Predicting the Winners of the 2016 Emmys

And the nominees are...



*The Americans
*Better Call Saul
*Downton Abbey
*Game of Thrones
*Homeland
*House of Cards
*Mr. Robot

And the Emmy goes to...

**Game of Thrones**

Even in a strong category like this one, Thrones seems like the runaway favorite. It lead, once again, all nominees with 23, so it's got the support of several branches. It also helps that it's the most popular show on the planet, coming off a comeback season. Add in the fact that this will be the last time that the show will be nominated here until 2018, so they may want to give it a going away present. House of Cards seems like the most likely show to knock it out. It had a strong comeback season, and it's a political show in an election year. That said, it's a slim chance; historically, few shows have ever won the category without getting a writing or directing nomination (which would also rule out Better Call Saul, but it doesn't have a chance), i.e. the more support in creative departments, the better.

Mr. Robot could sneak in; it's won several awards already and has a strong following. I think it's just too small though, and too niche, to make much of an impact here. Same goes for The Americans, which surprised many by making it in, but doesn't seem that ready to take the category's mantle. Downton Abbey is here for the final time, but I really can't see it surprising here (though stranger things have happened).

Power Rankings
1. Game of Thrones
2. House of Cards
3. Mr. Robot
4. Downton Abbey
5. The Americans
6. Better Call Saul
7. Homeland

And the nominees are...



*Black-ish
*Master of None
*Modern Family
*Silicon Valley
*Transparent
*Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
*Veep

And the Emmy goes to...

**Veep**

This one seems pretty locked up for Veep to take it's second straight. It's fifth season was just as acclaimed as the previous one, the election story made it incredibly timely, and it's whopping 16 nominations makes it one of the most nominated comedy seasons ever. If I had to pick a spoiler, it'd likely be HBO's other comedy hit Silicon Valley. With 11 nods it ranked second only to the incumbent in comedy nominations and garnered two nominations in both the writing and directing categories, as well as finally scoring it's first acting nomination. It likely won't happen, but if something could stop the veep train, it'd be Silicon Valley.

Power Rankings
1. Veep
2. Silicon Valley
3. Transparent
4. Black-ish
5. Modern Family
6. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
7. Master of None

And the nominees are...



*American Crime
*Fargo
*The Night Manager
*The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
*Roots

And the Emmy goes to...

**The People v. O.J. Simpson**

The juice is loose. With 22 nominations, the TV academy are in love with ACS, and it would be a shocker if it lost. Fargo is the likeliest of spoilers though; with 16 nominations and critical praise, it's no slouch.

Power Rankings
1. O.J.
2. Fargo
3. The Night Manager
4. American Crime
5. Roots

And the nominees are...



*All the Way
*Confirmation
*Luther
*Sherlock: The Abominable Bride
*A Very Murray Christmas

And the Emmy goes to...

**All the Way**

This isn't a contest. All the Way is going to win.

And the nominees are...



*Documentary Now!
*Drunk History
*Inside Amy Schumer
*Key & Peele
*Portlandia
*Saturday Night Live

And the Emmy goes to...

**Key & Peele**

I think Key & Peele will get a goodbye kiss here from the TV academy. It's clearly been a favorite over the past few years, even crossing over into the acting categories, and in a mixed year for the category, I think that'll be enough. We can't forget about last year's champ; Inside Amy Schumer is a heavy contender. Unlike last year, Schumer is coming off of what many thought of as a disappointing season, and the momentum that the show had last year has died down. Still, emmy voters are known for holding onto shows longer than they should, so it could repeat.

Power Rankings
1. Key & Peele
2. Inside Amy Schumer
3. Saturday Night Live
4. Portlandia
5. Documentary Now!
6. Drunk History

And the nominees are...



*Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
*Jimmy Kimmel Live!
*Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
*The Late Late Show with James Corden
*Real Time with Bill Maher
*The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

And the Emmy goes to...

