EMMYS 2016 PREDICTIONS – ‘GAME OF THRONES’, ‘VEEP’ WILL WIN BIG AGAIN

Congratulations to Amy Poehler and Tina Fey for their first win in an Emmys acting category as a pair. I won’t deny them their brilliance as performers and comediennes. However, it’s high time the Television Academy separate regular fiction from variety entertainment. With the number of Emmy categories somewhere between 100 and 120, it won’t be so shocking to see another set of acting/performing-in-variety-programs categories. Then maybe an Amy Schumer or a Keegan-Michael Peele will get the recognition they deserve. And more importantly, the work of actors and actresses, who work episode after episode and season after season to build a character, will be recognized and awarded as they so deserve.

That’s wishful thinking though. For now, this is what the Emmys are. So let’s get on with it.

Last year, the TV Academy really changed things up. GAME OF THRONES finally won Outstanding Drama. Jon Hamm finally won for MAD MEN. The dominance of MODERN FAMILY and Jim Parsons ended. Uzo Aduba became the first actress to have won Emmys for the same role in drama and comedy categories. Viola Davis became the first African American to have won Outstanding Actress – Drama. And so on… A few usual suspects, such as Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Allison Janney had unsurprising wins. But, on the whole, it was quite unpredictable. Will this year’s Emmys offer us another shake-up? Will they go with older favorites? Or will they take last year’s results and follow a new trend with similar results for the next few years?

Let’s see!

DRAMA

Outstanding Series – Drama

GAME OF THRONES

BETTER CALL SAUL

MR ROBOT

HOUSE OF CARDS

HOMELAND

THE AMERICANS

DOWNTON ABBEY

I want HOMELAND to win for its exemplary fifth season. I want DONWTON to win for its perfect final season. However, I’m quite sure GAME OF THRONES has started on a winning streak, and that will continue this year. I suspect that this will also be influenced by the fact that GAME OF THRONES won’t be eligible next year, since its seventh season has been pushed to a date that will fall outside of the Emmys consideration period for 2016-17.

Outstanding lead actor in a drama series

Kyle Chandler, BLOODLINE

Rami Malek, MR ROBOT

Bob Odenkirk, BETTER CALL SAUL

Matthew Rhys, THE AMERICANS

Live Schreiber, RAY DONONVAN

Kevin Spacey, HOUSE OF CARDS

Maybe Kevin Spacey will finally win an Emmy for HOUSE OF CARDS. Maybe this is the year for THE AMERICANS—at least in the lead acting (drama) categories—which means new entrant Matthew Rhys will win. It’s really difficult to say for this category, since none of roles that have won for the last eight years are in the mix this year. The Academy has given it to Kyle Chandler for FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS before. This time, maybe he’ll win for BLOODLINE. But I really think that the past several winners not being around has cleared the way for Spacey to win this time.

Outstanding lead actress in a drama series

Claire Danes, HOMELAND

Viola Davis, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER

Taraji P Henson, EMPIRE

Tatiana Maslany, ORPHAN BLACK

Keri Russell, THE AMERICANS

Robin Wright, HOUSE OF CARDS

I really hope it’s Keri Russell. She’s been amazing on THE AMERICANS every season, but especially so in the most recent fourth, what with Elizabeth seducing her friend’s husband, and protecting her daughter from muggers like a lioness. Unfortunately for Russell, I think the Academy will award Viola Davis’ intense performance as Annalise Keating for a second time.

Outstanding supporting actor in a drama series

Jonathan Banks, BETTER CALL SAUL

Peter Dinklage, GAME OF THRONES

Kit Harington, GAME OF THRONES

Michael Kelly, HOUSE OF CARDS

Ben Mendehlson, BLOODLINE

Jon Voight, RAY DONOVAN

Since it’ll be another year for GAME OF THRONES to win big, I think Peter Dinklage will win. And when he does, he will join Aaron Paul as one of only two surviving persons to have won three Emmys in this category.

Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series

Maura Tierney, THE AFFAIR

Maggie Smith, DOWNTON ABBEY

Lena Headey, GAME OF THRONES

Emilia Clarke, GAME OF THRONES

Maisie Williams, GAME OF THRONES

Constance Zimmer, UNREAL

The buzz is that this is Constance Zimmer’s year. She could win. However, I suspect that this year is going to be even bigger for GAME OF THRONES than last year was, especially considering the overwhelming number of acting nominations the show has got this time. Given that, I think it’ll be Lena Headey this year.

