Emmy 2013 Nominees — Predicting the Winners
Chandler Kilgore-Parshall ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Writer
As of this morning, the nominees for the 2013 Primetime Emmys have been announced. From categorizes like Outstanding Comedy Series to Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama series to Outstanding Miniseries or Movie. Here at Emtertainment Monthly, we’re predicting which shows and actors will win some of these exceptional awards. The following is a list of all the nominees, with our picks in bold, with a short blurb following that describes our choice!
Outstanding Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory
Girls
Louie
Modern Family
30 Rock
Veep
Modern Family has been a frequent Emmy winner for the past three years in the category of Outstanding Comedy Series. The show has maintained its comedic formula that focused on the crux of family dynamics and pure goofball moments you can only love from the families of Dunphy, Pritchett and Tucker-Pritchett.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Laura Dern, Enlightened
Lena Dunham, Girls
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
While Veep is our pick for the best comedy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus delivers her all in this quirky HBO comedy as Vice President Selina Meyer. The former Seinfield star has brought humor and satire to the volatile politics found in Washington DC.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Jason Bateman, Arrested Development
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Don Cheadle, House of Lies
Louis C.K., Louie
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
It has been seven years since Arrested Development ended; however, since Netflix revived the popular series this summer, we recognize that nothing has changed with the Bluth family. Jason Bateman returns to the hit comedy as Michael Bluth who brings his best performance to the role and brings his dry, trademark humor to all of the family dysfunction.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory
Jane Lynch, Glee
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Merritt Wever, Nurse Jackie
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Anna Chlumsky, Veep
When it was announced that 30 Rock was ending after a successful seven-year run, Tina Fey and the whole cast and crew brought their A-game to bring a hilarious final season to the beloved NBC comedy. Jane Krakowski was outstanding as the eccentric and flighty Jenna. If you thought Jenna was crazier and extravagant for the past six seasons, Krakowski nailed her performance in the final thirteen episodes.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Adam Driver, Girls
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Ed O’Neill, Modern Family
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live
Tony Hale, Veep
Within a cast of talented actors and actresses, Bill Hader stood out from his Saturday Night Live castmates. From his performances as the flamboyant clubber Stefon, Vincent Pryce to the senile news reporter Herb Welch, Hader is now a notable member of SNL history. Fun fact: He is the first male SNL member to receive the nomination of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy since Eddie Murphy in 1983.
Outstanding Drama Series
Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
Homeland
House of Cards
Mad Men
House of Cards is an American political drama following Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), the Democrat’s House Majority Whip who gets passed over for the appointment of Secretary of State. Underwood decides to exact his revenge on betrayed him. It’s like a dark version of The West Wing. While House of Cards is a Netflix only show, its successful first season has proved that online streaming is the new television. Hopefully this brilliant show with fantastic acting and political intrigue wins the accolade of Outstanding Drama.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Vera Farmiga, Bates Motel
Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
Claire Danes, Homeland
Robin Wright, House of Cards
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Connie Britton, Nashville
Kerry Washington, Scandal
Even though Bates Motel did not make its way into the nominations of Outstanding Drama, Vera Farmiga brings a creepy portrayal to the resilient and mercurial mother figure, Norma Bates. Farmiga shows how being a protective mother can be a dangerous role to play, especially in a town full of dark secrets.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Hugh Bonneville, Downtown Abbey
Damian Lewis, Homeland
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom
Now, this category was difficult to predict. Breaking Bad is coming to an end this August and it has been one hell of a ride as Walter White, a simple, unfilled chemistry teacher becomes the biggest meth kingpin living a life of crime. Cranston’s acting fleshes out how manipulative and dangerous Walter White really is as Heisenberg and why you should never cross him.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
Morena Baccarin, Homeland
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
Maggie Smith is a great actress, plain and simple. But Smith once again brings her subtle talent and charisma in Downton Abbey as Violet Crawley.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Bobby Cannavale, Boardwalk Empire
Jonathan Banks, Breaking Bad
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Jim Carter, Downtown Abbey
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Mandy Patinkin, Homeland
Boardwalk Empire is a dangerous and cutthroat show focusing on the turbulent times of the Prohibition era with politicians negotiating backhanded and gangsters offing each other. But Bobby Cannavale delivers as the demented gangster Gyp Rossetti in Boardwalk’s third season. Gyp was one of Nucky Thompson’s dangerous opponents in the show as he brings a dash of ambition and insanity to his character. Season three of Boardwalk Empire was defined by Cannavale’s stellar performance.
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Bob Newhart, The Big Bang Theory
Nathan Lane, Modern Family
Bobby Cannavale, Nurse Jackie
Louis C.K., Saturday Night Live
Justin Timberlake, Saturday Night Live
Will Forte, 30 Rock
When it comes to comedy these days, Louis C.K. delivers. From his own television show to his guest appearance on Saturday Night Live, C.K. brings his own brand of unique (and often adult) humor to the stage. Louis C.K. deserves to win this award because he’s one of the funniest comedians around.
