Image Credit: Bob D'Amico/ABC; Danny Feld; AMC; Justin Stephens/NBCNow that the Emmy nominations have been announced, it’s time to get down to the business of predicting who will emerge victorious on Aug. 29. Each week between now and Emmy night, I’ll be taking a closer look at the major categories and singling out the frontrunners, the dark horses, and — because my bitterness knows no expiration date — the most unforgivable snubs. (During this time, my esteemed colleagues Lynette Rice and Ken Tucker will also be offering their kudos insight as well.) First up: Outstanding Lead and Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights)
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
Hugh Laurie (House M.D.)
Michael C. Hall (Dexter)
Matthew Fox (Lost)
The Frontrunner: Cranston and Chandler (tie). Cranston could well earn his third consecutive trophy, but the Academy has three years of snubs to atone for where Chandler is concerned.
The Dark Horse: Laurie. If he submits last season’s two-hour asylum-set opener — and he’d be a dummy not to — the winless thesp could be tough to beat.
Most Egregious Snub: Timothy Olyphant (Justified). Perhaps voters thought… Maybe they didn’t consider… I guess it’s possible they failed to… Nope, I got nothin’.
Other Notable Omissions: Peter Krause (Parenthood), Andy Whitfield (Spartacus: Blood and Sand), and Kiefer Sutherland (24).
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
John Slattery (Mad Men)
Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)
Martin Short (Damages)
Terry O’Quinn (Lost)
Michael Emerson (Lost)
Andre Braugher (Men of a Certain Age)
The Frontrunner: Paul. Of all the nominees here, he has the strongest work to choose from. Of course, I said the same thing last year.
The Dark Horse: Braugher. The first rule of Emmy predicting: Never bet against Braugher. The Homicide vet already has two gold statues on his mantle. His vanity-free work as a stressed-out working dad on Certain Men could easily earn him a third.
Most Egregious Snub: John Noble (Fringe). In any universe, this is simply unacceptable.
Other Notable Omissions: Nestor Carbonell (Lost), Tate Donovan (Damages), and Chris Noth (The Good Wife).
Is your crystal ball telling you something different? And do you agree with my picks for most egregious snubs? Sound off below!
Most egregious snub EVER is John Noble of Fringe. So very bad.
yes he should get an emmy for the backstroy epsiode about peter just for that!!!
I’m tired of waiting for Hugh Laurie to pick up his emmy. Five nominations for House’s lead actor and he has yet to win despite winning the people’s choice for best actor, best show along with every other award recently and in years past. Maybe he’s gotten so good and affecting an American accent for the role that folks forget he’s a brit. Add to that, walking with a cane for the past 6 years and phenomenally delivering the best written dialog on TV and I’m scratching my head trying to figure what has gotten lodged up Hollywood’s A$$ to snub the guy for so long. Hell, he’s gone nuts, OD’ed, recovered, fallen in love and tortured so many that there’s nothing left for him to do except maybe start a meth lab? Or an advertising agency or maybe go serial killer? Seriously, folks, wake the hell up. House earned it.
with chandler and laurie in the race and both so so so deserving of the win this year, its going to be happy-sad no matter which of them win(especially knowing that FNL will be in its last season next year…) but if neither of them win it will just be sad!
Mr. Ausiello, I’m surprised that you choose Nestor C. over Zach Gilford for the worst snub…
Thank you MA for noting the snubs of Timothy Olyphant and Chris Noth. It doesn’t ease this fan’s disappointment, but glad you noted the egregious omissions. Maybe, next year.
Sooo unhappy about the omission of John Noble. I felt that he should receive 2 nods because of his dual roles. I just love him!
Agreed. While I would pick a LOST winner in most of the categories they’re nominated for, I think Noble was snubbed way more than I think Nestor Carbonel was. Ab Aeterno was maybe a good episode…I honestly wasn’t that big of a Richard fan until the last episode but I think Noble proves week in and week out how great of an actor he is.
The Emmy so belongs to Terry O’Quinn. He gave one of television most enigmatic frightening performances this year. Although, technically, he should be in the Leading Actor slot
They should be ashamed for not including John Noble! Now I’m torn between wanting to watch for Lost and wanting to go back to ignoring the Emmys for the talented Mr. Noble. Sigh.
@andreec. Since House has degenerated into a poorly written soap opera, don’t you think it would have been more appropriate for him to have been nominated for a daytime emmy?
Nestor should have been nominated in the best guest star slot. He had one really strong episode. He was not a regular on the series in the same way that Daniel Day Kim or Michael Emerson or Jorge Garcia were.
Agreed!