Outstanding directing for a drama series

Michael Engler, DOWNTON ABBEY – "Episode Nine"

Miguel Sapochnik, GAME OF THRONES – "Battle of the Bastards"

Jack Bender, GAME OF THRONES – "The Door"

Lesli Linka Glatter, HOMELAND – "The Tradition of Hospitality"

Steven Soderbergh, THE KNICK – "This Is All We Are”

David Hollander, RAY DONOVAN – "Exsuscito"

HOMELAND’s nominated episode is strong, but I think GAME OF THRONES is winning this one too.

Outstanding writing for a drama series

Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg, THE AMERICANS – "Persona Non Grata"

Julian Fellowes, DOWNTON ABBEY – "Episode Eight"

David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, GAME OF THRONES – "Battle of the Bastards"

Michelle King and Robert King, THE GOOD WIFE – "End"

Sam Esmail, MR ROBOT – "eps1.0_hellofriend.mov"

Marti Noxon and Sarah Gertrude Shapiro, UNREAL – "Return"

GAME OF THRONES could win again. It is the HBO show’s year. However, I think the Academy will show some appreciation for MR ROBOT in this category.

COMEDY

Outstanding Series – Comedy

TRANSPARENT

SILICON VALLEY

VEEP

MODERN FAMILY

UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT

BLACK-ISH

MASTER OF NONE

VEEP will take it away again this year. I don’t think either GAME OF THRONES or VEEP are done winning the big prizes. Although, I really hope MODERN FAMILY wins a fifth Emmy, and becomes the show with the most wins in this category.

Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series

Anthony Anderson, BLACK-ISH

Aziz Ansari, MASTER OF NONE

Will Forte, THE LAST MAN ON EARTH

William H Macy, SHAMELESS

Thomas Middleditch, SILICON VALLEY

Jeffrey Tambor, TRANSPARENT

Just like the winning streak Jim Parsons had with THE BIG BANG THEORY, the current phase is Jeffrey Tambor’s with TRANSPARENT.

Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series

Ellie Kemper, UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, VEEP

Laurie Metcalf, GETTING ON

Tracee Ellis Ross, BLACK-ISH

Amy Schumer, INSIDE AMY SCHUMER

Lily Tomlin, GRACE AND FRANKIE

Julia Louis-Dreyfus will win her fifth Emmy for VEEP this year, and she’ll have won a total of eight Emmys. If anyone else should win, it should be Lily Tomlin.

Outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series

Louie Anderson, BASKETS

Andre Braugher, BROOKLYN NINE-NINE

Tituss Burgess, UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT

Ty Burrell, MODERN FAMILY

Tony Hale, VEEP

Keegan Michael Key, KEY & PEELE

Matt Walsh, VEEP

Tony Hale and Ty Burrell have both won in this category, twice each. It could be one of them again. But unless one of the new entrants, Louie Anderson or Matt Walsh, mix things up, I think it’ll be Tony Hale again.

Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series

Niecy Nash, GETTING ON

Allison Janney, MOM

Kate McKinnon, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Judith Light, TRANSPARENT

Gaby Hoffmann, TRANSPARENT

Anna Chlumsky, VEEP

New entrant Judith Light really deserves to win this. She’s really good as the annoying, yet endearing Shelly Pfefferman on TRANSPARENT. However, I think the equally deserving Allison Janney will continue on her winning streak for MOM, rounding off her total number of Emmy wins to eight, just like Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Outstanding directing for a comedy series

Aziz Ansari, MASTER OF NONE – "Parents"

Alec Berg, SILICON VALLEY – "Daily Active Users"

Mike Judge, SILICON VALLEY – "Founder Friendly"

Jill Soloway, TRANSPARENT – "Man on the Land"

David Mandel, VEEP – "Kissing Your Sister"

Chris Addison, VEEP – "Morning After"

Dale Stern, VEEP – "Mother"

The odds are in its favor, so it would be a surprise if this one isn’t a sweep for VEEP. It hasn’t won before, but the Academy has acknowledged VEEP more this year than before, so…!

Outstanding writing for a comedy series

Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan, CATASTROPHE – "Episode 1"

Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang, MASTER OF NONE – "Parents"

Dan O'Keefe, SILICON VALLEY – "Founder Friendly"

Alec Berg, SILICON VALLEY – "The Uptick"

David Mandel, VEEP – "Morning After"

Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck, VEEP – "Mother"

The sweep for VEEP will continue here. It could be any episode!

