Hot Emmy Takes – Comedy Lead Actor/Actress

With the Emmy nominations now released, I figured I’d pipe in my two cents and handicap the field, two categories at a time. These are based on who I think the Academy will choose, not who I’d pick. I’ll get to my choices later.

The wrap up of the major acting nominations:

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Alec Baldwin
(Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock)
A two-time winner for this part, will the Academy give him one more going away?
Odds: 2/1

Jason Bateman
(Michael Bluth on Arrested Development)
The only major nomination for AD’s long awaited fourth season. I loved it. It probably should’ve gotten more recognition, but may still be ahead of its time.
Odds: 30/1

Louis C.K.
(Himself on Louie)
Louie isn’t the kind of show the Academy goes for, but one can NEVER count Louis out.
Odds: 20/1

Don Cheadle
(Marty Kaan on House of Lies)
This, on the other hand, is EXACTLY the kind of show the Academy loves to give awards to.
Odds: 10/1

Matt LeBlanc
(Himself on Episodes)
The ballot was a bit light on entries this year. Only 47 names, compared to the nearly 160 for comedy supporting actor.
Odds 30/1

Jim Parsons
(Dr. Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory)
A two-time winner couldn’t make it three-in-a-row last year, but could find himself the winner by default.
Odds: 5/4

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Laura Dern
(Amy Jellicoe on Enlightened)
I have nothing to say for or against Laura Dern, since I don’t watch Enlightened. But I do want to briefly mention how puzzling it is that New Girl didn’t receive ANY nominations in the major categories. It got a bunch last year and was much improved in season two. Baffling.
Odds: 25/1

Lena Dunham
(Hannah Horvath on Girls)
I wish there was a corner of the internet where no one is allowed to talk about Lena Dunham and/or Girls. That must be what heaven is like, right?
Odds: 3/2

Edie Falco
(Jackie Peyton on Nurse Jackie)
I really hope Childrens Hospital wins for best short form fiction program again.
Odds: 20/1

Tina Fey
(Liz Lemon on 30 Rock)
Who’s up for one last Lemon party?
Odds: 7/1

Julia Louis-Dreyfus
(Selina Meyer on Veep)
She’s won three Emmys, but has not one for the same character twice. Is this the year that changes?
Odds: 2/1

Amy Poehler
(Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation)
The sad truth: Chance of her getting a nomination: 98%. Chance of her winning: 2%.
Odds: 50/1

Hot Emmy Takes – Drama Lead Actor/Actress

With the Emmy nominations now released, I figured I’d pipe in my two cents and handicap the field, two categories at a time. These are based on who I think the Academy will choose, not who I’d pick. I’ll get to my choices later.

Up next:

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Hugh Bonneville
(Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham on Downton Abbey)
And thus the streak of consecutive Michael C. Hall nominations without a win ends at five years in a row (six total).
Odds: 25/1

Bryan Cranston
(Walter White on Breaking Bad)
His performance on an outstanding half season of Breaking Bad should be enough to best Damian Lewis and a shaky full sophomore season of Homeland. But will the Academy see it the same way?
Odds: 1/1

Jeff Daniels
(Will McAvoy on The Newsroom)
Looks like he edged out Steve Buscemi for the last nomination, which is disappointing.
Odds 20/1

Jon Hamm
(Don Draper on Mad Men)
If he couldn’t win it the year Cranston wasn’t available, AND had “The Suitcase” as his submission episode, he’s never going to win.
Odds: 15/1

Damian Lewis
(Nicholas Brody on Homeland)
It’s not HIS fault the writing went a bit bonkers this season. With “Q&A” being his likely submission episode, there’s a good chance he repeats here.
Odds: 2/3

Kevin Spacey
(Frank Underwood on House of Cards)
The Academy sure does love giving teevee awards to famous movie stars.
Odds: 5/1

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Connie Britton
(Rayna Jaymes on Nashville)
I have nothing to say for or against Connie Britton, so I’ll say this: Knowing how the Academy usually votes, I knew Tatiana Maslany had less than a 0% chance to score a nomination, but that doesn’t make it any less of a travesty to see her left out. The fact that she couldn’t even make a ballot of SEVEN nominees is just an extra slap in the face. For shame.
Odds: 40/1

Claire Danes
(Carrie Mathison on Homeland)
I don’t see a way where she doesn’t repeat.
Odds: 1/10

Michelle Dockery
(Lady Mary Crawley on Downton Abbey)
What else to bitch about? Oh, I know Shameless is too “low class” for the Emmys, but one of these years I’d love to see Emmy Rossum get some recognition for her fine work.
Odds: 25/1

Vera Farmiga
(Norma Louise Bates on Bates Motel)
I couldn’t get into this show, but it wasn’t because of Farmiga’s performance.
Odds: 20/1

Elisabeth Moss
(Peggy Olson on Mad Men)
If Mad Men gets shutout in the acting categories again this year, they will be a combined 0-for-28.
Odds: 20/1

Kerry Washington
(Olivia Pope on Scandal)
I have been told I need to watch this by numerous people because of how crazytown bananapants it has gotten. Maybe I’ll try to catch up before next season begins.
Odds: 25/1

Robin Wright
(Claire Underwood on House of Cards)
Oh, I get it. Tatiana Maslany wasn’t nominated because she’s also playing the part of Robin Wright.
Odds: 30/1

Hot Emmy Takes – Comedy Supporting Actor/Actress

With the Emmy nominations now released, I figured I’d pipe in my two cents and handicap the field, two categories at a time. These are based on who I think the Academy will choose, not who I’d pick. I’ll get to my choices later.