Oh Good grief! “House” is just garbage! I cannot believe he was nominated again, even though I love Hugh Laurie (in good productions). People complain about “Grey’s”….House is much worse!
Agree! John Noble’s characterization of Dr. Bishop is so inspiring so well ellaborated and so SNUBBED!! He is actually a lead actor in this series.
It gives me a LITTLE bit of solace to know that in an alternate reality, John Noble is nominated for, and will win, the Emmy he truly deserved after this season.
I agree that in the alt universe this would probably be his second win (after last season). Still upset about this one, especially since during every episode this past season I found myself muttering something about him deserving an emmy for that performance!
Why so many people are interested in an i-nterracial relations-hip. black woman want to date white man and black guys want to have relationship with white women. There are many sites focusing on this kind of relationships such as *** (B lack wh ite Cupid)* .*{C00M} *** recommend it here, check it out
It’s disgusting, how could they snub him like that. He was simply amazing.
True Blood will win in ALL categories
I’m with ya there, except for one small issue. THERE IS NO ONE FROM TRUE BLOOD, nominated in these categories
As much as I wish it were nominated in any of the acting categories, it’s not. But I am hoping it takes home Best Drama.
it won’t.
I doubt it’ll take the Best Drama award. I mean, c’mon. I’m rooting for Lost, but Dexter or Breaking Bad will probably win.
Mad Men takes it for the third year in a row. Best season of the best show on TV. West Wing won four years in a row, so we know it’s possible.
Oh,you True Blood people irritate me. Go back to the nest. This show rocks blah, blah, blah. Worst acted show on tv. All of the shows up against it don’t rely on grose sex, gore, abuse against women,or
horrible acting. Take that crap away and you’ve got nothing.
I’m with you on this one, jj. True Blood is a joke.
I hope Michael C Hall wins. He was amazing in season 4. But if he doesn’t, he will definetly take it home in 2011 for Rita’s death.
Yeah, I would consider him the front-runner. He got the golden globe and the SAG award this year.
I agree. I think he is the front runner and deservedly so. Amazing performance this season.
yea i think he’s the front runner too – i think we should look at this category and appreciate just how excellent each and every one of these performances were this year. snub or not, nobody was squeezing in here cause nobody can compare to any one of these men. this is probably the strongest category of the year. personally i’m goin for Kyle Chandler… er no I’m goin for Matthew Fox- wait, Bryan Cranston is just steller- but how bout Jon Hamm and that explosive season finale! ugh- my head just exploded
ITA. Plus, his cancer diagnosis will definitely give him an edge over the competition. Emmy voters tend to vote for people who have been sick (witness: Michael J. Fox).
This year is for season 4, 2011 will be for season 5 which doesn’t air until last September, early October. With that said, MCH for the win!!
Totally agree. While this is a very strong category, this is and should be Michael C. Hall’s year. He was brilliant on Six Feet Under and is even better on Dexter, particularly this season. He mesmerizes me.
Hall has to win it. Not only did he already win the Golden Globe (usually a preview of the nominees and winners of the Emmy’s) but he was absolutely brilliant this past season. Rewatch the Thanksgiving episode if you don’t know what I’m talking about.
Well done Amy, remember to check your work frobee you post. Some brilliant ideas and I am pleased you have used complex sentences, well done.
I bet Breaking takes both categories.
Seconded. I adore Dexter and Mad Men, but haven’t seen anyone on TV do work the level of Cranston and Paul. I really hope they take it. Paul especially; in a best actor category so filled with talent, I can accept Cranston already has two.
third.
i will be highly surprised if Breaking Bad doesn’t win in both categories. it was a fantastic year for both of them.
I really hope Aaron Paul wins for supporting. His performance as Jesse is nothing short of revelatory. And while I think Cranston is brilliant, I’m rooting for the awesome Michael C. Hall to win lead actor for Dexter.
I agree completely!
I think Martin Short has an excellent shot. The Emmy voters always like to reward someone who goes outside their usual comfort zone and persona and you couldn’t go any farther from Ed Grimley than what Marty Short did in Damages. But I won’t be unhappy if the great Andre Braugher wins instead.
JOHN NOBLE should have been nominated!
I personally see Matthew Fox as the dark horse and could even end up taking the statue. I think that Terry O’Quinn will win because he played two great, but completely different characters in one season.
I totally agree, it was really interesting to watch him all season morph into different characters
James Lipton is an incredible host. He let’s robin wlliiams do his thing and doesn’t interfere with his comedy. No one in the world can match Robin’s energy and humor, and by letting him loose, the show is even better.I hope you’re watching this Jay Leno.
