Published: 06:00 AM, Sun Aug 29, 2010
TV Diva makes her Emmy predictions
This year's Emmy nominees feature a crop of newcomers, including "Modern Family," "Glee" and "The Good Wife," who may topple some of the repeat winners. Jimmy Fallon hosts TV's biggest event tonight at 8 o'clock on NBC. Here are predictions for who will take home the prize.
Drama Series
The nominees: "Breaking Bad," AMC; "Dexter," Showtime; "The Good Wife," CBS; "Lost," ABC; "True Blood," HBO; "Mad Men," AMC.
TV Diva prediction: "Mad Men" had one of its strongest seasons last year with turmoil affecting Don Draper, his family, his agency and the country. The season closed on a high note, with Draper and his partners orchestrating a coup of master proportions. While his marriage crumbled, Draper took control and decided to start a new ad agency. The result? Some fine acting and writing from start to finish.
Actor, drama: The nominees: Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad," AMC; Michael C. Hall, "Dexter," Showtime; Kyle Chandler, "Friday Night Lights," DirecTV; Hugh Laurie, "House," Fox; Matthew Fox, "Lost," ABC; Jon Hamm, "Mad Men," AMC.
TV Diva prediction: The Academy loves Bryan Cranston, who won lost year. And Hamm certainly turned in consistently good work. But I maintain that it's Hugh Laurie's turn to win. His entry, last season's premiere, showed Laurie at his best as he battled his addictions at a mental institution. The two-hour episode stood out in a series that's become somewhat repetitive. Laurie was funny, frustrated and eventually hopeful in his portrayal of a ravaged man.
Actress, drama Nominees: Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer," TNT; Glenn Close, "Damages," FX; Connie Britton, "Friday Night Lights," DirecTV; Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife," CBS; Mariska Hargitay, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC; January Jones, "Mad Men," AMC.
TV Diva prediction: Close has won twice before, and rightfully so. But it's time for one of those newcomers to shake things up. Julianna Margulies (above) made an impact in every scene of her first-year series, but in a very unsplashy way. A raised eyebrow. A longing look. Margulies could have made her character of a scorned wife a cliche, but instead, she was complex and nuanced.
Supporting Actor, Drama Series
Nominees: Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad," AMC; Martin Short, "Damages," FX; Terry O'Quinn, "Lost," ABC; Michael Emerson, "Lost," ABC; John Slattery, "Mad Men," AMC; Andre Braugher, "Men of a Certain Age," TNT.
Prediction: O'Quinn
Supporting Actress, Drama Series
Nominees: Sharon Gless, "Burn Notice," USA; Rose Byrne, "Damages," FX; Archie Panjabi, "The Good Wife," CBS; Christine Baranski, "The Good Wife," CBS; Christina Hendricks, "Mad Men," AMC; Elisabeth Moss," Mad Men," AMC.
Prediction: Hendricks
Comedy Series Nominees: "Curb Your Enthusiasm," HBO; "Glee," Fox; "Modern Family," ABC; "The Office," NBC; "Nurse Jackie," Showtime; "30 Rock," NBC.
TV Diva prediction: It's time for "30 Rock" to exit the winners' circle and for one of two new shows to claim the top comedy prize. While I love both "Glee" and "Modern Family," which both received a slew of nominations, I think "Modern Family" will win the Emmy. The large cast is top notch, from the adults to the kids to the special guest stars, and the writing is sharp. Each week of viewing resulted in a half-hour of pure enjoyment.
Actor, Comedy Nominees: Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory," CBS; Larry David, "Curb Your Enthusiasm," HBO; Matthew Morrison, "Glee," Fox; Tony Shalhoub, "Monk," USA; Steve Carell, "The Office," NBC; Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock," NBC.
TV Diva prediction: It's possible that Parsons could get some Emmy love, but I think Carell's looming departure from "The Office" will be on Emmy voters' minds. Even in an off year for the series, Carell infuses his Michael Scott character with the right mix of goofiness and cringe-inducing behavior with a tinge of sweetness. Plus, I just think it's time for Baldwin to step aside.
Actress, Comedy
Nominees: Lea Michele, "Glee," Fox; Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "The New Adventures of Old Christine," CBS; Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie," Showtime; Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation," NBC; Tina Fey, "30 Rock," NBC; Toni Collette, "United States of Tara," Showtime.
TV Diva prediction: This is a tough category with funny performances all around. While Fey seems to do no wrong, Falco's darkly comic turn as a pill-popping nurse in "Nurse Jackie" is just the type of role that wins awards. There's no black and white with her, and it's the gray area that Jackie lives in that makes her so intriguing.
Supporting Actor, Comedy Series
Nominees: Chris Colfer, "Glee," Fox; Neil Patrick Harris, "How I Met Your Mother," CBS; Jesse Tyler Ferguson, "Modern Family," ABC; Eric Stonestreet, "Modern Family," ABC; Ty Burrell, "Modern Family"; ABC; Jon Cryer, "Two and a Half Men, CBS.
Prediction: Burrell
Supporting Actress, Comedy Series
Nominees: Jane Lynch, "Glee," Fox; Julie Bowen, "Modern Family," ABC; Sofia Vergara, "Modern Family," ABC; Kristen Wiig, "Saturday Night Live," NBC; Jane Krakowski, "30 Rock," NBC; Holland Taylor, "Two and a Half Men," CBS.
Prediction: Lynch
When to watch
The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards: The ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, right, airs at 8 p.m. on NBC.
In the Life section of the Fayetteville Observer on Monday, you'll find a recap of the winners, the fashion and other memorable moments.