Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

The nominees are...

Christine Baranski, The Good Wife "Alienation of Affection"


Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey "Episode 7"


Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad "Cornered"


Christina Hendricks, Mad Men "The Other Woman"


Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife "The Dream Team"


Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey "Episode 1"


Unfortunately, I think the two older ladies of the category are out of it. Baranski doesn't do much in her submission (taking charge of the firm during a case and flirting with a new guy, that's all) and she isn't helped by Panjabi's submission either. Meanwhile, I could see where Smith might just win based on name recognition, but she's lost Emmy battles before to actresses who might not have the same gravitas. Otherwise, you're looking at lots of icy glares and razor-sharp quips. We haven't seen a repeat winner here since Blythe Danner won two in a row for Huff, but I don't see Panjabi repeating. Mind you, she's pretty badass in her submission. She tells Alicia she's not gay, but flexible; when she finds out her ex-husband knows where she is, she gets a sledgehammer and goes to town on her bedroom wall and that final shot of her waiting for him to show up, it's very suspenseful. But her screentime is a bit limited and even though she completely steals the episode, it's probably not enough to steal another Emmy.

So we're left with Froggatt, Gunn and Hendricks. I think Gunn is probably in third place, but she is nowhere near out of the race. She has three big scenes in her submissions, but she makes the most out of each one and each has a wallop of impact that could impress voters. She confronts Walt in the first, comes to terms with possibly leaving her family behind in the next and finally, returns home, but under her own terms. It reminds me a bit of how Aaron Paul won with a submission that was good, but not as powerful as a his previous one. Even though Gunn wasn't nominated, season three had plenty of great stuff for her to pick from. Then there's Froggatt, who is easily the least-known actress of the bunch, which could mean that there's the surprise factor playing in her favor (it worked for Panjabi two years back). Her submission is great, she has an hour and a half of waiting to find out what will happen to her husband, now that he's on trial for murder. As a bonus, Smith's submission shows the beginning of the courtship, as well as more interactions with the rest of the downstairs staff (and upstairs family). Last but not least, there's Hendricks. Her submissions was the most talked about episode of the season (give or take the "Zou Bisou Bisou" performance). Spoilers ahead! Joan is coerced into having sex with a Jaguar executive to ensure a vote for the agency. She refuses, until Lane convinces her to ask for a partnership to go with the money. The moment that seals it as a terrific submission, is when Don arrives at her apartment to tell her not to go through with it...only for the audience to find out, he was too late.

This will be a real close one. Breaking Bad love could bring home another acting win, while Mad Men is looking to bring their first acting trophy. But if Downton Abbey is poised to potentially stop Mad Men from a history-making win, will it need an acting win to go with it? I might change my mind before the ceremony, but today I'm going with Christina Hendricks.

Projected Winner: Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
Spoilers: Joanne Froggat, Downton Abbey and Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

The nominees are...

Ty Burrell, Modern Family "Lifetime Supply"

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family "Leap Day"

Max Greenfield, New Girl "Control"

Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live "Katy Perry"

Ed O'Neill, Modern Family "Baby on Board"

Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family "Treehouse"


Let's work our way from the bottom to the top. Ed O'Neill is out of this. He has a very good scene with his granddaughter in his submission, but not much else. In the other MF episodes he really doesn't much at all but stand in the background. I'm wondering if O'Neill will be the Peter Boyle of the lineup, who can get consistently nominated, but not win. Stonestreet is probably not winning either. He won for the first season, in a hilarious television debut. Much of his work has felt like the same as before, and really, the scenes between him and Ferguson are now more Emmy-friendly for the latter. Bill Hader is also not a likely victor here as his submission, while longer than the rest, doesn't really showcase him as much as you would like him to be. His Stefon appearance on Weekend Update is not one of the more memorable ones and his brief Clint Eastwood impression isn't as strong as the Super Bowl ad one from a different episode.