**Last Week Tonight with John Oliver**

With Stephen Colbert and John Stewart gone from the category, and Samantha Bee not making the cut, it would appear that this category is going to anoint Last Week Tonight the category's designated favorite. It's the most current, timely, and funny of the bunch, and it's that type of series that would continue this category's trend of politically flavored winners. It also helps that it's the only nominee here that made the cut in the writing category, historically a necessity for a nominee to win.

Power Rankings
1. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
2. Real Time with Bill Maher
3. Jimmy Kimmel Live!
4. The Late Late Show with James Corden
5. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
6. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

And the nominees are...



*Claire Danes- Homeland
*Viola Davis- How to Get Away with Murder
*Taraji P. Henson- Empire
*Tatiana Maslany- Orphan Black
*Keri Russell- The Americans
*Robin Wright- House of Cards

And the Emmy goes to...

**Robin Wright- House of Cards**

In a pretty solid category, I think Wright will finally take the gold. Last year's winner could easily take it again (Viola Davis is so good and so respected that I could see people voting for her who don't even watch the show), but the urgency of awarding an African american woman here, as it was quite pressing last year, and the seeming loss of momentum for HTGAWM, I think gives this category a more open race, which I believe will be to the benefit of everyone, especially Wright. She had another excellent season, maybe her finest, on a show the was having an excellent comeback year. Plus she's got an excellent episode submission here; "Chapter 49" features her character's death-bed request for assisted suicide from her mother and her ascension as the vice presidential nominee. It's awards bait stuff, and I think it'll be enough this year.

The rest of the category seems fairly uncertain. Maslany is probably doing the most work but, GOT aside, genre-fare never really gets as much respect as it deserves. Russell could be a spoiler, The Americans is having a breakout year and they may want to reward it somehow, but I really don't expect her to take it on her first time at bat. Maybe on here second or third nom, if she makes it in for the last two seasons. Danes, a two time winner who's been here for every Homeland season, can never truly be counted out, but the series, despite four nominations this year, is flying so under the radar that I can't see it. And Henson, who as a real contender last year (she was my pick even), seems likely to be subdued by a subpar season of Empire.

Power Rankings
1. Robin Wright- "Chapter 49"
2. Viola Davis- "There’s My Baby"
3. Keri Russell- "The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears"
4. Claire Danes- "Super Powers"
5. Tatiana Maslany- "The Antisocialism of Sex"
6. Taraji P. Henson- "Rise by Sin"

And the nominees are...



*Anthony Anderson- Black-ish
*Aziz Ansari- Master of None
*Will Forte- The Last Man on Earth
*William H. Macy- Shameless
*Thomas Middleditch- Silicon Valley
*Jeffrey Tambor- Transparent

And the Emmy goes to...

**Jeffrey Tambor- Transparent**

After getting reinvigorated last year, this category is the best that it's been in years. As such, this year's doesn't look as cut-and-dry as it did last year. While Tambor is the favorite, having won last year he has to be, I could see a few different performers sneaking in here. I think Ansari is likely running second; with writing a directing noms, he's front and center with much of Master of None praise, and his submission, "Parents", is the most revered of the season and includes some of his finest work. Another strong contender with solid shot at playing spoiler is Anderson. He's back again this year after surprising last, with arguably stronger work this time out (his submission "Hope" is considered Black-ish's finest episode). Another thing to consider is the fact that only once has a non-white actor won in this category (Robert Guillaume for Benson in 1985), which, in a year where diversity in awards selections is highly scrutinized, could work to the benefit to both Anderson and Ansari.

The last spoiler that I could feasibly see is Middleditch. He's a surprise nominee here this year, but Silicon Valley seems to have struck such a cord with voters (11 nominations), and the series success was so much more dependent on his performance this year, that I could see it happening if the three above split. As for the two Wills; Macy is well liked enough to be nominated here until Shameless ends, but I don't see him ever winning and if Forte couldn't win for a more noteworthy first season of The Last Man on Earth, I doubt he'll be able to take it for what appears to something of a forgotten show.

