We’re just hours away from The 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by former SNL cast member and current star of Brooklyn Nine Nine, Andy Samberg. Do we also need to mention that he’s a member of the musical group The Lonely Island? So, chances are that we can expect some hilarious music numbers. And who do we rate as having the best chances to win the trophies themselves? Well, let’s take a look at a select number of categories that will be announced during the show:
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Who Will Win? Mad Men
Who Should Win? Mad Men
With Breaking Bad taking home the trophy last year, it’s clear that Emmy voters love to celebrate a great series when it comes to an end. Though Mad Men is no stranger to the Emmy trophy (in this category or any other), in its final year we expect the series to take home the most competitive award of the night. And we do agree it’s worthy to take out the award, in spite of stiff competition and what was, admittedly, not the best season from the acclaimed series.
Who else is nominated: Better Call Saul, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, Homeland, House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black
LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Who will win? Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Who should win? Jon Hamm, Mad Men
It’s hard to argue that there are any true favourites here. These are six fantastic performances. Chandler – who’ll always be Coach to us – shined in the Netflix series Bloodline. Newsroom wouldn’t work with the skilled Daniels, Schreiber is often spellbinding and powerful as Ray, Odenkirk has made Saul an icon in his own right and Kevin Spacey is… well, President Kevin Spacey. But the trophy this year surely has to go to Jon Hamm. It’s Mad Men‘s final year and the award has evaded him until now. Just give it to him already!
Who else is nominated:
Kyle Chandler, Bloodline
Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Who will win? Taraji P. Henson, Empire
Who should win? Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
While there’s a chance that Mad Men will sweep the night, something tells us that Taraji P. Henson’s incredible performance in Empire will take home the trophy – giving some recognition to the much talked about new series. If not Henson, then Viola Davis sits in a pretty equal chance of taking it out. Though we’d love to see Tatiana Maslany win one for Orphan Black – she’s often been ignored in this category, but in the last year people seem to have finally taken notice. Would be a joy to see her win the Lead Actress gong.
Who else is nominated:
Claire Danes, Homeland
Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Robin Wright, House of Cards
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
Who will win? Transparent
Who should win? Parks and Recreation / Transparent (tie)
Veep had a terrific season, Silicon Valley was phenomenal, and the final season of Parks and Recreation ensured the often hilarious series ended on a solid note after a lacklustre previous season. But while we’d love to see Parks and Recreation take home the gong in its final year, after Modern Family won last year, it’s likely voters will be looking to give the award to one of the more original entries into the category – Transparent. And it’s certainly deserving. Look out for Louie as a dark horse though – it’s never taken home the trophy and has always been a favourite amongst critics.
Who else is nominated? Louie, Modern Family, Silicon Valley, Transparent, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Veep
LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Who will win? Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Who should win? Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
She’s never won. She should win. If it doesn’t take home best series – which it likely won’t – it would be a wonderful way to help award the series’ final year. Oh-so-hot-right-now Amy Schumer is an outside favourite, and don’t count out Emmy favourite Julia Louis-Dreyfus, even though she won last year.
Who else is nominated?
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Lisa Kudrow, The Comeback
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Amy Schumer, Inside Amy Schumer
Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie
LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Who will win? Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent
Who should win? Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent
After six nominations and no wins, this should be Tambor’s year. Will Forte could upset (Emmy voters often like to recognise new series, especially comedies), and don’t count out Matt LeBlanc either. But they’re far outside favourites in our books.
Who else is nominated?
Anthony Anderson, black-ish
Louis C.K., Louie
Don Cheadle, House of Lies
Will Forte, Last Man on Earth
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
William H. Macy, Shameless
VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SERIES
Who will win? The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Who should win? The Late Show with David Letterman
Talk about an emotional award for 2015. How do you give awards to three iconic series, all of which ended up this year? Based on past wins, Emmy voters seem to take a preference to Jon Stewart, but how can you not recognise the incredible final year that Letterman brought to our screens? And though the Colbert Report is over, and in with a similar chance, the fact that he’s back on our screens as the new captain of the Late Show, makes his show less likely to receive the trophy. Last Week Tonight could upset the rest due to its brilliance, and Emmy voters may want to ensure that as many people watch the show as possible. But how can you not get nostalgic? This will be the most exciting award of the night, in our books. Here’s hoping Letterman actually shows up, too. There’ll surely be a tribute to both he and Stewart as part of the night.
Who else is nominated?
The Colbert Report
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Last Week Tonight
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Additional awards for reality series, supporting roles as well as limited series and movies will also be awarded on the night, though haven’t been part of our predictions here.
The 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will screen live in Australia on FOX8 tomorrow, Monday 21st September, at 10am. It will repeat during primetime at 7.30pm.
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