That leaves us with the top three contenders. Ty Burrell could easily repeat here. Phil Dunphy is a character that I could easily see voters latch onto, like they did in the past with Ari Gold, Robert Barone, Nile Crane and Cosmo Kramer. Burrell is very good when he thinks he's dying, he tries to avoid the PMSing of his wife and daughters and building a treehouse. He's sorta just there in O'Neill's submission though. Max Greenfield was a breakout star from the past season and he wisely chose an episode that really showcases Schmidt in and out of his element. It's very good, but it might be too young-skewing for the Emmys. He's also not helped by New Girl missing out on a Comedy Series nomination. Which is why I think Jesse Tyler Ferguson will win. The arc of his character this season was a highpoint for the show, and I think the four tapes prove that. In addition to planning his partner's leap day birthday, he wins an award in another submission, bets Cameron can't get a woman's phone number and notably, gets emotional over not losing the chance to adopt another child. Plus, in the Emmys arc with this show, it's very West Wing of them to spread the love around the supporting actors of this Emmy-loved show.

Projected Winner: Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Spoiler: Max Greenfield, New Girl

Hit Me With Your Best Shot!

I always wanted to participate in this series (run by Nathaniel of TheFilmExperience) and now's my chance to no longer being a Best Shot virgin. I'll keep it brief, but the basics are to pick the best shot from a film. Today it's Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums

It's pretty simple for me. The opening credits from the film are what immediately sucks you into the story. Story? Well, Anderson has Alec Baldwin narrate and the first few shots of the film show a worn-out book with the name of the film getting checked out from the library (with the old school stamping and such). It's very literary, very Wes Anderson and in short, very me.

After each shot, we can see the image of the book getting closer and closer, until there it is.



Name of the movie (which is also the name of the family), with an invitation placed on a dish between two candle sticks. It reads "Cordially request the pleasure of your company at home Archer Avenue." Curiously, there's a white mouse with black spots. Anderson's pay off of why there is such a fascinating creature is lovely (but that'll come later).

And so the film begins and you hear Baldwin's voice telling us about this family as the instrumental version of "Hey Jude" is heard in the background. For me, I knew that was the moment I was ready for a wonderful movie.

Sidenote: In searching for the right shot, I stumbled on this photo and had to share it, because OMG HOW ADORABLE!

Oscar Contenders!

July is almost over and since not much from the first half of 2012 seems to be in major play for Oscars, I figured it's fine to just throw a list up here and see what sticks.

Best Picture/Director Contenders:
Amour (Love) (Michael Haneke)
Anna Karenina (Joe Wright)
Argo (Ben Affleck)
The Avengers (Joss Whedon)
Beast of the Southern Wild (Benh Zeitlin)
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (John Madden)
The Dark Knight Rises (Christopher Nolan)
Django Unchained (Quentin Tarantino)
The Great Gatsby (Baz Luhrmann)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Peter Jackson)
Hyde Park on Hudson (Roger Michell)
Imogene (Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini)
Inside Llewyn Davis (The Coen Brothers)
Killing Them Softly (Andrew Dominik)
Les Misérables (Tom Hooper)
Life of Pi (Ang Lee)
Lincoln (Steven Spielberg)
The Master (Paul Thomas Anderson)
Moonrise Kingdom (Wes Anderson)
Quartet (Dustin Hoffman)
The Sessions (Ben Lewin)
Silver Linings Playbook (David O. Russell)
Trouble with the Curve (Robert Lorenz)
Zero Dark Thirty (Kathryn Bigelow)

Best Lead Actor Contenders:
Ben Affleck, Argo
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Great Gatsby
Clint Eastwood, Trouble with the Curve
Jamie Foxx, Django Unchained
Martin Freeman, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
John Hawkes, The Sessions
Oscar Isaac, Inside Llewyn Davis
Hugh Jackman, Les Misérables 
Bill Murray, Hyde Park on Hudson
Joaquin Phoenix, The Master
Brad Pitt, Killing Them Softly
Suraj Sharma, Life of Pi
Jean-Louis Trintignant, Amour (Love)
 
Best Lead Actress Contenders:
Amy Adams, Trouble with the Curve
Marion Cotillard, Rust & Bone
Viola Davis, Won't Back Down
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Won't Back Down
Helen Hunt, The Sessions 
Keira Knightley, Anna Karenina
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Laura Linney, Hyde Park on Hudson
Carey Mulligan, The Great Gatsby
Emmanuelle Riva, Amour (Love)
Barbra Streisand, The Guilt Trip
Quvenzhané Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Kristen Wiig, Imogene
Michelle Williams, Take This Waltz

