What to expect at the 2010 Primetime Emmy Awards?

"Article first published as "What to expect at the 2010 Primetime Emmy Awards?" on Blogcritics.org."

It's that time of the year! It's the last award show of the season until we start again with the Golden Globes in January. The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards! The "Academy Awards" of television that will award the very best of the small screen.

Neil Patrick Harris hands over his hosting duties to Jimmy Fallon, who is hosting the Emmys for the first time but has quite an experience in hosting award shows - he's been the host of the MTV Movie Awards twice and the MTV Video Music Awards. Next to Fallon, a long list of presenters such as Will Arnett, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, the newlyweds Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer, Jon Hamm, Sofia Vergara, Eva Longoria Parker, Betty White and music performances of the Glee cast and Jewel, who will be in charge of the In Memoriam segment.

This year and for the first time ever, winners will have the chance to express their emotions or thank people they have forgotten during their speeches in "Thank You, Camera", a part of a backstage event, which will also show how presenters, nominees and performers get ready to take the stage, that NBC.com and Emmys.com will stream live worldwide. As part of the Emmy experience, viewers will also be able to send red carpet questions which will be asked by Access Hollywood.com’s popular "Dish Of Salt” correspondent Laura Saltman. If you want to submit some questions, you can either do it via the NBC.com Emmy website or via Twitter at #emmys10

Now, we have seen how things headed at the Golden Globes (awards voted by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association) and the Screen Actors Guild Awards (awards voted by all the members of the Screen Actors Guild), so, in some way, we have a hint of whom will be awarded or not. I have the feeling that sometimes the Academy rewards what's trendy/popular rather than what's fair related to quality and effort. There are times I feel some fantastic actors are snubbed at the nominations and others aren't rewarded with the precious Emmy after years and years of flawless performances. And what about full year shows versus summer season shows? Should they be considered in the same way when voting or not? Should the Academy split the nominations between full year and summer shows instead of putting them all together? What's your opinion about these points?

One thing we know is one actor is gonna get his award for sure, so no need to feel nervous about winning or about ab-libbing a nice speech, ok, Mr. Clooney? You can relax, enjoy the show and have your speech ready before hitting the red carpet. George Clooney will receive the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his efforts in setting up the TV special Hope For Haiti and raising funds for victims of Hurricane Katrina and awareness about genocide in Darfur, This award was established in 2002 and Clooney will be the 4th person to receive it after Oprah Winfrey (2002), Bill Cosby (2003) and Danny Thomas (2004). Congrats, Mr. Clooney! It's definitely very well deserved!

But what about the nominees? As every year, the newbies mingle with the veterans. Superb performances and shows that give us a hard time when making our bets. Will this be the year that the Academy gives an ex-aequo award? Will overdue nominees get their reward? Which dark horse will surprise us?

Joining me in placing the Emmy predictions in the main categories, the two Blogcritics TV editors, Josh Lasser and Barbara Barnett and two talented and great Blogcritics (fellow TV) writers: Mindy Peterman and Gerry Weaver.

My predictions:

Outstanding Comedy Series: Modern Family. I think it is the big revelation of the season. A very interesting peek to the everyday life of three types of family we can find anywhere these days. The dialogue is fresh, smart and hilarious and its documentary format is really attractive for the viewer.

Outstanding Drama Series: Lost. The Academy tends to be very generous with concluded shows. The last season was very intense, nerve-wracking and featured great performances by all the actors. I think it's fair to reward the show that has caused so much debate and theories in the last six months. Still, Mad Men is there looking menacing. Alternative: Mad Men

Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series: Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie. Versatile, funny and strong. These are the three adjectives to describe Falco's performance but be careful because Toni Collette could repeat last year's win.

Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series: Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory. He's the frontrunner in this category. Alec Baldwin is his strong opponent but it seems 30 Rock doesn't generate as much attention as it used to.

Outstanding Actress In A Drama Series: Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife. Just like the category of outstanding actor in a drama series, this category is full of talented and strong performances. Margulies has some very important awards behind thanks to her solid portrayal of Alicia Florrick and that is reason enough to say that she's the favourite.

