Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Analise:
It'd be fun to see "Boston Legal" star James Spader repeat his surprise success from last year, and given the occasionally random tendencies of the Emmys, anything's possible. Still, I'm going with John Hamm as Don Draper, the advertising executive with a whole lot of drama behind those smoky eyes. "Mad Men" is incredible, and Hamm's winning the statuette would be the icing on the cake of a "Mad Men" sweep.
Chris:
James Spader has won three of the last four years in this category because "Boston Legal" gives him showy speeches to make near the end of his sample episodes. This year, his episode contains a 10-minute diatribe in front of the Supreme Court. Jon Hamm should win, but his superb performance is understated. Michael C. Hall has a shot for "Dexter." It's hard for an actor to win four Emmys for one role, but Spader is going to do it.
Stephanie:
I don't care who these mad men are, the maddest of them all is High Laurie as "House." He's insane, unpredicatble and the most perfect character on television today. After carrying his show for four years he shows no sign of stopping or slowing down. He managed to take a character we all thought we knew and make it worth watching every week. Here's to you, Hugh.
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Analise:
Confession - I started watching "Brothers and Sisters" towards the end of last season. It got good! Don't judge me! The point, though, is that Sally Field would be a solid winner in this category. In the end, though, I'm going with my longtime favorite, Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson in "Law and Order: SVU." You don't mess with Benson, fools. You just don't.
Chris:
FX's "Damages" received a whole bunch of nominations, but look for it to get ignored - except in this category. This award belongs to Glenn Close. Field won last year, but it'll be hard to repeat against another veteran actress on a new show with a lot of buzz.
Stephanie:
Mariska Hargitay never fails to deliver. "Law and Order" is unstoppable in any form, but she managed to take her token female character and make it indispensable. Every week she deals with the same issues, and every week she reveals something we never expected to see.
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Analise:
Again, a very solid category. I pick Michael Emerson from "Lost." If anyone deserves an Emmy on what is arguably network television's most twisted, ridiculous show, it's this guy. Not everybody can make an island disappear.
Chris:
Again, there's a popular pick that won't win. Ted Danson has received raves for his performance on "Damages," however, he's going up against Michael C. Emerson (Ben Linus on "Lost.") who gives a tour de force performance in his episode "The Shape of Things to Come." It will be hard for the voters to ignore such a great performance and they won't.
Stephanie:
I'm picking safe and going with "Lost." Michael Emerson holds his own on what truly is a cult hit show. Could "Lost" be the "Buffy" of our generation?
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Analise:
Granted, I stopped watching "Grey's Anatomy" a long time ago. Still, out of the nominees here, I'll go with Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey. In the few episodes I did see, Wilson has continuously kept up a top-notch standard of acting on a show that's often shamefully prone to melodrama. Let the reign of Bailey begin.
Chris:
Disappointingly, none of the actress from "Mad Men" made the final cut. Instead, we get a stale lineup that looks similar to last year's. Voters don't seem to like Oh and Wilson too much, and Bergen has already won a truckload of Emmys, so I'm picking Wiest, a two-time Oscar winner. Voters love giving Emmys to people who've already won Oscars.
Stephanie:
I love Sandra Oh. I've loved her ever since she fawned over Julie Andrews in "The Princess Diaries" and I love her even more today. She walks the line between serious actress and funny woman.
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Analise:
As much as some part of me still loves "Monk," it's time to stop the Shalhoub Machine. I'm going with Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy on "30 Rock." Where Steve Carell is funny, Baldwin is outrageous. This year is the year of "30 Rock," ladies and gentlemen. Get ready for a new era of Donaghy Domination.
Chris:
Most pundits have predicted Alec Baldwin, thanks to a knockout scene in his sample episode in which he impersonates every member of Tracy Jordan's family. Steve Carell has a lot of things going for him with his sample episode. He gets a lot of screentime, whereas Baldwin is only in his episode for a few minutes. Baldwin may be the popular choice, but I'm picking Carell to finally win his overdue Emmy.
Stephanie:
Though I will take Steve Carell any time, Baldwin is running away with all predicta-picks and you'd be a fool not to jump onto that bandwagon. He carries "30 Rock" without blinking an eye. This category is caught somewhere between a "Rock" and "The Office," amd I'm going with Baldwin.
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Analise:
Every nominee in this category is solid, including last year's winner, America Ferrera. Still, I'm going with Tina Fey, whose recent return to "Saturday Night Live" was only the latest in a series of memorable comedic moments.
Chris:
Fey is the "it" girl right now. When she accepted a SAG award last year, Fey compared acting with Alec Baldwin to Fred Astaire dancing with a hat rack and people saying, "Oh, the hat rack's pretty good too." Expect the hat rack to take home an acting Emmy.
Stephanie:
Christina, Christina, I love ya, Christina! Gotta love a woman who makes the transition from Broadway to television seamlessly, like "Samantha Who?"'s Christina Applegate. I adore her, but I must admit this category is pretty locked up by Tina Fey. She's riding down the mountain on her metaphorical snotball, and right now, nothing can stop her.
