2008 Primtime Emmy Predictions…

Tonight is the primetime emmy awards, and not only will I predict what/who I think will win… I’ll also post what/who I think should win as well, tossing in my own two cents. Despite a shortened season because of the writer’s strike, it was still a good season for many shows, and this year’s crop of nominations is a great fields are all very deserving. So without further adue, here are my predictions for tonight’s show but only for the major categories. I don’t have time to predict every since category. Later…

Peter

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES:

– Boston Legal

– Damages

– Dexter

– House

– Lost

– Mad Men

Comments: This is a strong slate of nominees. Every show had a strong season and can make the case for claiming top prize. Pretty much any show here can win, and I doubt anyone would quesiton why any deserve to win this… but only one can and while my personal favorite had a stellar season, I think the first season of a new show will sweep the voters off their feet.

What Should Win: Dexter

What Will Will: Mad Men

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES:

– Curb Your Enthusiasm

– Entourage

– The Office

– 30 Rock

– Two and a Half Men

Comments: This field is a little more cut and dry. The network shows had better seasons this year, and are getting better with each season. While both Office and Men are improving with each season, I predict a second straight win for Rock.

What Should Win: Two and a Half Men

What Will Will: 30 Rock

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES:

– Gabriel Byrne (In Treatment)

– Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)

– Michael C. Hall (Dexter)

– Jon Hamm (Mad Men)

– Hugh Laurie (House)

– James Spader (Boston Legal)

Comments: This is a sick category as well. Each actor in this one had an outstanding season and just blew audiences away with their respective performances. Michael C. Hall was insanely awesome for Dexter this year, and that’s saying something cause I didn’t think he could top last year’s performance he was overlooked for. Hugh Laurie who has also been passed over but rewarded by the Golden Globes twice is a threat after a stellar fourth season with House, and Hamm has been impressing the crap out of everyone with his showing in Mad Men. James Spader is the reigning king having won the last three statues in a row and for good reason. His character on Boston Legal just shines and this season he did it again with one episode in particular when his character ranted to the Supreme Court, and if that was the episode that BL presented to the Emmy board, this will be another slam dunk for Spader. But if there’s going to be a dark horse, I really believe it’s going to be Gabriel Byrne of HBO’s new series In Treatment. I watched the entire season (all 45 episodes!) and in each one Byrne was the central character, and I believe without him this show just wouldn’t have been the same. Byrne’s first season with Treatment was a symphony of character acting… and it was nothing short of brilliant. If anything has a chance of knocking Spader off his throne, this would be it.

Who Should Win: Gabriel Byrne (In Treatment)

Who Will Will: James Spader (Boston Legal)

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES:

– Glenn Close (Damages)

– Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters)

– Mariska Hargitay (Law and Order: Special Victims Unit)

– Holly Hunter (Saving Grace)

– Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)

Comments: I’m not as up to speed on this one, but I’m smitten with Close and Hargitay on this one. They were both really strong this year so don’t be surprised if either of them walk out with it.

Who Should Win: Glenn Close (Damages)

Who Will Will: Mariska Hargitay (Law and Order: Special Victims Unit)

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES:

– Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)

– Steve Carell (The Office)

– Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies)

– Tony Shalhoub (Monk)

– Charlie Sheen (Two and a Half Men)

Comments: This field is just as strong and unpredictable as the drama field for actors. Any of them could win, and I think everyone would be all right with any actor here winning it. They are all so deserving and had a great season with their respective roles. My personal favorite this year was actually snubbed… as I really believe this year’s best satire came from David Duchovny for his role in Californication. How he is not on this list is mind boggling. It was good enough to win the Golden Globe but not even get nominated for the Emmy? Shocking… but based on what is there, the guy I am rooting for is Lee Pace. I’m a huge fan of Pushing Daisies Pace’s performance was both sweet and very funny.

Who Should Win: Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies)

Who Will Will: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES:

– Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?

– America Ferrera (Ugly Betty)

– Tina Fey (30 Rock)

– Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine)

– Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds)

Comments: There are a lot of talented actresses here, but only one can win in the end. Julia Louis-Dreyfus has the best season of all the talents listed here, but I really believe that Fey is going to ride a 30 Rock sweep to a victory here.

Who Should Win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine)

Who Will Will: Tina Fey (30 Rock)

OTHER CATEGORIES:

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES:

Who Should Win: William Shatner (Boston Legal)

Who Will Win: Ted Danson (Damages)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Who Should Win: Dianne Wiest (In Treatment)

Who Will Win: Candice Bergen (Boston Legal)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES:

Who Should Win: Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother)

Who Will Win: Jeremy Piven (Entourage)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Who Should Win:</b> Kristin Chenoweth (Pushing Daisies)

Who Will Win: Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live)