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Molly Shannon, Enlightened
Dot-Marie Jones, Glee
Melissa Leo, Louie
Melissa McCarthy, Saturday Night Live
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live
Elaine Stritch, 30 Rock
Kristen Wigg (Saturday Night Live) has become a household in the industry. From Bridesmaids to her final performances on SNL, Wigg brings her A-game to all of her roles, setting her apart from the other funny women within this category. Even though Wigg has left the beloved SNL, she left behind a comedic legacy that can’t be replaced.
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, Episodes
Louis C.K. and Pamela Adlon, Louie
Greg Daniels, The Office
Jack Burditt and Robert Carlock, 30 Rock
Tina Fey and Tracey Wigfield, 30 Rock
Even if you like 30 Rock or not, you’ll admit it’s pretty darn quirky and unusual. Tina Fey and Tracey Wigfield have written some of the best comedic situations that can only be found at 30 Rockfeller Plaza. It has been a great seven years 30 Rock; they earned this fantastic award for all of their hard work!
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
Lena Dunham, Girls
Paris Barclay, Glee
Louis C.K., Louie
Gail Macuso, Modern Family
Beth McCarthy-Miller, 30 Rock
Girls is a fresh, bold look on the ups and downs of being a twenty-something woman in New York and how life can be wholeheartedly funny and sometimes downright confusing. Girls is a raw and refreshing comedy that deserves recognition.
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Nathan Lane, The Good Wife
Michael J. Fox, The Good Wife
Rupert Friend, Homeland
Robert Morse, Mad Men
Harry Hamlin, Mad Men
Dan Bucatinsky, Scandal
Despite his struggle with Parkinson’s, Michael J. Fox has, and will always be a fantastic actor. His guest performance in The Good Wife as rival attorney Louis Canning proved how talented and experienced Fox is within his range of acting.
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Margo Martindale, The Americans
Diana Rigg, Game of Thrones
Carrie Preston, The Good Wife
Linda Cardellini, Mad Men
Jane Fonda, The Newsroom
Joan Cusack, Shameless
The Newsroom is an intellectual and rousing drama about quality news reporting within the fictional ACN news channel that Aaron Sorkin can only bring. Jane Fonda’s role as, the CEO of the AWM news organization is performed with passion and business savvy to see why Fonda is an excellent actress in the first place.
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
George Mastras, Breaking Bad
Thomas Schnauz, Breaking Bad
Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey
David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, Game of Thrones
Henry Bromell, Homeland
Breaking Bad has been recognized for being one of the greatest TV dramas ever written. From its nail-biting action packed moments to the more serene and subtle ones, Breaking Bad fleshes out the dark side of Walter White and his life of crime in a surprisingly realistic way. Either George Mastras or Thomas Schnauz should win for their hard work on Breaking Bad.
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
Tim Van Patten, Boardwalk Empire
Michelle MacLaren, Breaking Bad
Jeremy Webb, Downton Abbey
Lesli Linka Glatter, Homeland
David Fincher, House of Cards
While House of Cards’ first season is a mere ten episodes, they are so suspenseful and engaging that each episode ends in a heartbeat. It becomes so addicting to binge watch the whole season just to see what happens next. David Flincher crafted an unsettling chain of events about politics and corruption with House of Cards. But it was his directing that really nailed the show’s dark tone with such sleek cinematic flair.
Outstanding Miniseries or Movie
American Horror Story: Asylum
Behind The Candelabra
The Bible
Phil Spector
Political Animals
Top of the Lake
While most of the titles in this category are biopics or dramatizations on true stories, nothing can beat creativity. American Horror Story has always sent chills down its viewers’ spine with enough creepiness to last a lifetime. American Horror Story’s second chapter, Asylum is no different. It messes with your psyche and keeps you on the edge of your seat until its final episode concludes. AHS: Asylum is so demented and twisted, you’ll just want more.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Asylum
Laura Linney, The Big C: Hereafter
Helen Mirren, Phil Spector
Sigourney Weaver, Political Animals
Elisabeth Moss, Top Of The Lake
Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss has proven that she is not just Peggy Olsen. Moss puts her all into every role she plays with such grace and tenacity, including the role of Detective Robin Griffin from Top of the Lake. Moss is a fantastic actress that is constantly on the rise and she should get this award indefinitely!
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
Michael Douglas, Behind The Candelabra
Matt Damon, Behind The Candelabra
Toby Jones, The Girl
Benedict Cumberbatch, Parade’s End
Al Pacino, Phil Spector
Toby Jones’ portrayal of Alfred Hitchcock was astounding. He brought a new dimension to the famous filmmaker, a cold and manipulative side that comes with his artistic pursuits in making The Birds, including his unusual relationship with Tippi Hedren (Sienna Miller).
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
Sarah Paulson, American Horror Story: Asylum
Imelda Staunton, The Girl
Ellen Burstyn, Political Animals
Charlotte Rampling, Restless
Alfre Woodard, Steel Magnolias
Imelda Staunton who played Alfred Hitchcock’s wife in HBO’s The Girl, brought a superb yet odd experience to the film. Staunton nailed the interpretation of Lady Hitchcock as a passive and eccentric wife to the filmmaker. It was creepy to watch Hitchcock’s wife be a witness to Alfred Hitchcock’s duplicitous behavior on set and not react openly, but it was intriguing to watch. Staunton did a great performance!
