Tyler's Music Awards 2013 (nominations)

These are a little different from the Grammy awards. I never liked the Record/Song of the Year business, so for my awards, I will have three different "Best Song" categories, one for male vocalists, one for female vocalists and one for duos, groups or bands. As well as bests on separate categories, I also have a Best Songwriting, Album, Original Score, Original Song and New Artist awards. Enjoy!

Best Song by a Male Vocalist

"Gone, Gone, Gone" - Phillip Phillips
"Locked Out of Heaven" - Bruno Mars
"Mirrors" - Justin Timberlake
"The Stars (Are Out Tonight)" - David Bowie
"When I Was Your Man" - Bruno Mars

Best Song by a Female Vocalist

"Heart Attack" - Demi Lovato
"I Knew You Were Trouble" - Taylor Swift
"Royals" - Lorde
"Skyfall" - Adele
"Young & Beautiful" - Lana Del Rey

Best Song by a Duo, Group or Band

"I Love it" - Icona Pop
"Live While We're Young" - One Direction
"Radioactive" - Imagine Dragons
"Suit & Tie" - Justin Timberlake, ft. Jay-Z
"Thrift Shop" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Best Album

The 20/20 Experience - Justin Timberlake
The Heist - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Random Access Memories - Daft Punk
Red - Taylor Swift
Unorthodox Jukebox - Bruno Mars

Best Music Video

"Can't Hold Us" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
"Mirrors" - Justin Timberlake
"Safe & Sound" - Capital Cities
"Suit & Tie" - Justin Timberlake, ft. Jay-Z
"Try" - P!nk

Best Country Song

"Downtown" - Lady Antebellum
"Highway Don't Care" - Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift & Keith Urban
"Merry Go Round" - Kacey Musgraves
"The One That Got Away" - The Civil Wars
"Wagon Wheel" - Darius Rucker

Best Pop Song

"Daylight" - Maroon 5
"Live While We're Young" - One Direction
"Mirrors" - Justin Timberlake
"What About Love" - Austin Mahone
"When I Was Your Man" - Bruno Mars

Best Rap Song

"Berzerk" - Eminem
"Blurred Lines" - Robin Thicke, ft. T.I. & Pharrell
"Holy Grail" - Jay-Z, ft. Justin Timberlake
"Suit & Tie" - Justin Timberlake, ft. Jay-Z
"Thrift Shop" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Best Rock Song

"I'm Shakin'" - Jack White
"Kashmir" - Led Zeppelin
"Radioactive" - Imagine Dragons
"The Stars (Are Out Tonight)" - David Bowie
"Still Into You" - Paramore

Best Songwriting

"Gone, Gone, Gone" - Phillip Phillips
"I Knew You Were Trouble" - Taylor Swift
"Mirrors" - Justin Timberlake
"Skyfall" - Skyfall
"When I Was Your Man" - Bruno Mars

Best Original Score

Argo - Alexandre Desplat
The Great Gatsby - Craig Armstrong
Lincoln - John Williams
Monsters University - Randy Newman
Skyfall - Thomas Newman

Best Original Song

"Almost Home" - Oz: The Great and Powerful
"Let it Go" - Frozen
"Skyfall" - Skyfall
"Suddenly" - Les Miserables
"Young & Beautiful" - The Great Gatsby

Best New Artist

Emeli Sande
Icona Pop
Imagine Dragons
Lana Del Rey
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

2013 Golden Globe Film Predictions (October 20th)

The Golden Globes are a little different than the Oscars. They honor the actors from both dramatic and comedic performances from the lead actors. I personally think that they should do that to the supporting actors too, but I don't run the world, unfortunately.

I am still not sure if August: Osage County or Philomena are in the right categories, but it's confirmed that Blue Jasmine will be in Drama, and Before Midnight will be in Comedy (although, let's be honest here, it's a drama).

Best Film - Drama

-American Hustle
-The Butler
-Captain Phillips
-Gravity
-Twelve Years a Slave

Best Film - Musical or Comedy

-August: Osage County
-Before Midnight
-Her
-Inside Llewyn Davis
-The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Best Actor - Drama

-Chiwetel Ejiofor - Twelve Years a Slave
-Tom Hanks - Captain Phillips
-Matthew McConaughey - Dallas Buyers' Club
-Robert Redford - All is Lost
-Forest Whitaker - The Butler

Best Actor - Musical or Comedy

-Leonardo DiCaprio - The Wolf of Wall Street
-James Gandolfini - Enough Said
-Oscar Isaac - Inside Llewyn Davis
-Joaquin Phoenix - Her
-Ben Stiller - The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Best Actress - Drama

-Amy Adams - American Hustle
-Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine
-Sandra Bullock - Gravity
-Judi Dench - Philomena
-Kate Winslet - Labor Day

Best Actress - Musical or Comedy

-Julie Delpy - Before Midnight
-Greta Gerwig - Frances Ha
-Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Enough Said
-Melissa McCarthy - The Heat
-Meryl Streep - August: Osage County

Best Sup. Actor

-Daniel Bruhl - Rush
-Bradley Cooper - American Hustle
-Michael Fassbender - Twelve Years a Slave
-Tom Hanks - Saving Mr. Banks
-Matthew McConaughey - Mud

Best Sup. Actress

-Jennifer Lawrence - American Hustle
-Lupita Nyong'o - Twelve Years a Slave
-Julia Roberts - August: Osage County
-Octavia Spencer - Fruitvale Station
-Oprah Winfrey - The Butler

Best Director

-Joel & Ethan Coen - Inside Llewyn Davis
-Alfonso Cuaron - Gravity
-Steve McQueen - Twelve Years a Slave
-David O. Russell - American Hustle
-Martin Scorsese - The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Screenplay

-American Hustle (Eric Singer & David O. Russell)
-Before Midnight (Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy)
-Blue Jasmine (Woody Allen)
-Inside Llewyn Davis (Joel & Ethan Coen)
-Twelve Years a Slave (John Ridley)

Best Original Score

-Gravity (Steven Price)
-Monsters University (Randy Newman)
-Rush (Hans Zimmer)
-Saving Mr. Banks (Thomas Newman)
-Twelve Years a Slave (Hans Zimmer)

Best Original Song

- "Almost There" - Oz: The Great and Powerful
- "Atlas" - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
- "Best Song Ever" - One Direction: This is Us
- "Let it Go" - Frozen
- "Young & Beautiful" - The Great Gatsby

Best Animated Feature

-The Croods
-Ernest & Celestine
-Frozen
-Monsters University
-The Wind Rises

UPDATE: Turns out Philomena will submit for Drama and August: Osage County will submit for Comedy (like I knew they would).

UPDATE UPDATE: Apparently, Wolf of Wall Street is going into Comedy. So, unless I here differently, I have changed it accordingly.

65th Primetime Emmy Award winners!

Some shockers abound here, but it mostly went according to plan.

Drama Series: Breaking Bad (need I say more?)
Comedy Series: Modern Family (fourth consecutive win. Can it pull a Frasier next year?)
Miniseries/TV Movie: Behind the Candelabra (well, duh.)
Variety Series: The Colbert Report (finally Daily Show lost, good job for Stephen Colbert)
Reality-Competition: The Voice (well deserved)
Actor - Drama: Jeff Daniels - The Newsroom (surprise, but well deserved)
Actor - Comedy: Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory (...and people thought I was foolish betting against Louis C.K.)
Actor - Miniseries: Michael Douglas - Behind the Candelabra (who else?)
Actress - Drama: Claire Danes - Homeland (...and people said the same thing about be betting against Vera Farmiga)
Actress - Comedy: Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Veep (who else?)
Actress - Miniseries: Laura Linney - The Big C: Hereafter (good capper to her run on the show)
Sup. Actor - Drama: Bobby Cannavale - Boardwalk Empire (big shock, apparently the Emmys love Boardwalk Empire more than I ever imagined.)
Sup. Actor - Comedy: Tony Hale - Veep (more Veep love)
Sup. Actor - Miniseries: James Cromwell - American Horror Story: Asylum (well deserved)
Sup. Actress - Drama: Anna Gunn - Breaking Bad (I still think they voted for her just because her last name is 'Gunn')
Sup. Actress - Comedy: Merritt Wever - Nurse Jackie (very pleasant surprise)
Sup. Actress - Miniseries: Ellen Burstyn - Political Animals (biggest surprise of the night, I thought Sarah Paulson was a lock)
Directing - Drama: David Fincher - House of Cards (extremely well deserved)
Directing - Comedy: Gail Mancuso - Modern Family (dang Modern Family...)
Directing - Miniseries: Steven Soderbergh - Behind the Candelabra (well, obviously...)
Writing - Drama: Henry Bromell - Homeland (posthumous win, well deserved)
Writing - Comedy: Tina Fey & Tracey Wigfield - 30 Rock (good consolation prize for final year of 30 Rock)
Writing - Miniseries: Abi Morgan - The Hour (arguably biggest surprise of the night. I mean, seriously...)

Emmy Deliberation ~ Final Predictions

Drama Series: Breaking Bad, alt. Homeland
Comedy Series: Modern Family, alt. The Big Bang Theory
Miniseries/TV Movie: Behind the Candelabra, alt. American Horror Story: Asylum
Variety Series: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, alt. The Colbert Report
Reality-Competition: The Amazing Race, alt. The Voice
Actor - Drama: Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad, alt. Damian Lewis - Homeland
Actor - Comedy: Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory, alt. Louis C.K. - Louie
Actor - Miniseries: Michael Douglas - Behind the Candelabra, alt. Matt Damon - Behind the Candelabra
Actress - Drama: Claire Danes - Homeland, alt. Vera Farmiga - Bates Motel
Actress - Comedy: Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Veep, alt. Amy Poehler - Parks and Recreation
Actress - Miniseries: Jessica Lange - American Horror Story: Asylum, alt. Elisabeth Moss - Top of the Lake
Sup. Actor - Drama: Aaron Paul - Breaking Bad, alt. Mandy Patinkin - Homeland
Sup. Actor - Comedy: Ty Burrell - Modern Family, alt. Ed O'Neill - Modern Family
Sup. Actor - Miniseries: James Cromwell - American Horror Story: Asylum, alt. Zachary Quinto - American Horror Story: Asylum
Sup. Actress - Drama: Maggie Smith - Downton Abbey, alt. Anna Gunn - Breaking Bad
Sup. Actress - Comedy: Jane Krakowski - 30 Rock, alt. Julie Bowen - Modern Family
Sup. Actress - Miniseries: Sarah Paulson - American Horror Story: Asylum, alt. Ellen Burstyn - Political Animals
Directing - Drama: David Fincher - House of Cards, alt. Michelle MacLaren - Breaking Bad
Directing - Comedy: Beth McCarthy-Miller - 30 Rock, alt. Louis C.K. - Louie
Directing - Miniseries: Steven Soderbergh - Behind the Candelabra, alt. Jane Campion & Garth Davis - Top of the Lake
Writing - Drama: David Benioff & D.B. Weiss - Game of Thrones, alt. Henry Bromell - Homeland
Writing - Comedy: Tina Fey & Tracey Wigfield - 30 Rock, alt. Louis C.K. - Louie
Writing - Miniseries: Richard LaGravenese - Behind the Candelabra, alt. Jane Campion & Gerard Lee - Top of the Lake

Emmy Deliberation ~ Series

Ladies and Gentlemen, prepare for the awesomeness that is... predicting Best Drama Series and Comedy Series at the Emmys.

