When the flashbulbs start exploding on the red carpet in a week’s time the votes will all be counted and the names in sealed envelopes. American TV’s night of nights – The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards – is about to launch upon us in a way that is set to change the face of the very medium it celebrates.
Netflix has made its mark on this year’s awards with nominations for stars and shows that haven’t been broadcast on terrestrial or cable TV. Delivered only as IP content through the service it will set the cat amongst the very pretty pigeons as there’s a real chance at least one nomination will win its category.
There’s some big hauls for some shows too… Programs receiving 10 or more nominations are: American Horror Story: Asylum (17); Game Of Thrones (16); Behind The Candelabra (15); Saturday Night Live (15); Breaking Bad (13); 30 Rock (13); Downton Abbey (12); Mad Men (12); Modern Family (12); Homeland (11); Phil Spector (11) and Boardwalk Empire (10).
Will Mad Men break it’s Emmys drought, especially after last year managing to be the losingest show in recent history? Will Breaking Bad clean up due to it delivering its penultimate episode during the Awards itself (and offering a stunning two part final series)?
Add to this host du jour Neil Patrick Harris is expected to deliver another stunning opener and performance across the night. It’s gonna be so much fun!
For mine, these are my picks for winners in this year’s awards (let me know if you think I’m right or wrong and why!). My picks in bold…
Outstanding Drama Series
Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Game Of Thrones • HBO • Bighead, Littlehead, TV 360, Startling TV and Generator Prodns with HBO Ent
Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Prods, Cherry Pie Prods, Keshet, Fox 21
House Of Cards • Netflix • Donen/Fincher/Roth and Trigger Street Prods with Media Rights Capital for Netflix
Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Anyone of these could win comfortably, though it’ll be Breaking Bad on form and as the emotional favourite.
Outstanding Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions with Warner Bros Television
Girls • HBO • Apatow Prodns and I am Jenni Konner Prodns with HBO Entertainment
Louie • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc.
Modern Family • ABC • Picador Prodns & Steve Levitan Prodns with 20th Century Fox Television
30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger with Universal Television
Veep • HBO • Dundee Prodns with HBO Entertainment
Girls might pick up if the Academy are feeling extra symapthetic but it’ll likely be Steve Levitan’s Modern Family for the win. Again. (Be nice for Veep to get a nod though.)
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Bryan Cranston as Walter White – Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Hugh Bonneville as Robert, Earl of Grantham – Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production –
Damian Lewis as Nicholas Brody – Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Prodns, Cherry Pie Prodns, Keshet, Fox 21
Kevin Spacey as Francis Underwood – House Of Cards • Netflix • Donen/Fincher/Roth and Trigger Street Prods with Media Rights Capital for Netflix
Jon Hamm as Don Draper – Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Jeff Daniels as Will McAvoy – The Newsroom • HBO • HBO Entertainment
Cranston to win his fourth for Walter White (first since 2010) though Spacey, Daniels and last year’s winner Lewis definitely in the offing.
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Vera Farmiga as Norma Bates – Bates Motel • A&E • Universal Television, Carlton Cuse Prodns and Kerry Ehrin Prodns
Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley – Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison – Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Prodns, Cherry Pie Prodns, Keshet, Fox 21
Robin Wright as Claire Underwood – House Of Cards • Netflix • Donen/Fincher/Roth and Trigger Street Prodns with Media Rights Capital for Netflix
Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson – Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Connie Britton as Rayna James – Nashville • ABC • ABC Studios
Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope – Scandal • ABC • ABC Studios
This will be Kerry Washington’s year… but it’d be great to see Robin Wright score too.
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth – Arrested Development • Netflix • Produced by Imagine TV and 20th Century Fox Television for Netflix
Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper – The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television
Matt LeBlanc as Matt LeBlanc – Episodes • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Hat Trick Productions, Crane Klarik Productions
Don Cheadle as Marty Kaan – House Of Lies • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Crescendo Prodns, Totally Commercial Films, Refugee Prodns, Matthew Carnahan Circus Products
Louis C.K. as Louie – Louie • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc.
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy – 30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
30 Rock’s final season to account for too, but very likely it’s a two-way struggle between Louis C.K and Jim Parsons.
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Laura Dern as Amy – Enlightened • HBO • Ripcord Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Lena Dunham as Hannah Horvath – Girls • HBO • Apatow Productions and I am Jenni Konner Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton – Nurse Jackie • Showtime • Showtime Presents, A Caryn Mandabach Production, Clyde Phillips Productions, Jackson Group Entertainment, Lionsgate Television
Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope – Parks And Recreation • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Fremulon, 3 Arts Entertainment and Universal Television
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon – 30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer – Veep • HBO • Dundee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
If there is indeed any sensibility left in US television, it’s Amy Poehler’s year.
