Emmy Predictions: Awards for "Breaking Bad" "American Horror Story: Asylum" and "Behind the Candelabra"

 

"Breaking Bad"

My track record for correctly guessing the Emmy winners is not usually great, but for some reason I feel really comfortable with my picks this year. Whatever happens, I hope "American Horror Story: Asylum," "The Big Bang Theory," "Downton Abbey" and "Behind the Candelabra" win at least one award. I am particularly rooting for Jessica Lange, Vera Farmiga and Connie Britton to feel the Emmy love.

The Emmy Awards air tomorrow, September 22, at 8:00 ET on CBS,


COMEDY SERIES
“The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)
“Girls” (HBO)
“Louie” (FX)
“Modern Family” (ABC)
“30 Rock” (NBC)
“Veep” (HBO)

I suspect "Modern Family" will win again, but "The Big Bang Theory" deserves to win this award, too. Of course, the best comedy on television ("Archer") is not even nominated.

LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERES
Alec Baldwin (“30 Rock,” NBC)
Jason Bateman (“Arrested Development,” Netflix)
Don Cheadle (“House of Lies,” Showtime)
Louis C.K. (“Louie,” FX)
Matt LeBlanc (“Episodes,” Showtime)
Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory,” CBS)

Louis C.K. should win, but Jim Parsons can not be ruled out.

LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Laura Dern (“Enlightened,” HBO)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Veep,” HBO)
Lena Dunham (“Girls,” HBO)
Edie Falco (“Nurse Jackie,” Showtime)
Tina Fey (“30 Rock,” NBC)
Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation,” NBC)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus will win.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Ty Burrell (“Modern Family,” ABC)
Adam Driver (“Girls,” HBO)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (“Modern Family,” ABC)
Bill Hader (“Saturday Night Live,” NBC)
Tony Hale (“Veep,” HBO)
Ed O’Neill (“Modern Family,” ABC)

Expect a "Modern Family" victory, probably for Ty Burrell, but when will Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Ed O'Neill be recognized?

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Mayim Bialik (“The Big Bang Theory,” CBS)
Julie Bowen (“Modern Family,” ABC)
Anna Chlumski (“Veep,” HBO)
Jane Krakowski (“30 Rock,” NBC)
Jane Lynch (“Glee,” Fox)
Sophia Vergara (“Modern Family,” ABC)
Merritt Weaver (“Nurse Jackie,” Showtime)

I am rooting for Mayim Bialik, even though Julie Bowen will always be special to me for her role as Denise on "Boston Legal"...and she will win again this year.

DRAMA SERIES
“Breaking Bad” (AMC)
“Downton Abbey” (PBS)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Homeland” (ABC)
“House of Cards” (Netflix)
“Mad Men” (AMC)

A three way race between "Breaking Bad," "Homeland" and "House of Cards," with "Breaking Bad" coming out on top.

LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Hugh Bonneville (“Downton Abbey,” PBS)
Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad,” AMC)
Jeff Daniels (“The Newsroom,” HBO)
Jon Hamm (“Mad Men,” AMC)
Damian Lewis (“Homeland,” AMC)
Kevin Spacey (“House of Cards,” Netflix)

Fiercely competitive category that may end up in a tie. I suspect this is a three way race between Bryan Cranston, Damian Lewis and Kevin Spacey, with Spacey barely winning.

LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Connie Britton (“Nashville,” ABC)
Claire Dames (“Homeland,” Showtime)
Michelle Dockery (“Downton Abbey,” PBS)
Vera Farmiga (“Bates Motel,” A&E)
Elisabeth Moss (“Mad Men,” AMC)
Kerry Washington (“Scandal,” ABC)
Robin Wright (“House of Cards,” Netflix)

Claire Danes is tough to beat, but Vera Farmiga could upset. I still love you Connie Britton!

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jonathan Banks (“Breaking Bad,” AMC)
Bobby Cannavale (“Boardwalk Empire,” HBO)
Jim Carter (“Downton Abbey,” PBS)
Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones,” HBO)
Mandy Patinkin (“Homeland,” Showtime)
Aaron Paul (“Breaking Bad,” AMC)

I am going with Aaron Paul.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Morena Baccarin (“Homeland,” Showtime)
Christine Baranski (“The Good Wife,” CBS)
Emilia Clarke (“Game of Thrones,” HBO)
Anna Gunn (“Breaking Bad,” AMC)
Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men," AMC)
Maggie Smith (“Downton Abbey,” PBS)

Maggie Smith seems unbeatable, but she never shows up to collect her awards, so maybe someone else will sneak in for the victory.

Jessica Lange in "American Horror Story: Asylum"

TV MOVIE/MINISERIES
“American Horror Story: Asylum” (FX)
“Behind the Candelabra” (HBO)
“The Bible” (History)
“Phil Spector” (HBO)
“Political Animals” (USA)
“Top of the Lake” (Sundance)

Many worthy nominees, but are any of them strong enough to overcome "Behind the Candelabra?" "Top of the Lake" and "American Horror Story: Asylum" both have a chance.

LEAD ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE
Benedict Cumberbatch (“Parade’s End,” BBC)
Michael Douglas (“Behind the Candelabra,” HBO)
Matt Damon (“Behind the Candelabra,” HBO)
Tony Jones (“The Girl,” HBO)
Al Pacino (“Phil Spector, HBO)

Michael Douglas will win. No contest.

LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE
Jessica Lange (“American Horror Story: Asylum,” FX)
Laura Linney (“The Big C: Hereafter,” Showtime)
Helen Mirren (“Phil Spector,” HBO)
Elisabeth Moss (“Top of the Lake,” Sundance)
Sigourney Weaver (“Political Animals,” USA)

I want to see Jessica Lange win and she deserves to, but something tells me that Elizabeth Moss may upset. I am still going with Lange.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISEIES OR A MOVIE
James Cromwell ("American Horror Story: Asylum," FX)
Zachary Quinto ("American Horror Story: Asylum," FX)
Scott Bakula ("Behind The Candelabra," HBO)
John Benjamin Hickey ("The Big C: Hereafter," Showtime)
Peter Mullan ("Top Of The Lake," Sundance Channel)

"Behind the Candelabra" appears to have a lot support, but this award will go to someone from "American Horror Story: Asylum" - probably James Cromwell.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE
Sarah Paulson ("American Horror Story: Asylum," FX)
Imelda Staunton ("The Girl," HBO)
Ellen Burstyn ("Political Animals," USA)
Charlotte Rampling ("Restless," Sundance Channel)
Alfre Woodard ("Steel Magnolias," Lifetime)

This category is loaded with talent, but Sarah Paulson (aka Lana Banana) should win.

REALITY SHOW COMPETITION
“The Amazing Race” (CBS)
“Dancing With the Stars” (ABC)
“Project Runway” (Lifetime)
“So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox)
“The Voice” (NBC)
“Top Chef” (Bravo)

"The Amazing Race" always wins.

VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES
“The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central)
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central)
“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” (NBC)
“Real Time With Bill Maher” (HBO)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)

"The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" will win....again