Emmy Predictions 2011

The 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards will be given out this weekend. Here are my takes on the big races with who I think will win and who should win.

Outstanding Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory
Glee
Modern Family
The Office
Parks And Recreation
30 Rock

I think “Modern Family” takes the prize home again this year. While the 2nd season wasn’t as strong as the first it was still a very funny show. Add in the fact that it has emotional moments and this becomes candy to Emmy voters. If I were voting it would go to “Parks and Recreation”, the funniest show on TV.

Outstanding Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire
Dexter
Friday Night Lights
Game Of Thrones
The Good Wife
Mad Men

This is a tough category to call, my gut tells me that “Mad Men” will win again, which I think it deserves to. However, with it not airing this summer I worry that some may have forgotten how good it is. I think “Game of Thrones” and “Boardwalk Empire” may split some votes and end up giving “The Good Wife” a surprise victory.

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory
Johnny Galecki as Leonard Hofstadter, The Big Bang Theory
Matt LeBlanc as Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Louis C.K. as Louie, Louie
Steve Carell as Michael Scott, The Office
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock

Honestly, this is a pretty sorry looking group. Due to this being his last year I would imagine that Steve Carell wins this. Honestly, from this list it’s who I would pick. But I would rather see others nominated than the people that are up there.

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Steve Buscemi as Nucky Thompson, Boardwalk Empire
Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan, Dexter
Kyle Chandler as Coach Eric Taylor, Friday Night Lights
Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House, House
Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens, Justified
Jon Hamm as Don Draper, Mad Men

With Bryan Cranston not eligible this year, the award will go to someone else for the first time in 3 years. Emmy has been waiting to award this to Jon Hamm who has deserved the award since day one.

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Laura Linney as Cathy Jamison, The Big C
Melissa McCarthy as Molly Flynn, Mike & Molly
Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton, Nurse Jackie
Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, Parks And Recreation
Martha Plimpton as Virginia Chance, Raising Hope
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon, 30 Rock

If it were up to me Amy Poehler would have already been given this award. But I don’t think that the Emmy’s fully understand “Parks and Recreation” yet. I’m betting that Laura Linney receives it. She’s on a comedy about cancer, that’s like crack for Emmy voters.

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Connie Britton as Tami Taylor, Friday Night Lights
Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick, The Good Wife
Kathy Bates as Harriet "Harry" Korn, Harry's Law
Mireille Enos as Sarah Linden, The Killing
Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson, Mad Men

Elisabeth Moss deserves this award for her work on “Mad Men” but I think that the voters will go with a network show here and we will see Julianna Margulies take how the award.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel, Glee
Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, Modern Family
Ed O'Neill as Jay Pritchett, Modern Family
Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker, Modern Family
Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Modern Family
Jon Cryer as Alan Harper, Two and a Half Men

Talk about a difficult category. I would give the award to Nick Offerman from “Parks and Recreation”, but he isn’t on the list. It’s a toss up, the award will go to either Ed O’Neill or Chris Colfer.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Game of Thrones
Josh Charles as Will Gardner, The Good Wife
Alan Cumming as Eli Gold, The Good Wife
Walton Goggins as Boyd Crowder, Justified
John Slattery as Roger Sterling, Mad Men
Andre Braugher as Owen, Men of a Certain Age

Slattery should have won last year for his work, but he was still really good this year. But I don’t think he will get it. Emmy will take this chance to recognize “Game of Thrones” and give it to Dinklage. And who doesn’t want to see a little person on stage.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester, Glee
Betty White as Elka Ostrosky, Hot in Cleveland
Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy, Modern Family
Sofia Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, Modern Family
Kristen Wiig as Various characters, Saturday Night Live
Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroney, 30 Rock

For me Julie Bowen plays one of the best characters on “Modern Family” and I think it should go to her. But with Jane Lynch hosting and it being the best chance for “Glee” to get some Emmy love. I think it goes to her.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Kelly Macdonald as Margaret Schroeder, Boardwalk Empire
Archie Panjabi as Kalinda Sharma, The Good Wife
Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart, The Good Wife
Margo Martindale as Mags Bennett, Justified
Michelle Forbes as Mitch Larsen, The Killing
Christina Hendricks as Joan Harris, Mad Men

Anyone but Michelle Forbes, please. I watched “The Killing” and I hated her portrayal of the character. Yuck. I think Emmy may go for Kelly MacDonald here. Though this is a tough race to predict. I would be really happy if Christina Hendricks won though.