Outstanding Miniseries Or Movie
American Horror Story: Asylum • FX Networks • 20th Century Fox Television
Behind The Candelabra • HBO • Jerry Weintraub Productions in association with HBO Films
The Bible • HISTORY • LightWorkers Media and Hearst Productions for History
Phil Spector • HBO • Levinson/Fontana Productions in association with HBO Films
Political Animals • USA • Berlanti Productions and Laurence Mark Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television
Top Of The Lake • Sundance Channel • A See-Saw Films production in association with Screen Australia, Screen NSW and Fulcrum Media Finance for BBC Two, Sundance Channel, UKTV and BBC Worldwide
Too much love for the performances of Michael Douglas and Matt Damon.
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie
Michael Douglas as Liberace – Behind The Candelabra • HBO • Jerry Weintraub Productions in association with HBO Films
Matt Damon as Scott Thorson – Behind The Candelabra • HBO • Jerry Weintraub Productions in association with HBO Films
Toby Jones as Alfred Hitchcock – The Girl • HBO • Warner Bros. Entertainment, GmbH/Moonlighting and BBC in association with HBO Films and Wall to Wall Media
Benedict Cumberbatch as Christopher Tietjens – Parade’s End • HBO • A Mammoth Screen Production, Trademark Films, BBC Worldwide and Lookout Point in association with HBO Miniseries and the BBC
Al Pacino as Phil Spector – Phil Spector • HBO • Levinson/Fontana Productions in association with HBO Films
Can there be a tie? Douglas/Damon, Damon/Douglas. An embarrassment of riches.
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie
Jessica Lange as Sister Jude Martin – American Horror Story: Asylum • FX Networks • 20th Century Fox Television
Laura Linney as Cathy Jamison – The Big C: Hereafter • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Sony Pictures Television, Perkins Street Productions, Farm Kid, Original Film
Helen Mirren as Linda Kenney-Baden – Phil Spector • HBO • Levinson/Fontana Productions in association with HBO Films
Sigourney Weaver as Elaine Barrish Hammond – Political Animals • USA • Berlanti Productions and Laurence Mark Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television
Elisabeth Moss as Robin – Top Of The Lake • Sundance Channel • A See-Saw Films production in association with Screen Australia, Screen NSW and Fulcrum Media Finance for BBC Two, Sundance Channel, UKTV and BBC Worldwide
Lange to do it again and provide some comfort to Ryan Murphy.
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program
Ryan Seacrest, Host – American Idol • FOX • FremantleMedia North America, Inc. and 19 TV Ltd.
Betty White, Host – Betty White’s Off Their Rockers • NBC • Kinetic Content, Inc.
Tom Bergeron, Host – Dancing With The Stars • ABC • BBC Worldwide Productions
Heidi Klum, Host – Project Runway • Lifetime • The Weinstein Company, Bunim-Murray Productions and Full Picture Entertainment in association with Lifetime
Tim Gunn, Host – Project Runway • Lifetime • The Weinstein Company, Bunim-Murray Productions and Full Picture Entertainment in association with Lifetime
Cat Deeley, Host – So You Think You Can Dance • FOX • Dick Clark Productions, Inc. & 19 Entertainment
Anthony Bourdain, Host – The Taste • ABC • Kinetic Content, LLC
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Seacrest – Not likely. It’ll be Bergeron again.
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
The Amazing Race • CBS • World Race Productions, Inc.
Dancing With The Stars • ABC • BBC Worldwide Productions
Project Runway • Lifetime • The Weinstein Company, Bunim-Murray Productions and Full Picture Entertainment in association with Lifetime
So You Think You Can Dance • FOX • Dick Clark Productions, Inc. & 19 Entertainment
Top Chef • Bravo • Magical Elves
The Voice • NBC • One Three, Inc., Talpa Media USA, Inc. in association with Warner Horizon Television
I think that one time that Top Chef won it everyone was high and really hungry.
Outstanding Variety Series
The Colbert Report • Comedy Central • Hello Doggie, Inc. with Busboy Productions and Spartina Productions
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart • Comedy Central • Central Productions, LLC
Jimmy Kimmel Live • ABC • ABC Studios in association with Jackhole Industries
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon • NBC • Universal Television and Broadway Video
Real Time With Bill Maher • HBO • Bill Maher Productions and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Saturday Night Live • NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video
With good reason The Daily Show own this award of late.