Best Supporting Actor Contenders:
Alan Arkin, Argo
Kyle Chandler, Argo
Kyle Chandler, Zero Dark Thirty 
Sacha Baron Cohen, Les Misérables 
Billy Connolly, Quartet
Tom Courtenay, Quartet
Bryan Cranston, Argo  
Russell Crowe, Les Misérables
Gérard Depardieu, Life of Pi
Robert DeNiro, Silver Linings Playbook
Leonardo DiCaprio, Django Unchained
Tate Donovan, Argo
Joel Edgerton, The Great Gatsby
Joel Edgerton, Zero Dark Thirty 
Michael Gambon, Quartet 
Victor Garber, Argo
James Gandolfini, Killing Them Softly 
Jared Gilman, Moonrise Kingdom 
John Goodman, Argo  
Woody Harrelson, Seven Psychopaths 
Jared Harris, Lincoln
Dwight Henry, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
Zeljko Ivanek, Argo  
Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln
Aaron Johnson, Anna Karenina
Irrfan Khan, Life of Pi
Jude Law, Anna Karenina
Ray Liotta, Killing Them Softly 
Matthew Macfayden, Anna Karenina
William H. Macy, The Sessions
Tobey Maguire, The Great Gatsby
Chris Messina, Argo  
Matthew McConaughey, Magic Mike
Ian McKellen, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Bill Murray, Moonrise Kingdom
Bill Nighy, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Edward Norton, Moonrise Kingdom  
Dev Patel, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 
Édgar Ramírez, Zero Dark Thirty
Eddie Redmayne, Les Misérables 
Andy Serkis, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
David Strathairn, Lincoln
Mark Strong, Zero Dark Thirty 
Justin Timberlake, Inside Llewyn Davis
Justin Timberlake, Trouble with the Curve
Aaron Tveit, Les Misérables 
Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained
Titus Welliver, Argo
Samuel West, Hyde Park on Hudson
Tom Wilkinson, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Bruce Willis, Moonrise Kingdom

Best Supporting Actress Contenders:
Amy Adams, The Master
Samantha Barks, Les Misérables 
Annette Bening, Imogene
Helena Bonham Carter, Les Misérables 
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty 
Pauline Collins, Quartet
Olivia Colman, Hyde Park on Hudson 
Judi Dench, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Laura Dern, The Master
Michelle Dockery, Anna Karenina
Clea DuVall, Argo
Sally Field, Lincoln 
Isla Fisher, The Great Gatsby 
Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables 
Kara Hayward, Moonrise Kingdom
Isabelle Huppert, Amour (Love)
Nicole Kidman, The Paperboy 
Kelly Macdonald, Anna Karenina
Frances McDormand, Moonrise Kingdom
Carey Mulligan, Inside Llewyn Davis 
Amanda Seyfried, Les Misérables 
Maggie Smith, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Maggie Smith, Quartet
Tilda Swinton, Moonrise Kingdom 
Tabu, Life of Pi
Kerry Washington, Django Unchained
Emily Watson, Anna Karenina
Jacki Weaver, Silver Linings Playbook
Olivia Williams, Anna Karenina
Olivia Williams, Hyde Park on Hudson
Penelope Wilton, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

So let's go with...

Best Picture:
Amour (Love) (Michael Haneke) 
Beast of the Southern Wild (Benh Zeitlin)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Peter Jackson 
Les Misérables (Tom Hooper)
Lincoln (Steven Spielberg)
The Master (Paul Thomas Anderson)
Moonrise Kingdom (Wes Anderson) 


Best Director:
Michael Haneke, Amour (Love)
Peter Jackson, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Steven Spielberg, Lincoln
Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master
Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom 

Best Lead Actor:
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
John Hawkes, The Sessions
Hugh Jackman, Les Misérables 
Joaquin Phoenix, The Master
Jean-Louis Trintignant, Amour (Love) 

Best Lead Actress:
Marion Cotillard, Rust & Bone
Helen Hunt, The Sessions 
Keira Knightley, Anna Karenina
Emmanuelle Riva, Amour (Love)
Quvenzhané Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild

Best Supporting Actor:
Bryan Cranston, Argo 
Dwight Henry, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
David Strathairn, Lincoln
Bruce Willis, Moonrise Kingdom 

Best Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams, The Master
Samantha Barks, Les Misérables
Annette Bening, Imogene
Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables
Olivia Williams, Hyde Park on Hudson

Why not?

