68th Annual Primetime Emmy Predictions

Well, here I’ve decided to once again predict what I think will happen with the Emmys this year. I’m not entirely sure that I like the Emmys that much. It tends to nominate the same shows over and over again with the same winners being typical too. Last time I did these predictions, they didn’t do the regular winners for a change. And, some things that I thought would be nominated actually weren’t mentioned at the award show and stuff I wasn’t able to predict was. Meanwhile, I should get to what is nominated and what I think will win. Will I get any right? We'll see.

The nominees for outstanding comedy series are Black-ish, Master of None, Modern Family, Silicon Valley, Transparent, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Veep. A lot of good comedies aren’t even nominated. I know that they can only nominated a certain number of shows, but you’d think that there would be more from network TV on it. I think that the winner this year is probably Black-ish.

The nominees for outstanding drama series are The Americans, Better Call Saul, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, Homeland, House of Cards, and Mr. Robot. It’s hard to tell for sure what will win out of this, but I’m going to guess the final season of Downton Abbey is what comes on top.

The nominees for outstanding variety talk series are Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Real Time with Bill Maher, and The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. I remember that this award has typically been won by a show on Comedy Central and that network has none of these shows nominated. But, I do think that one of their former hosts, John Oliver, will have his show Last Week Tonight win the award.

The nominees for variety sketch series are Documentary Now, Drunk History, Inside Amy Schumer, Key & Peele, Portlandia, and Saturday Night Live. There’s not much to say here prediction wise, so I’ll just say that I think that Key & Peele is the winner.

The nominees for outstanding limited series are American Crime, Fargo, The Night Manager, The People versus O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, and Roots. It’s interesting how two of these have been nominated in this category before. I’m going to guess that American Crime wins this.

The nominees for outstanding reality-competition program are The Amazing Race, American Ninja Warrior, Dancing with the Stars, Project Runway, Top Chef, and The Voice. Typically every year it is The Amazing Race that wins, but it didn’t win last year. I’m going to guess that The Voice wins this time like it did last year. If it isn't The Voice, then it probably goes back to the usual winner.

The nominees for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series are Anthony Anderson as Andre “Dre” Johnson, Sr. on Black-ish, Aziz Ansari as Dev Shah on Master of None, Will Forte as Phil “Tandy” Miller on The Last Man on Earth, William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher on Shameless, Thomas Middleditch as Richard Hendricks on Silicon Valley, and Jeffrey Tambor as Maura Pfefferman on Transparent. Given all the pro LGBT stuff that you see on TV, I think that Jeffrey Tambor will win this again.

The nominees for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series are Tracee Ellis Ross as Dr. Rainbow “Bow” Johnson on Black-ish, Ellie Kemper as Kimmy Schmidt on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as President Selina Meyer on Veep, Laurie Metcalf as Dr. Jenna James on Getting On, Amy Schumer as Amy/Various Characters on Inside Amy Schumer, and Lily Tomlin as Frakie Bergstein on Grace and Frankie. I think that the award here will go to Tracee Ellis Ross.

The nominees for outstanding lead actor in a drama series are Kyle Chandler as John Rayburn on Bloodline, Rami Malek as Elliot Alderson on Mr. Robot, Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill on Better Call Saul, Matthew Rhys as Phillip Jennings on The Americans, Liev Schreiber as Ray Donovan on Ray Donovan, and Kevin Spacey as President Frank Underwood on House of Cards. Having seen none of these shows, I’m just going to guess that Matthew Rhys wins.

The nominees for outstanding lead actress in a drama series are Claire Danes and Carrie Mathison on Homeland, Viola Davis as Professor Annalise Keating on How to Get Away with Murder, Taraji P Henson as Cookie Lyon on Empire, Tatiana Masiany as Sarah Manning, Cosima Niehaus, Alison Hendrix, Rachel Duncan, Helena, Elizabeth Childs, Krystal Goderitch, and Veera Suominen on Orphan Black, Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings on the Americans, and Robin Wright as First Lady Claire Underwood on House of Cards. There are so many potential winners for this one that I’d have to give it to Robin Wright although the actress from Orphan Black has a lot going for her.

The nominees for outstanding lead actor in a limited series or movie are Courtney B Vance as Johnnie Cochran on The People versus O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Bryan Cranston as President Lyndon B Johnson on All the Way, Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes on Sherlock: The Abominable Bride, Idris Elba as DCI John Luther on Luther, Tom Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine on The Night Manager, and Cuba Gooding Jr. as O. J. Simpson on The People versus O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story. It’s interesting that Luther and Sherlock have been nominated for this award before. I don’t like Sherlock. Anyways, my guess is that Cuba Gooding Jr. is the winner.

