Yay or groan! It’s that time of the year again: awards season. In 48 hours, it’s time for the TV Oscars, the Emmys. If that sentence wasn’t confusing enough, here’s our predictions for who/what will win in the Drama and Comedy categories. You know, the ones that count for shit. Or not, depends on whether you buy into this awards malarky or not.
DRAMA
Best Drama Series
WINNER
Breaking Bad
True Detective is definitely the buzz show of the moment, but only because Breaking Bad ended a year ago. Plus a recent plagiarism controversy could hurt True Detective’s chances overall. Also, it’s up against Breaking Bad. It’s universally lauded, especially the final season. Long live Heisenberg.
NOMINEES : Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, House of Cards, Mad Men, True Detective
Best Actor, Drama
WINNER
Matthew McConaughey, True Detective
He’s already convinced awards voters to give him an Oscar this year, how could he not go the whole hog and bag the Emmy, too? The only thing standing in his way is, of course, Bryan Cranston. But Cranston hasn’t won since 2010, so we’re going with McConaughey on this.
NOMINEES : Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad, Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom, Jon Hamm, Mad Men, Woody Harrelson, True Detective, Matthew McConaughey, True Detective, Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
Best Actress, Drama
WINNER
Robin Wright, House of Cards
We debated and debated this – Julianna or Robin? But let’s face it, Robin Wright was incredible this season. That interview, that revelation, that fallout. Spectacular. Move over Claire Danes, there’s new Emmy bait in town. 2nd prize, Julianna Margulies.
NOMINEES : Lizzy Caplan, Masters of Sex, Claire Danes, Homeland, Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey, Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife, Kerry Washington, Scandal, Robin Wright, House of Cards
Best Supporting Actor, Drama
WINNER
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
We reckon Aaron Paul is going to pick up his 3rd Emmy for the iconic role of troubled meth-maker Jesse Pinkman. Mostly because he absolutely deserves it. He brought everything to the table with Jesse in season 5. Plus many feel he was robbed of the Golden Globe, so here’s the time for payback. Although Josh Charles deserves massive praise for his portrayal of Will in The Good Wife. So if Paul doesn’t manage to bag this one (he will, don’t worry), let it be Josh Charles that beats him to it.
NOMINEES: Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad, Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones, Jon Voight, Ray Donovan, Jim Carter, Downton Abbey, Mandy Patinkin, Homeland, Josh Charles, The Good Wife
Best Supporting Actress, Drama
WINNER
Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
This category is all Anna. She might as well have run unopposed. Go watch ”Ozymandias” again. Tell me Anna doesn’t deserve this, and all the other awards ever. Watch the deliberateness of each little thing she does with Skyler. Not a tear, a facial tick, or a hand gesture isn’t absolutely crafted with unbelievable skill. And everyone loves a good crying scene. If crying in middle of the street covered in blood isn’t Emmy fodder, I don’t know what is.
NOMINEES: Christine Baranski, The Good Wife, Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey, Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad, Lena Headey, Game of Thrones,Christina Hendricks, Mad Men, Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
COMEDY
Best Comedy Series
WINNER
Orange is the New Black
This category is the toughest for me to decide. If I go with my heart, it’s obviously Orange is the New Black. But my gut says stick with Modern Family. And my head says “Please let it NOT be Big Bang, for the love of god.” And then there’s Louie, the wildcard. It’s not very likely that the Emmy voters will go for it, though, considering the average age of voters. I’m going to stick my neck out for Orange is the New Black though, as I feel it’s the most deserving series of the bunch.
NOMINEES: The Big Bang Theory, Louie, Modern Family, Orange is the New Black, Silicon Valley, Veep
Best Actor, Comedy
WINNER
Louis CK, Louie
Let’s hear it for Louis as he ends the Chuck Lorre reign, with his irreverent and innovative comedy. Hurrah!
NOMINEES: Louis CK, Louie, Don Cheadle, House of Lies, Ricky Gervais, Derek, Matt LeBlanc, Episodes, William H. Macy, Shameless, Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Best Actress, Comedy
WINNER
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
After earning her fourth award last year, the last two for Veep, Julia Louis-Dreyfus is on fire. She’s definitely become the one to beat, with her absolutely pitch-perfect turn as Madam Vice President Selina Meyer. Also, just for last year’s acceptance speech alone we’d vote for her again – what will she do this year?
NOMINEES: Lena Dunham, Girls, Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep, Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly, Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation, Taylor Schilling, Orange Is the New Black
Best Supporting Actor, Comedy
WINNER
Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
After Andy Samberg’s shock win at the Golden Globes, I’m going out on a limb here and saying Andre is going to do it. And he absolutely deserves it. I haven’t seen anyone play the straight guy who’s actually really funny like he does in a long time. Also it’s high time Modern Family gets kicked to the curb. Second place for Tony Hale though.
NOMINEES: Fred Armisen, Portlandia, Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Ty Burrell, Modern Family, Adam Driver, Girls, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family, Tony Hale, Veep
Best Supporting Actress, Comedy
WINNER
Allison Janney, Mom OR Kate Mulgrew, Orange is the New Black
As much as I would absolutely love to see Kate McKinnon win for SNL – she’s absolutely running that cast at the moment – she’s probably not going to. Neither too is Anna Chlumsky, whom I would pick 2nd if it were up to me. But it’s not. It’s up to the Emmy Voters. Julie Bowen is an Emmy favourite, but I really think this one is absolutely 50/50 between Kate Mulgrew and Allison Janney. I can’t decide who wins. I just can’t.
NOMINEES: Julie Bowen, Modern Family, Kate Mulgrew, Orange is the New Black, Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory, Allison Janney, Mom, Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live, Anna Chlumsky, Veep