Up next:

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy

Ty Burrell
(Phil Dunphy on Modern Family)
I’d argue he’s the ONLY Modern Family actor that deserves the nomination.
Odds: 1/3

Adam Driver
(Adam Sackler on Girls)
So they’ll nominate some Girls person but not Ron Swanson? POPPYCOCK!
Odds: 40/1

Jesse Tyler Ferguson
(Mitchell Pritchett on Modern Family)
No Eric Stonestreet this year. Right call, but definitely a shocker.
Odds: 2/1

Bill Hader
(Various Characters on Saturday Night Live)
Do you think we can convince Stefon to accept the award for him?
Odds: 33/1

Tony Hale
(Gary Walsh on Veep)
Easily the most deserving candidate of this group. His f-bomb dropping and performance in Veep’s series finale this year was incredible.
Odds: 12/1

Ed O’Neill
(Jay Pritchett on Modern Family)
Fun Fact: In the last four years, 14 out of the possible 24 nominations in this category (58%)  have gone to Modern Family actors.
Odds: 3/1

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy

Mayim Bialik
(Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler on The Big Bang Theory)
I would have quite a different list of nominees if I was making these choices.
Odds: 30/1

Julie Bowen
(Claire Dunphy on Modern Family)
Can she make it three in a row?
Odds: 1/1

Anna Chlumsky
(Amy Brookheimer on Veep)
Not as strong a season as Tony Hale, but I’m pretty happy to see Veep get the recognition. More people should be watching it.
Odds: 40/1

Jane Krakowski
(Jenna Maroney on 30 Rock)
I’m really hoping she wins this as a parting gift for 30 Rock. Here pronunciation of “camera” is Emmy-worth itself. I’ll never forget you, Rural Juror.
Odds: 8/1

Jane Lynch
(Sue Sylvester on Glee)
Remember when she bailed on Party Down for Glee? Probably not, since no one saw its original run.
Odds: 20/1

Sofía Vergara
(Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on Modern Family)
Getting your picture taken in various bikinis during Emmy nomination time is a fantastic way to raise your profile. Is this the year she tops Julie Bowen?
Odds: 2/1

Merritt Wever
(Zoey Barkow on Nurse Jackie)
Seven nominees and no room this? That’s a travesty.

Odds: 50/1

Hot Emmy Takes – Drama Supporting Actor/Actress

With the Emmy nominations now released, I figured I’d pipe in my two cents and handicap the field, two categories at a time. These are based on who I think the Academy will choose, not who I’d pick. I’ll get to my choices later.

Up first:

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama

Jonathan Banks
(Mike Ehrmantraut on Breaking Bad)
A well deserved nomination in the spot that went to Giancarlo Esposito last year.
Odds: 20/1

Bobby Cannavale
(Gyp Rosetti on Boardwalk Empire)
Just outside my personal top 6, but as the season’s big bad, not a choice I’ll argue with.
Odds: 25/1

Jim Carter
(Charles Carson on Downton Abbey)
I dunno, is he any good? I don’t watch Downton Abbey.
Odds: 30/1

Peter Dinklage
(Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones)
Not as much to do this season for America’s favorite imp, but he turned in a strong performance when given the screen time.
Odds: 5/1

Aaron Paul
(Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad)
Yeah!! Nominations, bitch!!
Odds: 2/5

Mandy Patinkin
(Saul Berenson on Homeland)
After shockingly not getting a nomination last year, “The Bear’s” ability to hold this season in line as it started to head off the rails was justly rewarded.
Odds: 3/1

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama

Christine Baranski
(Diane Lockhart on The Good Wife)
She is 0-for-3 in this category so far.
Odds: 30/1

Morena Baccarin
(Jessica Brody on Homeland)
She deserved the nomination last year. This year? Not so much.
Odds: 10/1

Emilia Clarke
(Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones)
I had figured the Game of Thrones love would solely be Peter Dinklage’s nomination, so this was a surprise. A good, deserving surprise.
Odds: 20/1

Anna Gunn
(Skyler White on Breaking Bad)
I have to imagine they’ll give her one of these before Breaking Bad goes off the air.
Odds: 3/1

Christina Hendricks
(Joan Harris on Mad Men)
If she was going to win this, she would’ve by now.
Odds: 25/1

Maggie Smith
(Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham on Downton Abbey)
The word dowager never fails to make me think of the “Homie the Clown” episode of The Simpsons.
Odds: 3/2