2011 Emmy Predictions

Outstanding Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire
Dexter
Friday Night Lights
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife
Mad Men

Gosh, Game of Thrones was certainly my favorite new show of last year. And I would certainly love for it to win. But I think it’s a toss up between Mad Men and Friday Night Lights, but maybe a little Boardwalk Empire thrown in there as a spoiler. Yet I continue to dream of a night where Westeros will win the trophy.

Outstanding Comedy Series
Big Bang Theory
Glee
Modern Family
The Office
Parks and Recreation
30 Rock

First of all, why is Community snubbed, yet again? That is the single best comedy on TV right now. (I understand why It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia will never get nominated, but someone needs to throw a bone to Community.) I would love to see Parks and Recreation get nominated, this season was particularly excellent for that show, but now that I have finally been getting around to watching Modern Family I understand the hype. It’s critic’s bait for sure, but fucking funny critic bait.

Outstanding Actress in a Drama
Kathy Bates, Harry's Law
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Mireille Enos, The Killing
Mariska Hargitay, Law and Order: SVU
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men

There’s no way it’s anyone but Julianna Margulies. She’s hella good in this show, plus it’s exactly the kind of show the voters love.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama
Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire
Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
Margo Martindale, Justified
Michelle Forbes, The Killing
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men

For me, this one is a toss-up. But the pretty unanimous critical consensus is that it’s going to be Martindale so I will defer to the mob on this one.

Outstanding Actor in a Drama
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
John Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
Timothy Olyphant, Justified
John Hamm has not yet won an Emmy, and based on his competition this year I think it’s going to be him. Maybe Kyle Chandler for an upset?

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Josh Charles, The Good Wife
Alan Cumming, The Good Wife
Walton Goggins, Justified
John Slattery, Mad Men
Andre Braugher, Men of a Certain Age

A lot of people think this is going to be the year for John Slattery, but I am putting all my karmic weight behind Peter Dinklage. The episode he submitted was the one where he gives the speech about how the woman he fell in love with was a prostitute his father had hired. He singlehandedly made clear the successes and failings of the Lannister family throughout the season, but particularly in that speech. I hope he wins!

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Laura Linney, The Big C
Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly
Martha Plimpton, Raising Hope
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

I would love to see Amy Poehler take it for one of the best shows out there, particularly since she submitted “Flu Season” for the category. But I think Melissa McCarthy has a chance just based on leftover Bridesmaids goodwill. (Hell, if they can completely rewrite Maya Rudolph’s character on Up All Night because of it, this lady can at least get an Emmy.)

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy
Jane Lynch, Glee
Betty White, Hot In Cleveland
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock

I think Betty White is poised to continue her current streak of ruling everything with a win. But Jane Lynch is a very strong contender for the upset.

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Louis C.K., Louie
Steve Carrell, The Office
Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Steve Carrell is going to win for the totality of his Office career tonight. I will bet you so much money on that.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy
Chris Colfer, Glee
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Ed O'Neill, Modern Family
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men

Hmmm, Modern Family sure is trying to split the vote. But I think it’s going to Ty Burrell. Or else that Glee kid. People sure do love that show.

Outstanding Variety, Comedy Or Musical Series
The Colbert Report
Conan
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
Real Time With Bill Maher
Saturday Night Live

It’s probably going to Jon Stewart, even though Stephen Colbert was much sharper and way more on point this year. But let’s love that Conan has a nod while Jay Leno sits at home tinkering with cars.

Outstanding Reality Show
The Amazing Race
American Idol
Dancing With the Stars
Project Runway
So You Think You Can Dance
Top Chef

Top Chef! I heart that show. I wouldn’t begrudge a Project Runway win, but stupid Gretchen won that year and she is the worst. I suspect she may have dragged the whole show down with her.

Outstanding TV Miniseries or Movie
Cinema Verite
Downton Abbey
The Kennedys
Mildred Pierce
The Pillars of the Earth
Too Big To Fail

I still haven’t gotten around to watching Cinema Verite, even though it’s my HBOGo queue, but I think this one has to go to Mildred Pierce. Period costumes, overwrought acting and that amazing shot of Evan Rachel Wood naked, figuratively fucking over her mother as she literally fucked her stepfather. Positively brilliant.

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy
Idris Elba, The Big C
Nathan Lane, Modern Family
Zach Galifianakis, Saturday Night Live
Justin Timberlake, Saturday Night Live
Matt Damon, 30 Rock
Will Arnett, 30 Rock

I’m always up for some Stringer Bell or Zach Galifinakis awards-show love, but it’s either going to Justin Timberlake or one of the 30 Rock guest stars. And I’m OK with that.

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy
Kristin Chenoweth, Glee
Dot-Marie Jones, Glee
Gwyneth Paltrow, Glee
Cloris Leachman, Raising Hope
Tina Fey, Saturday Night Live
Elizabeth Banks, 30 Rock

Tina Fey or Elizabeth Banks absolutely deserve an award for those guest roles, but my utter love for Kristen Chenoweth makes me include her as a spoiler.

Outstanding Leading Actress in a Mini-series or Movie
Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Elizabeth McGovern, Downton Abbey
Diane Lane, Cinema Verite
Taraji P. Henson, Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story
Jean Marsh, Upstairs Downstairs

Kate Winslet. Obviously.

Outstanding Leading Actor in an Mini-Series or Movie
Greg Kinnear, The Kennedys
Barry Pepper, The Kennedys
Edgar Ramirez, Carlos
William Hurt, Too Big To Fail
Idris Elba, Luther
Laurence Fishburne, Thurgood

I heard Luther was awful, but I’m always going to support String. It’s a 40 degree day motherfucker!

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Mini-series or Movie
Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce
Bryan F. O'Byrne, Mildred Pierce
Tom Wilkinson, The Kennedys
Paul Giamatti, Too Big to Fail
James Woods, Too Big to Fail

Guy Pierce was so excellent in this role. I certainly hope he wins.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Mini-series or Movie
Evan Rachel Wood, Mildred Pierce
Melissa Leo, Mildred Pierce
Mare Winningham, Mildred Pierce
Maggie Smith, Downtown Abbey
Eileen Atkins, Upstairs Downstairs

Evan Rachel Wood made a despicable character human. But Maggie Smith is a spoiler just because she’s generally awesome and everyone loves Downtown Abbey. (That shows actually has a Guiness World Record for the most critically acclaimed television show.)