Best Picture:
The Master (Paul Thomas Anderson) 


Best Director:
Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master 

Best Lead Actor:
Joaquin Phoenix, The Master 

Best Lead Actress:
Keira Knightley, Anna Karenina

Best Supporting Actor:
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, The Master

Best Supporting Actress:
Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables

Full Emmy Predictions

Drama Series:
1. Mad Men
2. Breaking Bad
3. Homeland
4. Game of Thrones
5. Downton Abbey
6. Boardwalk Empire
7. The Good Wife
8. Justified
9. Dexter
10. Smash

Comedy Series:
1. Modern Family
2. Parks and Recreation
3. The Big Bang Theory
4. 30 Rock
5. Curb Your Enthusiasm
6. New Girl
7. Louie
8. Girls
9. Glee
10. Community

Lead Actor-Drama:
1. Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
2. Jon Hamm, Mad Men
3. Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
4. Kelsey Grammer, Boss
5. Damian Lewis, Homeland
6. Dustin Hoffman, Luck
7. Hugh Laurie, House
8. Michael C. Hall, Dexter
9. Timothy Olyphant, Justified
10. Patrick J. Adams, Suits

Lead Actress-Drama:
1. Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
2. Claire Danes, Homeland
3. Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
4. Glenn Close, Damages
5. Jessica Paré, Mad Men
6. Kathy Bates, Harry's Law
7. Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
8. Elizabeth McGovern, Downton Abbey
9. Kerry Washington, Scandal
10. Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

Lead Actor-Comedy:
1. Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
2. Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
3. Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
4. Louis C.K., Louie
5. Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
6. Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory
7. Don Cheadle, House of Lies
8. Adam Scott, Parks and Recreation
9. Will Arnett, Up All Night
10. Joel McHale, Community

Lead Actress-Comedy:
1. Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
2. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
3. Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
4. Laura Dern, Enlightened
5. Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
6. Martha Plimpton, Raising Hope
7. Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly
8. Lena Dunham, Girls
9. Tina Fey, 30 Rock
10. Laura Linney, The Big C

Supporting Actor-Drama:
1. Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
2. Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
3. John Slattery, Mad Men
4. Giancarlo Esposito, Breaking Bad
5. Mandy Patinkin, Homeland
6. Vincent Kartheiser, Mad Men
7. Andre Braugher, Men of a Certain Age
8. Alan Cumming, The Good Wife
9. Josh Charles, The Good Wife
10. Michael Pitt, Boardwalk Empire

Supporting Actress-Drama:
1. Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
2. Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
3. Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
4. Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife
5. Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire
6. Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
7. Rose Byrne, Damages
8. Morena Baccarin, Homeland
9. Lena Headey, Game of Thrones
10. Kiernan Shipka, Mad Men

Supporting Actor-Comedy:
1. Ty Burrell, Modern Family
2. Ed O'Neill, Modern Family
3. Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
4. Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
5. Nick Offermann, Parks and Recreation
6. Max Greenfield, New Girl
7. Chris Colfer, Glee
8. Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
9. Nolan Gould, Modern Family
10. Jim Rash, Community

Supporting Actress-Comedy:
1. Julie Bowen, Modern Family
2. Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
3. Betty White, Hot in Cleveland
4. Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live
5. Cloris Leachman, Raising Hope
6. Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory7. Jane Lynch, Glee
8. Kathryn Joosten, Desperate Housewives
9. Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
10. Maya Rudolph, Up All Night
 

Guest Actor-Comedy:

1. Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live

2. Jon Hamm, 30 Rock

3. Will Arnett, 30 Rock

4. Bobby Cannavale, Nurse Jackie

5. Alan Alda, The Big C

6. David Cross, Modern Family

7. Barry Corbin, Modern Family

8. Matt Bomer, Glee

9. Hugh Dancy, The Big C

10. Paul Rudd, Parks and Recreation

Guest Actress-Comedy:

1. Melissa McCarthy, Saturday Night Live

2. Kathy Bates, Two and a Half Men

3. Ellen Barkin, Modern Family

4. Susan Sarandon, The Big C

5. Elizabeth Banks, 30 Rock

6. Maya Rudolph, Saturday Night Live

7. Blythe Danner, Up All Night

8. Patricia Clarkson, Parks and Recreation

9. Elaine Stritch, 30 Rock

10.  Megan Mullally, Happy Endings/Parks and Recreation/Up All Night 

 

Guest Actor-Drama:

1. Robert Morse, Mad Men

2. Michael J. Fox, The Good Wife

3. Matthew Perry, The Good Wife

4. Robert Wagner, NCIS

5. Mark Margolis, Breaking Bad

6. Fred Willard, The Closer

7. Chris Messina, Damages

8. Andre Braugher, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

9. Ed Asner, Hawaii Five-0

10.  Beau Bridges, White Collar

 

Guest Actress-Drama:

1. Louise Fletcher, Shameless

2. Anika Noni Rose, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

3. Jean Smart, Harry’s Law

4. Alexis Bledel, Mad Men

5. Carrie Preston, The Good Wife

6. Julia Ormond, Mad Men

7. Joan Cusack, Shameless

8. Martha Plimpton, The Good Wife

9. Chloe Sevigny, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

10. Loretta Devine, Grey’s Anatomy

Writing-Comedy:

1. Louie “Pregnant”

2. Girls “Pilot”

3. Modern Family “Leap Day”

4. Community “Basic Lupine Urology”

5. Modern Family “Aunt Mommy”

6. Parks and Recreation “The Debate”

7. New Girl “Pilot”

8. Modern Family “Little Bo Bleep”

9. Community “Remedial Chaos Theory”

10. Happy Endings “Cocktails and Dreams”

Writing-Drama:

1. Downton Abbey “Episode 7”

2. Mad Men “The Other Woman”

3. Game of Thrones “Blackwater”

4. Homeland “Pilot”

5. Breaking Bad “Crawl Space”

6. Mad Men “Mystery Date”

7. Homeland “The Weekend”

8. The Good Wife “Blue Ribbon Panel”

9. Mad Men “Commissions and Fees”

10. Breaking Bad “End Times”

Directing-Comedy:

1. 30 Rock “Live from Studio 6H”

2. Curb Your Enthusiasm “Larry vs Michael J. Fox”

3. Modern Family “Disneyland”

4. Curb Your Enthusiasm “Palestinian Chicken”

5. Modern Family “Leap Day”

6. Parks and Recreation “The Debate”

7. Mike & Molly “The Wedding”

8. Louie “Duckling”

9. New Girl “Pilot”

10. Girls “Hannah’s Diary”

Directing-Drama:

1. Game of Thrones “Blackwater”

2. Homeland “Pilot”

3. Luck “Pilot”

4. Mad Men “The Other Woman”

5. Breaking Bad “Face Off”

6. Downton Abbey “Episode 7”

7. Boardwalk Empire “To the Lost”

8. Mad Men “The Phantom”

9. Breaking Bad “Cornered”

10. Game of Thrones “Valar Morghulis”

Movie/Miniseries:
Game Change
Hatfields & McCoys
Hemingway & Gelhorn
The Hour
Page Eight
Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia
(7th: American Horror Story)

Lead Actor-M/M:
Kevin Costner, Hatfields & McCoys
Idris Elba, Luther
Woody Harrelson, Game Change
Bill Nighy, Page Eight
Clive Owen, Hemingway & Gelhorn
6th: Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia

Lead Actress-M/M:
Patricia Clarkson, Five
Nicole Kidman, Hemingway & Gelhorn
Julianne Moore, Game Change
Emily Watson, Appropriate Adult
Rachel Weisz, Page Eight
6th: Romola Garai, The Hour

