WIN: 30 Rock
WILL WIN: Modern Family

Bill Brioux--
SHOULD WIN: The other week I was watching TV episodes off the monitor in the seatback of an airplane. Earphones on, I was laughing out loud and didn’t realize it, until the flight attendant stopped by. "Oh, no wonder," she said. "You're watching Modern Family."
WILL WIN: Modern Family, with points to Curb for those funny Seinfeld reunion shows. Not funny: omitting The Big Bang Theory.

Theresa Corigliano--
SHOULD WIN: Big Bang Theory (Oh, right, they don't allow write-in votes... so, ok, Nurse Jackie)

Eric Gould--
SHOULD WIN: Curb Your Enthusiasm -- Just smarter, and it's time to thank the smartest self-made pariah since John Cleese... just not as silly.
WILL WIN: Utter toss-up here, so I'll go with most jokes per square inch, 30 Rock.


Ed Martin--
SHOULD WIN: Modern Family
WILL WIN: Glee

Alan Pergament--
SHOULD WIN: 30 Rock
WILL WIN: Modern Family

Diane Werts--
SHOULD WIN: If Emmy wants to honor Glee, this looks like the place -- if voters consider it a comedy. That's fine by me.
WILL WIN: But I wouldn't be surprised to see them support the "real" comedy of Modern Family.

breaking-bad-09-My31-sf.jpg

OUTSTANDING ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES
Nominees: Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights; Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad; Matthew Fox, Lost; Jon Hamm, Mad Men; Michael C. Hall, Dexter; Hugh Laurie, House

P.J. Bednarski--
SHOULD WIN: Bryan Cranston
WILL WIN: Kyle Chandler

David Bianculli--
SHOULD WIN: Honestly, everyone in this category astounded me last season. Everyone.
WILL WIN: Cranston, again.

Mark Bianculli--
SHOULD WIN: My heart wants Cranston for the three-peat.
WILL WIN: My head says Laurie will be recognized for a particularly difficult season.

Bill Brioux--
SHOULD WIN: Matthew Morrison should have been saluted here, instead of in comedy, after that terrifyingly real marital meltdown scene that yanked Glee off a campy cliff.
WILL WIN: Bryan Cranston, scary good as always in Breaking Bad.

Theresa Corigliano--
SHOULD WIN: Hugh Laurie (is anybody watching what he does?)

Eric Gould--
SHOULD WIN: Jon Hamm, for Don Draper's multi-headed Hydra... a riddle inside a mystery.
WILL WIN: Jon Hamm. Three years of amazing work.

Ed Martin--
SHOULD WIN: Jon Hamm
WILL WIN: If Michael C. Hall is ever to receive an Emmy for his work on Dexter it will happen this Sunday...

Alan Pergament--
SHOULD WIN: Michael C. Hall
WILL WIN: Jon Hamm

Diane Werts--
SHOULD WIN: Every nominee knocked it out of the park.
WILL WIN: Hugh Laurie might win for House being bad/good/bad, and that would be good/good/good.

damages-10-F22.jpg

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES
Nominees: Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights; Glenn Close, Damages; Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; January Jones, Mad Men; Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife; Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

P.J. Bednarski--
SHOULD WIN: Julianna Margulies
WILL WIN: January Jones

David Bianculli--
SHOULD WIN: Connie Britton -- finally, much too tardily nominated.
WILL WIN: Julianna Margulies, in a relative upset over Glenn Close

Mark Bianculli--
SHOULD WIN: Julianna Margulies
WILL WIN: Julianna Margulies. This one's a no-brainer (hopefully, or I'll look very stupid). Hottest new drama. Hottest new character. Margulies is wonderful (and beautiful) in everything she's in. Time for a second Emmy.

Bill Brioux--
SHOULD WIN: A few seasons ago, Julianna Margulies was miscast as an unsympathetic superwoman in Canterbury's Law. Perfectly cast as The Good Wife, she brought grace, edge and courage to a complicated character.
WILL WIN: Close, but no cigar.

Theresa Corigliano--
SHOULD WIN: Julianna Margulies (she had me at the pilot)

Eric Gould--
SHOULD WIN: Mariska Haritgay. If outstanding makes you believe, then I believe, every time, even within some of the dopier plots.
WILL WIN: Mariska Hargitay

Ed Martin--
SHOULD WIN: Kyra Sedgwick, Connie Britton
WILL WIN: If anyone is going to block the formidable Glenn Close of Damages from a third consecutive win, it's Good Wife star Julianna Margulies.

Alan Pergament--
SHOULD WIN: Connie Britton
WILL WIN: Julianna Margulies

Diane Werts--
SHOULD WIN: Julianna Margulies did wonders with the least showy role in the group...
WILL WIN: ...And I'd be amazed if Emmy didn't recognize that.