Outstanding Actor In A Drama Series: Hugh Laurie - House. Six seasons, two Golden Globes, two Screen Actor Guild Awards and two Television Critics Awards later, Hugh Laurie, the eternal nominee, has zero Emmys. How is that possible?! I really hope this year justice is done for him. His submission for the award "Broken" shows us Gregory House in all his best. A two-hour episode in which we see a sweet, hurt, broken, tender, funny, playful, suffering House, a flawless performance by Laurie, period!

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series: Jane Lynch - Glee. She definitely steals the scene every time she appears on screen and in her submitting episode, her revival of Madonna's Vogue is precious and memorable.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series: Eric Stonestreet - Modern Family. His portrayal of friendly and devoted dad Cameron is fresh, hilarious and full of emotions. His Meryl Streep reference in one of the episodes is reason enough to reward this wonderful actor.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series: Elisabeth Moss - Mad Men. This one is going to be a mano-a-mano between Moss and Christina Hendricks but I bet on Moss because her character has grown up and along with her performance.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series: Terry O'Quinn - Lost. This category is about two Losties: O'Quinn and Michael Emerson. I won't mind that Emerson wins instead because Ben Linus has always been one of my favourite characters of the show but I think O'Quinn is going to get this one because John Locke has been crucial this final season and his intense performance has been really enjoyable to watch.

Josh Lasser's predictions:

Comedy Series: Modern Family. I should be going with Glee here and will go with Glee a lot on the Emmys this year but Modern Family is just excellent.

Drama Series: Mad Men. It's just so good. Lost could be a sentimental favorite due to it finishing its final season, but I think there were too many missteps in that season – really, did we need all those episodes in the temple?

Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series: Lea Michele - Glee. It's a tough category with a lot of deserving people, but people love their Glee.

Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series: Matthew Morrison - Glee. Because, hey, Glee could win just about everything, right?

Outstanding Actress In A Drama Series: Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife. Margulies in her return to television after ER in another show which both critics and fans like seems like a good choice.

Outstanding Actor In A Drama Series: Jon Hamm - Mad Men. I may like Kyle Chandler better right now, but I think that Mad Men has more momentum.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series: Neil Patrick Harris - How I Met Your Mother. He is so deserving in his role as Barney Stinson and has earned this award for several years even if he hasn't gotten it. Modern Family may be a favorite but with three nominees I think they'll split the vote.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series: Jane Lynch - Glee. Say it with me now in that high-pitched, stick your finger and your thumb up way – Glee! Lynch as Sue Sylvester is such a great villain and completely deserving of the award.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series: Christina Hendricks - Mad Men. I think Mad Men is going to do very well tonight and I'm not sure whether this award should go to Hendricks or Moss, but Hendricks just strikes me more as the potential winner.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series: Terry O'Quinn - Lost. O'Quinn was forced to do a lot of heavy-lifting in the final season of Lost and did a great job. Someone else may get the award, but I think it should go to O'Quinn.

Mindy Peterman's predictions:

Outstanding Comedy Series: Modern Family. A show that succeeds in covering all the bases: showing a gay, bi-racial, and "normal" family living in "harmony" under the same matriarch, and doing it with masterful ease. The show is often hilarious and occasionally heartbreaking. The documentary style has never been used to been put to better use.

Outstanding Drama Series: Lost. The last chance the show has to take the award and it certainly is deserving. The scope and magnitude of this project is in itself worthy of accolades. Its heartbreaking yet uplifting conclusion will be discussed and argued about for years to come.

Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series: Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie. No actress up for the award this year exhibits Falco's range. Getting us to sympathize with the drug addicted, philandering Jackie Peyton is a challenge but Falco wins us over every time.

Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series: Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory. The only show I've watched more than once in this batch is "Monk". And I wouldn't vote for Shaloub. He's won every year and enough is enough. The little I've seen of Parsons tells me he does a bang-up job with what could be an unlikable character (such a geek!). Not a truly educated pick but it is one from the gut and the heart.

Outstanding Actress In A Drama Series: Not familiar enough with the nominees to cast a vote.