Supporting Actor-M/M:
Powers Boothe, Hatfields & McCoys
Ralph Fiennes, Page Eight
Ed Harris, Game Change
Tony Shalhoub, Hemingway & Gelhorn
David Strathairn, Hemingway & Gelhorn
6th: Tom Berenger, Hatfields & McCoys

Supporting Actress-M/M:
Gillian Anderson, Great Expectations
Judy Davis, Page Eight
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Sarah Paulson, Game Change
Mare Winningham, Hatfields & McCoys
6th: Jena Malone, Hatfields & McCoys

Writing-M/M:
Danny Strong, Game Change
Jerry Stahl, Barbara Turner, Hemingway & Gelhorn
Abi Morgan, The Hour
David Hare, Page Eight
Steven Moffat, Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia
6th: Bill Kerby, Ted Mann, Ronald Parker, Hatfields & McCoys

Directing-M/M:
Ryan Murphy, American Horror Story
Jay Roach, Game Change
Kevin Reynolds, Hatfields & McCoys
Phillip Kaufman, Hemingway & Gelhorn
Paul McGuigan, Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia
6th: Brian Kirk, Great Expectations

Variety Series:

The Colbert Report

Conan

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Saturday Night Live

Variety Special:

Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park

Betty White’s 90^th Birthday: A Tribute to America’s Golden Girl

The Kennedy Center Honors

2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Tony Bennet: Duets II

 

Children’s Program:

Degrassi

A Fairly Odd Movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner

iCarly

Victorious

Wizards of Waverly Place

Children’s Nonfiction, Reality or Reality-Competition Program:

It Gets Better

Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: In Harm’s Way? Japan Through the Eyes of Its Kids

Sesame Street: Growing Hope Against Hunger

Nonfiction Special:

George Harrison: Living in the Material World

Gloria: In Her Own Words

God is the Bigger Elvis

The Love We Make

The Loving Story

Nonfiction Series:

American Masters

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations

Prohibition

Whale Wars

Women, War & Peace

Reality Program:

Being Chaz

Betty White’s Off Their Rockers

Deadliest Catch

Intervention

Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution

Reality-Competition Program:

The Amazing Race

American Idol

Dancing with the Star

So You Think You Can Dance

Top Chef

 

Writing-Variety Series:

The Colbert Report

Conan

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Portlandia

Writing-Variety Special:

84^th Annual Academy Awards

Film Independent Spirit Awards

The Kennedy Center Honors

Louis C.K. Live at the Beacon Theatre

65^th Annual Tony Awards

 

Directing-Variety Series:

The Colbert Report “Radiohead”

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart “Esperanza Spalding”

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon “President Obama”

Late Show with David Letterman “Christmas”

Saturday Night Live “Mick Jagger”

Directing-Variety Special:

Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park

Christmas in Washington

2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Super Bowel XLVI Halftime Show starring Madonna

65^th Annual Tony Awards

Host - Reality Program:
Tom Bergeron, Dancing with the Stars
Cat Deeley, So You Think You Can Dance
Phil Keoghan, The Amazing Race

Jeff Probst, Survivor
Betty White, Betty White's Off Their Rockers

  

Main Title Design:

Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1

Game Change

Great Expectations

Homeland

Luck

Art Direction (Multi-Camera):

Happily Divorced

How I Met Your Mother

30 Rock

Two and a Half Men

2 Broke Girls

Art Direction (Single-Camera):

Boardwalk Empire

Downton Abbey

Game of Thrones

Luck

Mad Men

Art Direction-M/M:

Great Expectations

Hatfields & McCoys

Hemingway & Gelhorn

Titanic

Treasure Island

Casting-Comedy:

Modern Family

New Girl

Parks and Recreation

30 Rock

Veep

Casting-Drama Series:

Downton Abbey

Game of Thrones

The Good Wife

Homeland

Mad Men

Casting-M/M:

American Horror Story

Five

Game Change

Hatfields & McCoys

Hemingway & Gelhorn

Cinematography (Multi-Camera):

The Big Bang Theory

How I Met Your Mother

30 Rock

Two and a Half Men

2 Broke Girls

Cinematography (Single-Camera):

Breaking Bad

Game of Thrones “Blackwater”

Homeland “Pilot”

Luck “Pilot”