30-rock-10-F11-jon-bon-jovi.jpg

OUTSTANDING ACTOR, COMEDY SERIES
Nominees: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock; Steve Carell, The Office; Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm; Matthew Morrison, Glee; Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory; Tony Shalhoub, Monk

P.J. Bednarski--
SHOULD WIN: Alec Baldwin
WILL WIN: Matthew Morrison

David Bianculli--
SHOULD WIN: Alec Baldwin and Jim Parsons are equally astounding.
WILL WIN: Let's shake things up: In the biggest surprise of the night, Parsons.

Mark Bianculli--
SHOULD WIN: Parsons seems to be the easy fan favorite in this one...
WILL WIN: ...But I doubt the Academy will forget just what a true master of comedy Alec Baldwin has consistently proven to be.

Tom Brinkmoeller--
SHOULD WIN: Jim Parsons
WILL WIN: Alec Baldwin

Bill Brioux--
SHOULD WIN: Sheldon Cooper is a narcissist know-it-all and yet Parsons finds a way to make him sympathetic if not quite loveable. That's quantum physics.
WILL WIN: Alec Baldwin. Hey, he's Alec Baldwin.

Theresa Corigliano--
SHOULD WIN: Jim Parsons... Jim Parsons... Jim Parsons

Eric Gould--
SHOULD WIN: Probably Steve Carell: Even though The Office has run out of steam, he hasn't, and his talent is at the top of this heap, if edging out Baldwin only by a lash.
WILL WIN: Alec Baldwin

Ed Martin--
SHOULD WIN: Jim Parsons
WILL WIN: Alec Baldwin, Tony Shalhoub. I'm calling this one a toss-up.

Alan Pergament--
SHOULD WIN: Jim Parsons
WILL WIN: Alec Baldwin

Diane Werts--
SHOULD WIN: Please, oh please, give Jim Parsons his due. (Do voters think he IS his character?)
WILL WIN: But I suspect they'll give a big wet goodbye kiss to Tony Shalhoub.

united-states-of-tara-09-F0.jpg

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS, COMEDY SERIES
Nominees: Toni Collette, The United States of Tara; Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie; Tina Fey, 30 Rock; Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine; Lea Michele, Glee; Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

P.J. Bednarski--
SHOULD WIN: Tina Fey
WILL WIN: Julia Louis-Dreyfus

David Bianculli--
SHOULD WIN: Toni Collette
WILL WIN: Toni Collette. Hell, she could take home FIVE Emmys -- one for each alter ego -- and still have additional characters in her arsenal.

Mark Bianculli--
SHOULD WIN: Edie Falco
WILL WIN: Edie Falco. Since it's specifically an "actress" award, I think it would take a miracle to beat the likes of Edie Falco (...a miracle, or Toni Collette).

Tom Brinkmoeller--
SHOULD WIN: Julia Louis-Dreyfus
WILL WIN: Lea Michele

Bill Brioux--
SHOULD WIN: Glee's breakout star Jane Lynch, not even nominated here. C'mon, Lea Michele is in this category and Lynch is relegated to supporting actress? That's not how Sue C's it. The others are all funny ladies but, as Sue would say, nobody watches their shows.
WILL WIN: Tina Fey. And why not?

Theresa Corigliano--
SHOULD WIN: Edie Falco

Eric Gould--
SHOULD WIN: Toni Collette, for playing not just one character, but six. That's six Emmys.
WILL WIN: Toni Collette

Ed Martin--
SHOULD WIN: Edie Falco
WILL WIN: Edie Falco. With her work on Nurse Jackie, she has done something I didn't think possible -- she has shoved aside all memories of her career-defining role as Carmela Soprano.

Alan Pergament--
SHOULD WIN: Edie Falco
WILL WIN: Edie Falco

Diane Werts--
SHOULD WIN: Julia Louis-Dreyfus
WILL WIN: Edie Falco, Toni Collette

--

Those are theirs. Now how about yours? You can vote only once -- and if you can figure out some other way to cheat, don't bother. The prizes, whatever they are, won't be worth it. And besides, I'm behind in mailing out the LAST prizes, though I've contacted those winners to apologize.

This website relaunching stuff takes time. So, it turns out, does tabulating Emmy predictions (he types, at 4:25 a.m. ET)...

 

7 Comments

 

Nathan said:

Drama Series: Lost
Comedy Series: Modern Family
Actor (Drama): Bryan Cranston
Actress (Drama): Julianna Margulies
Actor (Comedy): Jim Parsons
Actress (Comedy): Edie Falco

I picked "Lost" because I think voters might get sentimental. I picked Parsons because it seems to me when "Jim Parsons should win but won't" becomes a near-unanimous opinion, it's time to start thinking that maybe he will win after all.

Comment posted on August 27, 2010 11:27 AM


Eileen said:

I can only put my personal wish list here:

Best Actor/Drama: Jon Hamm (love Bryan, but Jon deserves it).
Best Actress/Drama: Mariska Hargitay (has never won after 11 years of great acting on L&O SVU -- a real long shot, I know).
Best Actor/Comedy: Jim Parsons (he's earned it-- it's his year).
Best Actress/Comedy: Julia Louis-Dreyfus (why her show was canceled, go figure...)
Best Drama Series: Mad Men (or Breaking Bad -- both are deserving).
Best Comedy Series: 30 Rock (could go to Glee or Modern Family, but I still think the writing on 30 Rock is WAY above the bar).

