September is here, and you know what that means. Well, you probably don’t, but I bet that you watch more TV than you would like to admit, so you might as well know which shows are the best of the best. The 67th Emmy Awards take place Sunday. If you’re into losing money by betting on its winners, here are my predictions to guide you either astray or to victory.
Outstanding Drama Series:
Nominees: “Better Call Saul,” “Downtown Abbey,” “Game of Thrones,” “Homeland,” “House of Cards,” “Mad Men,” “Orange Is the New Black”
The Rundown: “Downtown Abbey” and “House of Cards” skated in on the strength of previous seasons and don’t belong with the rest here. “Homeland” did just the opposite and reversed course from train wreck to quality television. “Orange Is the New Black” and “Game of Thrones” are both high quality, but lack consistency from episode to episode. “Better Call Saul” managed to conquer the difficulties of continuing a massively successful show in “Breaking Bad,” all while pulling off the ever so difficult prequel. Don’t be surprised to see Vince Gilligan and “Better Call Saul” take the award a year from now, but I have a different idea in mind for this year.
Winner: “Mad Men”
Critically adored series bids farewell in a high quality final season? Too easy, but this time the winner deserves it. Just like “Breaking Bad” last year, the outstanding drama award will go to a great show in its swan song season.
Outstanding Comedy Series:
Nominees: “Louie,” “Modern Family,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Silicon Valley,” “Transparent,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “Veep”
The Rundown: This is a fun group; you’ve got all the bases covered here. The fan favorite “Parks and Recreation,” the sophomore show hitting its stride in “Silicon Valley,” the offbeat show masterminded by a comedic genius in “Louie,” the newcomer that spits Tina Fey fire of “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and the groundbreaking show everyone is rooting for, “Transparent.” That leaves likely contenders “Veep” and “Modern Family.” The two shows could not be more different, as “Modern Family” brings warm and fuzzy feelings, while “Veep” steadily improves each passing season as the best comedy that paints in tones of jet black. However, one show continues to rise above the rest.
Winner: “Modern Family”
In a group of fun and hilarious shows, the voters will go the easy route and hand “Modern Family” its sixth win in a row.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series:
Nominees: Kyle Chandler in “Bloodline,” Jeff Daniels in “The Newsroom,” Jon Hamm in “Mad Men,” Bob Odenkirk in “Better Call Saul,” Liev Schreiber in “Ray Donovan,” Kevin Spacey in “House of Cards”
The Rundown: In the shortest and sweetest phrasing possible: Jon Hamm is great. Hamm starred in one of the best TV shows of all time for seven seasons, but has struck out on his last seven nominations. Can Hamm finally strike gold Sunday night?
Winner: Jon Hamm
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:
Nominees: Claire Danes in “Homeland,” Viola Davis in “How to Get Away with Murder,” Taraji P. Henson in “Empire,” Tatiana Maslany in “Orphan Black,” Elisabeth Moss in “Mad Men,” Robin Wright in “House of Cards”
The Rundown: Claire Danes managed to stay graceful amidst the fiery wreck that was season three of “Homeland,” and deserves an award for that miraculous feat itself, but she won’t go home with a trophy. Tatiana Maslany displays an incredible versatility with the role-swapping required by the clone conundrums of “Orphan Black.” Elisabeth Moss remains overlooked as always, just like her “Mad Men” character. This race vacillates between Taraji P. Henson and Viola Davis. Davis is the heavyweight here, as an Oscar-nominated actress in a role that does everything it can to showcase her talent. Henson starred on “Empire,” the breakout hit of the year, and she somehow pulls off an award-worthy performance despite playing a character named Cookie.
Winner: Viola Davis
She’s got the chops and deserves a win here. If Davis or Henson are rewarded a much-deserved win, the winner will become the first black woman to win best actress in a drama series.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:
Nominees: Anthony Anderson in “Blackish,” Louis C.K. in “Louie,” Don Cheadle in “House of Lies,” Will Forte in “The Last Man on Earth,” Matt LeBlanc in “Episodes,” William H. Macy in “Shameless,” Jeffrey Tambor in “Transparent”
The Rundown: A few contenders here. Anthony Anderson and Will Forte helped launch their shows into critical acclaim and adoration from fans. Louis C.K. is excellent as always. He’s the dark horse here, as he’s never pulled in an award for acting. But these guys won’t bring home the trophy for lead actor in a comedy series this year.
Winner: Jeffrey Tambor
The surprise of the television season was “Transparent,” an Amazon show that took a big swing and connected with a topic rarely explored on television: being transgender. Tambor breaks new ground with his portrayal as a transgender woman. After taking home a Golden Globe earlier in the year, he should make it two for two on Sunday.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:
Nominees: Edie Falco in “Nurse Jackie,” Lisa Kudrow in “The Comeback,” Julia Louis-Dreyfus in “Veep,” Amy Poehler in “Parks and Recreation,” Amy Schumer in “Inside Amy Schumer,” Lily Tomlin in “Grace and Frankie”
The Rundown: The favorite here is Louis-Dreyfus, as three-time winners have a tendency to become four-time winners, but Louis-Dreyfus faces stiff competition this year. The polarizing Amy Schumer continues her ascent to the comedy summit, especially considering her hit movie “Trainwreck” amasses her further momentum. Poehler remains ever-the-bridesmaid, as this year marks her sixth nomination in this category. Will the final season of fan favorite “Parks and Recreation” push her over the edge into the winner’s circle?
Winner: Amy Poehler
I’m predicting with my heart over my head on this win, but that’s a very Leslie Knope thing to do. If anyone can watch Poehler’s unstoppable Knope in her final performance on “Parks and Recreation” and still give the award to someone else, more power to them.
