Sunday, July 26, 2015

2015 Emmy Predictions

Here are our predictions for the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards, to be held Sunday, September 20, 2015! (We're covering series and acting categories only, because who's got that kind of time...)

Outstanding Drama Series

"Better Call Saul" (AMC)
"Downton Abbey" (PBS)
"Game Of Thrones" (HBO)
"Homeland" (Showtime)
"House Of Cards" (Netflix)
"Mad Men" (AMC)
"Orange Is The New Black" (Netflix)

Will Win
Irene: Now that Breaking Bad is out of the way, this category became a lot more difficult to predict. Homeland and Mad Men are the only nominees that have won this award previously, but the consensus seems to be that Homeland is past its prime. It has been years since Mad Men has won, but I still think it’s the most likely choice.
Alicia: Hi there, Irene and Doris! First, I want to issue a disclaimer that I am completely blind guessing this year, since law school has depleted my brain’s ability to process prestige TV. My only exposure to this category is the first 5 episodes of Game of Thrones Season 5. Given all the controversy and media speculation around GoT this year, I wonder if they might actually pull out the win. Still, the final season of Mad Men seems like the one to beat.
Doris: Like Alicia, I too am blind guessing, but only because I accidentally dropped all TV this year, with the exception of Parks & Rec. Anyway, in looking over these shows, I am going to go with… wait, what the heck is OitNB doing here?! It was categorized as a comedy last year! Okay, whatevs. Let’s say, House of Cards because Netflix is going to take over the world.

Should Win
Irene: Even though I love Mad Men and Game of Thrones, I don’t think this was the best season for either of them. Orange is the New Black expanded its world in season two and gave us one of my favorite TV villains in recent memory.
Alicia: I would LOVE to see the cast of Orange is the New Black take the Emmy stage.
Doris: It’s Mad Men’s last season, and I’m a cheeseball, so let’s say them.

Snubbed
Irene: Orphan Black
Alicia: The 100. Don’t laugh, it’s great!
Doris: I never followed dramas even when I did watch TV... nothing comes to mind, honestly.

Outstanding Comedy Series

"Louie" (FX)
"Modern Family" (ABC)
"Parks And Recreation" (NBC)
"Silicon Valley" (HBO)
"Transparent" (Amazon)
"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" (Netflix)
"Veep" (HBO)

Will Win
Irene: I will accept the fates and predict Modern Family.
Alicia: Please, please, please give Parks and Rec the send-off it deserves. For its final season, I’m betting on Lil’ Sebastian.
Doris: No, Irene, I refuse to live in a world where Modern Family wins for a 6th year in a row when it stopped being good after Season 2 or 3. Veep seems like a solid choice.

Should Win
Irene: The final season of Parks and Rec was easily one of its best. Can Leslie Knope already declare for the 2016 election?
Alicia: Pawnee forever -- Parks and Rec.
Doris: PARKS PLEASE.

Snubbed
Irene: Surprised The Comeback wasn’t nominated, especially given Lisa Kudrow’s very deserved nomination. I would have liked to see The Mindy Project and The Middle on here as well.
Alicia: Brooklyn Nine-Nine was on fire this year. And it would’ve been great to see Jane the Virgin break through for the CW.
Doris: Thank goodness, Big Bang Theory was rightfully snubbed. So I guess it’s not *technically* a snub, by definition?

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Kyle Chandler, "Bloodline"
Jeff Daniels, "The Newsroom"
Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
Bob Odenkirk, "Better Call Saul"
Liev Schreiber, "Ray Donovan"
Kevin Spacey, "House of Cards"

Will Win
Irene: I think Jeff Daniels is, oddly, the only previous winner on this list. I’m going to listen to my heart (which is never right) and predict Jon Hamm.
Alicia: I can see the headline now: “11-time Emmy loser Jon Hamm finally gets his win!”
Doris: Jeff Daniels. Did Steve Carell get the Emmy he deserved? NOPE.

Should Win
Irene: Jon Hamm. Jon Hamm. Jon Hamm. Jon Hamm. Jon Hamm. Jon Hamm. And, for seventh time for the seven seasons of Mad Men, Jon Hamm.
Alicia: Only seen 10 episodes of Mad Men and even I think Jon Hamm deserves it.
Doris: Only seen 0 episodes of Mad Men but I hear Jon Hamm deserves it. ;) (Hate me yet?)

