The Emmys snuck up on me this year, but ever since I learned that the ceremony was tonight, my plans were set. (That said, an hour’s intermission for Mad Men might be in order.) I’m not predicting the winners here, mind you, but stating who I’m rooting for. I haven’t seen all of the nominated shows and performances, but from what I have seen, here are my picks for some of the top categories:
Outstanding Drama Series
Breaking Bad
No other show in the category is under-subscribed as this one, and yet it’s one of the most nuanced, emotionally profound series on television. It would be a real coup if it won.
Outstanding Comedy Series
30 Rock
From Oprah hallucinations to Night Court reunions to Muppets in space to Salma Hayek saying “coco for cuckoo poops,” this show continues to outdo itself season after season.
Outstanding Lead Actor – Drama Series
Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
…for a man who makes being emotionally distant look so cool. A furrowed eyebrow is the biggest response you’ll get out of him.
Outstanding Lead Actress – Drama Series
Glenn Close (Damages)
…for being alternately—and believably—vulnerable and terrifying. (And when I say terrifying, I mean she’s almost as scary as her character in Fatal Attraction.)
Outstanding Lead Actor – Comedy Series
Steve Carell (The Office)
Emmy voters love characters with moral ambiguity, and you can never tell of how much of his own assholiness Michael Scott is aware. Plus, this is Carell’s fourth consecutive nomination in this category. Clearly he’s doing something right!
Outstanding Lead Actress – Comedy Series
Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?)
If we can’t have Samantha Who? on our screens, we should at least honor the star, whose performance of the sunny, optimistic Samantha made losing one’s memory almost look like fun.
Outstanding Supporting Actor – Drama Series
Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)
A win for him seems like a long shot, but Aaron Paul’s performance won me over this year. He made an imbecilic druggie a character you can root for—and feel for during the devastating conclusion to the season.
Outstanding Supporting Actress – Drama Series
Chandra Wilson (Grey’s Anatomy)
Bailey is the most rational, sage character in a hospital brimming with angst and impulsive behavior, even when her own life is imploding. Besides, this is Wilson’s fourth consecutive nomination in this category. Clearly she’s doing something right!
Outstanding Supporting Actor – Comedy Series
Tracy Morgan (30 Rock)
…simply or making Tracy Jordan the craziest person you’d ever want to be your best friend.
Outstanding Supporting Actress – Comedy Series
Kristin Chenoweth (Pushing Daisies)
How is so much talent contained in such a tiny lady? I have no idea, but her portrayal as the hopelessly-devoted Olive Snook almost makes you want to break up Ned and Chuck. Almost.
Outstanding Reality Competition Program
Top Chef
…for being one of the classiest, most respectable reality shows on the air, and for making us all want to become food savants.