Breaking Bad is the dramatic/comedic series about a lung cancer stricken doctor who tries to feed his family by cooking meth with his former student. This right here is your winner. The show has never been more popular, and I don't think that it ever will be any more popular. The final episodes are airing now, also with phenomenal reviews from critics everywhere. Sure there are the haters, and the fools that would rather vote for Homeland, myself included until just recently, but Breaking Bad has everything perfectly lined up for it to have an obvious victory.

Downton Abbey is the drama series that all the snobby British people will go gaga for, and for good reason. Personally, I think people are severely underestimating the power of the Abbey. Let's not forget how many nominations it got, and how it won Best Miniseries during it's first year. The competition is extremely fierce this year, and while I do think that a Downton sweep could still happen, I think it's highly unlikely, since it is really only a two-horse race this year.

Game of Thrones is the drama series that all the nerdy people will go gaga for, and for good reason. Even on the subscription-only HBO, it manages to pull massive ratings and a huge fanbase. People are just bananas, mystified by the show. Even if one of the episodes got a bit of controversy this year because of the violent content, I think that this just upped the love for the show (irony, right?). With such a love for the show, why is it not in the Top 2? Because of the Sci-Fi/Fantasy bias. I think that Thrones could break through, but X-Files never did. And I think that the older Emmy voters may not be able to sick their teeth into the show. Give it a few years, and if the massive love for the show continues, a Drama Series win could be in the bag... but in a few years.

Homeland was the show that won Drama Series last year. It's a popular, and a beloved show, and even if it's last two seasons haven't been as advantageous as its freshman season,  I thought that it was a pretty excellent show last year. If history is going to repeat itself, which is a real possibility, then I could see Homeland taking it on Sunday night, but I think that the Breaking Bad opportunity is too much to pass up.

House of Cards made history by being the first show not to be released on a standard television network, instead releasing on Netflix, to manage a Best Series nomination. A true feat, given how long it took the Emmys to finally award cable series. And therein lies the tragedy. Because it's a Netflix show, the bias may simply be too strong, given how limited Arrested Development's nods were this year (though that could be because they simply overgrown the show, or because of the mixed reviews the fourth season got). David Fincher is en route to win Directing, but sadly, they will just have to be content with that. Maybe next year...

Mad Men is a series at won four years in a row, and yet tragically never won anything for any actor thus far. With the show being on for two final years, they are not out quite yet, but still with a whopping nineteen straight losses last year, I think that the show is down for the count. But again, fingers crossed for the final two years.

Will Win: Breaking Bad
Should Win: Homeland
Could Win: Game of Thrones, Homeland





30 Rock has ended it's run last January, with great ratings and good reviews from critics. Granted that the Emmys like giving goodbye hugs to T.V. shows, it could possibly pull an upset. But when a show stops winning, it is hard for it to get back into it. And even though the previous three years the show has never won a single award, the Creative Arts Awards last Sunday broke the trend when it won Casting for a Comedy Series. While I will love the show long after it's off the air, I think that Tina Fey will just have to be happy with only the seven she currently has, how few those are indeed!

As a The Big Bang Theory nerd, I am always happy to see it succeed in the awards. Jim Parsons' two wins were very well deserved, he is just perfect for the role. The show is even a ratings behemoth, week after week pulling in impressive numbers, and will continue to reap giant numbers in the seventh season. While it may be a bit too "nerdy" for lack of better word for the Emmy voters, it is a popular show, the next Friends critics say, so I think that it should be a strong possibility.

Last year, Girls was the it show, Lena Dunham was the it girl and now... not. I think that the show is still good and even more insulting than ever (but I mean that in a good way), this show is sadly bringing up the rear. Let's hope the third season will rock our world!

Whereas Big Bang is being called the next 'Friends', Louie is being called the next 'Seinfeld'. In regards to the fact that the show has a comedian and that they have little to no storyline, but still it never feels like a rip-off. Louie is a strong example of how bravely it juggles all the comedic elements. People could want to vote for it because, well, Seinfeld only one once in Comedy Series (a huge travesty), but I think that the incumbent show will prevail again.

Cut to... Modern Family is the reigning king in the category, winning three times for Comedy Series in a row and dominating the awards year after year. While Modern Family fatigue is settling in on many people, myself included, the show is popular, it's a juggernaut, it's still well loved, history likes to repeat itself, I think that simply because every other show seems "undeserving".

Veep could pull an upset. It has a lot of things that the Emmy voters love. Politics, humor, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. All it needs is Star Trek references at it will run the whole gamut. It's found it's voice more from the first year, it has a dedicated fanbase. While I find Veep overrated, and nothing like "The West Wing with laughs" like critics say, but a surprise in this category is not as ridiculous as it sounds.

Will Win: Modern Family
Should Win: The Big Bang Theory
Could Win: 30 Rock, Big Bang, Louie, Veep
Should Have Been Nominated: New Girl

Creative Arts Award Winners

Here are the winners. If I got one of my predictions wrong, then I will cross it out and put the correct winner beside it. Hope you enjoy reading.

Reality Series: Shark Tank Undercover Boss
Reality Host: Tom Bergeron Heidi Klum & Tim Gunn - Project Runway
Variety Special: Louis C.K.: Oh My God! The Kennedy Center Honors
Documentary Series: American Masters
Animated Program: South Park
Voice Acting: Alex Borstein Lily Tomlin - An Apology to Elephants
Short-Format Animation: Robot Chicken Mickey Mouse "Croissant de Triomphe"
Special Class Program: 70th Golden Globe Awards 66th Tony Awards.

Guest Actor - Drama: Nathan Lane Dan Bucatinsky - Scandal
Guest Actress - Drama: Jane Fonda Carrie Preston - The Good Wife
Guest Actor - Comedy: Bob Newhart
Guest Actress - Comedy: Elaine Stritch Melissa Leo - Louie

Art Direction - Multi-Camera: How I Met Your Mother Masterchef
Art Direction - Single-Camera: Game of Thrones Boardwalk Empire
Casting - Drama: Downton Abbey House of Cards
Casting - Comedy: 30 Rock
Cinematography - Multi-Camera: How I Met Your Mother
Cinematography - Single-Camera: Breaking Bad House of Cards
Costuming - Series: Game of Thrones The Borgias
Directing - Variety Special: Louis C.K.: Oh My God! Louis J. Horovitz - The Kennedy Center Honors
Hairstyling - Single-Camera: Downton Abbey Boardwalk Empire
Picture Editing (Single-Camera) - Drama: Game of Thrones Breaking Bad "Gliding Over All"
Picture Editing (Single-Camera) - Comedy: 30 Rock The Office "Finale"
Picture Editing (Multi-Camera) - Comedy: How I Met Your Mother
Main Title Design: American Horror Story: Asylum Da Vinci's Demons
Makeup: Game of Thrones
Music Composition: Downton Abbey
Sound Editing: Breaking Bad Boardwalk Empire
Sound Mixing (One Hour): Game of Thrones Boardwalk Empire
Sound Mixing (Half Hour): 30 Rock Nurse Jackie
Special Visual Effects: Game of Thrones
Special Supporting Visual Effects: Vikings Banshee

Well, it looks like they went for Boardwalk Empire more than I think any of us thought. Love the House of Cards love. Overall lots of good variety in the nominations.

Emmy Deliberation ~ Creative Arts

The Creative Arts Emmy Awards are on tomorrow (well, they will actually televise them next Saturday, but the ceremony is held on Sunday). So instead of predicting them in a long, boring, tedious page, I will just predict the winner on select categories. Hope you enjoy reading.

Reality Series: Shark Tank
Reality Host: Tom Bergeron
Variety Special: Louis C.K.: Oh My God!
Documentary Series: American Masters
Animated Program: South Park
Voice Acting: Alex Borstein
Short-Format Animation: Robot Chicken
Special Class Program: 70th Golden Globe Awards

Guest Actor - Drama: Nathan Lane
Guest Actress - Drama: Jane Fonda
Guest Actor - Comedy: Bob Newhart
Guest Actress - Comedy: Elaine Stritch

Art Direction - Multi-Camera: How I Met Your Mother
Art Direction - Single-Camera: Game of Thrones
Casting - Drama: Downton Abbey
Casting - Comedy: 30 Rock
Cinematography - Multi-Camera: How I Met Your Mother
Cinematography - Single-Camera: Breaking Bad
Costuming - Series: Game of Thrones
Directing - Variety Special: Louis C.K.: Oh My God!
Hairstyling - Single-Camera: Downton Abbey
Picture Editing (Single-Camera) - Drama: Game of Thrones
Picture Editing (Single-Camera) - Comedy: 30 Rock
Picture Editing (Multi-Camera) - Comedy: How I Met Your Mother
Main Title Design: American Horror Story: Asylum
Makeup: Game of Thrones
Music Composition: Downton Abbey
Sound Editing: Breaking Bad
Sound Mixing (One Hour): Game of Thrones
Sound Mixing (Half Hour): 30 Rock
Special Visual Effects: Game of Thrones
Special Supporting Visual Effects: Vikings

Emmy Deliberation ~ Lead Actor

Sorry that I'm not doing these as often as I should. I have been just procrastinating. There will be one for series (and complete predictions) just before the ceremony as well as one for all the Creative Arts on Saturday.

