Nina: Hello loyal reader(s)!

Ben: Yep, that sounds about right.

N: So we figured, as your resident pop culture experts/creepy obsessives who eat potato chips and read Vulture at the same time, we should share some Emmy predictions with you before the telecast on Sunday.

B: I’m just saying, look forward to some badass Bryan Cranston/Louis C.K. speeches, and some impressive dancing/singing from a Mr. Patrick Harris.

N: Or Jon Hamm. Have some faith, guys. HAVE SOME FAITH. Shall we, Ben?

B: I don’t see why not.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory

Jane Lynch, Glee

Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

Julie Bowen, Modern Family

Merritt Wever, Nurse Jackie

Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock

Anna Chlumsky, Veep

B: Some lovely ladies. Julie Bowen is our reigning champ for this category, as is tradition with Modern Family; The Show That Still Exists, Apparently.

N: Nobody is ever going to cancel Modern Family. It’s too big of a draw for ABC. At some point it’ll be just Sofia Vergara with a walker and a ton of wrinkled cleavage screaming “JAAAAAAY!” at no one. But you’re right, Julie Bowen is the reigning champ. I’d love to see Jane Krakowski finally get recognized for all the crazy, wonderful, weird shit she’s done on 30 Rock.

B: She’s definitely overdue for an award. She was an excellent part of that ensemble, and it’d be great to see someone from the cast recognized if Tina and Alec don’t win. I think it’ll be a Modern Family cast member, or Jane. Calling it.

N: Yeah, I have to agree. I’m gonna narrow that down to either Bowen or Krakowski. Not many surprises in this category, probably. I don’t think we’re going to see any kind of upset from Anna Chlumsky or anything. Sorry, Anna. Loved you in My Girl.

B: She’ll get her due. She’s damn good on Veep. But moving on to Supporting Actor!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Adam Driver, Girls

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family

Ed O’Neill, Modern Family

Ty Burrell, Modern Family

Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live

Tony Hale, Veep

B: A damn good list of nominees if I ever saw one! Not a rotten egg in the bunch.

N: Supporting Actor categories are almost so stacked. Remember last year at the Oscars when literally every nominee already HAD an Oscar?! Anyway, this is a great category despite the fact that it is actually 50% Modern Family. I’m dreaming of Hale or Hader going up there for the statuette, but I’m going to be sensible and bet on Burrell.

B: First off, I’m curious as to fan favorite Eric Stonestreet being left off of the proceedings. But nevertheless, while Burrell would be the sensible choice as you say, I really do think Hader has something of a chance. He brought such a glorious energy and spirit to SNL that helped define the show in the 2000’s.

N: You’ll find no argument from me on that one. You know Stefon is my spirit animal. But I think it’s a long shot for him. Kristen Wiig was another huge SNL player that they tossed into the Emmy mix last year, and she went home empty handed. In terms of creating iconic characters and getting people back into SNL, I’d put Hader and Wiig on the same plane. I’m actually a little bit sadder about the inevitable lack of love for Buster Bluth. I’m constantly in awe of how weird Tony Hale can get. He’s a treasure.

B: He had some beautiful moments on Veep this season for sure. You know what? Since this is his first year being nominated, I’m not going to put him out of the running. I won’t be surprised if he actually ends up winning on Sunday. Damn, this category isn’t as straightforward as I thought…

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Jason Bateman, Arrested Development

Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

Matt LeBlanc, Episodes

Don Cheadle, House of Lies

Louis C.K., Louie

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

B: Time to discuss who we think deserves this award, then watch Jim Parsons get it on Sunday for some reason!

N: AUGHHHH UGH JIM PARSONS NO can it please be Alec Baldwin, though?

B: Nothing against Jim Parsons, though. He’s a fine actor in a horrific series. But yes, sort of like with Jane Krakowski, it’d be nice to see Alec get one more piece of recognition for his contributions to the series.

N: Yeah, I’m not as diplomatic. I find Parsons’ nerd shtick to be actively annoying. Should we go with Alec but probably Parsons for the twenty fifth time?