Snubbed
Irene: I’m actually good with this list. Then again, I don’t watch as many dramas as I could.
Alicia: Non-middle aged non-white men.
Doris: Ohhhhh, what a burn, Alicia. #realtalk

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Claire Danes, "Homeland"
Viola Davis, "How to Get Away With Murder"
Taraji P. Henson, "Empire"
Tatiana Maslany, "Orphan Black"
Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men"
Robin Wright, "House of Cards"

Will Win
Irene: I wouldn’t be mad if any of these actresses won. Empire was extremely popular this year, but its lack of nominations in other categories doesn’t bode well for Taraji P. Henson. I’ll go with Robin Wright.
Alicia: You know, the fact that they nominated Tatiana Maslany this year gives me hope that the voters actually watched Orphan Black. This is a formidable category though -- 3 perennial nominees and 3 buzzy first-timers. I’ll stick with Maslany.
Doris: Although I hear Tatiana Maslany is amazing, I don’t see her winning, honestly, because of the whole sci-fi bias. I’m going to go with Robin Wright because you know the voters love older white women.

Should Win
Irene: Even though I am completely obsessed with Tatiana Maslany’s 5+ clones on Orphan Black (sometimes I forget I’m watching just one actress), I’ll have to go with this final chance to reward Elisabeth Moss for Mad Men.
Alicia: I mean, Tatiana Maslany.
Doris: Having never seen any of these shows (what’s wrong with me?!), I’ll say Viola Davis because she is generally awesome.

Snubbed
Irene: I hear Keri Russell is great on The Americans.
Alicia: I’ll always love Julianna Marguiles.
Doris: I’m surprised last year’s winner Julianna Marguiles wasn’t even nominated. Also, don’t the people love Kerry Washington? I don’t know.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson, "black-ish"
Louis C.K., "Louie"
Don Cheadle, "House of Lies"
Will Forte, "Last Man on Earth"
Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes"
William H. Macy, "Shameless"
Jeffrey Tambor, "Transparent"

Will Win
Irene: What a weird category. Maybe Louis C.K.?
Alicia: Yeah, these are wildly different shows. Um, Jeffrey Tambor?
Doris: JIM PARSONS FOR THE 546TH TIME! Nah, I’m just playin’. I’m going to go with Golden Globe winner Jeffrey Tambor.

Should Win
Irene: My legacy love of Will Forte on SNL carries over to this category.
Alicia: I like Louis C.K.’s standup.
Doris: Louis C.K. or Jeffrey Tambor.

Snubbed
Irene: I don’t know if Nick Offerman is technically Lead or Supporting, and I don’t really care. His relationship with Leslie was one of the most moving parts of a very moving final season of Parks and Rec. Also Adam Scott, for creating a character worthy of Leslie Knope. Chris Messina should definitely be here as well.
Alicia: Ooh, yeah, Chris Messina is so great. I’m baffled that Nick Offerman has never been nominated before -- Ron Swanson really became a classic TV character. And if any episode should have gotten him nominated this year, it was “Leslie and Ron.”
Doris: Agreed, regarding the three men listed above -- couldn’t have stated it better myself.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie"
Lisa Kudrow, "The Comeback"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep"
Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation"
Amy Schumer, "Inside Amy Schumer"
Lily Tomlin, "Grace and Frankie"

Will Win
Irene: I’d say this will be between JLD and Amy Poehler. I’m going to go with my (lying) heart and predict Amy Poehler.
Alicia: I desperately want Amy Poehler to win. But I think it’ll be Julia Louis-Dreyfus (again) or Amy Schumer. I’ll pick Amy Schumer.
Doris: Julia Louis-Dreyfus again. That’s life.

Should Win
Irene: AMY POEHLER DOESN’T HAVE AN EMMY. FOR ANYTHING. GET IT TOGETHER VOTERS.
Alicia: “7-time Emmy Loser Amy Poehler finally gets her win!”
Doris: Although Amy Schumer has had an amazing break-out year, Amy Poehler is and always will be my fave.