Hugh Bonneville managed to break through for his performance on Downton Abbey. Always in contention from the start, Bonneville is one of those actors that if the right circumstances pull through will be something. This year, as with last year and the year before in Miniseries Actor, his work on Downton has been recognized, and the only other person on Downton who shares three consecutive nominations that is the great Maggie Smith. That being said, there's such strong competition this year that I am afraid that he's at the end of the pack at this moment.

One who is leading on the other hand is Bryan Cranston. Cranston has won a lot of times for Breaking Bad, and with the show being all the more popular by the millisecond, and with this currently being in it's final season and getting good reviews, it will still be in people's minds. Cranston is fierce, Breaking Bad is popular, it's the most relevant of all the shows. I think that it's his to lose.

The first freshman of the category is Jeff Daniels for The Newsroom. I, for one, like comedic actors doing dramatic roles and vice-versa, and it obvious that Daniels is the best part of the show. Even if the critics gave it mixed reviews, they all liked Daniels on the show. The rationale behind The Newsroom getting mixed reviews and with this being the show's first year doesn't bode well, even for Daniels. Let's hope he doesn't become the Jon Hamm of this category...

And speaking of Jon Hamm... he is constantly, episode after episode, pulling off great work on Mad Men, and the show even managed to pull off four consecutive Best Drama Series awards. And yet, Hamm is always the bridesmaid, after the bride Bryan Cranston (and I'm using those terms affectionately). Even that one year Cranston wasn't eligible, he still lost... to Kyle Chandler for the final season of Friday Night Lights. Don't get me wrong, I liked FNL as a show and Chandler himself, but Hamm, this being his sixth turn at bat, he will again be six times a loser, unless, of course, they give him one final hurrah for the final season of Mad Men next year (fingers crossed).

Damian Lewis has the tape. He literally submitted his best performance on Homeland, and he won before last year. Although I felt at the time that his win last year was a fluke, I realize now that it is possible that it could not be that at all. Lewis is constantly great, he is one of the best parts of Homeland, his episode is great. I think that he is a potential dark horse.

Breaking through the Netflix barrier, Kevin Spacey gets in for the first season of House of Cards, a series only available through the online medium. He was terrific on the show, and is a clear standout from the other actors. Spacey also has a good episode, and is fiery and mean, something that I think that the Emmy voters could eat up, but still I think you just don't mess with "the king" (that's Bryan Cranston for anyone who doesn't follow Breaking Bad).

Will Win: Bryan Cranston
Should Win: Jon Hamm!!!
Could Win: Damian Lewis


A bit of an Emmy favourite, Alec Baldwin's Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock has been beloved by television fans and by the Emmys as well. And I can see why, he is pretty hilarious. His work on 30 Rock is a career best and even if the show has somewhat declined (except for the final season), I still think that he could be on voters minds. But let's face it, he picked the wrong episode. He has basically given up, like he's just satisfied with the two Emmy wins before (who wouldn't be?), and even though they like giving shows a goodbye hug, I wouldn't count on it.

Jason Bateman was a perennial favourite back in 2004 and 2005, when Arrested Development was hot on FOX. Now, 'Arrested' is hot on Netflix, and shockingly, this is the only acting nomination the show received, granted that they could have chosen Will Arnett, Jeffrey Tambor, David Cross or Jessica Walter for their wonderfully zany characters. That, to me, puts a big damper on his odds of winning. I think that the voters are past the show, and the mixed reviews of the fourth season, to be, seals the deal.

Don Cheadle is on a show, House of Lies, that is kind of not really liked. Actually, it's alright, but I wouldn't consider it Emmy-worthy though. Cheadle, however, is good on it and has a bit of an edge that he is a movie star. This is the year of the movie star at the Emmys this year, with Robin Wright Penn and Kevin Spacey and others breaking through for their shows. Even though Cheadle won at the Golden Globes, he won't win the Emmy. That was just a fluke, or as I call it, "a Jon Cryer moment".

Normally actors who play "themselves" on a show, like Jerry Seinfeld or Larry David on Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm respectively never win or tend to do badly at the Emmys, but this year, Louis C.K. has been in as strong of a position as anyone else has ever been in. His episode submission is golden. Hilarious, but also tearjerking in some scenes. While the Emmys believe playing "yourself" is not really acting, Louis C.K. is acting in that episode. I suspect him to be a potential dark horse here for victory.

Matt LeBlanc also falls under the "playing yourself" bias (I realize after the fact that that is now giggle inducing...) with Episodes. LeBlanc was a favourite on Friends a while back, and while Episodes is still good, it's not quite the mega-hit Friends was, and to be frank his episode has him hardly in it at all even. I don't think it'll happen.

Sorry for sounding like a bit of a fanboy here, but Jim Parsons is just so funny on The Big Bang Theory. This character of Sheldon Cooper is prissy, egotistical, but absolutely enjoyable to watch every week. It is such perfect casting, and such unusual too albeit, that it fits so good, even as good I will even say, as Carroll O'Connor as Archie Bunker. This year, he got people mixed about his episode, many people, like me, think that he is funny in the episode, but others don't see the point to it. I don't think that this would apply here. He's won twice before, he's a perennial favourite, history is doomed to repeat itself, I think that if not Parsons than Louis C.K., but it is very close.

Will Win/Should Win: Jim Parsons
Could Win: Louis C.K.

Emmy Deliberation ~ Lead Actress

It is obvious that the Emmy people really like Connie Britton because in the past four years she has been nominated for three different shows. Twice for Friday Night Lights, once for the first season of American Horror Story, and now, this year, for the freshman year of Nashville. Throughout the year, she has always pulled it off on the show, as she has on FNL and AHS beforehand, but as with her past four nominations, I feel that the competition is simply too strong to have her win this year, especially on the show's first year. But this leads me to wonder when they will award Britton for her great work on T.V., or even if.

Claire Danes has really became the obvious frontrunner this year since she won last year for Homeland. Nominated again, Danes is arguably an even bigger Emmys darling than Britton is. When she was 16, she was nominated for "My So-Called Life" and won not too long ago for portrayal the titular role in "Temple Grandin". I would've said this year that Julianna Margulies is her biggest competition, but with her name vetoed off the list, I think that she is way out in front with no contender in sight.

...or is she? Remember any one of these ladies, including Michelle Dockery could pull a big "Jon Cryer"-esque shockeroo on us. Dockery is again nominated for Downton Abbey. While a lot of people don't think that she'll win, I have actually really liked her on the show from Day 1. I feel that if she does win, we may be staring down the barrel of a Downton sweep. While I suspect that this could happen, I don't think that Dockery has enough to beat out Danes at this moment.

Vera Farmiga broke through the genre bias and got a win for the pilot episode of Bates Motel, playing Norman Bates' mother Norma. Farmiga is a bit of a queen of thriller movies and series, what with The Conjuring being a bit of a success story at the box office and by critics this year. With this kind of obscure nomination here, I feel that it could potentially spoil. Lots of people are saying that Farmiga could be the dark horse in the competition, and in all honesty, I could that it could happen.

Mad Men is not the boat to be in at this point, and sadly Elisabeth Moss is in it this year. The anomaly of the show winning four years in a row for Drama Series but not one actor ever winning any acting nomination is mind-boggling. Moss is as appealing as ever on the show, as is the other "Mad Women" on the show, and unless some major sea change occurs in the predictions, I don't see Moss winning, even though she is obviously the most deserving of any of the seven women.

Scandal isn't my cup of tea, and I have made no secret of my disdain for Kerry Washington as an actress. I did have my doubts at the predicting stage, but now I fully think that Washington could steal the award away. I guess that I do kinda sorta owe Washington an apology for doubting her, but she is good on the show, and if the Emmys feel strongly enough for the show, then while her win would be disappointing, it would also be understandable.

Robin Wright Penn is a movie star turned T.V. star with her playing Kevin Spacey's wife in House of Cards. She is a delight on House of Cards, and other than Spacey himself, the best part of the show. I think that she could upset if the show manages to survive for a few more years, but at this point, Wright should just be content with the nomination.

Will Win/Should Win: Claire Danes
Could Win: Kerry Washington, Vera Farmiga
Should Have Been Nominated: Julianna Margulies



Nominated for the final year of Enlightened, Laura Dern has always been great on the show. It's a shame that she hasn't been honored in the other years of Enlightened, but Dern's nomination is certainly intriguing here. I keep close watch on these "surprise" nominations, which could potientally turn into "surprise" wins. Dern faces big competition, but she could pull it off.

Lena Dunham was the it-girl last year. Her show Girls, in my mind, broke ground and pushed the envelope, even by HBO standards. Now the show is just meh according to the general public (not to me of course, I still like the show). Dunham, of course, is the strongest point of the show, be it her writing, directing or acting. A delight from start to finish, but one that may not be sunny come awards night.

Edie Falco actually won this category for Nurse Jackie back in 2010, coincidentally also up against Tina Fey (for 30 Rock) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (for New Adventures of Old Christine). Falco is certainly great on the show, and it's obvious that the Emmys like her still even now years after she won, but I don't think another win will be forthcoming in her future.

Tina Fey also won this award for 30 Rock one year, and the work on the show needs no introduction. Be it writing or acting on the show, Fey has shown us for seven spectacular seasons that 30 Rock is a force to be reckoned with. While I feel that she doesn't quite have enough to win again up against other behemoths on this list, I don't think it is that far-fetched that the possibility could still happen

But they all dwarf in comparison to Julia Louis-Dreyfus this year. Winning for Old Christine and Seinfeld before, she is the best part of Veep. While I find the show just to be good and not spectacular, Louis-Dreyfus continues to astonish on this show. Maybe it's me still loving her as Elaine Benes on Seinfeld or Christine Campbell on Old Christine, or it may the fact that she and the Emmys have this weird love affair, I think that she is the frontrunner in this content... and by far!

But alas, the most deserving in this category is Amy Poehler for Parks and Recreation. I am a big fan of her and of the show Parks and Rec. I think it's just such a great underrated show. No one keeps knocking it out of the park the way Poehler has for Parks and Rec episode after episode after episode. I look forward to the next episodes of the show with open arms, but always a bridesmaid, never a bride for her. Four nominations, and sadly four losses. So sad.

Will Win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Should Win: Amy Poehler
Could Win: Poehler, Laura Dern or Tina Fey
Should Have Been Nominated: Zooey Deschanel (or Wendy Schaal for American Dad!)

Emmy Deliberation ~ Miniseries Supporting Actor/Actress

Sorry I haven't done these in a few days, I have been busy lately.