B: I’m still pulling for Louis though. He did some excellent work with the Late Night Episode Trilogy in Louie’s third season. But yeah, “Go Parsons.”

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Laura Dern, Enlightened

Lena Dunham, Girls

Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie

Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

Tina Fey, 30 Rock

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

B: I thought we decided Nurse Jackie wasn’t a comedy! Nevermind, moving on. What sayeth you, Nina?

N: You know how I feel- I’d basically be happy to see any of these super hot ladies win. Overall, I’d love to see Poehler get recognized for Leslie Knope, the best waffle fanatic currently on television. That being said, Liz Lemon might need one more Emmy before she goes… but realistically, I think it’ll be Louis-Dreyfus, who was our winner last year. She’s hilarious on Veep, and I’m always happy to see someone break the Seinfeld curse.

B: It’s awesome to see so many wonderful actors in this category, so I’m with you. Poehler, Fey, Louis-Dreyfus, give them all Emmys! But especially Amy, since she hasn’t won one yet.

N: Agreed. Plus, think about the excellent acceptance speech we’ll get from Poehler. She and Fey hosted the shit out of the Golden Globes last year and her cut-to during this category was her nuzzling with George Clooney. Amy Poehler just always wins. So are we agreed on, who(m)ever, all these women are awesome?

B: Agreed! Let’s get past these funny peoples and jump into the Drama categories!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Bobby Canavale, Boardwalk Empire

Jonathan Banks, Breaking Bad

Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad

Jim Carter, Downton Abbey

Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones

Mandy Patinkin, Homeland

B: Let’s start by saying I love all of these men. Give them all 12 Emmys!!!

N: Let’s hope you’re never in charge of giving out awards, or the ceremony will be eight minutes long and everyone will be a winner. (Said with love!) Anyway, I actually only watch one of these shows regularly (Game of Thrones) but I always want Peter Dinklage to win. I’m totally fine with Aaron Paul though. He’s the best in interviews and I guess he’s okay on Breaking Bad, too.

B: I almost want Aaron Paul to be given another Emmy next year, and for Jonathan Banks to get it this year since (SPOILERS) his character doesn’t play as vital a role in the second half of the fifth season. (END SPOILERS). So I’m going with Aaron or Jonathan.

N: But Mandy Patinkin is the best and also my imaginary grandpa so I don’t know how to feel.

B: Mandy is pretty great. Let’s ask his ten Rabbis for advice and see what they have to say.

N: Touche.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Christine Baranski, The Good Wife

Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad

Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey

Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones

Morena Baccarin, Homeland

Christina Hendricks, Mad Men

N: I just want Christina Hendricks and her spectacular bosom to take it home, but she should have won for last year’s scandalous, Joan-becoming-a-partner-at-a-price episode. She still won’t win. I love Daenarys Targaryen as much as the next girl, but Clarke isn’t quite as strong as the rest of the candidates- she still frequently lets either the writing or her baby dragons overshadow her. Baccarin doesn’t do much except cry, get naked, and be super beautiful. I’m putting the odds heavily on Smith, last year’s victor.

B: I can’t say I’m of much help in fairly judging these nominees, having only seen Breaking Bad, and a few episodes of Game of Thrones, so I’ll take your word for it.

N: It’s nice to see Christine Baranski get her due after so many years of working her talented ass off, but unfortunately I think she’s probably the big underdog here- especially since she is the ONLY nominee from basic cable. AMC, HBO and BBC/PBS’ Masterpiece Theatre are huge hitmakers who churn out the critical darlings, even though people love Good Wife.

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA

Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad

Hugh Bonneville, Downton Abbey

Damian Lewis, Homeland

Kevin Spacey, House of Cards

Jon Hamm, Mad Men

Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom

B: Just rename the award “The Cranston” and be done with it.

N: BUT THE HAMM, BEN! THE HAMM! He’s so magnificent! He carries Mad Men on his strong, broad shoulders, he has the capability of going from suave to disgusting in a matter of seconds while playing handsome garbage Don Draper, and according to longtime lover Jennifer Westfeldt, HE SMELLS LIKE CUPCAKES!

