TV Feature: ‘Mad Men,’ ‘Modern Family’ Top 2011 Emmy Predictions

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BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA
Andre Braugher, Men of a Certain Age
Josh Charles, The Good Wife
Alan Cumming, The Good Wife
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Walton Goggins, Justified
John Slattery, Mad Men

Will/Should Win: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Should Have Been Nominated: John Noble, Fringe

Peter Dinklage in Game of Thrones
Photo credit: HBO

Throw a dart. Supporting categories are often where most of the surprises come into play for the Academy and last year’s winner Aaron Paul isn’t at the party this year. That leaves John Slattery as the likely veteran along with four new nomninees and the beloved Andre Braugher. It’s unlikely there’s enough support for Braugher, especially given the sad news about the cancellation of that underrated show, and I could easily see the two “Good Wife” candidates splitting the vote. That leaves Dinklage, Goggins, and Slattery. The silver-haired gentleman from “Mad Men” is the favorite — and, if you’re keeping track, could be a part of a MAJOR sweep in all four acting categories and series — but I’m going to guess that HBO gets thrown a bone here and the stellar first season of “Game of Thrones” gets its only major recognition in this category. At least that’s what should happen.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
Michelle Forbes, The Killing
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire
Margo Martindale, Justifed
Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife

Will/Should Win: Margo Martindale, Justifed
Should Have Been Nominated: Debra Winger, In Treatment

Margo Martindale in Justified
Photo credit: FX

Once again, your guess is nearly as good as mine. Predicting Emmy nominees isn’t nearly as difficult as predicting the winners, as proven by Archie Panjabi’s surprise win here last year. This is a category in which they like to spread the wealth and I don’t see Panjabi making it two years in a row (the splitting the vote dilemma is present here as well with felllow nominee Baranski). Is this where they give “Boardwalk” its potential sole acting win? I wouldn’t be stunned. Certainly not as much as I would be if Forbes walked off with it. Does this leave Hendricks by elimination? Possibly, but I think the overall support for “Justified” (four acting nominations if you include Jeremy Davies in guest) will give this prize to Margo Martindale…well-deserved.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Chris Colfer, Glee
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Ed O’Neill, Modern Family
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

Will Win: Chris Colfer, Glee
Should Win: Ed O’Neill, Modern Family
Should Have Been Nominated: Garrett Dillahunt, Raising Hope

Chris Colfer in Glee
Photo credit: FOX

Isn’t it hard to fathom how the “Modern Family” guys won’t cancel each other out? Even in my group of friends, there’s disagreement as to who is the best male actor on the show. Consensus among Emmy pundits seems to be leaning toward Ty Burrell based on his episode submission, but O’Neill had the strongest overall season of anyone on TV in my opinion. He was incredible. If either of them win, I won’t be surprised. If Jon Cryer wins, I’ll be stunned. And I’ll be laughing as Charlie Sheen rushes the stage to ‘Kanye’ his award. In all seriousness, if I’m leaning toward a “Modern Family” split vote and don’t think Cryer has a chance, well, that leaves one, deserving nominee — the best thing about the second season of “Glee.” Many people thought Chris Colfer might steal it from Stonestreet last season. I think he has a better shot this time.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Jane Lynch, Glee
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Betty White, Hot in Cleveland
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live

Will Win: Betty White, Hot in Cleveland
Should Win: Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Should Have Been Nominated: Alison Brie, Community

Betty White in Hot in Cleveland
Photo credit: TV Land

The prediction for which I most hope I’m incorrect. Hey, I’m down with America’s love affair with Betty White, but “Hot in Cleveland” should not be an Emmy winner in any way. Remember that the Academy is often a few months or even a year behind a trend. Remember how much the WORLD was in love with Betty White a year ago. She’s your most-likely winner. It helps that “Glee” had a down season and Lynch reportedly didn’t have that strong of a submission episode. Krakowski and Wiig have absolutely no shot and are basically just category fillers (a fact that should piss off fans of “Parks and Rec” and “Community,” two shows with MUCH stronger choices). That leaves the “Modern Family” ladies and Betty. Please. Let’s pick one of the “Family” ladies and not have a split vote there. Everyone — vote for Sofia Vergara. She had an inspired season and she just gets funnier and funnier. Yes, the same could be said for the great Bowen. Could they tie?

OTHER CATEGORIES:

BEST MOVIE/MINI-SERIES
Will/Should Win: Mildred Pierce

BEST ACTOR, MOVIE/MINI-SERIES
Will Win: Laurence Fishburne, Thurgood
Should Win: Edgar Ramirez, Carlos

BEST ACTRESS, MOVIE/MINI-SERIES
Will/Should Win: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, MOVIE/MINI-SERIES
Will/Should Win: Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, MOVIE/MINI-SERIES
Will/Should Win: Evan Rachel Wood, Mildred Pierce

BEST VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES
Will/Should Win: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

BEST REALITY COMPETITION SERIES
Will/Should Win: Top Chef

BEST HOST FOR A REALITY PROGRAM
Will Win: Tom Bergeron, Dancing With the Stars
Should Win: Jeff Probst, Survivor

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com [email protected]