Here we are again. The Emmy nominations are out for the year. I’m going to give you my initial opinions, mostly going over what I feel are snubs and whatnot, followed by my predictions.
The Snubs and the Big Deal Nominees
First off I have Winona Ryder for Stranger Things. The academy nominated Millie Bobby Brown and that’s great for her career, but Winona Ryder earned a Golden Globe nomination and deserved one here. Ryder will have another chance next season, but given her character’s emotional journey in the first season, I don’t see her topping that performance.
Going down the list, I see that Jonathan Banks snagged a nomination for Better Call Saul, but Michael McKean did not. This is a huge mistake on the part of the academy. McKean has always been one of the show’s best actors, but his courtroom faceoff with Odenkirk’s Jimmy midway through the season was his most Emmy-worthy performance. I am thrilled to see Jeffrey Wright nominated, at least.
The Handmaid’s Tale is huge for Hulu, as it’s been lagging behind Netflix and Amazon for a while now. And the fact that the academy isn’t afraid to mix fantasy and science fiction with traditional dramas just shows how with the times it is. Game of Thrones is not eligible this year, as it’s airing later than usual, but Westworld has largely taken up its mantle. This is actually a very good thing for the Emmys, as it injects fresh blood into the whole affair. The upcoming season of Game of Thrones will have its chance next year.
A few shows that didn’t garner nominations are Legion, Riverdale, and 13 Reasons Why, which might strike some of you as odd. Even though the academy is cool with sci-fi, Legion might have been too weird for them. And Riverdale is still technically a comic book show and on The CW, a channel the academy still seems to have a bias against. If anything would earn a nomination, it would be Jane the Virgin and/or Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Lastly, the controversy surrounding 13 Reasons Why likely hurt it too much.
I have plenty else I can say, but I will leave that for the big night. Let’s get on with my predictions.
The Predictions
Here’s the part where I embarrass my self. That’s not entirely true; I usually do alright. Still, I never get anywhere near to perfect when it comes to predictions. With that in mind, here we go!
Outstanding Drama Series
Better Call Saul (AMC)
The Crown (Netflix)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
House of Cards (Netflix)
Stranger Things (Netflix)
This Is Us (NBC)
Westworld (HBO)
My money is on either Westworld, which would solidify it as the new Game of Thrones, or The Handmaid’s Tale. The Handmaid’s Tale might have a slight edge because of the current political climate.
Outstanding Comedy Series
Atlanta (FX)
black-ish (ABC)
Master of None (Netflix)
Modern Family (ABC)
Silicon Valley (HBO)
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
Veep (HBO)
Again, the current political climate could help another show, in this case Master of None. But, in the end, Atlanta will snag the Emmy and add it to its award collection. We’re in the age of Donald Glover, auteur.
Outstanding Limited Series
Big Little Lies (HBO)
Fargo (FX)
Feud: Bette and Joan (FX)
Genius (National Geographic)
The Night Of (HBO)
This category is going to be an all-out war. The Night Of was a huge hit and you shouldn’t be surprised if it wins, but it suffers from being an early lock-in. I’ve only watched Fargo and that, but something tells me Big Little Lies will come away with the Emmy, if The Night Of doesn’t.
Outstanding Television Movie
Black Mirror: San Junipero (Netflix)
Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love (NBC)
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (HBO)
Sherlock: The Lying Detective (PBS)
The Wizard of Lies (HBO)
It’ll be The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Don’t bet against Oprah. Just don’t.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder (ABC)
Claire Foy, The Crown (Netflix)
Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Keri Russell, The Americans (FX)
Evan Rachel Wood, Westworld (HBO)
Robin Wright, House of Cards (Netflix)
The Crown was the surprise hit for the Golden Globes for a lot of us, so Claire Foy definitely has a shot. On the hand, Elisabeth Moss has the momentum. Despite all that, I’m going with Evan Rachel Wood.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us (NBC)
Anthony Hopkins, Westworld (HBO)
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul (AMC)
Matthew Rhys, The Americans (AMC)
Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan (Showtime)
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards (Netflix)
Milo Ventimiglia, This Is Us (NBC)
This could finally be Bob Odenkirk’s year. He’s certainly deserving. If not, Sterling K. Brown will add to his Emmy count with a win here.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Pamela Adlon, Better Things (FX)
Jane Fonda, Grace and Frankie (Netflix)
Allison Janney, Mom (CBS)
Ellie Kemper, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep (HBO)
Tracee Ellis Ross, black-ish (ABC)
Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie (Netflix)
Tracee Ellis Ross stunned me last time I counted her out, so I won’t make the same mistake twice. She’s a definite contender. You also can’t count out past winners Allison Janney or Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson, black-ish (ABC)
Aziz Ansari, Master of None (Netflix)
Zach Galifianakis, Baskets (FX)
Donald Glover, Atlanta (FX)
William H. Macy, Shameless (Showtime)
Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent (Amazon)
I’m all in with Donald Glover. However, Jeffrey Tambor is always in the running.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Carrie Coon, Fargo (FX)
Felicity Huffman, American Crime (ABC)
Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies (HBO)
Jessica Lange, Feud: Bette and Joan (FX)
