As the fall starts to settle in, along with dozens of "season premieres you can't miss," it is once again time for television's biggest advertisement for itself -- the Emmy Awards. The 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 21.
HBO once again leads the pack with 85 nominations, with ABC trailing with 76. The HBO miniseries John Adams, starring Paul Giamatti as the first vice president of the United States, received a whopping 23 nominations. 30 Rock and AMC newcomer Mad Men also dominate the categories, with 17 and 16 nominations. HBO's The Wire, one of the best-reviewed series in modern television, was left after its final season with only a single writing award -- a move that was panned throughout the industry.
As ratings for reality shows such as American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance? continue to dominate the medium, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences may be worried that this year's award show is starting to become a tough sell to viewers; last year's ceremony, featuring an unusual amount of the same nominees as this year, was the second-least watched in history.
Nonetheless, the event is a big one for TV junkies and industry folk. Here is a rundown of who should win this year in the major categories brought to you by The Daily Collegian TV reporters:
Outstanding Comedy Series:
The nominees:
-30 Rock
-Curb Your Enthusiasm
-Entourage
-The Office
-Two And A Half Men
Kyle's pick: 30 Rock
Sara's pick: The Office
Kristen's pick: 30 Rock
Who should win: Curb Your Enthusiasm's reinvigorated sixth season was what comedic series should be all about -- strong actors who can work without scripts and excruciatingly difficult, yet familiar, situations.
Who will win: 30 Rock is likely to take the prize for the second year in a row, but Curb Your Enthusiasm is the dark horse here. (Kyle)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama:
The nominees:
-Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters)
-Glenn Close (Damages)
-Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)
-Holly Hunter (Saving Grace)
-Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)
Kyle's pick: Holly Hunter
Sara's pick: Glenn Close
Kristen's pick: Glenn Close
Who should win: Field should win because she does a quality job at playing the role of a struggling mother with plently of drama on her side. She's portrayed many different types of women, but this is definitely one of her better roles.
Who will win: Close will win because she is so well-known, is such a seasoned actress and has won many awards in the past. (Sara)
Outstanding Drama Series:
The nominees:
-Boston Legal
-Damages
-Dexter
-House
-Lost
-Mad Men
Kyle's pick: Mad Men
Sara's pick: House
Kristen's pick: Mad Men
Who should win: It's great to see something fresh among the nominees, and with The Sopranos finally out of the way and my personal favorite, House, starting to become unwatchable, Mad Men deserves the crown.
Who will win: Mad Men, now in its second season, couldn't be any hotter. The terrific dialogue and retro costumes make it a tough one to beat. (Kristen)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama:
The nominees:
-James Spader (Boston Legal)
-Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
-Michael C. Hall (Dexter)
-Hugh Laurie (House)
-Gabriel Byrne (In Treatment)
-Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Kyle's pick: Michael C. Hall
Sara's pick: Hugh Laurie
Kristen's pick: Jon Hamm
Who will win: Spader has won twice for Boston Legal, but I'm betting on Hamm to take home the award. As the lead on one of the most critically acclaimed shows this year, this could be his chance to dethrone Spader.
Who should win: While the fourth season of the highly addictive medical drama was not its best, Laurie was his usual witty, wonderful self as the lovably cranky Dr. Gregory House. (Kristen)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:
The nominees:
-Tina Fey (30 Rock)
-Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?)
-Julia Louis-Dreyfuss (The New Adventures Of Old Christine)
-America Ferrera (Ugly Betty)
-Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds)
Kyle's pick: Tina Fey
Sara's pick: America Ferrera
Kristen's pick: Tina Fey
Who should win: Its great to see smart women represented in television, both in front of and behind the camera. Fey deserves it.
Who will win: Fey has already won once for playing sketch comedy writer Liz Lemon and the show has also won Outstanding Comedy. Fey is on a roll and shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. (Kristen)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:
The nominees:
-Jeremy Piven (Entourage)
-Kevin Dillon (Entourage)
-Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother)
-Rainn Wilson (The Office)
-Jon Cryer (Two And A Half Men)
Kyle's pick: Neil Patrick Harris
Sara's pick: Rainn Wilson
Kristen's pick: Jeremy Piven
Who should win: Piven, last year's winner, in particular stood out on Entourage last season, and is once again the best actor in the category, which features the same group as last year.
Who will win: Neil Patrick Harris will likely take home the prize for the increasingly popular How I Met Your Mother. (Kyle)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:
The nominees:
-Kristin Chenowith (Pushing Daisies)
-Jean Smart (Samantha Who?)
-Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live)
-Holland Taylor (Two And A Half Men)
-Vanessa Williamns (Ugly Betty)
Kyle's pick: Jean Smart
Sara's pick: Amy Poehler
Kristen's pick: Jean Smart
Who should win: Chenoweth is quirky and adorable as Olive Snook. She's easily the most charming character on this already wonderful series.
Who will win: The show is new, but Smart stands out as Christina Applegate's mother. (Kristen)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:
The nominees:
-Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
-Tony Shalhoub (Monk)
-Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies)
-Steve Carell (The Office)
-Charlie Sheen (Two And A Half Men)
Kyle's pick: Alec Baldwin
Sara's pick: Steve Carell
Kristen's pick: Alec Baldwin
Who should win: Baldwin continues to get funnier as 30 Rock progresses, which isn't something all of the nominees share. He deserves it this year, while the show is at its peak.
Who will win: Baldwin and Pace are likely the ones to watch here, though Pushing Daisies isn't well-known -- or funny -- enough yet to get the edge. (Kyle)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:
The nominees:
-William Shatner (Boston Legal)
-Ted Danson (Damages)
-Zeljko Ivanek (Damages)
-Michael Emerson (Lost)
-John Slattery (Mad Men)
Kyle's pick: Michael Emerson
Sara's pick: Michael Emerson
Kristen's pick: Michael Emerson
Who should win: Slattery was astounding as the boozing, womanizing senior partner at Sterling Cooper, and deserves recognition ASAP. Emerson's deceptive ways as Ben Linus continued to creep out audiences.
Who will win: Though certainly deserving, Slattery is not likely to get his due until a later season, and Shatner hasn't done anything particularly new on Legal. Emerson should be the one to watch here. (Kyle)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:
The nominees:
-Candice Bergen (Boston Legal)
-Rachel Griffiths (Brothers & Sisters)
-Chandra Wilson (Grey's Anatomy)
-Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy)
-Dianne Wiest (In Treatment)
Kyle's pick: Sandra Oh
Sara's pick: Sandra Oh
Kristen's pick: Chandra Wilson
Who should win: Oh from Grey's Anatomy should definitely win this award. Her character has changed so much since the first few seasons, and she's definitely deserving of an award for last season.
Who will win: Oh's clutch because of her role on the show has gained a lot of hype and the show has incredible ratings. She's such a dynamic character the show wouldn't be the same without her. (Sara)