Mad Men

Cinematography-M/M:

American Horror Story “Part 1”

Game Change

Great Expectations

Hatfields & McCoys

Hemingway & Gelhorn

Costumes-Series:

Boardwalk Empire

The Borgias

Downton Abbey

Game of Thrones

Mad Men

Costumes-M/M:

Great Expectations

Hatfields & McCoys

Hemingway & Gelhorn

Titanic

Treasure Island

Single-Camera Editing (Drama):

Breaking Bad “Face Off”

Downton Abbey

Game of Thrones “Blackwater”

Homeland “Pilot”

Mad Men “Mystery Date”

Single-Camera Editing (Comedy):

Community

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Louie

Modern Family “Leap Day”

Parks and Recreation

Multi-Camera Editing (Comedy):

The Big Bang Theory

Hot in Cleveland

How I Met Your Mother

Two and a Half Men

2 Broke Girls

Editing-M/M:

Game Change

Hatfields & McCoys

Hemingway & Gelhorn

Page Eight

Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia

Hairstyling (Single-Camera):

Boardwalk Empire

Downton Abbey

Game of Thrones

Mad Men

Smash

Hairstyling (Multi-Camera):

Happily Divorced

How I Met Your Mother

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Saturday Night Live

30 Rock

Hairstyling-M/M:

American Horror Story

Game Change

Great Expectations

Hatfields & McCoys

Hemingway & Gelhorn

Makeup (Single-Camera, Non-Prosthetic):

Boardwalk Empire

The Borgias

Game of Thrones

Mad Men

Smash

Makeup (Multi-Camera, Non-Prosthetic):

84^th Annual Academy Awards

Conan

How I Met Your Mother

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Saturday Night Live

Makeup-M/M (Non-Prosthetic):

American Horror Story

Game Change

Harfields & McCoys

Hemingway & Gelhorn

Treasure Island

Prosthetic Makeup:

American Horror Story

Boardwalk Empire

Game of Thrones

Mad Men

Teen Wolf

 

Stunt Coordination:

Game of Thrones

Hatfields & McCoys

Homeland

Southland

Spartacus: Vengeance

Technical Direction-Series:

The Colbert Report

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Saturday Night Live

30 Rock

Sound Editing-Series:

Breaking Bad

Game of Thrones

Homeland

Smash

Supernatural

Sound Editing-M/M:

American Horror Story

Game Change

Hatfields & McCoys

Hemingway & Gelhorn

Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia

Sound Mixing-One Hour:

Boardwalk Empire

Breaking Bad

Downton Abbey

Game of Thrones

Homeland

Sound Mixing-M/M:

Game Change

Hatfields & McCoys

Hemingway & Gelhorn

Page Eight

Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia

Sound Mixing-Half Hour:

The Big Bang Theory

Community

Modern Family

New Girl

30 Rock

Animated Program:

Archer

Bob’s Burgers

Futurama

Mike Judge’s Beavis and Butt-Head

The Simpsons

 

Short-Format Animated Program:

Adventure Time

Disney Phineas and Ferb

Disney Prep & Landing: The North Pole Webisodes

Regular Show

Robot Chicken

Lighting Design/Direction-Variety Series:

The Colbert Report

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Jimmy Kimmel Live

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Saturday Night Live

Lighting Design/Direction-Variety Special:

84^th Annual Academy Awards

Christmas in Washington

The Kennedy Center Honors

2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

65^th Annual Tony Awards

Special Class Programs:

84^th Annual Academy Awards

The 54^th Annual Grammy Awards

Let Me Down Easy

Louis C.K.: Live at the Beacon Theatre

65^th Annual Tony Awards

Special Class Short-Format Live Action:

Battleground

Childrens Hospital

The Daily Show Correspondents Explain

Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show Starring Madonna

Web Therapy

Special Class Short-format Nonfiction:

DGA Moments In Time

Remnants of 9/11: Karyn’s Wings

30 Rock: Ask Tina

Choreography:
Dancing with the Stars
Smash
So You Think You Can Dance
So You Think You Can Dance
So You Think You Can Dance

