The 2014 Primetime Emmy Awards are happening this Monday, and I don't think I can wait that long to find out who will win. To remedy my impatience, here is who I want to take home the golden statue that looks like an angel holding a big ball of metal twine.
Drama series
The Nominees: "Breaking Bad" (AMC), "Downton Abbey" (PBS), "Game of Thrones" (HBO), "House of Cards" (Netflix), "Mad Men" (AMC), "True Detective" (HBO)
This was a hard one since I'm such a big GOT fan, however I have to go with True Detective. I was glued to the screen during every episode, from the acting, to the writing, to the directing. I was particularly impressed by the uncut continuous shot during the meth house raid in "The Secret Fate of All Life" episode. Plus the finale was so shocking, yet also very neatly tied up the end of the season, that I don't think any of the contenders can compare.
Comedy series
The Nominees: "The Big Bang Theory" (CBS), "Louie" (FX), "Modern Family" (ABC), "Orange Is the New Black" (Netflix), "Silicon Valley" (HBO), "Veep" (HBO)
Even though I think Louis C.K. is an amazing comedic actor, this one has to go to OITNB. The second season was a work of art. All of the characters are played by such skilled actors and I loved how deep the storyline went into every woman's backstory, even more so than the first season. The sassiness and sharp timing of each character is really what makes this the winning choice.
Actor in a drama
The Nominees: Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad"), Jeff Daniels ("The Newsroom"), Jon Hamm ("Mad Men"), Woody Harrelson ("True Detective"), Matthew McConaughey ("True Detective"), Kevin Spacey ("House of Cards")
Matthew McConaughey I love you dearly, especially your ability to be such a versatile actor while still remaining so smokin' hot, but I'm very sorry that this one has to go to Kevin. Frank Underwood is just such a manipulative bastard, yet somehow still extremely likeable. Why am I rooting so hard for the bad guy? Because Kevin Spacey. That's why.
Actress in a drama
The Nominees: Lizzy Caplan ("Masters of Sex"), Claire Danes ("Homeland"), Michelle Dockery ("Downton Abbey"), Julianna Margulies ("The Good Wife"), Kerry Washington ("Scandal"), Robin Wright ("House of Cards")
I have to admit I have not seen all of the shows in this category, but even if I had I'm pretty sure I would still choose Robin Wright. Claire Underwood is perfectly poised, professional, a total badass, and will do whatever it takes to make sure that she and her husband come out on top. She also isn't afraid to let her guard down and show that she experiences grief too. Oh and do you remember that scene when she sees that Zoe Barnes has been killed but continues to put on her blush in the mirror like it ain't no thang? Chills!
Actor in a comedy
The Nominees: Louis C.K ("Louie"), Don Cheadle ("House of Lies"), Ricky Gervais ("Derek"), Matt LeBlanc ("Episodes"), William H. Macy ("Shameless"), Jim Parsons ("The Big Bang Theory")
Here is where I think Louis C.K. deserves to come out on top. No one can play hysterically awkward like Louie. The 4th season was actually painfully awkward at times, and rather morbid at others, but whether it was his stand-up on the show, or his delivery during dialogue, C.K. always has me in stitches. I also have to give a nod to Jim Parsons though. I don't think there is another actor on earth who could play someone as neurotic and annoying as Sheldon while while still being hilarious.
Side note: I couldn't even make it past the first episode of "Derek" with Ricky Gervais Does anyone even watch that show??
Actress in a comedy
The Nominees: Lena Dunham ("Girls"), Edie Falco ("Nurse Jackie"), Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Veep"), Melissa McCarthy ("Mike & Molly"), Amy Poehler ("Parks and Recreation"), Taylor Schilling ("Orange Is the New Black")
"Girls" is one of my favorite comedies of 2014 but I think Dunham is actually a better writer than she is an actress. This one has to go to Amy Poehler. I fear the competition is too fierce and she won't actually get her day in the sun, but she definitely deserves it the most. Amy has such a unique style of comedy and the way she interacts with other characters on P&R is delightful to watch. I'm rooting for you Amy!
Variety series
The Nominees: "The Colbert Report" (Comedy Central), "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" (Comedy Central), "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (ABC), "Real Time With Bill Maher" (HBO), "Saturday Night Live" (NBC), "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" (NBC)
I kind of wish "This Week Tonight" with John Oliver was nominated because its definitely my new favorite late night show. I'm guessing it premiered after the cutoff date, so instead I will have to go with Jimmy Fallon. The sketches on his show speak for themselves. The way he talks as a 13 year old girl in "Ew!" makes me die every time. Celebrity Mean Tweets are pure genius. And remember the hashtag skit with Justin Timberlake? #ObviousWinner! #Duh #Omg (Sorry I had to).