I simply want to moneitn I am beginner to blogging and really enjoyed your web-site. Very likely I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You actually come with remarkable article content. Kudos for revealing your blog site. 0
Terry O’Quinn was the most exciting, unpredictable, emotional actor out there.
With one smile he reminded me how muh I missed the old John Locke, and with a scowl made me frightened of the new John Locke.
If he does not win it will be shame.
I agree 100%
O’Quinn should be a lock for this award, not just a guy nominated as filler. John Locke/Smokey was one heck of a performance this year. no oher actor on tv could make me cry and be terrified in the same episode.
You guys have to understand that Ausiello is not a huge “Lost” fan. I don’t even think he’s even a casual viewer of “Lost”. So him not picking either O’Quinn nor Emerson (both of them winners in this category) for Front Runner is not that surprising.
I have said the same thing before, and it really kind of annoys me. I feel like Ausiello is above this kind of thing. I mean, it’s okay if he really preferred their performances, and he probably did, but I just feel like he’s never one to include outsiders, ya know?
Yeah.. I have a feeling this will be a mea culpa from the Emmys – as far as Matthew Fox goes. I’m not completely sold on O’Quinn & Emerson winning because they have before, right?
And yes… John Noble was completely jobbed!!
me too I see Fox winning i really hope that he does, talk about a snub!
also hall from Dexter clearly the writer of this article either hasnt seen it, or isnt a fan to even consider him.
Agreed. Michael C. Hall is revelatory as Dexter, and he won the Golden Globe and SAG award this year so he has to be considered one of the front runners for the Emmy. He is amazing.
Yeah I think so too. He should, it’s his last year anyway. As someone who watches Lost, Breaking Bad and Friday Night Lights, I have to disagree with a previous poster. Cranston, while brilliant, was the third best of the three lead actors (Chandler, Fox and Cranston). And he’s already won it two years in a row. I’m going to be very disappointed if either Fox or Chandler doesn’t manage to pull this award out.
I agree with everything you just said. And frankly, just because this is Fox’s last shot, I hope he takes it. I feel like with this year’s nomination, Chandler’s a shoo-in for a nomination next year, as well as a win. I foresee next season being nothing short of amazing, and predict he’ll have lots of amazing episodes to pick from for submission. Fox was OUTSTANDING this season, from start to finish, and his final half hour was some of the best acting I’ve ever seen. I literally was in awe, and though I’ve always been a fan, since Party of Five, I genuinely did not think he had that kind of power in him. I stand corrected.
I hate to be repetitive, but I agree with mary. I really, really hope Matthew takes the statue, because he deserves it so much. Honestly, everyone else in the category either has already been nominated many times, has won already, or, in Chandler’s case, still has a shot next year. C’mon Emmys, don’t be predictable d-bags!
I have to disagree with you there, then. I watch all three shows, just like you do (actually, I’ve watched all six shows), and to say Cranston is actually the third best actor behind Fox and Chandler seems rather ludicrous. I have to wonder if you even watched Breaking Bad.
All three are fantastic, all SIX of them are fantastic, and I will be happy with anyone taking it home, but if Fox wins, that doesn’t mean he’s a better actor than Cranston or the others – I would say this being Lost’s final season has factored quite strongly into the votes. Nothing wrong with that, but that doesn’t mean Fox deserves it more than anyone else in this category.
I see Matthew Fox and Terry O’Quinn as the dark horses. They were unbelievible this year. Hopefully the academy will have a soft spot for Lost since it was the last season. That would be a great send off. Every actor was superb.
I agree that the dark horse for Best Actor honors in Matthew Fox. Regardless of what your opinion is of the Lost finale and all that nonsense, Fox has given consistently strong performances throughout the series, and I’m absolutely flabbergasted that this is only his first nomination for the show. The man has probably shed more tears on-screen than any other actor I’ve seen in recent history (not that that’s an indication of quality acting in general, but Fox does it with panache), and his final scene in the show gave me chills for a week after the finale aired. He’s been outstanding in Lost, and he deserves to be duly recognized for it.
As for John Noble’s snub… My God, what is wrong with these Emmy people?! Speaking of Lost, Michael Emerson, awesome as he is, hardly had anything to do this past season. And plus, he’s already got a statue. They should’ve given his slot to Noble, without a doubt! I <3 Walter (and Walternate).
Agree completely with DL. Fox and O’Quinn as dark horses. Terry O’Quinn was fantastic, and Fox + “The End”=enough said. Michael Emerson is amazing in every scene, but was gone most of the season. If Emmy didn’t want to recognize John Noble…and wanted to go for Lost, where was Nestor Carbonell? “Ab Aeterno” floored me!