Power Rankings
1. Jeffrey Tambor- "Man on the Land"
2. Aziz Ansari- "Parents"
3. Anthony Anderson- "Hope"
4. Thomas Middleditch- "The Empty Chair"
5. William H. Macy- "I Only Miss Her When I’m Breathing"
6. Will Forte- "30 Years of Science Down the Tubes"

And the nominees are...



*Kirsten Dunst- Fargo
*Felicity Huffman- American Crime
*Audra McDonald- Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
*Sarah Paulson- The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
*Lili Taylor- American Crime
*Kerry Washington- Confirmation

And the Emmy goes to...

**Sarah Paulson- The People v. O.J. Simpson**

This seems pretty locked up for Paulson. It's clear that there's been an avalanche of love for O.J., and Paulson's work is integral to it. It also doesn't hurt that she's been looked over for an Emmy since 2012, in which she's been nominated four previous times (she's also nominated in supporting for AHS this year), and that this isn't the strongest that this category has ever been. Dunst and Washington would be the likeliest spoilers, but that seems unrealistic.

Power Rankings
1. Paulson
2. Dunst
3. Washington
4. Huffman
5. McDonald
6. Taylor

And the Nominees are...


*Kyle Chandler- Bloodline
*Rami Malek- Mr. Robot
*Bob Odenkirk- Better Call Saul
*Matthew Rhys- The Americans
*Liev Schreiber- Ray Donovan
*Kevin Spacey- House of Cards

And the Emmy goes to...

**Rami Malek- Mr. Robot**

Damn, this is tough. It's a rare category that you could honestly see any nominee winning, but that's what we have with this year's category. Even Chandler and Schreiber, who I've got at the back of the pack (mainly because it's historically rare for a performer to win without his series getting a nom), could take it. Chandler had a more elevated presence in Bloodline's second season, and the results were unnerving, with the actor putting in a quiet tour de force (his "Part 23" submission is strong, but his work in "Part 20" is maybe the best acting on TV this year). Plus, he's won in the past, so he's certainly in many voters thinking, and he could certainly surprise if support is as divided among the other nominees as it appears. So too could Schreiber; Ray Donovan has only been growing in support from the TV Academy over the years, with it reaching five nominations this year alone (including a surprise one in directing). Add in the fact that his submission, "Exsuscito", is maybe the best work he's ever done on the series, and it isn't outside the realm of possibility that he could win.

Rhys is a bit of a wild card here. After years of snubs, The Americans broke out in a very big way this year with five nominations, including Best Drama Series. I always give surprise nominees a better chance than most; in my view, if they didn't have a lot of support, they wouldn't have surprised in the first place. I would say, however, that like his costar Keri Russell, I don't see him winning on his first time out. Maybe next season. Odenkirk will likely have a better chance next season as well. While he's still a hell of a threat here, he was once again excellent this year, Better Call Saul's second season used it's supporting cast to great effect, sidelining Odenkirk more than usual. While that added to give the show a richer narrative, it doesn't necessarily help the lead's chances.

That leaves me with my two top candidates. Spacey, like his series itself, had a resurgent season. Watching Spacey this year was like watching a phoenix rise. After a third season that seemed to leave him on autopilot, season 4 put the pep back into Frank Underwood's step; after the assassination attempt, he slowly but surely started breaking the fourth wall more and more, and that confidence added so much back to the character that audiences fell in love with in it's first season. He's a strong bet, and the fact that Spacey has yet to win has to being weighing on a few voters minds. If it wasn't for Malek I'd jump on the bandwagon, but here we are. Malek's work is just so captivating though; from Mr. Robot's very first scene, you can't take your eyes off of him, and the series pilot, his submission, is an incredible showcase for him. It's close, the closest it's been in years, but my gut is telling me to go with Malek.

