They're the mad and modern Emmy picks
Stars from the hit British TV series 'Downton Abbey,' including Michelle Dockery and Rob James-Collier, react to the show's 11 Primetime Emmy nominations. AP video. (Aug. 3)
'The Good Wife' on CBS
'Boardwalk Empire'
Clips from TV shows
Galleries
Photos: Nominees for Emmy Awards
Blog: TV Zone
The Emmys are Sunday (8 p.m., Fox/5), and that means I make my picks now. So, without further delay, here they are.
And make sure to tell us in the comments, below, your picks.
BEST DRAMA: "Mad Men" (AMC); "The Good Wife" (CBS); "Dexter" (Showtime); "Game of Thrones" (HBO); "Boardwalk Empire" (HBO); "Friday Night Lights" (DirecTV/NBC).
Will win: "Mad Men," for the fourth time, tying previous four-time winners "Hill Street Blues" and "The West Wing." "Men" has no chance of breaking the record in 2012 because of its loooong production hiatus.
Should win: "Boardwalk Empire." Sumptuous period drama full of first-rate performances. But then, what about equally sumptuous "Thrones"?
Dark horse: "Friday Night Lights." There is a sentimental streak in the Academy, but this field is brutal.
BEST COMEDY: "30 Rock" (NBC); "The Office" (NBC); "Parks and Recreation" (NBC); "The Big Bang Theory" (CBS); "Modern Family" (ABC); "Glee" (Fox).
Will win: "Modern Family." When you're on an Emmy roll, everyone else get out of the way.
Should win: "Modern Family." Because sometimes -- even in the face of middlebrow Emmy obduracy -- the best show actually does win.
Dark horse: "Parks and Rec." Its day is coming, but not likely on Sunday.
DRAMA / ACTOR: Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire"; Hugh Laurie, "House"; Timothy Olyphant, "Justified"; Michael C. Hall, "Dexter"; Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"; Kyle Chandler, "Friday Night Lights."
Will win: Hamm. With no Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") as competition, this should be a walk for Jon.
Should win: Hall. After all these nominations, can't the Academy just give him a break?
Dark horse: Olyphant. A very dark horse. Laurie could also step to the stage Sunday, but he's more likely next year -- when "House" probably wraps for good.
DRAMA / ACTRESS: Connie Britton, "Friday Night Lights"; Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men"; Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"; Mariska Hargitay, "Law & Order: SVU"; Mireille Enos, "The Killing"; Kathy Bates, "Harry's Law."
Will win: Britton. A parting consolation prize for a fine series.
Should win: Britton.
Dark horse: Margulies. The tide has shifted in "Wife's" favor, but don't be shocked if Bates pulls this one down. Great actresses have a way of doing that -- even for not-great shows.
COMEDY / ACTRESS: Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie"; Laura Linney, "The Big C"; Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation"; Melissa McCarthy, "Mike & Molly"; Martha Plimpton, "Raising Hope"; Tina Fey, "30 Rock."
Will win: Linney. The Emmys have recently tended to follow the Golden Globe lead in this category, so . . .
Should win: McCarthy. Because a big upset would be such fun.
Dark horses: Poehler, but not likely her year, and Plimpton, who has a very real shot.
COMEDY / ACTOR: Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes" Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory"; Louis C.K., "Louie"; Johnny Galecki, "Big Bang Theory"; Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"; Steve Carell, "The Office."
Will win: Carell. Because it's time for Emmy to finally show the love -- even for a subpar season.
Should win: Louis C.K. Of course, there's always the question: "Is he actually acting here?"
Dark horse: LeBlanc. Because this man can act. (But the season was awfully short.)