The nominees for outstanding lead actress in a limited series or movie are Kirsten Dunst as Peggy Blumquist on Fargo, Felicity Huffman as Leslie Graham on American Crime, Audra McDonald as Billie Holiday on Lad Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Lili Taylor as Anne Blaine on American Crime, Kerry Washington as Anita Hill on Confirmation, and Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark on The People versus O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story. It’s interesting how Fargo and American Crime have both been nominated for this award in previous years. I’m not sure what to pick here, so I’m going to guess that Kerry Washington wins the award.

The nominees for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series are Louie Anderson as Christine Baskets on Baskets, Andre Braugher as Captain Ray Holt on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Tituss Burgess as Titus Andromedon on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy on Modern Family, Tony Hale as Gary Walsh on Veep, Keegan-Michael Key as various characters on Key & Peele, and Matt Walsh as Mike McLintock on Veep. I’m going to guess that the winner is Keegan-Michael Key.

The nominees for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series are Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer on Veep, Gaby Hoffmann as Alexandria “Ali” Pfefferman on Transparent, Allison Janney as Bonnie Plunkett on Mom, Judity Light as Shelly Pfefferman on Transparent, Kate McKinnon as various characters on Saturday Night Live, and Niecy Nash as Denise “DiDi” Ortley on Getting On. My random guess is that Kate McKinnon wins.

The nominees for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series are Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut on Better Call Saul, Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones, Kit Harington as Jon Snow on Game of Thrones, Michael Kelly as Doug Stamper on House of Cards, Ben Mendelsohn as Danny Rayburn on Bloodline, and Jon Voight as Mickey Donovan on Ray Donovan. I’m going to guess that Kit Harington wins the award.

The nominees for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series are Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones, Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister on Game of Thrones, Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley on Downton Abbey, Maura Tierney as Helen Solloway on The Affair, Maisie Williams as Arya Stark on Game of Thrones, and Constance Zimmer as Quinn King on UnREAL. With the final season of Downton Abbey behind us, this is the last chance to nominated anyone from that and that is why I believe that the award will go to Maggie Smith.

The nominees for outstanding supporting actor in a limited series or movie are Sterling K Brown as Christopher Darden on The People versus O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Hugh Laurie as Richard Onslow Roper on The Night Manager, Jesse Plemons as Ed Blumquist on Fargo, David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian on The People versus O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, John Travolta as Robert Shapiro on The People versus O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, and Bokeem Woodbine as Mike Milligan on Fargo. My shot in the dark for this category is that Hugh Laurie is the winner.

The nominees for outstanding supporting actress in a limited series or movie are Kathy Bates as Iris on American Horror Story: Hotel, Olivia Colman as Angela Burr on The Night Manager, Regina King as Teri LaCroix on American Crime, Melissa Leo as First Lady Lady Bird Johnson on All the Way, Sarah Paulson as Sally McKenna and Billie Dean Howard on American Horror Story: Hotel, and Jean Smart as Floyd Gerhardt on Fargo. It’s interesting how American Horror Story is always nominated in this category. I’m going to guess that the dual role of Sarah Paulson will be how she wins.

The nominees for outstanding directing for a comedy series are Master of None episode: Parents directed by Aziz Ansari, Silicon Valley episode: Daily Active Users directed by Alec Berg, Silicon Valley episode: Founder Friendly directed by Mike Judge, Transparent episode: Man on the Land directed by Jill Soloway, Veep episode: Kissing Your Sister directed by David Mandel, Veep episode: The Morning After directed by Chris Addison, and Veep episode: Mother directed by Dave Stern. Now with the Emmys, in the rare event that I have my mind made up about a certain person or show and that opinion is negative, then they win. That’s like a personal Murphy’s Law in my life. I do not like Mike Judge that much and consider him to be the worst script writer in the history of the world (lucky for him this is the directing category). I still say that Aziz Ansari will win.

