My 2012 Primetime Emmy Predictions

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With Fall TV quickly approaching, it’s a great time to start reflecting on last year’s greatest moments, actors and shows.  I am going to give you a breakdown of some of the major categories, nominations, and my predictions of who will take home the Emmy! 

**WARNING THIS MAY CONTAIN A FEW SPOILERS**

Outstanding Comedy Series:

Will this be their year?

The Big Bang Theory

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Girls

Modern Family

30 Rock

Veep

Although I think the HBO freshman comedies Girls and Veep deserve some accolades this year, I have to give the award to The Big Bang Theory.  I think the series stays fresh year to year, and after last season’s heartwarming season finale, I would be surprised if they didn’t win! 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

It was Knope 2012, will it be Poehler 2012?

Zooey Deschanel (New Girl)

Lena Dunham (Girls)

Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie)

Tina Fey (30 Rock)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)

Melissa McCarthy (Mike and Molly)

Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)

After last year’s hilarious beauty pageant’esque acceptance performance, masterminded by Amy Poehler and Martha Plimpton, I think that Amy deserves the nod just for that.  However, she definitely deserves the win for blazing through Pawnee’s campaign trail.  Her chemistry with Adam Scott helps keep the show heartwarming and endearing!

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Two-peat?

Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)

Don Cheadle (House of Lies)

Louis C.K. (Louie)

Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men)

Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)

Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)

Although it’s hard to argue for the same person winning back-to-back years, I think he might even be able to beat out this year’s front-runner, Louis C.K.  Jim delves far into his character including his off putting personality, neurosis and relationship with Amy Farrah Fowler. 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory)

Julie Bowen (Modern Family)

Kathryn Joosten (Desperate Housewives)

Sofia Vergara (Modern Family)

Merritt Wever (Nurse Jackie)

Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live)

I think it would be sweet for Kristen Wiig to win as this was her last season on SNL, I have to give the award to freshman nominee Merrit Wever.  Her role as Zoey in Nurse Jackie epitomizes comedy.  She is kooky and isn’t afraid to let her freak flag fly!  She will definitely be a long shot as people are expecting Mayim, Julie and Sofia to be the frontrunners in this race.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Ty Burrell (Modern Family)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family)

Will he be able to beat out the entire MF cast?

Max Greenfield (New Girl)
Bill Hader (SNL)
Ed O'Neill (Modern Family)
Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family)

If I weren't biased I would give the Emmy to Ed O'Neill.  However, Max's character, Schmidt, is hilarious and a bit OCD.  How can I not pick him?  This show started off slow this season, and I think this is a 1000:1 shot, but he anchors the core group of four.  However, the Emmy voters might see that three seasons leading Modern Family might be worth tipping their hats to Ed.

Outstanding Drama Series

Boardwalk Empire

Breaking Bad

Downton Abbey

Will Breaking Bad break Mad Men's winning streak?

Game of Thrones

Homeland

Mad Men

This is the hardest category for me to pick.  I loved Homeland’s premier season, and Game of Thrones has become a show more than just for a bored D&D nerd.  However, there has been more chatter around my own office of Breaking Bad.  Season 4 culminated into the development of some of TV’s finest moments that kept me guessing and wanting more.  I predict that this show will win the most awards of the night.  It’s time for Mad Men to move over!

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Kathy Bates (Harry’s Law)

Glenn Close (Damages)

Claire Danes (Homeland)

Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey)

Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife)

Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men)

Although Fat Betty (bam-a-lam) deserves some recognition for the extra poundage she had to overcome this season, I have to give the Emmy to Claire Danes.  Her gripping performance was further enhanced by her paranoia and intense scenes with Damian Lewis all season.  Homeland was a hit from the pilot, and Claire was extraordinary all season long. 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Hugh Bonneville (House)

Heisenberg!

Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire)

Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)

Michael Hall (Dexter)

Jon Hamm (Mad Men)

Damian Lewis (Homeland)

I believe Bryan won this category two years ago, and I think he will rise to the top again.  His role of Walter White/Heisenberg was moving, entertaining and a little frightening.  His character has developed over the first four seasons, and you can see a remarkable change from a timid Chemistry teacher to Meth Aficionado! Granted, I was able to observe this change as I just started watching this series a few months ago on Netflix.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Christine Baranksi (The Good Wife)

Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey)

Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad)

Chrstina Hendricks (Mad Men)

Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife)

Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)

I am not sure why Anna is in the Supporting Actress category, but I was Team Joan all season of Mad Men.  Even being a new mother this season, Joan is just as fiery this season as in the past.  She deserves the win this year, and I would be disappointed if she loses.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Jim Carter (Downton Abbey)

Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey)

Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)

Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad)

Gus FTW!

Jared Harris (Mad Men)

Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)

Although, I might have made some unusual predictions so far, I am willing to bet a lot on the fact that Giancarlo Esposito will take home the Emmy.  He gave a brilliant performance as Gus on Breaking Bad.  This ruthless drug lord proved that even a man of few words could convey such a terrifying character so well.

Here are some of my other predictions of the night.

Dot Marie Jones – Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Bobby Canavale – Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Joan Cusack – Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Mark Mogalis – Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series – aka Best Bell Ringer Actor

American Horror Story – Best Miniseries

Connie Britton – Outstanding Lead Actress in a Mini Series

Jessica Lange – Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Mini Series

Bill Paxton – Outstanding Lead Actor in Mini Series

Dennis O’Hare – Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Mini Series

I haven’t seen some of the other mini series or movies, so these may appear to be biased!  I would love to hear what you think!  Let me know in the comment section below!