Commercial: 
The Bark Side - Volkswagen
He Loves Me - McDonald's
It's Halftime in America - Chrysler Brand
Love Story - Google+
OK Go - Chevy Sonic  

Music Composition - Series:
Downton Abbey
Family Guy
Homeland
Luck
The Simpsons

Music Composition - TV Movie, Miniseries or Special:
Appropriate Adult
Game Change
Hatfields & McCoys
Hemingway & Gellhorn
Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia

Music Direction:
The 84th Annual Academy Awards 
Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park
The Kennedy Center Honors
Red, White and Blues (In Performance at the White House)
The 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Music & Lyrics - Original:
Saturday Night Live
The Simpsons
Smash
Smash
65th Annual Tony Awards
  
Special Visual Effects - Series:
Alphas
Falling Skies
Game of Thrones
Once Upon a Time 
Terra Nova

Special Visual Effects - TV Movie, Miniseries or Special:
American Horror Story
Hatfields & McCoys
Hemingway & Gellhorn
Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia

Emmy Thoughts #1...Supporting Actor-Drama

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama seems to be a tough race, mostly because we could see big shakeups in the category. Looking at the actual ballot, I've whittled down the list to the following contenders.


Looking Good:

Peter Dinkalge, Game of Thrones

Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad

John Slattery, Mad Men

Dinklage and Paul are the two previous winners in this category and both are riding high on terrific seasons of their shows. The argument could have been made for both to be in the lead categories, but for now, they are probably the closest ones to be locked in the category. Then you have Slattery, who did more this season than he has since season one. I don't see him getting booted any time soon.

Duking It Out:

Josh Charles, The Good Wife

Alan Cumming, The Good Wife

Giancarlo Esposito, Breaking Bad

Vincent Kartheiser, Mad Men

Mandy Patinkin, Homeland

Michael Pitt, Boardwalk Empire

Then you have six guys trying to get into the last three spots. Charles and Cumming were a bit sidelined this season (Margulies really carried the third season, with help from the guests), so both could easily be dropped. Esposito really had a buzzed season, especially with the last few episodes focusing on his past and the outcome of his war with Walt. Kartheiser was given outstanding material, and the love for the show grows each year. Patinkin is a past winner with a new show that might give the veteran shows a run for their money. Finally, there's Pitt who will be depending a lot on how well his show does overall, and if voters care to give it more acting nominations.


Spoilers:

Andre Braugher, Men of a Certain Age

Walton Goggins, Justified

John Goodman, Damages

Neal McDonough, Justified

Nick Nolte, Luck

Braugher is Emmy catnip, but the show was cancelled a whole year ago and they only are eligible on a technicality. Goggins got in last year, but the buzz seems to have moved to McDonough, a dependable character actor, who should have won this category for 2002's Boomtown. Another Emmy favorite is Goodman, although I have a feeling his show is not going to do as well this year. Lastly, Nolte received an Oscar nod this year, which could put him into the race for HBO's one season show.

Longshots:

Dylan Baker, Damages

Johnathan Banks, Breaking Bad

Jim Carter, Downton Abbey

Brendan Coyle, Downton Abbey

Jared Harris, Mad Men

Jack Huston, Boardwalk Empire

Chris Noth, The Good Wife

Baker really chewed it up, but Goodman will be the likelier of the two. Banks getting in would mean the show is winning Drama Series, ditto if either Carter or Coyle get in (although I would bet on the ladies before the men). Harris would be deserving, although not at the expense of either Slattery or Kartheiser and Huston really elevated the show whenever he was on screen (and it would be a hoot to see him get in along with another longshot, his aunt Anjelica). It's pretty clear the Emmys hate Mr. Big/Det. Logan/Peter Florrick, so it's probably never going to happen for Noth.

Final Predictions:

Peter Dinkalge, Game of Thrones

Giancarlo Esposito, Breaking Bad

Vincent Kartheiser, Mad Men

Mandy Patinkin, Homeland

Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad

John Slattery, Mad Men

Early Prediction for the Win:

This category hasn't seen a repeat winner since Ray Walston won for Picket Fences in 1995 and 1996. I don't see that changing, so I think it could be Esposito or Kartheiser...provided they actually get the nomination.