2009 Emmy Predictions

Just two days until the Emmy Awards and this year I've decided to throw my hat in the Emmy prediction ring. After all, I am a TV Expert. So, why leave it up to others to decide what the purveyors of TV taste will want to honor? I've chosen the 'probable winner' as well as the 'wanna be' winner - which is my own special combination of who I think should get the award, who is the dark horse or who is more deserving.

 

Best Series, Drama

 

"Big Love"

"Breaking Bad"

"Damages"

"Dexter"

"House"

"Lost"

"Mad Men"

 

Winner:  "Mad Men"

There is pretty much no competition here. "Mad Men" won this last year and will again this year due to the combination of the terrific writing and stellar acting (which captures older voters) and the hip period noir vibe (which catches the younger voters). 

 

Wanna Be:  "Lost"

There is no other show on TV like this one (well, until "Flash Forward" starts next week). As we inch closer to knowing what this show is all about it just keeps getting better and better. Unfortunately, you have to be a faithful week-to-week watcher to "get" this show and many voters are not.

 

Best Series, Comedy

 

"30 Rock"

"Entourage"

"Family Guy"

"Flight Of The Conchords"

"How I Met Your Mother"

"The Office"

"Weeds"

 

Winner:  "30 Rock"

It's the best written and most consistently funny comedy on TV hands down.

 

Wanna Be:  Tie: "How I Met Your Mother," "The Office"

Why it has taken voters four seasons to find out what a gem "HIMYM" is I don't understand. I'd love to see it pull an upset but I just don't see the traditional four-camera comedy taking this category. On the flip side, "The Office" had one of its best seasons with Michael falling in love with Holly Flax (guest star, Amy Ryan)

 

Best Actor, Drama

 

Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"

Michael C. Hall, "Dexter"

Hugh Laurie, "House"

Gabriel Byrne, "In Treatment"

Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"

Simon Baker, "The Mentalist"

 

Winner:  Jon Hamm

Probably one of the tougher categories to predict - All these men have fantastic material this season but it just seems like Hamm is overdue for a win here especially after the Bryan Cranston shocker last year.

 

Wanna Be:  Simon Baker

Simon's certainly a dark horse here but the telecast is on CBS this year and he was on the number one new show of last season. It could happen.

 

Best Actor, Comedy

 

Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory"

Tony Shaloub, "Monk"

Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"

Jermaine Clement, "Flight Of The Conchords"

Steve Carell, "The Office"

Charlie Sheen, "Two And A Half Men"

 

Winner: Jim Parsons

Hopefully the good luck charm I gave him last week comes through for him. Although I don't think he needs it. Parsons turn as nerdy scientist Sheldon Cooper is so spot on that the industry could not help but take notice. Going up against Hollywood heavyweights Baldwin, Sheen and Carell could prove tricky but almost everyone is predicting a surprise here for Parsons. 

 

Wanna Be: Alec Baldwin

He's just so good on "30 Rock" but he did win last year and the voters sure do love them some "30 Rock"

 

Best Actress, Drama

Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men"

Glenn Close, "Damages"

Mariska Hargitay, "Law & Order: SVU"

Holly Hunter, "Saving Grace"

Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer"

Sally Field, "Brothers and Sisters"

 

Winner:  Glenn Close

OK, I'm just gonna say it. This category won't even be... Close. She's just that good.

 

Wanna Be:  Elisabeth Moss

Moss submitted the episode where she tells Pete about the baby, certainly her best work to date on the series. Unfortunately, it won't be enough to knock off Close but there is always next year and so far season three is looking good for Peggy Olson.

 

Best Actress, Comedy

Tina Fey, "30 Rock"

Christina Applegate, "Samantha Who"

Toni Collette, "United States of Tara"

Julia Louis Dreyfus, "The New Adventures Of Old Christine"

Mary-Louise Parker, "Weeds"

Sarah Silverman, "Sarah Silverman Project"

 

Winner:  Tina Fey

Another surefire win for Fey who took the trophy last year as well as one for her Sarah Palin impressions on "Saturday Night Live" at last weekend's Creative Emmy Awards

 

Wanna Be:  Mary-Louise Parker

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Oh wait she was a bride this season on "Weeds" but when it comes to being an Emmy bride, Parker just can't seem to make it all the way down the aisle.

 

Best Supporting Actor, Drama

William Shatner, "Boston Legal"

Christian Clemenson, "Boston Legal"

Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad"

Michael Emerson, "Lost"

Jon Slattery, "Mad Men"

William Hurt, "Damages"

 

Winner:  Aaron Paul

Certainly the toughest category to call but I feel like every year a relatively unknown name bests the biggies and I think Paul's turn as a drug dealing drop-out could be the one. 

 

Wanna Be:  William Shatner

It's his last year to win in this category and voters may feel obliged to let cranky Denny Crane finally have his moment.

 

Best Supporting Actress, Drama

Cherry Jones, "24"

Rose Byrne, "Damages"

Hope Davis, "In Treatment"

Chandra Wilson, "Grey's Anatomy"

Sandra Oh, "Grey's Anatomy"

Dianne Wiest, "In Treatment"

 

Winner:  "Cherry Jones"

Another tough category to call but Cherry Jones as a tough as nails female president on "24" was certainly the stand out this year.

 

Wanna Be:  Chandra Wilson

The "Grey's" cast is going through some tough times behind the scenes and I think voters may choose to steer clear no matter how deserving Wilson might be, or that she is not among that fray.

 

Best Supporting Actor, Comedy

Neil Patrick Harris, "How I Met Your Mother"

Rainn Wilson, "The Office"

Jack MacBrayer, "30 Rock"

Jon Cryer, "Two And A Half Men"

Kevin Dillon, "Entourage"

Tracy Morgan, "30 Rock"

 

Winner:  Neil Patrick Harris

Barney Stinson will win and it will be, wait for it.... Legen-dary!

 

Wanna Be:  Kevin Dillon

I'd love to see Drama cause some well, drama in this category and pull an upset. It would just make Ari Gold so darn mad!

 

Best Supporting Actress, Comedy

Kristen Chenowith, "Pushing Daisies"

Kristen Wiig, "Saturday Night Live"

Amy Poehler, "Saturday Night Live"

Jane Krakowski, "30 Rock"

Vanessa Williams, "Ugly Betty"

Elizabeth Perkins, "Weeds"

 

Winner:  Amy Poehler

An interesting mix of women in this category but Poehler takes the cake when it comes to the funny.

Wanna Be:  Jane Krakowski

No one plays clueless better than Krakowski and the fact that "Parks and Recreation" lacks any buzz could ultimately knock Poehler out.