Power Rankings
1. Rami Malek- "eps1.0_hellofriend.mov"
2. Kevin Spacey- "Chapter 52"
3. Bob Odenkirk- "Klick"
4. Matthew Rhys- "The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears"
5. Kyle Chandler- "Part 23"
6. Liev Schreiber- "Exsuscito"

And the nominees are...



*Elle Kemper- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
*Julia Louis-Dreyfus- Veep
*Laurie Metcalf - Getting On
*Tracee Ellis Ross- Black-ish
*Amy Schumer- Inside Amy Schumer
*Lily Tomlin- Grace and Frankie

And the Emmy goes to...

**Julia Louis-Dreyfus- Veep**

At this point, it seems almost automatic. She was a lock even when Veep wasn't cleaning up, but now that it is, I honestly don't see a way that Louis-Dreyfus could lose this.

Power Rankings
1. Julia Louis-Dreyfus- "Mother"
2. Ellie Kemper- "Kimmy Goes to a Hotel!"
3. Amy Schumer- "Welcome to the Gunshow"
4. Laurie Metcalf- "Am I Still Me?"
5. Tracee Ellis Ross- "Sink or Swim"
6. Lily Tomlin- "The Test"

And the nominees are...



*Bryan Cranston- All the Way
*Benedict Cumberbatch- Shelock: The Abominable Bride
*Idris Elba- Luther
*Cuba Gooding Jr.- The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
*Tom Hiddleston- The Night Manager
*Courtney B. Vance- The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

And the Emmy goes to...

**Courtney B. Vance- The People v. O.J. Simpson**

This category really comes down to just two nominees; Cranston and Vance. Cranston is an Emmy favorite, winning six awards, four of which are for acting. His work as LBJ in All the Way is the type screams for awards, but so too is Vance's. As Johnnie Cochran, Vance is electric every time he's on screen, and gives so many layers of nuance to a character that could've been a caricature. These two are neck-and-neck, but the fact that O.J. is so well liked, and that Cranston has enough emmys, I'm going with Vance.

Power Rankings
1. Vance
2. Cranston
3. Elba
4. Cumberbatch
5. Gooding Jr.
6. Hiddleston

And the nominees are...



*Emilia Clarke- Game of Thrones
*Lena Headey- Game of Thrones
*Maggie Smith- Downton Abbey
*Maura Tierney- The Affair
*Maisie Williams- Game of Thrones
*Constance Zimmer- UnReal

And the Emmys goes to...

**Lena Headey- Game of Thrones**

For the second straight year, I'm going with Headey. This year though, I feel a little better about her chances. For one, she doesn't have to go against either Uzo Aduba or Christina Hendricks, and two, "The Winds of Winter" is a hell of a showcase for her character. Aside from her, I can't really get a hold of this category. Clarke I would probably put in second place, but she didn't have all that much to do this season (though, to her credit, her submission is a true standout) and Williams (also a strong submission) is a solid spoiler pick, but I think she's just too young for many voters to really think about.

She doesn't seem to generate much passion, but Smith is such a respected legend that I could definitely see her taking one for the last season. UnReal had a strong first season and was rewarded with two big nods (here and writing), and Zimmer had a lot to do with that. It's the type of scene-stealing, yet nuanced, work that this category was created for, but I just think that the show is too small, and the stink of it's disappointing second season is still potent. Finally, while Tierney is quite respected and a strong presence on her show, I just think that (like I've said several times in this list) The Affair doesn't have the fanbase necessary to overtake some of the more prominent women here.

Power Rankings
1. Lena Headey- "The Winds of Winter"
2. Emilia Clarke- "Book of the Stranger"
3. Maggie Smith- "Episode Six"
4. Constance Zimmer- "Mother"
5. Maisie Williams- "No One"
6. Maura Tierney- "204"

And the nominees are...