Scott Bakula is in my mind, not the best supporting player in Behind the Candelabra, nor the one I would have gave the nomination if I were running the show. That being said, Bakula was good and had a good character in there. I don't think that he could break through as a winner though.

James Cromwell has got four career nominations for an Emmy, including this one, and not a single win. This year, it could finally be his year for his performance in American Horror Story: Asylum. While the show is genre, and the genre bias could still play here, the acting is just so good. Especially with Cromwell, the show benefits from chilling characters played thrillingly by great actors. The fact that he never won, and that he is so frightening on the show could be enough to give him his first, and well deserved Emmy.

For The Big C's final "season", John Benjamin Hickey broke through when he never was able to do before. He got a Supporting Actor nom for The Big C: Hereafter. While I liked the show, I don't think that he will win. In fact, I have him in last place right now. His nomination was a shocker, and while I actually liked Gabourey Sidibe in "Hereafter" better than Hickey, it is nice to see that the Emmys like him and his character enough to make it, but sadly I think that he will only get a nomination at this point.

Although I think his performance was overrated, Peter Mullan is indeed good in "Top of the Lake" playing on the Sundance Channel. The show was riveting and entrancing but I found Mullan to be the weakest actor on the field. Again, I like that he made into a nomination in the first place, but unless they really don't want to go for the two American Horror Story actors, he's a good alternate.

Zachary Quinto was in my mind, the best male supporting actor on American Horror Story: Asylum this year. He's terrifying, quite a pleasure to see onscreen. He is actually, in my mind, better than Cromwell this year, just because his character is so good, and his acting is so good. He has even become a bit of a celebrity due to the successes of the two Star Trek movies, so certainly people will recognize him and his role. I think that if they don't give it to Cromwell, than Quinto is a magnificent alternate.

Will Win: James Cromwell
Should Win: Zachary Quinto
Could Win: Peter Mullan
Should Have Been Nominated: Jeffrey Tambor




Ellen Burstyn is the best part of Political Animals other than Sigourney Weaver of course. She is a legend, and quite excellent in the role. But Political Animals has been kinda-sorta forgotten at this point, nor does it have the prestige of other Miniseries/TV Movie, but I suspect that she could still get votes just because she's a legend, and because some people may be turned off my American Horror Story's more genre-based stuff.

Sarah Paulson is the best female supporting performance on AHS: Asylum this year. Truly something to withhold. I think that she would have enough to pull through. There is the possibility that the bias on the fact that AHS is very genre oriented, but I think that that will not factor, because Paulson is just so good.

Charlotte Rampling is the big surprise of this year. For BBC One's "Restless", it's a show that I don't watch and that I wasn't aware of. While this surprise is not the BBC America surprise that most people expected (that being Tatiana Maslany for Orphan Black), I think that people could vote for her as a consolation prize, but even this is unlikely. Sorry, Rampling. Hope you are happy with the nomination.

In all honesty, The Girl is not my favourite show, Imelda Staunton, on the other hand, is actually quite good on the show. The voters could recognize Staunton's name and realize that she's a legendary name in the industry, which could benefit votes, but other than Rampling, I think that she is also pretty low down there.

Alfre Woodard, much like Burstyn, is an Emmy legend, a bit of the Meryl Streep of the Emmy world. Her role in Steel Magnolias, the show, by the way, is overrated, is a good performance. The fact that she is Woodard, in my mind, could give her a big edge in the competition. Again, the genre bias could come into play here, but I still think that Paulson has the highest likelihood of winning.

Will Win/Should Win: Sarah Paulson
Could Win: Ellen Burstyn or Alfre Woodard
Should Have Been Nominated: Lily Rabe

Emmy ~ Sup. Actress

Morena Baccarin has the episode, and has the character to ride her to a win of course. Her performance in Homeland as Jessica Brody leaves much to be desired. I actually like it a lot, but I always felt that this is an extremely crowded field, filled with many great performances from some great actresses. Unless they are planning a Homeland sweep, I wouldn't plan on her winning.

Christine Baranski is a much more recognizable name. Her performance in Big Bang Theory as Leonard's mother is delightful and got her two Emmy noms and her performance in Cybill even gave her a win. Every year since the beginning, she has been nominated for her performance in The Good Wife, and while I feel that Archie Panjabi is somewhat better in certain episodes, it's always nice to see her in there. I believe that even if The Good Wife dips, as it seems like it has year after year (a real anomaly), that we will always see Baranski nominated. Not sure if she will ever win though, not this year that's for sure. Better go warm that bench.

If people want the sexy vote, Emilia Clarke in Game of Thrones has this in the bag. Audiences see Clarke's naked body more on Game of Thrones than anyone else in all three Sup. Actress categories arguably. That is, in my mind, the only reason why she got the nomination, because she's pretty. I don't think she's even the strongest actor on the show. If she does win, two things are bound to happen. One, there will be a Game of Thrones sweep afoot; Two, they only gave her the win because she is sexy.

Anna Gunn is the potential spoiler in this category. Her intensity on Breaking Bad as Walter White's wife Skyler is surely something special. The fact that Breaking Bad is going to be ending this year and that many people will be voting at the Emmys as the show is on it's final episodes may indeed resonate. I still believe that the show may be too intense, and Gunn faces stiff competition this year, but look out for her to steal the prize away.

Certain fools, not me, but certain fools voted for Christina Hendricks to get a win last year for Mad Men. She didn't, continuing the enigmatic losing streak that the Mad Men actors have had on the show. She is the most deserving candidate of all the actresses here, and arguably the hardest working of the six. But again, it's on Mad Men, and that right from the get-go spells trouble. I suppose that it could potentially happen next year when the show will be departing, but until then, Hendricks has to get really to warm up that bench.

Maggie Smith is in my mind, the obvious pick. Sure there's a lot of people scratching their heads about the winner here. But, dude, think about it. Maggie Smith is a legend in the industry, her performances on Downton Abbey are constantly great. Even if certain people find her overrated, I find her a pleasure to watch. The fact that she is Maggie Smith, the fact that Downton is beloved and the fact that this is a weak year, in my mind, for Supporting Actress, will give her a third win in a row for Downton Abbey.

Will Win: Maggie Smith
Should Win: Christina Hendricks
Could Win: Anna Gunn
Should Have Been Nominated: Monica Potter


Mayim Bialik is really the girl on Big Bang Theory that I like the most. Her one-liners, and the weird quirkiness and sheer shock value to Amy Farrah Fowler leaves me in stitches week after week. I'm very happy that she made it in for a second year in a row, proving that unlike Johnny Galecki, her nomination wasn't a fluke; that the Emmys like her. I feel that maybe in the next few years that she could actually take it all, but for now, I don't think that it is quite enough.

Julie Bowen is the only woman on Modern Family who doesn't make me rip my hair out (sorry Sofia Vergara fans). Her fuzzbucket performance as Claire Dunphy is a sweet portrayal and certainly one that actually, kinda-sorta, does deserve all the hype behind it. I think that she is in the second position for the time being, but I still withhold the possibility that she could spoil.

Easily the biggest surprise coming from the acting categories this year is Anna Chlumsky for Veep. This is one nomination I didn't see coming, not even in my wildest dreams. This proves that Veep must be well-liked from the Emmys, even though I think the show is nothing special. I wouldn't really complain if Chlumsky wins, but I would also prefer it if it went to someone more deserving...

...and no one this year is more deserving than Jane Krakowski. She shockingly never won for her role of Jenna Maroney on 30 Rock. A true shock considering that she is hilarious on the show and 30 Rock always got big praise from T.V. critics, and also from the Emmys too. I guess I don't blame the Emmys at the same time, because it is hard to pick just one winner year after year (then again it's probably the easiest, high-paying job in the world), and I suppose that Krakowski got close year after year and didn't make it. This year however, it looks likely that Krakowski will make it. She has the character, and the episode, and the humor, all she needs now is the Emmy.

Even in the declining years of Glee, Jane Lynch was easily the best part about the show. Her dry, sarcastic but deliciously evil portrayal as Sue Sylvester was always a delight. It's obvious that even as Glee is going down in the years, it's still on people's minds. What with the recent death of Cory Monteith and a nomination for both Lynch and director Paris Barclay this year, it shows an obvious push for the show. That being said, I believe that her time has passed, but she will always be my favourite part of Glee.
Sofia Vergara... well, I am nothing but honest. She bothers me. Her character on Modern Family bothers me, her acting bothers me, her accent bothers me. I'm sorry, Sofia Vergara fans, I just don't see what's so great about her. This may fall along the same way of the Emilia Clarke nomination, getting a nomination on nothing more than sexuality. She is a sultry Spanish woman, and that might be all she needs to get a win for Modern Family, but it would also mean me just going all bat-crap insane because of it.

Merritt Wever was such a pleasant surprise for her role in Nurse Jackie last year that she remained on the radar ever since. It was to see her on here for a second time in a row, even though I personally think that Nurse Jackie has declined as a show since its early years. I hope to continue to see her on the list, but as for actually getting an Emmy win, I think it will go to Krakowski for sure. If not, prepare for a possible spoiler from Bowen.

Will Win/Should Win: Jane Krakowski
Could Win: Julie Bowen
Should Have Been Nominated: Jessica Walter

Emmy Deliberation ~ Sup. Actor

Jonathan Banks plays Mike on Breaking Bad, also submitting for the "Say My Name" episode. While having a grizzled performance, and a pretty memorable death scene, I am questioning the Breaking Bad split. Remember, he is in the same category as two-time champ Aaron Paul, for the same show, for a less notable role. In my opinion, that may bode well for Banks. But because his character is memorable and because his character died last season, this will be the final time they can honor him, which may be too much for voters to pass up.

It should be noted that the Emmys must really like Bobby Cannavale. Personally, I think he's alright, but for the Emmys to give him two nominations for two shows he didn't really deserve this year must leave something to be desired about your acting. This time around, it's for Boardwalk Empire. While Boardwalk, in my opinion, had a great first season, had stooped down over the years. It's still an okay program, but it wouldn't be my first choice. That being said, not sure how many people actually watch or like the show anymore, that may spell disaster for Cannavale.

Another contender who is more liked by the Emmys than I thought is Jim Carter, nominated for his performance as Charles Carson on Downton Abbey. When it was announced that Brendan Coyle, who was nominated last year, was not going to contend this year, everybody expected that Rob James-Collier was going to get in for a more respected role. But with this being Carter's second time in a row getting nominated, it shows that they like him and the show a lot. I still believe that, unless we will be seeing a Downton sweep, he is either in 5th or dead last at the moment.