B: Be that as it may, no one on television is giving a performance like Cranston. He’s a despicable force of nature that cannot be stopped. He’s got two more chances to take home this award. I think he’s got this in the bag.

N: I know, I know. It just makes me sad year after year to see Hamm overlooked. He’s no slacker in the “giving a heart-stopping performance” category, and his work on Mad Men consistently gets both better and more harrowing and sad- after all, Don Draper is a pretty despicable character himself. If next year isn’t his year, I’ll be really fussy about it. Cranston can have it this year. May I also mention, as the resident lady, that this is a particularly handsome category? (Hugh Bonneville can sit that one out though.)

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Vera Farmiga, Bates Motel

Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey

Claire Danes, Homeland

Robin Wright, House of Cards

Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men

Connie Britton, Nashville

Kerry Washington, Scandal

B: So. Many. Names! Why is this category so large?!

N: Because the ladies this year are so excellent, y’all. But for real. If they should rename the previous award the “Cranston,” this one might as well be the “Danes,” and for good reason. Her portrayal of Carrie Mathison is incredible down to every last detail. I’d really like to see Washington steal this one though! Partly because she’s the first black woman to be nominated for this particular category since 1995 (!!!! WHAT), and partly because she’s awesome and I love her and apparently she carries Scandal on her tiny shoulders.

B: Again, not being too up-to-date on TV Drama, I’m a bit in the dark here. Give it to Claire Danes, sure. I’d be happy with Robin Wright winning as well, she gives a lovely performance on House of Cards.

N: Secret Dream Winner might be Moss, who has quietly stolen Mad Men right out from most people’s noses. But she’ll get hers at some point. She is nominated for TWO different Leading Actress categories this year- everyone knows what a punch she can pack.

BEST DRAMA SERIES

House of Cards

Breaking Bad

Downton Abbey

Game of Thrones

Homeland

Mad Men

B: Lots of good shows. But only one can take home the award. Thoughts?

N: I love Mad Men, but this season was spotty, and it’s won before. Homeland went completely off the rails in the second season, and won for its stellar debut season. In an ideal world, Game of Thrones would be rewarded for its best season yet, although the fourth season will pick up with a lot of juicy material for next year’s Emmy reel. I think it’ll probably be Breaking Bad.

B: Breaking Bad certainly has the momentum right now, I’ll give it that. And of course it deserves all the awards ever. So I’m all for that happening. Fingers crossed!

BEST COMEDY SERIES

The Big Bang Theory

Girls

Louie

Modern Family

30 Rock

Veep

B: Now, we can all just say that we’ll throw in the towel and say Modern Family will win as it always does. However, this is the first year that Louie is nominated in this category. Now that the option is available, I’m pulling for a victory for Mr. C.K.

N: I am SO sick of Modern Family winning that I would accept literally any of the other shows winning. Well, that’s not true… not Big Bang, because that show sucks a butt. I’d like to see 30 Rock win again for its excellent final season, but for once, I’ll agree with Ben- this season of Louie was a groundbreaker and C.K. deserves all the love.

B: In an ideal world, that’s what would happen. Louis C.K. and Vince Gilligan have created genius, groundbreaking television with Louie and Breaking Bad, respectively, so it’d be nice for them to finally get their due with Best Series wins.

 

N: So, we did skip the miniseries, reality, variety and directing/writing categories. But fret not- Jessica Lange will win at life, The Daily Show will continue its reign in the Variety department, hopefully Zachary Quinto, Michael Douglas and Sarah Paulson will get recognized for their excellent miniseries work this year, and the rest will work out somehow!

B: And Behind the Candelabra will win a buttload of awards.

N: BUTTSEX PUN INTENDED.

B: Beautiful way to end this discussion. Happy Emmy Sunday, y’all! Nina will be watching the live telecast while I’ll be huddled up crying on a couch watching the penultimate Breaking Bad.

N: I’ll be liveblogging if I can figure it out, or, I’ll be a moment-to-moment recap of both the pre-show and telecast done by yours truly. Sorry in advance for the end of that post, as I’ll just be drinking more and more wine. Cheers, and see you Sunday!