They're the mad and modern Emmy picks
Jon Hamm as Don Draper in the hit AMC TV series “Mad Men.” Hamm has been nominated for an Emmy award for his role in the drama series. Credit: AMC
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.)