Peter Dinklage was the winner of Supporting Actor two years ago on Game of Thrones' freshman year. He plays Tyrion Lannister, which has since become a popular character and the show itself has become a popular character. But do I believe that Dinklage (his last name still makes me giggle) could pull it off again? I don't think so. He faces stiff competition, especially along the way of Patinkin and the two Breaking Bad boys. I think that he still may be fresh in people's minds, but I'm not sure if he could do it again, especially since Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has been regarded as better this year, and he didn't even make a nomination.

Arguably the biggest legend on this list, Mandy Patinkin gets a nomination for Homeland. After, in my opinion, scandalously getting shut out last year, he manages to get in this year. He's in a position too. He's the most famous name here, he has a good character, he picked a great episode submission, Homeland is as popular as ever. I think that he could be a potential spoiler for the award this year...

...that is if Aaron Paul doesn't steal it. One thing I have learned is that history is doomed to repeat itself. Paul, who plays Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad, is a two-time winner in the past, and while a third win in this category is rare, I think that he could pull it off. Why? Because Breaking Bad is so popular and beloved and that the final episodes will go going on while they are voting. The Emmys love giving goodbye hugs, and while he certainly may be in the fray for the next and final year for Breaking Bad, I think that the opportunity to award him and show will be way to much to pass up.

Will Win/Should Win: Aaron Paul
Could Win: Mandy Patinkin, Jonathan Banks
Should Have Been Nominated: Sam Waterston






Ty Burrell is easily, in my mind, the best part about Modern Family. I feel that Modern Family is overrated in every stretch of the imagination. Yes, it's a good show, but I believe that it's just all over-hyped. Burrell, however, is actually pretty good. Phil Dunphy is my favourite character on the show, and Burrell plays him very well. Sadly, he's always played second fiddle behind co-star Eric Stonestreet. This year, however, Stonestreet is nowhere to be seen. With that strange, but somewhat expected turn of events due to Modern Family fatigue, I still think that he will pull through.

Adam Driver is a boy on a sitcom called Girls. Ironic, I know. While I still like the show this year, many people think that it's drooped in quality this year. Balderdash! Well... maybe they are onto something. Driver is a good counterpart to the girls on the show, and was certainly a dark horse in the contending table this year. I think that he's too much of an unknown and Girls is too "disliked" this year to even break through. Driver will have to just be happy on the nomination.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson may have my name as his last name, but he's easily my most disliked Modern Family actor. Not because of homophobia, but because I think he's annoying. Even Stonestreet has some likeable episodes from time to time. He is swamped by Burrell and Stonestreet, two winners while he and O'Neill never won for Modern Family. Not a good sign. I think it'll be always a bridesmaid and never a bride for Ferguson this year.

For his departing SNL year, Bill Hader managed to pull off a second (and in my mind, second surprise) nomination for playing various characters on the show. It's a shame that he is leaving SNL to focus more on his movie career, because he was easily the best part of SNL. While his star is beginning to rise a bit because of SNL and Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 and with him writing for South Park amongst other ventures, he's on the outside looking in at this point, even though he does deserve it in a way.

Easily the biggest surprise in the category this year, Tony Hale got a nomination for HBO's Veep. This, along with Comedy Series, Louis-Dreyfus and Chlumsky's nomination show a strong support for this show. While I am not overly fond of it, I see where they are going at with this show. It has humor and some memorable characters, it may not be awards-worthy in my book, but it has some good stuff. Hale is, in my mind, bringing up the rear. Unless of course, people rally behind him and there manages to be a Veep sweep (that's fun to say...), I don't personally believe that he stands a chance.

Ed O'Neill, on the other hand, has had a better chance than ever before to get a win this year. With Stonestreet gone, it could easily mean that a new Modern Family man like O'Neill or Ferguson could pull off a win. O'Neill is also a respected actor, who sadly wasn't even considered by the Emmys for his wonderful portrayal on Married with Children. This would make a good consolation prize, and there is a possibility that variety could arise in this category, but seeing as how Modern Family is a juggernaut and history repeats itself, I would honestly be surprised if it was anyone but Burrell winning this.

Will Win/Should Win: Ty Burrell
Could Win: Any Modern Family man
Should Have Been Nominated: Any Arrested Development actor

Emmy Deliberation ~ Writing

David Benioff & D.B. Weiss wrote the controversial Games of Thrones episode, "The Rains of Castamere" otherwise known as The Red Wedding. I could get into why it's so controversial, but I can assure that it's pretty bad. Personally I thought that the controversy was going to kill Game of Thrones' chances in the water, but apparently they quickly forgot and just focused on how popular the show is. Personally, I feel that during the telecast, Game of Thrones should win nothing (other than Creative Arts awards, but they won't be aired), or will it? Though Benioff & Weiss face stiff competition, I feel that how much of a behemoth the show ratings-wise, how much people seemed to respond to the episode, and how people will probably want Game of Thrones to win something during the telecast will be enough to get it a win

Henry Bromell wrote the Homeland episode "Q&A". Though I felt that Meredith Stiehm was more deserving this year, Bromell is a good alternate. The episode "Q&A" sure is an "Emmy" episode, filled with good performances and wonderful writing/directing. Certainly, the show is on the viewers' mind, and if people are still feeling genre biased, that this will be a good alternate to win the Writing Emmy. I'm still a little wary because I fear that the show will not fair well against still competition, but if people feel up to it, I can totally see the award going to Bromell.

If the Emmys went my way, Julian Fellowes would win for writing on Downton Abbey. He submitted "Episode Four" of the show's 3rd season. No matter what episode of Downton, it is also a treat, and with him writing every episode, you can always count on the show being consistently good each and every week. But the fact is that Downton isn't as popular as it was a couple of years ago, and he faces the same problem that Bromell could face, stiff competition. I'm starting to sound like a broken record here but it just is. Fellowes is in my mind in third place, but the episode really isn't as memorable as other episodes on the list.

Breaking Bad almost never is a "writing" show, but this year George Mastras broke through, writing for the episode "Dead Freight". Now if there was ever a time for the writers to get recognized on the show, especially since the show has been even more popular now than it has ever been. While that may serve as enough of a reason to give Mastras a win, I feel that Breaking Bad isn't a "writing" show. While there's some good stuff, no episode really stood out enough to persuade me to give it a win, maybe a nomination, but no wins. Popularity may be a factor here, but I think that Mastras may have to be content with the nomination.

Mastras isn't the only Breaking Bad writer to achieve a nomination, Thomas Schnauz has as well. Writing the episode "Say My Name", I think that Schnauz has an edge over the other writers, because he gave Walter White a big "say my name" monologue inside it, one of which viewers either love or hate. I am neutral with it, and Cranston himself is fiery playing Walter in the episode, but again, Breaking Bad isn't a writer show, so that may not work. The competition is very stiff and very close in my opinion, and I could see any of these guys make it.

Will Win: Game of Thrones
Should Win: Downton Abbey
Could Win: Breaking Bad, Homeland
Should Have Been Nomination: Beau Willimon "House of Cards"


Ever since his show premiered three years ago, Louis C.K. has made writing every year. This year, he has a partner. Pamela Adlon & Louis C.K. wrote the first part of Louie's "Daddy's Girlfriend" episode. The episode is one of which the main character Louie finally achieves a girlfriend after trying to hit on women half his age for so long. Of course he is the lovable loser, the Woody Allen of the show and what Louis and Pamela do in the show is make you really feel for the guy. Emotionally on a show can really give these two an edge in the competition. The competition for Comedy Writing. as well as Drama Writing, however, is stiff. But I think that C.K. is a good fail-safe point if voters are stumped on picking a winner.

Jack Burditt & Robert Carlock wrote the first part of the 30 Rock series finale "Hogcock!" Personally I feel that Burditt and Carlock should have partnered with Fey and Wigfield to have one glorious, fantastic super win for all four of them. But because it wasn't like that, that's the reason why the two men are in trouble. Most people will probably vote for the second part, as it is more "ending-ly" than this is. I don't think these two stand a chance.

And speaking of people not standing a chance, David Crane & Jeffrey Klarik wrote "Episode Nine" of Episodes. This was the biggest surprise in the writing categories. I, first of, had no idea that the Emmys were such big fans of Episodes, with the fact that not a lot of people watch it or even care that it is on. That is the reason why these two guys are also going to get swamped. They could pull a Jon Cryer here (I will forever call a surprise win a "Jon Cryer" from now on), but I doubt it.

Greg Daniels is the writer of the final episode of The Office so aptly titled "Finale" (how original). The Office has been a bit of a laughingstock since Steve Carell left the show and James Spader replaced him, resulting in the show tanking and tanking and tanking until finally they have the final season. This episode was a nice return-to-form for the once vibrant, comedic show. If people are feeling a little nostalgic, wanting to give Daniels a second win for The Office, than it could very well happen here, but I feel that the 30 Rock finale is more reasonable than this finale.

And speaking of the 30 Rock finale, Tina Fey & Tracey Wigfield wrote the very last, final episode of 30 Rock "Last Lunch". Here is your winner. The 30 Rock finale was one of the best episodes of T.V. this year, and it was thanks to the writers of the show. While the show never won anything for the past three years, I believe that it could very well pull off a win here. There is a real possibility that they have moved on from the show and are more reluctant to pick Louie or The Office, but again I think that the opportunity to give one last goodbye hug to the great show will be too great to pass up.

Will Win/Should Win: Tina Fey & Tracey Wigfield - 30 Rock
Could Win: Louie or The Office
Should Have Been Nominated: Lena Dunham & Sarah Heyward "Girls"

Emmy Deliberation ~ Guest Actor

Here's the first category, Guest Actor in both categories; Drama and Comedy.

Dan Bucatinsky is nominated this year for Scandal, a show that most people either love or hate. I am not a huge fan of it, but I guess he Emmys were because both Bucatinsky and Kerry Washington in Lead Actress were nominated. It really seems to be a show that's everyone's guilty pleasure. Good job on Bucatinsky for the nomination, but a win, I feel, is pretty unlikely coming from him.

Michael J. Fox is a bit of an Emmy legend himself. With his three wins for Family Ties and his two wins for Spin City, it is obvious that he is well-liked. That being said, his performance on The Good Wife has been nominated for three years in a row, and two years in a row he has lost. And, even though I am a huge fan of the man, I get the feeling that he will lose this one again. Some people may not like him winning everything, or feel that he has too many Emmys. So, even though I think he has the best performance of the lot, I will do what I believe is the smart thing and not predict him.

