The TV award season is right around the corner! Here are some of my predictions for tonight’s show:
Drama Series: “Westworld” (HBO)
The Emmy race will be close in this stacked category including fan favorites such as “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu), “Stranger Things” (Netflix), “The Crown” (Netflix), “This Is Us” (NBC), “House of Cards” (Netflix), and “Better Caul Saul” (AMC). However, I predict that HBO will continue its recent run of dominance (“Game of Thrones” has won the last two years). “Westworld” has proven to be an inventive, groundbreaking, and all-around well produced thriller.
Comedy Series: Veep (HBO)
Even though “Atlanta” (FX) took the last Golden Globe, I cannot see the Academy giving this award to a show other than “Veep” while it is still on the air. “Veep” has won the last four Emmys in this category. However, don’t be totally surprised if “Atlanta” gets the nod as “Veep” still has one more season to win its final Emmy.
Drama Actress: Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)
This was the hardest category for me to pick. Don’t be surprised if any of the ladies takes the Emmy, as they are all deserving. The Academy loves a queen/president/etc. portrayal, so watch out for Claire Foy (“The Crown”). Oscar winner Viola Davis (“How to Get Away with Murder”) is a seasoned veteran who has won the Emmy before, so don’t count her out. Robin Wright (“House of Cards”) has been nominated five times, but never won. While newcomer Evan Rachel Wood (“Westworld”) performed perfectly as a robot, I believe Elisabeth Moss’s beautiful performance as Offred will take the award.
Drama Actor: Sterling K. Brown (“This Is Us”)
Sterling K. Brown’s performance as Randall Pearson is heartwarming and real. I expect him to take the Emmy, but don’t be shocked if veteran Kevin Spacey (“House of Cards”) is giving a victory speech again.
Comedy Actor: Donald Glover (“Atlanta”)
I expect the Academy to follow the lead of the Golden Globes in this category (however, this category is definitely not my strong-suit so I could just be flat out wrong in this case).
Comedy Actress: Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Veep”)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus has won this award the past 5 years for playing Selina Meyer in “Veep,” so I don’t plan on betting against the odds of her winning again.
Limited Series: “Big Little Lies” (HBO)
I have previously praised “Big Little Lies” as an overall great mini-series, and I will not back down now. The cinematography is beautiful and it features strong performances from an all-star cast including Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman.
Limited Series Actor: Riz Ahmed (“The Night Of”)
This is another category I am not necessarily the most knowledgeable about — however, “The Night Of” has been critically acclaimed in large part due to Riz Ahmed.
Limited Series Actress: Nicole Kidman (“Big Little Lies”)
Nicole Kidman put all of her effort into an extraordinarily difficult and challenging role.
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: John Lithgow (“The Crown”)
Like I said earlier, the Academy loves when you play a historical figure – especially if you play them well. Winston Churchill is no exception.
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Thandie Newton (“Westworld”)
Thandie Newton kills it (literally and figuratively) as host/robot Maeve Millay on “Westworld.” It is about time she gets recognized for her performance.
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin (“Saturday Night Live”)
He played Donald Trump on “Saturday Night Live.” Need I say more?
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Kate McKinnon (“Saturday Night Live”)
She played Hillary Clinton on “Saturday Night Live.” Again, need I say more?