As the 67th Primetime Emmys approach, here’s our picks for who should win and who will win on TV’s biggest night. The Emmy Awards airs Sunday, Sept. 20.
Outstanding Comedy Series
Who will win: “Transparent”
Who should win: “Transparent”
After dominating the Golden Globes, it can be assumed that “Transparent” will continue their winning streak at the Emmys. The critically acclaimed show, which has been named by numerous sources as the best new show of 2014, beautifully straddles the line between comedy and drama, and bravely hits on hot-button issues that other shows wouldn’t think about bringing up.
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Who will win: Jeffrey Tambor
Who should win: Jeffrey Tambor
Most people are in agreement here—Jeffrey Tambor’s portrayal of Maura Pfefferman was so genuine and honest that it would be a crime to not give him the Emmy. His consideration for the transgender community, including dedicating his Golden Globes speech to the transgender community, is just another highlight of his stunning portrayal.
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Who will win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Who should win: Amy Poehler
Although every contender in this category has a fair chance at winning, the Emmys enjoy playing it safe. After winning three Emmy Awards already for her role as Selina Meyer, it’s safe to say Julia Louis-Dreyfus will probably win her fourth. Although, it would be great to see Amy Poehler win for Parks & Recreation, something she’s been nominated for every year, but has never won.
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Who will win: Ty Burrell
Who should win: Titus Burgess
If he wins this year, this will be Ty Burrell’s third win for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Although viewers never understand why, Modern Family continuously sweeps the Emmy Awards, while more deserving candidates, like Tituss Burgess’ scene-stealing turn as Titus Andromedon, in the beloved Netflix show, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”
Actress in a Comedy Series
Who will win: Allison Janney
Who should win: Gaby Hoffman
With two favorites of the Television Academy vying against each other in this category, it’ll be a close call. Ultimately we believe Allison Janney will win her seventh Emmy for her role as the recovering drug and alcohol addict, Bonnie Plunkett in “Mom,” although Gaby Hoffmann made a moving turn as Shelley Pfefferman in “Transparent”.
Outstanding Drama Series
Who will win: “Mad Men”
Who should win: “Mad Men”
After a significantly weaker season of “Game of Thrones,” it’s time for “Mad Men” to reclaim its former glory (the show previously won Outstanding Drama Series every year from 2008-2011), especially as it is the show’s last chance to win, as its past seventh season was its final.
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Who will win: Jon Hamm
Who should win: Jon Hamm
This is Jon Hamm’s year. No longer will he be overshadowed by Bryan Cranston’s Walter White (“Breaking Bad”) or anyone else. Hamm has been nominated for the last seven years, but with “Mad Men” ending, the Television Academy will rightly reward him. Hamm made “Mad Men” viewers still sympathetic for a character as flawed as Don Draper.
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Who will win: Elisabeth Moss
Who should win: Elisabeth Moss
One of Peggy Olson’s final scenes in Mad Men saw her go out in a blaze of glory. As entered McCann-Erickson with a cigarette hanging from her mouth to a painting in hand, it truly showed the growth Olson had reached. Elisabeth Moss captured all of that growth and more, making Olson one of the most interesting characters in Mad Men. It’s hard to imagine Moss not winning.
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Who will win: Jonathan Banks
Who should win: Jonathan Banks
Jonathan Banks played the tough but loveable grandpa, Mike Ehrmantraut, to a T in “Breaking Bad,” but finding out his tragic backstory in the show’s prequel, “Better Call Saul,” gave a new twist to understanding the depths that Banks had to reach in his portrayal of Ehrmantraut. His horrifyingly tragic backstory made the already-beloved Mike the standout character in “Better Call Saul,” one of the best new shows on TV this past year.
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Who will win: Christina Hendricks
Who should win: Lena Headey
After seven years as Joan Holloway, Christina Hendricks will be recognized, on her fourth nomination for “Mad Men,” although the award should go to Lena Headey. Headey’s portrayal of Cersei, the cruel queen of Westeros, has been flawless for the duration of the show, inspiring hatred and awe, and her character’s dramatic plotline this past season showed Headey’s acting ability at its absolute best, and turned one of the most hated characters in the show into one of the most pitied.