Rupert Friend is a first-time nominee for playing Peter Quinn in Homeland. While I like that his last name is "friend," I think his performance is a little overrated. That being said, if we see him win this, then we might be looking at a Homeland sweep. With Homeland winning Drama Series last year, as well as wins last year for Damian Lewis and Claire Danes, I believe that a sweep could happen. But Friend experiences a similar problem as Bucatinsky, by which I mean he's an unknown. And unknowns usually don't do well in this category. Maybe if he's nominated again next year, he'll stand a better chance, but for now, he'll just have to be content with the nomination.

Harry Hamlin is one of two Mad Men actors nominated in this category. Just from the get-go, he's in trouble. The reason? Mad Men, despite winning Best Drama Series four years in a row, has never awarded any of its actors with a win. Next year, which will be Mad Men's final year, may change everything, but for now, Hamlin, also an unknown like Bucatinsky and Friend before him, will have to just be lucky he got into a very competitive category.

Nathan Lane is a double nominee this year. With his nomination for Modern Family, he is also nominated for The Good Wife. I am a fan of Lane's work. He is an extremely likeable presence, and I especially love actors that are known mostly for comedy doing dramatic roles. I think that it shows people that they can branch out and do something different, and Lane delivers in spades, and hearts, and diamonds and clubs. People still like The Good Wife, even if the Emmys don't, and I feel that this will be a perfect place to award it this year.

If this was the "Most Deserving Guest Actor" category, Robert Morse would win without a doubt. Again, him being on Mad Men spells disaster, but the fact is that he has been constantly nominated for the same character for many years now. This is his fourth year since the show's inception that he has been nominated, and despite pulling off great stuff week after week, he still never wins. It's possible that next year with the big series finale of Mad Men that he, along with Hamm, Moss, Hendricks and others, will receive a goodbye win, which the Emmys like to do, but I feel that he is not going to get it, because history is doomed to repeat itself.

Will Win/Should Win: Nathan Lane
Could Win: Rupert Friend, Michael J. Fox
Should Have Been Nominated: Ray Romano



It is obvious that the Emmys really like Bobby Cannavale since he has been nominated several times before and even won for his portrayal of Vince on Will & Grace. He's a double nominee this year, with his other nomination for his supporting role in Boardwalk Empire. And speaking of which, his role as Dr. Mike Cruz on Nurse Jackie, which he is nominated for this year, he was also nominated for last year. There is a slight possibility that fans of Nurse Jackie will feel that he should win someday, but this year certainly won't be his year.

Louis C.K., on the other hand, has had an amazing year. With nominations for Directing, Writing, Acting, Comedy Series, and for his Stand-up special "Louis C.K.: Oh My God". But most interestingly enough, he's nominated this year for his guest spot on Saturday Night Live. Certainly, SNL is king for having several of its past guest hosts win it all. Jimmy Fallon, Justin Timberlake, Betty White and Tina Fey have all won for their guest spots on it, in fact. While I believe that C.K. will win something this year, Guest Actor is one that he'll just have to be happy with the nomination.

Depressingly, the wrong 30 Rock Will was nominated this year. Will Forte got in for playing Paul L'astname, Jenna's pansexual boyfriend, and later husband. This one was one of the big shockeroos of the year. I actually wanted Will Arnett, who played Jack Donaghy's nemesis Devon Banks, and has been nominated four times without a win to get in here and possibly even win. It's sad to hear that he will never win despite having a constantly funny performance as the character. I think that the absurdity of Forte's character and the fact he was a shocker in this category is not good news for him.

Nathan Lane is not only a double nominee this year, but a double nominee for Modern Family. This is his second year he has played Pepper Saltzman and that it led to a nomination. The Modern Family guest stars pend not to fare so well in this category. Similar to how Greg Kinnear and Fred Willard lost two different years, despite the fact that Modern Family is such a juggernaut, I feel that Lane will follow suit this year.

Bob Newhart has never, ever won an Emmy. Hard to believe since he's such a legend. Now being 83 years old, he guest starred on The Big Bang Theory as Sheldon and Leonard's childhood hero, Professor Proton. Professor Proton was a kids' show host who inspired the two to get into science in the first place. When they find out he's still alive, they ask him to perform his act for him, despite that he usually performs for children now. His performance in the episode is both funny and heartbreaking, a deviation considering the subject matter of the show. I have a feeling that people will want to give him a win just because, well, he's Bob Newhart! It will so very rewarding when you hear his name finally after so many losses in his career.

But if there is a potential spoiler in the midst, it's Justin Timberlake. With his new album The 20/20 Experience and his song "Mirrors" and "Suit & Tie" getting some Grammy heat, he's more relevant than ever. This will help for his performance in SNL. He, of course, has won twice before for SNL. But I were Timberlake, and if I read the nominations beforehand, I would be feeling a little nervous. Competing in the same category as Bob Newhart is a heavy deal. I think that he could pull off an upset, but honestly, I don't think that anyone can through off Newhart right now.

Will Win/Should Win: Bob Newhart
Could Win: Justin Timberlake & Louis C.K.
Should Have Been Nominated: Will Arnett

Consensus on the Emmy nominations.

Starting on Monday, I will deliberate all the major awards of the Primetime Emmy Awards this year. They will be my consensus on each of the nominees, a personal opinion, a popular opinion and a reason why or why not I chose them to win. The winners will be selected in bold on the right under "Primetime Emmy Award predictions".

Hope you see you then.

Most Oscar Stuff (August 14)

I am getting mixed signals here, but reputedly, George Clooney who is the writer/director/producer/star of his upcoming drama The Monuments Men has said that there will not be an Oscar campaign behind it, calling it just "a popcorn thriller" instead of a real Oscar contender.

This is a bit of a blow. Firstly because it was high on many people's lists of Oscar Contenders this year, easily in Top 5. Now with Clooney saying that there will not be a campaign for the movie, all the major awards, it will get vetoed on, including Picture, Director, the acting and script awards. Sure, it is possible that it could sneak in some technical awards but Monuments looks dead in the water at this point, even if the critics' will love it.

For any Oscar novices out there, a campaign enables the Oscar people to look at the categories you want and all the people that will get the nomination if there are picked. For example: if Steven Spielberg directs and produces a film, he could submit that for Picture and Director with his name beside them. That film could also be nominated for as many categories at it wants, including any acting for anybody in the film, screenplay, music, sound, and technicals. Those are posted as For Your Consideration (FYC) pages on the movie company's website.

And for those who think that Monuments still can make it in, don't count on it. Even if the trailer has gotten you amped up, the only film in recent memory that has managed to achieve a Best Picture nomination without a campaign is American Graffiti back in the 70's, and that was only because it was a pretty big sleeper hit that really solidified George Lucas' career. So, that may not happen.

I may update my predictions, if this so-called thing is "correct." Here's the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CreneTs7sGs

UPDATE: Sony had just said that that whole snafu is not true. It's simply too early to consider if they are going to campaign it or not. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

The Oscar Race (August 12th)

Today I will discuss an aspect at the Oscars that will certainly be a game changer.


Meryl Streep's much-anticipated return to film will, if everything goes according to plan, most definitely give her another Oscar nomination. If you are someone who loves Streep as much as I do, you will certainly be excited. This time around, the Christmas-time launch of August: Osage County will be hotly anticipated for Oscar frontrunner status this year.

Today, however, I received some game-changing news regarding the movie and Streep. She will be knocked down to Supporting rather than lead, causing the Lead Actress race to not be as competitive in my opinion, but also leaves second placer in my opinion, Naomi Watts playing Princess Diana in Diana, to be on a fast course to win. She never won before and if the movie is very well received then it will certainly leave her en route for the little golden naked man. If not her, Cate Blanchett, Amy Adams, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet and Julie Delpy are all next in line to potientally snatch it away, not necessarily in that order of course.

But where does that leave Meryl? Well, beforehand I felt that Supporting Actress race is not particularly strong, with the possibility that Octavia Spencer will get her second or Oprah Winfrey will nab her first (though I felt that she, along with Whoopi Goldberg, should've won in The Color Purple). But now those women will probably be overshadowed by Streep. Again, "August" hasn't been released yet, and it could be Margo Martindale or Julia Roberts that gets in and Streep getting out. However seeing the Oscars' love affair that they have with her, could this mean that she will win four times, more than any thespian on the face of this, or any other, earth? We will have to wait and see.

New Pixar news.

In case it is not glaringly obvious, I love Pixar. The animation company has dominated the market and made some really, truly amazing films in the past two decades. Although my personal favourite would have to be WALL-E, 13 out of 14 of Pixar's films I have found vast enjoyment and entertainment value therein. The only one I disliked was Cars 2, but we will not discuss that.


With that, the D23 Expo is underway and John Lasseter, CFO of Pixar and Disney, released some new stuff for their feature films.

First up is The Good Dinosaur. A film about what happened if the meteorite that hit earth 65 million years ago missed the earth, and dinosaurs and humans had to co-exist. Director Bob Peterson who is the co-director on Up and voice of Roz in Monsters, Inc. and Dug in Up, and Co-Director Peter Sohn have said that the dinosaurs are living farming vehicles, with they themselves being farmers. The main dinosaur protagonist will mean a young, fearless toddler for the first time, and their adventure starts. The voice talent will include John Lithgow, Neil Patrick Harris, Frances McDormand, Bill Hader and Raising Hope's Lucas Neff.

 

When I first heard this, I wasn't overly excited about the film, but as I started to acquire more info, I started to get more excited about it. I admit that WALL-E or Up didn't really grab my attention when they were first announced, but now they are both in my Top 5 favourite Pixar films. I firmly believe that The Good Dinosaur will bring Pixar back.

The next film they will be making is called Inside Out. This one is about the inner workings and different emotions going on in the brain of an 11-year-old preteen. She will be making a big change in her life, as she is going to be moving from her humble origins of Minnesota to the hustle and bustle of San Francisco. We follow her feelings, all individual characters, and follow their struggle to keep her functioning. Pete Docter, who directed Monsters, Inc. and won the Oscar for directing Up is taking the helm for this film. It will have the voices of Amy Poehler, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Phyllis Smith and Bill Hader (again).