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Bobby Cannavale as Gyp Rosetti – Boardwalk Empire • HBO • Leverage, Closest to the Hole Prodns, Sikelia Prodns and Cold Front Prodns with HBO Ent
Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut – Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman – Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Jim Carter as Mr. Carson – Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister – Game Of Thrones • HBO • Bighead, Littlehead, Television 360, Startling Television and Generator Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Mandy Patinkin as Saul Berenson – Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Prodns, Cherry Pie Prodns, Keshet, Fox 21
…and the winner is: Aaron Paul!
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Anna Gunn as Skyler White – Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Maggie Smith as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham – Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen – Game Of Thrones • HBO • Bighead, Littlehead, Television 360, Startling Television and Generator Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart – The Good Wife • CBS • CBS Television Studios with Scott Free Productions and King Size Productions
Morena Baccarin as Jessica Brody – Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Prodns, Cherry Pie Prodns, Keshet, Fox 21
Christina Hendricks as Joan Harris – Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
While Anna Gunn may in fact walk away with her first Emmy for this category it’s likely to be Christina Hendricks that breaks Mad Men’s losing streak.
Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series
George Mastras – Breaking Bad • Dead Freight • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Thomas Schnauz – Breaking Bad • Say My Name • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Julian Fellowes – Downton Abbey • Episode 4 • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
David Benioff & D.B. Weiss – Game Of Thrones • The Rains Of Castamere • HBO • Bighead, Littlehead, Television 360, Startling Television and Generator Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Henry Bromell – Homeland • Q&A • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Productions, Cherry Pie Productions, Keshet, Fox 21
“Say my name.”
“Heisenberg.”
“You’re Goddamn right.”
Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series
Tim Van Patten – Boardwalk Empire • Margate Sands • HBO • Leverage, Closest to the Hole Productions, Sikelia Productions and Cold Front Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Michelle MacLaren – Breaking Bad • Gliding Over All • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Jeremy Webb – Downton Abbey • Episode 4 • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Lesli Linka Glatter – Homeland • Q&A • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Productions, Cherry Pie Productions, Keshet, Fox 21
David Fincher – House Of Cards • Chapter 1 • Netflix • Donen/Fincher/Roth and Trigger Street Productions, Inc. in association with Media Rights Capital for Netflix
No question this is Fincher’s prize.
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Adam Driver as Adam Sackler – Girls • HBO • Apatow Productions and I am Jenni Konner Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett – Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Ed O’Neill as Jay Pritchett – Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy – Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Bill Hader as Various characters – Saturday Night Live • NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video
Tony Hale as Gary Walsh – Veep • HBO • Dundee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Ty Burrell’s Phil is a gift to us all. Shut up.
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler – The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television
Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester – Glee • FOX • Ryan Murphy Television in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Sofia Vergara as Gloria Pritchett – Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy – Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Merritt Wever as Zoey Barkow – Nurse Jackie • Showtime • Showtime Presents, A Caryn Mandabach Production, Clyde Phillips Productions, Jackson Group Entertainment, Lionsgate Television
Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroney – 30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer – Veep • HBO • Dundee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
It should be Anna Chlumsky or Jane Lynch but it won’t be. It should be though.
Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series
David Crane & Jeffrey Klarik – Episodes • Episode 209 • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Hat Trick Productions, Crane Klarik Productions
Louis C.K. & amela Adlon – Louie • Daddy’s Girlfriend (Part 1) • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc.
Greg Daniels – The Office • Finale • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions and Reveille, LLC in association with Universal Television
Jack Burditt & Robert Carlock – 30 Rock • Hogcock! • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Tina Fey & Tracey Wigfield – 30 Rock • Last Lunch • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Dead heat between Daniels and Fey, with the award ultimately going to the man who somehow reinvented one of the funniest comedies on TV.
Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series
Lena Dunham – Girls • On All Fours • HBO • Apatow Productions and I am Jenni Konner Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Paris Barclay – Glee • Diva • FOX • Ryan Murphy Television in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Louis C.K. – Louie • New Year’s Eve • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc.
Gail Mancuso – Modern Family • Arrested • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Beth McCarthy-Miller – 30 Rock • Hogcock! / Last Lunch • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Louis C.K. because he’ll likely have missed out everywhere else and he deserves to have won everything he’s been nominated in.
65th Primetime Emmy Awards – Red Carpet 9am/Awards 10am AEST Mon 23/09, Fox8.