Supporting actor in a drama series
The Nominees: Aaron Paul ("Breaking Bad"), Jim Carter ("Downton Abbey"), Peter Dinklage ("Game of Thrones"), Josh Charles ("The Good Wife"), Mandy Patinkin ("Homeland"), Jon Voight ("Ray Donovan")
I honestly can't decide between Aaron Paul and Peter Dinklage for this one. Paul had an amazing performance as Jesse Pinkman in the final season of Breaking Bad, but Dinklage is not only a fantastic dramatic actor, he's also the funniest part of GOT. This decision is too hard. I give up.
Supporting actress in a drama series
The Nominees: Anna Gunn ("Breaking Bad"), Maggie Smith ("Downton Abbey"), Joanne Froggatt ("Downton Abbey"), Lena Headey ("Game of Thrones"), Christine Baranski ("The Good Wife"), Christina Hendricks ("Mad Men")
Lena Headey gives me chills every time she's on screen. I hate Cersei so much but I have so much respect for her at the same time. Nobody can play evil ice queen quite like Lena.
Directing for a drama series
The Nominees: Tim Van Patten ("Boardwalk Empire"), Vince Gilligan ("Breaking Bad"), David Evans ("Downton Abbey"), Neil Marshall ("Game of Thrones"), Carl Franklin ("House of Cards"), Cary Joji Fukunaga ("True Detective")
I'm not a directing expert by any means but I had to put this category in here because I am still floored by the continuous tracking shot in "True Detectives." For that, and for countless other scenes throughout the first season, I think Fukunaga should definitely win.
Supporting actor in a comedy series
The Nominees: Andre Braugher ("Brooklyn Nine-Nine"), Adam Driver ("Girls"), Jesse Tyler Ferguson ("Modern Family"), Ty Burrell ("Modern Family"), Fred Armisen ("Portlandia"), Tony Hale ("Veep")
At times I really think Adam Driver is the best part of the entire "Girls" series. He is such a wonderfully weird goofball, while also being such a talented dramatic actor, I don't think anyone else in the category can compare. Although I do think Nick Offerman should also have been nominated as well. Ron Swanson is the man.
Supporting actress in a comedy series
The Nominees: Mayim Bialik ("The Big Bang Theory"), Julie Bowen ("Modern Family"), Allison Janney ("Mom"), Kate Mulgrew ("Orange Is the New Black"), Kate McKinnon ("Saturday Night Live"), Anna Chlumsky ("Veep")
Another one I am torn on. Kate Mulgrew as Red totally makes OITNB what it is, but Allison Janney is always so funny and adorable. I think Janney might just nudge out Mulgrew but only because the category is comedy, and although Mulgrew is very funny, I think her talent lies more in her dramatic acting. That Russian accent though. Did you know she's actually from Iowa?!
Writing for a comedy series
The Nominees: David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik ("Episodes"), Louis C.K. ("Louie"), Liz Friedman and Jenji Kohan ("Orange Is the New Black"), Alec Berg ("Silicon Valley"), Simon Blackwell, Tony Roche and Armando Iannucci ("Veep")
I think I have to go with Louis C.K. yet again. The jokes that he writes are so funny not only because they are totally true, they're also so raunchy that they make you laugh even if you don't completely understand them. Plus I don't think anyone else is quite as good at being so random and weird. I used to think Curb Your Enthusiasm had super uncomfortable and completely random plotlines, until I saw Louie. Louis C.K., you rule comedy.
Directing for a comedy series
The Nominees: Iain B. MacDonald ("Episodes"), Paris Barclay ("Glee"), Louis C.K. ("Louie"), Gail Mancuso ("Modern Family"), Jodie Foster ("Orange Is the New Black"), Mike Judge ("Silicon Valley")
I might have to throw a curveball here and say Paris Barclay for "Glee." I mean, how on earth do you direct a bunch of bratty teens/young adults to all sing and dance in unison and make it look completely natural like they just spontaneously broke into song in the cafeteria? He must have a lot in common with the director of High School Musical. But in terms of shows I actually watch, I'll have to say Jodie Foster. She's known how to play a badass for years and now she's teaching other women how to do it superbly.
Those are my choices for some of the biggest Emmy categories! Who do you want to win on Monday night?