This one I am actually the most excited about of all the forthcoming Pixar films. It is original, daring and just what one expects from a Pixar film. Even if The Good Dinosaur doesn't turn out to be a welcome return to form for Pixar, I will bet actual money (hypothetically, of course) that Inside Out will be a huge hit, for audiences and critics.

The final feature that they will announce (not Final as in LAST EVER, but last one they announced at the expo thus far) is Finding Dory, the sequel to 2003's Finding Nemo. It will involve Dory, where we find out about her origins, her roots and see her wacky family. Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks both return as Dory and Marlin respectively, and new cast members include Diane Keaton as Dory's mother, Eugene Levy as Dory's father and Ty Burrell as Bailey, a beluga whale. Andrew Stanton, who directed both WALL-E and the original Finding Nemo is back in the director's chair, directing off of unknown Victoria Strouse's script.

 
Let me be perfectly frank. This is a step in the wrong direction for Pixar. And you guys are probably going to hate me for this, but I think that Finding Nemo is a little overrated. I do really like the film and enjoy it's script and it's fun and it's beauty, but I still feel that it is not as brilliant as everyone thinks it is, one reason being that the Dory character is just okay, but as hilarious or memorable as some people say. It's actually somewhere in the middle for me in terms of Pixar efforts. And the same feelings that I experienced when they announced Cars 2 have resurfaced here. I feel like this is not a really "original" film. Frankly, I didn't wonder or even care why Dory was swimming out in the open when she found Marlin, or where her family was. So, why bother? To make lots of money. Until Toy Story 3, Nemo was Pixar's highest grossing film. And I am not going to assume anything, Dory will make a whole heap of movie on it's opening weekend, maybe even a possible record for an animated movie (I would also say it may break The Avengers' $200 million record, but I think that even that's a bit of a stretch). That being said, I also felt a little weird about Monsters University, but I really liked that movie, so who knows. Release a trailer first, then I can really give my opinions.

Other than that, that's pretty much it. They have other things, but it is not really far enough into development to garner a lot of attention. Like Lee Unkrich's Dia de los Muertos film. Teddy Newton's unnamed film, and Mark Andrews' unnamed film. But they also had some stuff on Toy Story of Terror, the 30 minute Halloween special coming to ABC in October. That might be fun.

All and all, Pixar has a good slate of stuff coming up later. I will most likely see all three of those movies in the theatres as I've seen every Pixar film from Ratatouille on in the theatres (except for Cars 2), usually on opening day.

What will the future hold in store for Pixar? Will more fans turn on it? Well, they finally lose that coveted spot on top of the animation tower? I doubt it, I still believe that they will never lose it fully and will still be high on the totem pole for many years to come. But I feel that more fans will jump back onto the bandwagon now more than ever after three "meh" films in a row Pixar released.

Ellen DeGeneres to host 86th Academy Awards.

I heard from the official Oscar website that Ellen DeGeneres is going to host the Oscars this year. After Seth MacFarlane stated many times that he simply doesn't have the energy or the time to host the Oscars again, someone had to be found to host the show. They found their host today with talk show host and actress DeGeneres. No stranger to the hosting scene, Ellen hosted the awards back in 2007 when The Departed won Best Picture. With Wolf of Wall Street this year, could two Scorsese films win Best Picture while Ellen is hosting? It's still particularly early, but you never can tell.

But I still think it's a good idea to have The Muppets host. Let them host one year! How much of a sourpuss do you guys have to be?

65th Primetime Emmy Award nominations

Well, here they are. And I got to say a lot of them are pretty good. Some pretty big shocks here and there, and some pretty big snubs. See my thoughts below each category to see what I thought about them.

Best Drama Series

Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
Homeland
House of Cards
Mad Men

(One of only two categories I got 100% right. House of Cards proved that Emmy voters are watching on Netflix, now I'm convinced.)

Best Comedy Series

30 Rock
The Big Bang Theory
Girls
Louie
Modern Family
Veep

(But they weren't watching Arrested Development, or thought it wasn't the bee's knees, as it got kicked off the list in favor for Veep. Am I underestimating the Emmys love for Veep? I think so.)

Best T.V. Movie/Miniseries

American Horror Story: Asylum
Behind the Candelabra
The Bible
Phil Spector
Political Animals
Top of the Lake

(I thought that me predicting Phil Spector would only end in disaster, but it turns out that Parade's End was the one that was going to get kicked off. I guess you never can tell.)

Best Reality-Competition Show

The Amazing Race
Dancing with the Stars
Project Runway
So You Think You Can Dance?
Top Chef
The Voice

(The second category I got exactly right. Good to not see American Idol this year, after a horrendous twelfth season)

Best Animated Program

Bob's Burgers "O.T.: The Outside Toilet"
Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness "Enter the Dragon"
Regular Show "The Christmas Special"
The Simpsons "Treehouse of Horror XXIII"
South Park "Raising the Bar"

(Little surprised Family Guy or Futurama didn't make it in, especially since FG submitted their best episode this year, but you never can tell with the animated branch. Good for Kung Fu Panda and Regular Show, and of course The Simpsons for their, I believe, 18th consecutive nomination in this category.)

Best Actor - Drama

Hugh Bonneville - Downton Abbey
Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad
Jeff Daniels - The Newsroom
Jon Hamm - Mad Men
Damian Lewis - Homeland
Kevin Spacey - House of Cards

(Steve Buscemi got kicked out of the way in favor of Hugh Bonneville. The Emmys must really like Hugh's character as he has been nominated for three years in a row now. As great to see Jon Hamm still on the list)

Best Actor - Comedy

Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock
Jason Bateman - Arrested Development
Don Cheadle - House of Lies
Louis C.K. - Louie
Matt LeBlanc - Episodes
Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory

(No Jon Cryer!! Oh yes! No huge shockeroo this year, well hopefully. Even though I like Jake Johnson in New Girl better than Don Cheadle in House of Lies, I like Don's other works, so good to see him in)

Best Actor - T.V. Movie/Miniseries

Benedict Cumberbatch - Parade's End
Matt Damon - Behind the Candelabra
Michael Douglas - Behind the Candelabra
Toby Jones - The Girl
Al Pacino - Phil Spector

(Another category I got exactly right. Man, I'm on a roll.)

Best Actress - Drama

Connie Britton - Nashville
Claire Danes - Homeland
Michelle Dockery - Downton Abbey
Vera Farmiga - Bates Motel
Elisabeth Moss - Mad Men
Kerry Washington - Scandal
Robin Wright Penn - House of Cards

(No Julianna Margulies??!! Wow! That's a huge shock. But Vera Farmiga et. al. are great picks. I guess I shouldn't've underestimated Scandal, even though I am not a fan of the show)

Best Actress - Comedy

Laura Dern - Enlightened
Lena Dunham - Girls
Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey - 30 Rock
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Veep
Amy Poehler - Parks and Recreation

(If anyone else kicked Zooey Deschanel out, I would be mad. But seeing that it's Laura Dern on her final season of Enlightened, I am happy, seeing as I'm a sucker for those last chance nominations.)

Best Actress - T.V. Movie/Miniseries

Jessica Lange - American Horror Story: Asylum
Laura Linney - The Big C: Hereafter
Helen Mirren - Phil Spector
Elisabeth Moss - Top of the Lake
Sigourney Weaver - Political Animals

(The fourth category I got right. Go Jessica Lange!)

Best Sup. Actor - Drama

Jonathan Banks - Breaking Bad
Bobby Cannavale - Boardwalk Empire
Jim Carter - Downton Abbey
Peter Dinklage - Game of Thrones
Mandy Patinkin - Homeland
Aaron Paul - Breaking Bad

(Corey Stoll and Sam Waterston are out, Bobby Cannavale and Jim Carter are in. Wasn't a fan of Stoll, but liked Waterston, but now we see that the Emmys still really like Downton Abbey because of Jim Carter's nomination.)

Best Sup. Actor - Comedy

Ty Burrell - Modern Family
Adam Driver - Girls
Jesse Tyler Ferguson - Modern Family
Bill Hader - Saturday Night Live
Tony Hale - Veep
Ed O'Neill - Modern Family

(Wow! No Eric Stonestreet. The other three Modern Family men are in, but nice to see the Emmys make more room from variety after all four were in last year [they called me crazy for guessing O'Neill to make it in]. Also great job for Bill Hader making it in on his last go-'round on SNL.)

Best Sup. Actor - T.V. Movie/Miniseries

Scott Bakula - Behind the Candelabra
James Cromwell - American Horror Story: Asylum
John Benjamin Hickey - The Big C: Hereafter
Peter Mullan - Top of the Lake
Zachary Quinto - American Horror Story: Asylum

(The only really huge shock here is Scott Bakula, but good job for the other guys. Crossing my fingers for Zach Quinto)

Best Sup. Actress - Drama

Morena Baccarin - Homeland
Christine Baranski - The Good Wife
Emilia Clarke - Game of Thrones
Anna Gunn - Breaking Bad
Christina Hendricks - Mad Men
Maggie Smith - Downton Abbey

(No Archie Panjabi, but the usual suspects are still in, including a first nomination for Emilia Clarke)

Best Sup. Actress - Comedy

Mayim Bialik - The Big Bang Theory
Julie Bowen - Modern Family
Anna Chlumsky - Veep
Jane Krakowski - 30 Rock
Jane Lynch - Glee
Sofia Vergara - Modern Family
Merritt Wever - Nurse Jackie

(No Kaley or Jessica Walter. But huge shock for Anna Chlumsky. The Emmys really liked Veep! Also nice to see Jane Lynch in, the only good thing about Glee. Did that nomination come from sympathy to Monteith's recent death? Who knows? But it's well deserved.)

Best Sup. Actress - T.V. Movie/Miniseries

Ellen Burstyn - Political Animals
Sarah Paulson - American Horror Story: Asylum
Charlotte Rampling - Restless
Imelda Staunton - The Girl
Alfre Woodard - Steel Magnolias

(I don't really have an opinion on this, but nice job for the five ladies)

Best Guest Actor - Drama

Dan Bucatinsky - Scandal
Michael J. Fox - The Good Wife
Rupert Friend - Homeland
Harry Hamlin - Mad Men
Nathan Lane - The Good Wife
Robert Morse - Mad Men

(More Scandal love. No Ray Romano or Jimmy Smits, but Michael J. Fox and Robert Morse! Hell yes!)