These are from the heart more than the head. I still think there is no comedic actor on tv today who can deliver a line the way Alec Baldwin does.

Although Connie Britton should win, I don't think Mariska ever has, and that's plain wrong -- same goes for Kyra Sedgwick never having won. Share the wealth, people.

Comment posted on August 27, 2010 11:48 AM


Eileen said:

My bad -- Mariska did win in 2006; I knew she had won a Golden Globe, but didn't realize she'd won an Emmy. Good -- she is terrific.

So I would love to see either Connie Britton or Kyra Sedgwick win; they are both great. Can't even understand why January Jones is nominated; she stands around with her arms folded being a perfectly horrible mother. Elisabeth Moss as Peggy brings more to Mad Men than January Jones ever does.

If I had to pick supporting categories, I would award the Emmy to (and two of these weren't even nominated):

Supporting Actor/Comedy: Jack McBrayer as Kenneth in 30 Rock -- he's the glue that keeps that cast together.
Supporting Actor/Drama: Vincent Kartheiser's Pete on Mad Men -- he truly is the guy you love to hate. And that's a tough role to play and do it as well as he does. I actually find myself alternating between wanting to strangle Pete and rooting for him -- sometimes both at once.
Supporting Actress/Comedy: Wanda Sykes' Barb on Old Christine -- laugh out loud whenever she has a scene with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, or the rest of the cast for that matter. She's perfectly cast.

Elisabeth Moss most definitely should be a lead and not a support. That being said, I can't imagine she won't win in her category. She is so on target on that show, and has really turned her Peggy character into something special.

Again, just my own wish list.

Comment posted on August 27, 2010 2:52 PM


Neil said:

BEST DRAMA: should be Breaking Bad but will be The Good Wife
BEST COMEDY: should be Curb Your Enthusiasm but will be Glee
ACTOR IN DRAMA: should be Bryan Cranston but will be Kyle Chandler
ACTRESS IN DRAMA: should be January Jones but will be Julianna Margulies
ACTOR IN COMEDY: should be Jim Parsons but will be Matthew Morrison
ACTRESS IN COMEDY: should be Tina Fey but will be Amy Poehler

My simple system: if I personally like and respect a show or actor, it be cursed. Thus, the winners will all be shows and actors I've either given up on or never warmed up to, with the broadcast network programs getting extra brownie points this year, after two years of cable winning big awards.

Comment posted on August 27, 2010 4:05 PM


Angela said:

Outstanding Drama Series:
Should Win: Same as Bianculli Senior, though add Sons of Anarchy. I know, I know, I'm already bending the rules.

Should Win: Breaking Bad
That show requires more from it's characters than required by Mad Mens' characters.
Will Win: Mad Men

Outstanding Comedy: I agree with Diane about Glee being comedy, and will win it. But my heart wants Modern Family
Should Win: Modern Family
Will Win: Glee

Outstanding actor: My heart says Arron Paul and Kyle Chandler
Should Win: Kyle Chandler
Will Win: Jon Hamm

Outstanding actress: I don't even have to listen to my heart. Loud and clear,
Should Win: Connie Britton
Will Win: Julianna Margulies

Outstanding Actor, Comedy Series:
Should Win: I don't know.
Will Win: Alex Baldwin

Outstanding Actress, Comedy Series
Should Win: Tonnie Collette and Edie Falco. It's about time beauty doesn't win over brains, and I'm speaking to all in this category.
Will Win: Edie Falco
(There is something about Edie that makes me want to watch her no matter whether the show is worthy of her or not.)

Comment posted on August 27, 2010 4:45 PM


Ann said:

Best Drama: Will win: Mad Men (I agree with Ms.Werts - cold show), Should win: Dexter
Best Actor Drama: Will win: Michael C Hall
Should win: Michael C Hall/and Michael Fox and Michael Emerson
Best Actress Comedy: Edie Falco
Best Supporting Actress Drama: Elizabeth Mitchell (for Lost NOT V)
Best Actress Drama: Glenn Close

Comment posted on August 27, 2010 4:58 PM


Mara said:

Drama Series: Mad Men
Comedy Series: Glee
Actor (Drama): Hugh Laurie
Actress (Drama): Connie Britton
Actor (Comedy): Alec Baldwin
Actress (Comedy): Toni Collette

and all I have to say is that, normally, I am an Academy Awards girl. I'll watch the Emmys if I'm bored, but usually I don't care who wins. These past five years or so are the complete opposite. The Oscars are a yawn. The real stories and the real acting are here and it is so exciting. (but awards shows are meaningless anyway, right?) I can't wait!

Comment posted on August 29, 2010 7:40 AM
 
 
 
 
 
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