Outstanding Actor In A Drama Series: Hugh Laurie - House. An award that is long overdue for this actor who has proven himself time and time again. Submitting the magnificent two-hour episode "Broken" was a smart move, giving him an excellent chance to finally win. Hopefully this will be Laurie's year to take Emmy home.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series: Kristin Wiig - Saturday Night Live. I would love to see Wiig take this. Not since the early days of Saturday Night Live has a cast member created so many memorable and hilarious characters.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series: Eric Stonestreet - Modern Family. Stonestreet's portrayal of Cameron on Modern Family is frequently hilarious, sometimes poignant and always masterful.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series: Elisabeth Moss - Mad Men. As Mad Men's Peggy Olsen, Moss gives a stellar performance as the first woman to be respected for her smarts in a male dominated 1960's advertising agency.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series: Terry O'Quinn - Lost O'Quinn's bowled us over with his extraordinary portrayal of John Locke, the crippled hero who eventually becomes the embodiment of evil on the island.

Gerry Weaver's predictions:

Outstanding Comedy Series: Modern Family. Last year, Glee had all the buzz, but I think there's some perception this year it was over-hyped. I think new comedy Modern Family will win this year.

Outstanding Drama Series: Mad Men. My personal favourite out of the nominees is True Blood, but I don't think it will take home the prize. Despite being hip, popular and run by Alan Ball, the genre works against it and it's had some uneven storylines. But look for Denis O'Hare for best guest actor in a drama next year! This year, Mad Men still seems to have the buzz, so I think it will be a repeat winner. Alternate: Lost

Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series: Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie. She's the favourite and I think she's going to win.

Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series: Steve Carell - The Office. Though Alec Baldwin and Jim Parsons are strong contenders, I'm going with Steve Carell, as he's never won for The Office and this is his last year.

Outstanding Actress In A Drama Series: Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife. The series is a critical darling and Margulies already has a Golden Globe, a SAG and a TCA award this season.

Outstanding Actor In A Drama Series: Hugh Laurie - House. I hope Hugh Laurie finally gets his Emmy; it's long past due and with his powerhouse submission, "Broken," he has an excellent chance. However, he will have to fight it out with Michael C. Hall, who is on a roll with a Golden Globe and the SAG award. The actor is not only excellent on his series, he's just a won a battle with cancer—the combination has made him a favourite this year among a lot of voters. And really, in this category, every nominee deserves to win. But I'm sticking with my favourite, Hugh Laurie.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series: Jane Lynch - Glee. Here's where I think Glee will be recognized. Jane Lynch steals all her scenes as Sue Sylvester and is the front runner in this race.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series: Eric Stonestreet - Modern Family. Neil Patrick Harris on How I Met Your Mother is an audience favourite who is also well-liked by his peers. However, Stonestreet on Modern Family has the advantage of being on the new buzzed about comedy.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series: Christina Hendricks - Mad Men. Just going on the fact that I like her, I’m picking Hendricks. It never hurts to generate sparks with Jon Hamm.

 

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series: Michael Emerson - Lost. I think Lost is going to get some love as it goes out with style.

Barbara Barnett's predictions:

Outstanding Comedy Series: Glee. It's sharp, sassy, and has captured the imagination of many television viewers.

Outstanding Drama Series: Mad Men. Ah, to relive the '60s of my parents. Excellent acting and writing will make this the favorite.

Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series: Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie. Just a feeling.

Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series: Steve Carell - The Office.

Outstanding Actress In A Drama Series: Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife. Margulies should add another major award to her collection for this season.

Outstanding Actor In A Drama Series: Hugh Laurie - House. It's so long overdue, and he is amazing in the submitted episode "Broken"

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series: Jane Lynch - Glee. She is just great and everyone loves Glee.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series: Neil Patrick Harris - How I Met Your Mother

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series: Sharon Gless - Burn Notice.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series: Andre Braugher - Man Of A Certain Age. Braugher is always great. I think the Academy will celebrate his return to series TV.

What do you think of our predictions? Are yours the same?

Red Carpet Arrivals to be streamed live on NBC.com, Access Hollywood.com, Ustream.com and Emmys.com at 4 pm PT, 7 pm ET.

The Primetime Emmy Awards airs coast-to-coast on NBC (5-8 pm PT, 8-11pm ET)