The nominees for outstanding directing for a drama series are Downton Abbey episode: Episode 9 directed by Michael Engler, Game of Thrones episode: Battle of the Bastards directed by Miguel Sapochnik, Game of Thrones episode: The Door directed by Jack Bender, Homeland episode: The Tradition of Hospitality directed by Lesli Linka Glatter, The Knick episode: This is All We Are directed by Steven Soderbergh, and Ray Donovan episode: Exsuscito directed by David Hollander. I’m guessing that Episode 9 of Downton Abbey was the series finale episode. I haven’t seen it, but I’m going to guess that Michael Engler will win for that. Even if it wasn't the finale, it is still what I think is most likely to win.

The nominees for outstanding directing for a variety series are Inside Amy Schumer episode: Madoona/Whore directed by Ryan McFaul, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver episode: Episode 303 directed by Paul Pennolino, The Late Late Show with James Corden episode: Post Super Bowl episode directed by Tim Mancinelli, Saturday Night Live episode: Hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler directed by Don Roy King, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon episode: Episode 325 directed by Dave Diomedi. It is interesting that Stephen Colbert has no positive reception in terms of Emmy nominees when he was the real leadout of the show instead of James Corden. Likewise, I’ll have Tim Mancinelli as the winner.

The nominees for outstanding directing for a limited series, movie, or dramatic special are All the Way directed by Jay Roach, Fargo episode: Before the Law directed by Noah Hawley, The Night Manager directed by Susanne Bier, The People versus O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story episode: From the Ashes of Tragedy directed by Ryan Murphy, The People versus O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story episode: Manna from Heaven directed by Anthony Hemingway, and The People versus O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story episode: The Race Card directed by John Singleton. I’m going to guess that Ryan Murphy wins since people like him.

The nominees for outstanding writing for a comedy series are Catastrophe episode: Episode 1 written by Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan, Master of None episode: Parents written by Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang, Silicon Valley episode: Founder Friendly written by Dan O’Keefe, Silicon Valley episode: The Uptick written by Alec Berg, Veep episode: Morning After written by David Mandel, and Veep episode: Mother written by Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck. I notice that Morning After was nominated in a different category for a different Emmy. I also wonder why Episode 1 wasn’t called pilot, but it might not be a show in its first season. I’ve never heard of it before if it’s been around a while. Anyways, I’m going to guess that Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang win the award.

The nominees for outstanding writing for a drama series are The Americans episode: Persona Non Grata written by Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg, Downton Abbey episode: Episode 8 written by Julian Fellowes, Game of Thrones episode: Battle of the Bastards written by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, The Good Wife episode: End written by Robert King and Michelle King, Mr. Robot episode: eps1.0_hellofriend.mov written by Sam Esmail, and UnREAL episode: Return written by Marti Noxon and Sarah Gertrude Shapiro. I doubt that The Good Wife series finale will get the win. This is the last time that show is nominated by the Emmys. I’m going to guess that the Downton Abbey episode by Julian Fellowes is going to win.

The nominees for outstanding writing for a variety series are Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Inside Amy Schumer, Key & Peele, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Portlandia, and Saturday Night Live. Why aren’t the writers credited with this group of nominees? I guess that I would give the win to Key & Peele, although I’m not sure what would win in any of these categories to be honest.

The nominees for outstanding writing for a limited series, movie, or dramatic special are Fargo episode: Loplop written by Bob DeLaurentis, Fargo episode: Palindrome written by Noah Hawley (or is it hoaN yelwaH?), The Night Manager written by David Farr, The People versus O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story episode: From the Ashes of Tragedy written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, The People versus O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story episode: Marcia, Marcia, Marcia written by D. V. DeVincentis, and The People versus O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story episode: The Race Card written by Joe Robert Cole. I have no idea what to pick so I’m going to guess that Joe Robert Cole wins.

What will be interesting is trying to predict who will be nominated with some of the shows in the future. A lot of these shows are on their last season (to my knowledge, at least) and they won’t be able to be nominated again. Those shows (and frequent nominees are) Downton Abbey, Key & Peele, Roots (which was only one season, to my knowledge), and The Good Wife. Guess we’ll have to see what else becomes a frequent nominee in their stead or if we’ll just have more of the same shows in the same category as usual. I always hate that. We’ll see what frequent nominees we’ll see again. We might see a new installment of American Crime Story.

We’ll see if the Emmys continue to be mediocre or not. I normally don’t agree with the nominees and tend to not see most, if any, of these shows since they are not on network television. A lot of these shows, like Mom, The Americans, and Sherlock, I don’t like. And I’ve never seen The Americans. But who cares? I have my awards and they can have theirs. I just wish that they were more agreeable. We’ll see on 9-18-2016 if any of these are accurate or not.