LIMITED SERIES AND TELEVISION MOVIES

Outstanding Limited Series

AMERICAN CRIME

FARGO

THE NIGHT MANAGER

THE PEOPLE V OJ SIMPSON

ROOTS

I wish it would go to FARGO. I really do. However, I suspect this will be the year for THE PEOPLE V OJ.

Outstanding Television Movie

ALL THE WAY

CONFIRMATION
LUTHER
SHERLOCK – THE ABOMINABLE BRIDE

A VERY MURRAY CHRISTMAS

It’ll be between ALL THE WAY and CONFIRMATION. I suspect. The latter is my pick. If SHERLOCK wins, I’ll scream. I was shocked that that abomination even made it to this list.

Outstanding lead actor in a limited series or TV movie

Bryan Cranston, ALL THE WAY

Benedict Cumberbatch, SHERLOCK

Idris Elba, LUTHER

Cuba Gooding Jr, THE PEOPLE V OJ SIMPSON

Tom Hiddleston, THE NIGHT MANAGER

Courtney B Vance, THE PEOPLE V OJ SIMPSON

Considering the caliber of most of the performers and their history at awards in general, it becomes difficult to pick. Cumberbatch has had his win, after which the Academy moved on. Elba could win for the last two episodes of LUTHER. However, I think it’ll be one of the PEOPLE V OJ actors. My guess: Courtney B Vance.

Outstanding lead actress in a limited series or TV movie

Kirsten Dunst, FARGO

Felicity Huffman, AMERICAN CRIME

Audra McDonald, LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL

Sarah Paulson, THE PEOPLE V OJ SIMPSON

Lili Taylor, AMERICAN CRIME

Kerry Washington, CONFIRMATION

I really hope and wish Kirsten Dunst wins it for this. She was extraordinarily brilliant on FARGO. While I think it’s the year for PEOPLE V OJ, which would push things in Paulson’s favor, I think, in this category, Dunst will become the exception.

Outstanding supporting actor in a limited series or movie

Jesse Plemons, FARGO

Bokeem Woodbine, FARGO

Hugh Laurie, THE NIGHT MANAGER

Sterling K Brown, THE PEOPLE V OJ SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

David Schwimmer, THE PEOPLE V OJ SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

John Travolta, THE PEOPLE V OJ SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

If someone from PEOPLE V OJ wins, I hope it’s Sterling Brown. I want this one to go to the Plemons for his effortless portrayal of panicky-calm on FARGO. However, I think John Travolta will win.

Outstanding supporting actress in a limited series or movie

Melissa Leo, ALL THE WAY

Regina King, AMERICAN CRIME

Sarah Paulson, AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL

Kathy Bates, AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL

Jean Smart, FARGO

Olivia Colman, THE NIGHT MANAGER

I wouldn’t be surprised if Regina King takes it away again for AMERICAN CRIME. However, I think this year, Jean Smart’s restrained, yet effective performance will be rewarded.  

Outstanding directing for a limited series, television movie or dramatic special

Jay Roach, ALL THE WAY

Noah Hawley, FARGO – "Before the Law"

Susanne Bier, THE NIGHT MANAGER

Ryan Murphy, THE PEOPLE V OJ SIMPSON – "From the Ashes of Tragedy"

Anthony Hemingway, THE PEOPLE V OJ SIMPSON – "Manna from Heaven"

John Singleton, THE PEOPLE V OJ SIMPSON – "The Race Card"

It seems obvious! It’s THE PEOPLE V OJ’s year.

Outstanding writing for a limited series, television movie or dramatic special

Bob DeLaurentis, FARGO –  "Loplop"

Noah Hawley, FARGO – "Palindrome"

David Farr, THE NIGHT MANAGER

Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, THE PEOPLE V OJ SIMPSON – "From the Ashes of Tragedy"

DV DeVincentis, THE PEOPLE V OJ SIMPSON – "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia"

Joe Robert Cole, THE PEOPLE V OJ SIMPSON – "The Race Card"

I hope FARGO gets this at least.

Having been through all of the above categories, it turns out that I think this year will be one of the more predictable ones. GAME OF THRONES, VEEP, PEOPLE V OJ will win big, with a little bit of HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, HOUSE OF CARDS, TRANSPARENT, MOM and FARGO thrown into the mix.

For what actually goes down this Sunday, let’s wait and watch. Also, I’m quite looking forward to Jimmy Kimmel hosting. He should make things fun.