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
James Cromwell, American Horror Story: Asylum
Zachary Quinto, American Horror Story: Asylum
Scott Bakula, Behind The Candelabra
John Benjamin Hickey, The Big C: Hereafter
Peter Mullan, Top of the Lake
From Star Trek’s Spock to Sylar from NBC’s Heroes, Zachary Quinto finds himself in a variety of unique roles. Yet, he brings his own subdued style of acting to add depth and mystery to all of his characters, including American Horror Story’s Dr. Thredson. Quinto really stands out in this miniseries amongst a cast of talented actors and breathes life into his character as a sadistic intellect that is essentially a monster in the flesh.
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Dramatic Special
Richard LaGravenese, Behind The Candelabra
Abi Morgan, The Hour
Tom Stoppard, Parade’s End
David Mamet, Phil Spector
Jane Campion and Gerard Lee, Top of the Lake
Jane Campion and Gerard Lee wrote an excellent detective mystery about the disappearance of a pregnant girl in Top of the Lake. It was a riveting plot that had a very weird kind of twist ending. Only skilled writers can lead its audience down a path with a trail of breadcrumbs, only to completely throw them off the path with a series of twists and turns. Top of the Lake was a memorable drama miniseries.
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Dramatic Special
Steven Soderbergh, Behind The Candelbra
Julian Jarrold, The Girl
David Mamet, Phil Spector
Allison Anders, Ring of Fire
Jane Campion and Garth Davis, Top of the Lake
The Girl could have been a run-of-the-mill biopic but Julian Jarrold directed it to be an excellent psychological intrigue story about Alfred Hitchcock and his obsession with Tippi Hedren. Like Hitchcock’s The Birds, The Girl was full of subtle suspense, as it depicted a very poisonous relationship between director and actress.
Outstanding Variety Series
The Colbert Report
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
Real Time With Bill Maher
Saturday Night Live
Between 2001 and 2012, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart has won 18 Primetime Emmy awards including Outstanding Variety Series. It is no surprise that the Daily Show will win once again this year. But how long will Jon Stewart’s award winning track record last?
Outstanding Variety Special
The Kennedy Center Honors
Louis C.K.: Oh My God
Mel Brooks Strikes Back! With Mel Brooks and Alan Yentob
Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update
12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief
Louis C.K.: Oh My God was absolutely hilarious! His dry wit and contemptuous humor has been consistent, and Oh My God is no exception. Louis C.K. is bringing a new standard of comedy these days and he’s not holding any punches with his nihilism.
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
The Colbert Report
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Portlandia
Real Time With Bill Maher
Saturday Night Live
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart has remained consistent with its sharp writing as it never falls behind on current events and it certainly doesn’t hold back. The news has never been funnier.
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special
The 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards
Louis C.K.: Oh My God
Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs<
Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update
66th Annual Tony Awards
Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update has been a keystone in the live sketch show’s history, since 1975. Like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, Weekend Update lampoons the news-reporting scene with bizarre “headlines” and “interest stories.” It always feels fresh and new with Seth Meyers and Bill Hader’s Stefon character stealing the show.
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series
James Hoskinson, The Colbert Report
Chuck O’Neil, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Andy Fisher, Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jerry Foley, Late Show With David Letterman
Jonathan Krisel, Portlandia
Don Roy King, Saturday Night Live
While The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is sharp with its writing, there’s something about The Colbert Report that stands. Stephen Colbert delivers enough wit and zany fun to make The Colbert Report feel like a jamboree full of satire and sarcasm.
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
Louis J. Horvitz, The Kennedy Center Honors
Bucky Bunts, London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony
Louis C.K., Louis C.K.: Oh My God
Don Mischer, The Oscars
Michael Dempsey, 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief
The Oscars was a big hit with films like Lincoln, Argo and Life of Pi winning all of the big awards. But it takes a lot of time and effort to bring a sense of elegance and professional to the award ceremony. Kudos to Don Mischer. His hard work on the Oscars should be awarded with Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special.
Outstanding Reality — Competition Program
The Amazing Race
Dancing With the Stars
Project Runway
So You Think You Can Dance
Top Chef
The Voice
Reality competitions like Top Chef, The Amazing Race and Dancing with the Stars have been around forever! It’s time for something new. The Voice has really piqued my interest with its emphasis on finding singing talent than just the celebrities. Its fourth season just concluded but The Voice is fresh and new with its genuine approach for finding the best of the best.
Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality — Competition Program
Ryan Seacrest, American Idol
Betty White, Betty White’s Off Their Rockers
Tom Bergeron, Dancing With the Stars
Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn, Project Runway
Cat Deeley, So You Think You Can Dance
Anthony Bourdain, The Taste
Betty White is just awesome. Period. The fact that Betty White has her own reality show called Betty White’s Off Their Rockers is even better. Give America’s Golden Girl the award already! No discussion needed.
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The Emmy Awards will be live on September 22nd on CBS and Neil Patrick Harris will be hosting the award show. For everything Emmys and entertainment, stay posted on Emtertainment Monthly.