Best Guest Actor - Comedy

Bobby Cannavale - Nurse Jackie
Louis C.K. - Saturday Night Live
Will Forte - 30 Rock
Nathan Lane - Modern Family
Bob Newhart - The Big Bang Theory
Justin Timberlake - Saturday Night Live

(I guess Will Arnett will never win an Emmy for his role of Devon Banks on 30 Rock, leading room for Bob Newhart to finally win [hopefully]. Nathan Lane's second nomination in a row this year, well deserved)

Best Guest Actress - Drama

Linda Cardellini - Mad Men
Joan Cusack - Shameless
Jane Fonda - The Newsroom
Margo Martindale - The Americans
Carrie Preston - The Good Wife
Diana Rigg - Game of Thrones

(Shirley MacLaine's exclusion is a little shocking, but Margo, Joan, and Jane are all great. I was smart to put Diana Rigg in my nominations, and good job for Carrie Preston)

Best Guest Actress - Comedy

Dot-Marie Jones - Glee
Melissa Leo - Louie
Melissa McCarthy - Saturday Night Live
Molly Shannon - Enlightened
Elaine Stritch - 30 Rock
Kristen Wiig - Saturday Night Live

(Here's hoping Kristen Wiig will win this.)

Best Variety Series

The Colbert Report
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Real Time with Bill Maher
Saturday Night Live

(The fifth category I got completely right. Let's see if Jon Stewart will win for the bazillionth time in a row!)

Best Host - Reality

Tom Bergeron - Dancing with the Stars
Anthony Bourdain - The Taste
Cat Deeley - So You Think You Can Dance?
Heidi Klum & Tim Gunn - Project Runway
Ryan Seacrest - American Idol
Betty White - Betty White's Off Their Rockers

(No Jeff Probst again, but Anthony Bourdain is a good surprise. Don't mess with Betty White, bitches!)

Best Voice Acting

Bob Bergen - The Looney Tunes Show for playing Porky Pig ("We're in Big Truffle")
Alex Borstein - Family Guy for playing Lois Griffin ("Lois Comes Out of Her Shell")
Sam Elliott - Robot Chiken for playing The Narrator ("Hurtled From a Helicopter Into a Speeding Train")
Seth Green - Robot Chicken for various characters ("Robot Chicken DC Comics Special")
Seth MacFarlane - Family Guy for playing Brian Griffin ("Brian's Play")
Lily Tomlin - An Apology for Elephants for playing The Narrator

(No Simpsons voice actor is in, instead in favor for Seth MacFarlane and Alex Borstein in Family Guy, always though Alex was really annoying on the show, but the episode was fun, so I can't complain. But I can complain over the exclusion of Kristen Wiig in The Looney Tunes Show. Can the Emmys not see that Lola is freakin' hilarious on the show?)

Final Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions

The Emmy nominations are right around the corner, and here are my predictions of which shows/performers will get nominated in a number of categories followed by three alternates that could make it in. I hope you enjoy reading and I'll make another post on Thursday showing my opinions on the Emmy nominations and to see how many I got right/wrong.

Drama Series

Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
Homeland
House of Cards
Mad Men

alt: Boardwalk Empire, The Americans, The Newsroom

Comedy Series

30 Rock
Arrested Development
The Big Bang Theory
Girls
Louie
Modern Family

alt: Parks and Recreation, Glee, New Girl

Miniseries/TV Movie

American Horror Story: Asylum
Behind the Candelabra
Parade's End
Phil Spector
Political Animals
Top of the Lake

alt: The Bible, The Girl, The Big C: Hereafter

Actor - Drama Series

Steve Buscemi - Boardwalk Empire
Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad
Jeff Daniels - The Newsroom
Jon Hamm - Mad Men
Damian Lewis - Homeland
Kevin Spacey - House of Cards

alt: Matthew Rhys - The Americans, Hugh Bonneville - Downton Abbey, Timothy Olyphant - Justified

Actor - Comedy Series

Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock
Jason Bateman - Arrested Development
Louis C.K. - Louie
Jake Johnson - New Girl
Matt LeBlanc - Episodes
Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory

alt: Don Cheadle - House of Lies, Jon Cryer - Two and a Half Men, Johnny Galecki - The Big Bang Theory

Actor - Miniseries/TV Movie

Kenneth Branagh - Wallander
Benedict Cumberbatch - Parade's End
Matt Damon - Behind the Candelabra
Michael Douglas - Behind the Candelabra
Al Pacino - Phil Spector

alt: Toby Jones - The Girl, Diogo Morgado - The Bible, Dominic West - The Hour

Actress - Drama Series

Claire Danes - Homeland
Michelle Dockery - Downton Abbey
Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife
Elisabeth Moss - Mad Men
Keri Russell - The Americans
Robin Wright Penn - House of Cards

alt: Kerry Washington - Scandal, Tatiana Maslany - Orphan Black, Glenn Close - Damages

Actress - Comedy Series

Zooey Deschanel - New Girl
Lena Dunham - Girls
Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey - 30 Rock
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Veep
Amy Poehler - Parks and Recreation

alt: Melissa McCarthy - Mike & Molly, Mindy Kaling - The Mindy Project, Portia de Rossi - Arrested Development

Actress - Miniseries/TV Movie

Jessica Lange - American Horror Story: Asylum
Laura Linney - The Big C: Hereafter
Helen Mirren - Phil Spector
Elisabeth Moss - Top of the Lake
Sigourney Weaver - Political Animals

alt: Rebecca Hall - Parade's End, Hayley Atwell - Restless, Romola Garai - The Hour

Sup. Actor - Drama Series

Jonathan Banks - Breaking Bad
Peter Dinklage - Game of Thrones
Mandy Patinkin - Homeland
Aaron Paul - Breaking Bad
Corey Stoll - House of Cards
Sam Waterston - The Newsroom

alt: Noah Emmerich - The Americans, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau - Game of Thrones, Alan Cumming - The Good Wife

Sup. Actor - Comedy Series

Will Arnett - Arrested Development
Ty Burrell - Modern Family
Max Greenfield - New Girl
Ed O'Neill - Modern Family
Eric Stonestreet - Modern Family
Jeffrey Tambor - Arrested Development

alt: Jesse Tyler Ferguson - Modern Family, Simon Helberg - The Big Bang Theory, Bill Hader - Saturday Night Live

Sup. Actor - Miniseries/TV Movie

James Cromwell - American Horror Story: Asylum
Rob Lowe - Behind the Candelabra
Peter Mullan - Top of the Lake
Zachary Quinto - American Horror Story: Asylum
Jeffrey Tambor - Phil Spector

alt: James Woods - Mary and Martha, Dan Aykroyd - Behind the Candelabra, Evan Peters - American Horror Story: Asylum

Sup. Actress - Drama Series

Christine Baranski - The Good Wife
Anna Gunn - Breaking Bad
Christina Hendricks - Mad Men
Archie Panjabi - The Good Wife
Monica Potter - Parenthood
Maggie Smith - Downton Abbey

alt: Morena Baccarin - Homeland, Elizabeth McGovern - Downton Abbey, Joanne Froggatt - Downton Abbey

Sup. Actress - Comedy Series

Mayim Bialik - The Big Bang Theory
Julie Bowen - Modern Family
Kaley Cuoco - The Big Bang Theory
Jane Krakowski - 30 Rock
Sofia Vergara - Modern Family
Jessica Walter - Arrested Development

alt: Allison Williams - Girls, Betty White - Hot in Cleveland, Merritt Wever - Nurse Jackie

Sup. Actress - Miniseries/TV Movie

Ellen Burstyn - Political Animals
Holly Hunter - Top of the Lake
Sarah Paulson - American Horror Story: Asylum
Lily Rabe - American Horror Story: Asylum
Alfre Woodard - Steel Magnolias

alt: Imelda Staunton - The Girl, Gabourey Sidibe - The Big C: Hereafter, Charlotte Rampling - Restless

Guest Actor - Drama Series

Dylan Baker - The Good Wife
Michael J. Fox - The Good Wife
Nathan Lane - The Good Wife
Matthew Perry - The Good Wife
Ray Romano - Parenthood
Jimmy Smits - Sons of Anarchy

alt: Robert Morse - Mad Men, Jim Beaver - Justified, Rupert Friend - Homeland

Guest Actor - Comedy Series

Will Arnett - 30 Rock
Matthew Broderick - Modern Family
Louis C.K. - Saturday Night Live
Bob Newhart - The Big Bang Theory
Martin Short - Saturday Night Live
Justin Timberlake - Saturday Night Live

alt: Patrick Wilson - Girls, Matt Damon - House of Lies, Bobby Cannavale - Nurse Jackie

Guest Actress - Drama Series

Stockhard Channing - The Good Wife
Joan Cusack - Shameless
Jane Fonda - The Newsroom
Shirley MacLaine - Downton Abbey
Margo Martindale - The Americans
Diana Rigg - Game of Thrones

alt: Carrie Preston, The Good Wife, Martha Plimpton - The Good Wife, Linda Cardellini - Mad Men

Guest Actress - Comedy Series

Elizabeth Banks - Modern Family
Melissa Leo - Louie
Melissa McCarthy - Saturday Night Live
Parker Posey - Louie
Elaine Stritch - 30 Rock
Kristen Wiig - Saturday Night Live

alt: Sarah Jessica Parker - Glee, Liza Minnelli - Arrested Development, Catherine O'Hara - 30 Rock

Animated Program

American Dad! "Blood Crieth Unto Heaven"
Family Guy "Yug Ylimaf"
Futurama "Fun on a Bun"
The Simpsons "Treehouse of Horror XXIII"
South Park "Raising the Bar"

alt: Bob's Burgers "O.T.: The Outside Toilet", Robot Chicken "Robot Chicken DC Comics Special", The Looney Tunes Show "The Stud, The Nerd, The Average Joe and the Saint"

Reality-Competition Show

The Amazing Race
Dancing with the Stars
Project Runway
So You Think You Can Dance?
Top Chef
The Voice

alt: American Idol, America's Got Talent, Survivor

Host - Reality Series

Tom Bergeron - Dancing with the Stars
Phil Keoghan - The Amazing Race
Jeff Probst - Survivor
Ryan Seacrest - American Idol
Betty White - Betty White's Off Their Rockers

alt: Carson Daly - The Voice, Nick Cannon - America's Got Talent, Cat Deeley - So You Think You Can Dance?

Variety Series

The Colbert Report
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Real Time with Bill Maher
Saturday Night Live

alt: Portlandia, Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Conan