Snubbed
Irene: It says a lot of about the strength of this category that I wouldn’t knock anyone off this list, even though I have a huge list of actresses that deserve to be on here as much as anyone nominated. Constance Wu for Fresh off the Boat. Tracee Ellis Ross for Black-ish. Mindy Kaling for The Mindy Project. And, most egregiously, where is Ellie Kemper for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt?!
Alicia: ALL of the above, plus Gina Rodriguez for Jane the Virgin. Honestly, she could have won this category if the voters actually watched that show.
Doris: Agreed, Ellie Kemper was fantastic. The character Kimmy Schmidt could have turned into a really annoying Pollyanna caricature but Ellie made her real, grounded, and lovable.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Jonathan Banks, "Better Call Saul"
Ben Mendelsohn, "Bloodline"
Jim Carter, "Downton Abbey"
Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones"
Michael Kelly, "House of Cards"
Alan Cumming, "The Good Wife"

Will Win
Irene: Alan Cumming.
Alicia: Jonathan Banks
Doris: Peter Dinklage? Am I crazy?

Should Win
Irene: Peter Dinklage was, as always, great on GoT.
Alicia: We all love Peter Dinklage, right?
Doris: Yup, Alicia.

Snubbed
Irene: I feel odd highlighting Jordan Gavaris here, since his role on Orphan Black is mostly comedic. But he’s too funny not to be on some list.
Alicia: There must be so many, I just don’t watch dramas anymore. Jordan Gavaris was hilarious at Comic Con though, so I’ll mooch from Irene’s pick.
Doris: Pass.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Joanne Froggatt, "Downton Abbey"
Lena Headey, "Game of Thrones"
Emilia Clarke, "Game of Thrones"
Christina Hendricks, "Mad Men"
Uzo Aduba, "Orange Is the New Black"
Christine Baranski, "The Good Wife"

Will Win
Irene: I could reasonably see this being a big night for Mad Men, and Christina Hendricks could deservedly be swept up in it.
Alicia: Uzo Aduba
Doris: Christine Barnaski because The Good Wife just seems like the least relevant show. (Sorry, sorry. I’m not here to be nice.)

Should Win
Irene: Uzo Aduba. May I never refer to Suzanne as “Crazy Eyes” ever again.
Alicia: I’ve always loved Lena Headey’s portrayal of Cersei.
Doris: Uzo Aduba is always popping up in gifs on my Tumblr dash.

Snubbed
Irene: Any of the women from Orange is the New Black belong here, but where is Lorraine Toussaint for her terrifying work as Vee?
Alicia: No idea.
Doris: Yeah, from what I hear, OitNB seems to have a strong cast overall.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Andre Braugher, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
Adam Driver, "Girls"
Keegan-Michael Key, "Key & Peele"
Ty Burrell, "Modern Family"
Tituss Burgess, "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"
Tony Hale, "Veep"

Will Win
Irene: Andre Braugher. I feel very confident in this, but have no idea why.
Alicia: AH I hope Andre Braugher wins! He’s so brilliant and unexpected on B99.
Doris: Previous winner Tony Hale or Ty Burrell. I’m in a cynical mood.

Should Win
Irene: Tituss Burgess. I hope Roseanne Barr shows up at the Emmy’s for a duet of my new favorite song.
Alicia: Andre Braugher
Doris: Tituss as Titus!!! I mean, the man made up “Peeno Noir” [sic] on the spot.

Snubbed
Irene: Adam Pally of The Mindy Project.
Alicia: Chris Pratt for Parks and Rec, because I think the world could always use more Chris Pratt.
Doris: All the boys of Parks and Rec.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Niecy Nash, "Getting On"
Julie Bowen, "Modern Family"
Allison Janney, "Mom"
Kate McKinnon, "Saturday Night Live"
Mayim Bialik, "The Big Bang Theory"
Gaby Hoffmann, "Transparent"
Jane Krakowski, "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"
Anna Chlumsky, "Veep"

Will Win
Irene: Anna Chlumsky is hilarious on Veep, and the Emmy’s seem pretty kind to that show.
Alicia: Could Allison Janney be the new Jim Parsons?
Doris: When in doubt, I pick last year’s winner, which is Allison Janney.

Should Win
Irene: Kate McKinnon, for too many hilarious reasons.
Alicia: Hillary Clinton. No, Ellen DeGeneres. No, Justin Bieber. No, KATE MCKINNON.
Doris: Kate McKinnon is the greatest.

Snubbed
Irene: One day, I will read the Emmy rules to figure out how eight people could be nominated in one category. Still, I would have loved to see Eden Sher for The Middle.
Alicia: Melissa Fumero and Stephanie Beatriz for Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Doris: Although Kate McKinnon is the most obvious choice among the SNL women, Aidy Bryant and Vanessa Bayer are both quietly amazing.