Taking a periodical break from the various writeups for series contenders about which I feel strongly, I figure it’s about time I actually place my small shreds of reputation on the line and make some bold Emmy predictions. We’ll start today with the Comedy Acting categories, and over the next few weeks I’ll have everything written up.
[NOTE: Each category will feature a “Dark Horse” selection that, while it might well be wrong, needs to be made for the sake of my sanity. When the nominations are announced, I am going to give myself meaningless kudos should any of them come to fruition]
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Jeremy Piven (Entourage)
The easiest decision by far: his win last year, and a fantastic episode submission that showcases his best qualities, make him an absolute lock based on usual emmy prediction standards. On a basic level, however, he’s just damn funny on the HBO series.
Justin Kirk (Weeds)
Overlooked by the Emmys last season but nominated at the Golden Globes, I think that the young actor has a decent shot at it. They will want to bring in some new blood, I think, and this is one area where they can do it.
John Krasinski (The Office)
This is a tough prediction to make, since his tape is definitely not his best. But I’m choosing to ignore that: Wilson’s tape paints him as unlikable, and I think Jim’s wisecracking will be something judges appreciate.
Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men)
Since the voters can’t embrace youth too much (That would be asking a lot), Cryer’s safe and sensible performance in this mediocre sitcom might get him nominated. Go Duckie!
[Dark Horse] Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother)
He’s a long shot thanks to an off episode submission, but Doogie deserves his due for a consistently fantastic performance as the womanizer with the heart of fake gold.
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Jane Krakowski (30 Rock)
A strong tape coupled with a slot on the industry-favourite series will put Krakowski into the nominee’s circle: it’s too bad she won’t have enough good episodes to have a chance in hell at winning the Emmy.
Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds)
Celia Hoades is a laugh riot, and is one of the few elements of Weeds that even cranky Emmy voters can’t possibly not find funny. A weak episode submission will not keep her down.
Jenna Fischer (The Office)
My heart is with Melora Hardin, but I think that Jenna Fischer has both submitted a better episode and will be heralded as the fresh face candidate for the category.
Holland Taylor OR Conchata Ferrell (Two and a Half Men)
Yes, this is cheating, but I don’t know the real value of either of these supporting actresses who have risen from this popular sitcom to Emmy Awards attention. Both could technically make it, but I think they’ll split the vote.
[Dark Horse] Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty)
Bad tape be damned, I think that Williams’ pedigree and a swirl of Ugly Betty love from Emmy voters will help her squeak into the nominees and do some damage with a selection of episodes. But, due to her poor tape, she’s the Dark Horse.
Attempting to sell people on NBC’s Friday Night Lights has always been difficult, as it is tough to describe just what makes it one of the best shows on television. Is it a football show, or is it just another teen drama? Does it value principles such as family or principles such as teen lust? Is it trying to be a broad political commentary on the War in Iraq, or rather a representation of isolated small town America? What I believe I’ve decided upon is that Friday Night Lights is that it is an amazing achievement because it manages to be all of these things: through a handheld camera lens, Peter Berg and Jason Katims have created a window into the lives of families, teenagers, high school football, and even the ramifications of world politics on small town America. The best new network drama of the Season, Friday Night Lights it without a doubt worthy of Emmy consideration.
I don’t quite understand why How I Met Your Mother was almost not renewed for a third season this past year. The show’s second season was a bit uneven, but it has a charm and wit that few multi-camera sitcoms can relate to. On a network where its most successful sitcoms star middle-aged men and women, How I Met Your Mother follows twenty-somethings adjusting to life out of college and in the real world. What began as a moderately intriguing premise of figuring out how Ted met his wife has turned into a cohesive and diverse comedy that has been able to exist outside of the cultural radar.
If there was a success story in television this past year, I believe that it would have to be Greg Berlanti. After the unfortunate cancellation of Everwood last year, Berlanti was out of a job. However, there was a show in need of assistance: ABC’s Brothers & Sisters was spiraling out of control with showrunner Marti Noxon and they needed some help. Berlanti was asked to step in, and he took a show headed off the rails and turned it into one of the strongest dramas of the season. Jobless a year ago, Berlanti now has two pilots ordered by ABC and a returning drama series with a plum timeslot.
The lure of Entourage is something that fans of the series actually have quite a time coming to an agreement on. On the one hand you have those who are watching for an inside look at the lives of Hollywood’s elite. Certainly, this can be seen in the expensive cars, extensive parties, and the general actions that Vince and his cohorts are seen doing within the show. However, there are others who view it less as some sort of Hollywood investigation and more as your standard dramedy. The irony is that while I value the latter more, it is the prior that has led to the show’s awards season popularity as a series. While Jeremy Piven has gained accolades and awards for his work as Ari Gold, the series itself has begun to make its move with Golden Globe and SAG nominations. This year could well be the one where it makes its move on the Oustanding Comedy Series Emmy, and it would perhaps be fitting. The series has developed into a dramedy with not only its Hollywood trappings but also a sense of character. And its third season is one that is worthy of Emmy consideration.
When I first decided (Way back about four weeks ago) to place 
Lead Actress in a Drama
Lead Actress in a Comedy
Cultural Learnings 