DL, it does not matter if someone already has an Emmy. If the academy thinks Michael Emerson deserves it they will reward him again.
I think Matthew Fox is going to take it — great episodes to use, a lot of emotion about “Lost” going off the air, plus Fox has never won. I think O’Quinn and Emerson will split each other’s votes, though. Would not be surprised to see Andre Braugher surprise.
JJ, I’m completely aware of that. It was not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a comment on the principle of it.
I’m also going to disagree with Deana. I think O’Quinn will nab the votes, hands down. The guy was handed Emmy-worthy material on a silver platter this season for essentially two entirely different characters, and he managed to turn in outstanding performances for both of them. Emerson, while always riveting to watch, was largely absent this season, as Belle noted. I would also certainly agree that Nelson Carbonell was yet another egregious snub. His performance in Ab Aeterno was heartbreaking.
O’Quinn was so great that when I looked at him in season 6, I completely did not look as him as John Locke. Then in the flash-sideways, I had no problem seeing him as John Locke. He portrayed the two completely different characters perfectly.
And though I am a huge Foxy supporter, I don’t think he’ll win.
What about Michael C Hall for Dexter?? Come on, season 4 was crazy. He HAS to finally win.
did Hall win last year? or was that the golden globes? Lithgow won too.
Hall is great! he totally carries that show all by himself. love him
but i also want Fox to win!
I know Hall won something. I think it was the Golden Globes though. I am partial to Lost and totally pulling for Matthew Fox to win. Hugh Laurie – been there, done that. And the rest of the shows I don’t watch.
It was the Golden Globes, for Hall and for Lithgow. I hope they both win their respective categories for the Emmy, and see Fox as a dark horse.
Hall might get some sympathy votes for surviving cancer. I think Laurie is probably due, though.
Sorry but the cancer should have nothing to do with it. If it does I will be pissed.
I’m rooting for Matthew Fox or Michael C. Hall (Hugh Laurie is amazing, but should have won for previous seasons). Also, Terry O’Quinn beats Aaron Paul, and I love Breaking Bad (also would not mind Bryan Cranston winning again even though I really REALLY want Matthew Fox to nwo that LOST is over.)
Whoever wins best supporting, regardless of how talented they are (and pretty much everyone on that list IS talented), it will still be impossible to ignore the gaping incorrectness of it all.
John Noble’s performance this past season on Fringe, particularly in “Peter”, is one of the finest turned in by a supporting actor in a LONG time, and I am deeply disappointed it didn’t even merit acknowledging.
I can only add “Agreed!”
Agreed X 2!
Agreed to the power of infinity…..AND BEYOND!
I still think Fox will win it all – and for the first time in a long time – I’ve seen all the nominees in action. He’ll submit “The End” and the Hollywood landscape that loves him will vote him the big prize for it. Can’t really disagree much on the supporting actors predictions, but I also think for sentimental voters might vote for one of the two very deserving Lost nominees.
i really hope matthew fox wins.cranston is great but this was an amazing season for matthew fox and he really deserves it.
I have a feeling Mariah Kelly will be a judge baeucse she’s the one who had more number 1 hit records in pop music history and she has been around since the nineties and she’s been around much longer than brittney. Briotteny would do some help for ratings but you need someone of years experience and Mariah is the one that can do it.
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA: Hugh Laurie (Overdue factor).
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA: Andre Braugher (He *is* Andre Braugher)
I 100% agree. Would like to either see Matthew Fox or Hugh Laurie (his acceptance speech would be a highlight of the evening) win best actor. And like you said. Andre Braugher because He “IS” Andre Braugher. Go Frank Pembelton!
I agree. Hugh Laurie deserves an emmy! Come on people! However, I have a feeling I will be disappointed once again.
I agree with the snub of John Noble but it should be a tie with Zach Gilford. He was awesome on FNL in season 4.
Because it apparently can’t be repeated enough: Zach Gilford WAS NOT snubbed in the Supporting Actor category because he wasn’t on the ballot in the first place. He submitted as a Guest Actor, and John Lithgow has that category locked up tighter than the gold vaults at Fort Knox. Want to blame someone for Gilford not getting a nomination? Start with whoever on his team decided to include him in the wrong category.
It technically wasn’t a wrong category placement at all. He is credited as a GUEST for his nine episodes of the fourth season of Friday Night Lights. The fact that he was previously a full time series regular has a lot of people confused. But in the main titles his name was removed, with it being billed later in the SAME fashion as John Lithgow. So no need to be so effing rude Alyson.
right on!
I’m going to go with Michael C. Hall and Terry O’ Quinn.