Susan Sarandon, Feud: Bette and Joan (FX)
Reese Witherspoon, Big Little Lies (HBO)
I enjoyed Carrie Coon’s performance in Fargo quite a bit, even if it is a tiny bit too similar to Frances McDormand’s Oscar-winning performance in the original Fargo film. My gut tells me, however, that Jessica Lange or Susan Sarandon will win.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Riz Ahmed, The Night Of (HBO)
Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock: The Lying Detective (PBS)
Robert De Niro, The Wizard of Lies (HBO)
Ewan McGregor, Fargo (FX)
Geoffrey Rush, Genius (National Geographic)
John Turturro, The Night Of (HBO)
Ugh, this is another tough category. These are all great actors. I really can’t decide. On a wild guess, I might take Geoffrey Rush. Personally, I want McGregor to win, since he acted in a dual role.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Uzo Aduba, Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)
Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things (Netflix)
Ann Dowd, The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Chrissy Metz, This Is Us (NBC)
Thandie Newton, Westworld (HBO)
Samira Wiley, The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Millie Bobby Brown winning would be great, but child stars rarely win in the off chance that one snags a nomination. I’m going with Thandie Newton.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul (AMC)
David Harbour, Stranger Things (Netflx)
Ron Cephas Jones, This Is Us (NBC)
Michael Kelley, House of Cards (Netflix)
John Lithgow, The Crown (Netflix)
Mandy Patinkin, Homeland (Showtime)
Jeffrey Wright, Westworld (HBO)
I’ve already gone over how Michael McKean not being in this category is a mistake. I’m going with John Lithgow as Winston Churchill, though I’m rooting for David Harbour.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Vanessa Bayer, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Anna Chlumsky, Veep (HBO)
Kathryn Hahn, Transparent (Amazon)
Leslie Jones, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Judith Light, Transparent (Amazon)
Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
I totally see Kate McKinnon winning, but for this time for roles like Kellyanne Conway, instead of Hillary Clinton.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Louie Anderson, Baskets (FX)
Alec Baldwin, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
Ty Burrell, Modern Family (ABC)
Tony Hale, Veep (HBO)
Matt Walsh, Veep (HBO)
Alec Baldwin wins for playing President Trump, end of story.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie
Judy Davis, Feud: Betty and Joan (FX)
Laura Dern, Big Little Lies (HBO)
Jackie Hoffman, Feud: Bette and Joan (FX)
Regina King, American Crime (ABC)
Michelle Pfeiffer, The Wizard of Lies (HBO)
Shailene Woodley, Big Little Lies (HBO)
Could Regina King win three times in a row? Maybe. I also see Shailene Woodley winning, which would make up for The Divergent Series.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie
Bill Camp, The Night Of (HBO)
Alfred Molina, Feud: Bette and Joan (FX)
Alexander Skarsgärd, Big Little Lies (HBO)
David Thewlis, Fargo (FX)
Stanley Tucci, Feud: Bette and Joan (FX)
Michael Kenneth Williams, The Night Of (HBO)
David Thewlis was incredibly menacing in Fargo. He’s my pick and I hope he wins.
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Alexis Bledel, The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Laverne Cox, Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)
Ann Dowd, The Leftovers (HBO)
Shannon Purser, Stranger Things (Netflix)
Cicely Tyson, How to Get Away With Murder (ABC)
Alison Wright, The Americans (FX)
Can you imagine Shannon Purser winning an award for playing poor Barb? That would be hilarious. This category is a toss up.
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Ben Mendelsohn, Bloodline (Netflix)
BD Wong, Mr. Robot (USA)
Hank Azaria, Ray Donovan (Showtime)
Denis O’Hare, This Is Us (NBC)
Brian Tyree Henry, This Is Us (NBC)
Gerald McRaney, This Is Us (NBC)
I don’t know enough about these shows. I’m going with Ben Mendelsohn.
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Becky Ann Baker, Girls (HBO) Angela Bassett, Master of None (Netflix)
Carrie Fisher, Catastrophe (Amazon)
Melissa McCarthy, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Wanda Sykes, black-ish (ABC)
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Oh, man. Carrie Fisher is in this category. It will be hard to go against her, though I think Melissa McCarthy is in the front of the pack.
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Riz Ahmed, Girls (HBO)
Dave Chappelle, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Tom Hanks, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Hugh Laurie, Veep (HBO)
Matthew Rhys, Girls (HBO)
Oh, Tom Hanks, you show up everywhere. I don’t know who’s going to win.
Outstanding Variety/Talk Series
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TBS)
Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC)
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
The Late Late Show with James Corden (CBS)
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)
Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)
Trump’s inauguration saved Stephen Colbert from an inevitable replacement by James Corden. It should be neck-and-neck between him and Jon Oliver. I’m not surprised Bill Maher is on here, but he was in some hot water recently, so there’s that.
Outstanding Variety Sketch Series
Billy on the Street (truTV)
Documentary Now! (IFC)
Drunk History (Comedy Central)
Portlandia (IFC)
Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Tracey Ullman’s Shows (HBO)
Saturday Night Live should win this, but it would be funny if Drunk History did.
There are a few other categories I could go over, but I’m going to stop here at Variety Sketch Show. I don’t really care about the others too much. Sorry.