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Analise:
There is only one choice in this category. Yes, technically there are five, all of whom are wonderful, talented men with solid careers behind and ahead of them. Still, one man will reign, and that man is Neil Patrick Harris. "It's gonna be legen - wait for it, and I hope you're not lactose intolerant because the second half of that word is DAIRY!"
Chris:
While I'd love to see Rainn Wilson pick up an Emmy, it's not happening. Voters will either go with Jeremy Piven for the third year in a row, or Neil Patrick Harris, whose stock has risen in Hollywood over the past few years. I'm picking Harris and hoping voters are fatigued from voting for Piven.
Stephanie:
I am forever grateful to Neil Patrick Harris for his Freeze Ray wielding stint as Dr. Horrible. That is to be his only shining moment, though, as this category is going to Rainn Wilson. "The Office" deserves it's due, and it's coming in right here.
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Analise:
Amy Poehler! Amy Poehler! Amy Poehler! (Can you tell who I think should win in this category?)
Chris:
No Jenna Fischer this year? The horror. But that's OK, because we have Amy Poehler from "Saturday Night Live." Poehler is hot in Hollywood right now - she just signed on to star in her own sitcom - and her Hilary Clinton impersonation, contained in her sample episode, is the definitive impression of the former first lady. The pregnant Poehler will take home her first Emmy.
Stephanie:
Gotta give my props to my darling Broadway Baby, Kristin Chenoweth. The woman is funny. Gotta go with the SNL vibe, though. Who can resist Poehler as Hillary Clinton? Not I!
Outstanding Drama Series
Analise:
While either "Dexter" or "Lost" would be solid choices, the media attention alone has me thinking that "Mad Men" will take this category. The incredible attention to period detail alone shows how high quality the production level is here. Add to that the superb performances of January Jones and Jon Hamm, and you've got a recipe for dramatic TV perfection.
Chris:
"Mad Men" has all the buzz and deservedly so. It's a layered drama featuring outstanding performances, particularly by Jon Hamm and Elisabeth Moss. Expect this to win; however, past champ "Lost" is the dark horse now that it's finally back in the race after getting snubbed the past two seasons. But this category has two glaring omissions from the nominee list - "Friday Night Lights" and "The Wire."
Stephanie:
HOUSE! HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE! Just give it to them, please. The writing is brilliant, the characters are fascinating and the show is about as addicting as Vicodin. They were left dead in the water this year when the strike hit, but these crazy kids managed to salvage the season and leave it proped up to launch the next. Kudos, Princeson Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. I salute you.
Outstanding Comedy Series
Analise:
I have to go with "30 Rock" on this one. As much as I love the office, Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Kenneth the Page and one of the best rotations of guest stars in the business equals victory, victory, sweet Emmy victory. Did you see the Carrie Fisher episode? Fantastical.
Chris:
Both 2006 winner "The Office" and 2007 winner "30 Rock" tailed off a bit from their Emmy-winning seasons, but "30 Rock" still has the coolness factor with voters since its win last year. No new comedies have come along to challenge it, so expect "30 Rock" to defend its crown.
Stephanie:
Why mess with a good thing? Tina Fey is at the top of her game and Alec Baldwin is a hoot. "30 Rock" is my pick. That being said, nothing really soothes the soul like a good episde of "The Office." But I do think this is the year of the "Rock."
Outstanding Reality Series
Analise:
Despite the guilty pleasure status of "America's Next Top Model," I'm picking "Project Runway" in this category. I love "Top Chef," but "Runway" is spunky, creative, and downright fun to watch. Plus, an Emmy could be a great final note if the show goes to pot when it moves to Lifetime next year. You're either in, or you're out.
Chris:
Top Chef. Top Chef. That's all I can say. It's nearly impossible to describe the glory of "Top Chef." "Project Runway" can forget it. "American Idol" was always a joke. Nothing can stop the awesomeness of "Top Chef."
Stephanie:
It's hot, it's cool, and it's oh so fierce. "Project Runway" is the ultimate in reality TV. Anyone, including your dad, can be caught in it's web about ten minutes into an episode. Is it the designers? The clothing? Klum's I-can't-believe-that's-actually-authentic accent? No competition here, folks.
Best Variety Show Host
Analise:
I'm going with Colbert on this one. Steward, Letterman and Fey are all solid choices, and Don Rickles is a comedy legend for every reason in the book, but Colbert can and should take the cake on Sunday.
Chris:
Colbert may get his due in this category. Each of the past two years, a legendary singer has won this category - Barry Manilow and Tony Bennett - and another legend is in it this year, albeit a comedic one, Don Rickles. But I have a feeling voters have waited long enough to honor Colbert.
Stephanie:
Is Larry King still even on TV? God bless Colbert. Now, come and speak and graduation, whydoncha.