*Sterling K. Brown- The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
*Hugh Laurie- The Night Manager
*Jesse Plemons- Fargo
*David Schwimmer- The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
*John Travolta- The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
*Bokeem Woodbine- Fargo

And the Emmy goes to...

**Sterling K. Brown- The People v. O.J. Simpson**

Yet another tough category to pick from. Clearly, American Crime Story has a lot of love, but this category also seems to like Fargo as well. Could they all split and give Hugh Laurie a shot at his first Emmy? Honestly, maybe. It isn't like the TV Academy were limp for The Night Manager; the show picked up 13 nods. They may also want to finally give Laurie his due; he was snubbed six times for House, tied for the most nominations without a win in that category. Plus, who doesn't like a good mustache-twirling villain? I really thought about pulling the trigger for him but, when I really thought about it, the love for the Juice just seems too strong. And, of the three nominated, I think Brown has the best shot.

Of the three, he has the most screen time and his arc is the most involving. He also gets many more "emmy reel" scenes than Schwimmer or Travolta have combined (his submission, "Manna From Heaven" is probably the best the category has). I think it'll also help that this is a real breakout performance, the kind that many voters will want to see get rewarded. We all might be overlooking Fargo's guys though. Plemons gives the type of goofy yet endearing performance that could strike a cord with voters, and Woodbine steals every scene he's in, and he storyline is one of the more memorable of the season. Scene stealers usually do pretty well here, so I can't really rule anyone out. Very strong category.

Power Rankings
1. Sterling K. Brown- "Manna From Heaven"
2. Hugh Laurie- "Episode 5"
3. Jesse Plemons- "Loplop"
4. Bokeem Woodbine- "Palindrome"
5. John Travolta- "100% Not Guilty"
6. David Schwimmer- "Conspiracy Theories"

And the nominees are...



*Anna Chlumsky- Veep
*Gaby Hoffmann- Transparent
*Allison Janney- Mom
*Judith Light- Transparent
*Kate McKinnon- Saturday Night Live
*Niecy Nash- Getting On

And the Emmy goes to...

**Anna Chlumsky- Veep**

Honestly, I really don't have much of a grip on this category, so this, more than most predictions, is a gut call. Janney could very well win her third in a row; the voters love her and she's still strong in this category. The thing is that the Veep train seems so powerful this year that I think it'll win damn near every category it's nominated in, so I'm going with Chlumsky. The fact that she's been nominated four straight times (i.e. she's due) helps. Transparent could surprise though; it's got two ladies nominated here, and they've already been won over by the series acting (winning last year, and probably this one too). The track record for shows with more than one nominee here isn't promising (at least not in the modern era).

Power Rankings
1. Anna Chlumsky- "C**tgate"
2. Allison Janney- "Terrorists and Gingerbread"
3. Judith Light- "Flicky-Flicky Thump-Thump"
4. Kate McKinnon- "Host: Ariana Grande"
5. Niecy Nash- "Don’t Let It Get in You or on You"
6. Gaby Hoffman- "Bulnerable"

And the nominees are...



*Jonathan Banks- Better Call Saul
*Peter Dinklage- Game of Thrones
*Kit Harington- Game of Thrones
*Michael Kelly- House of Cards
*Ben Mendelsohn- Bloodline
*Jon Voight- Ray Donovan

And the Emmy goes to...

**Kit Harington- Game of Thrones**

Well guys, I think we've hit it. The most boring category of the night. It's not that the performances are bad, it's just that there's nothing really new here. Even the one first time nominee here (Harington) feels like more of the same. With that being said, I'm taking him over anyone else this year. Like all of the other category favorites (Veep, O.J.) I expect Thrones to take all of it's nominated categories, except for one, and this isn't their loss. GOT is a juggernaut, the type of show that several voters will likely just check off without really looking at the other nominees puts it between (to me) Dinklage and Harington. Dinklage has won twice, including last year, so he's clearly got a fanbase, but he had so little to work with this year; even when you compare it to the sparse screentime he won for last year. Harington, on the other hand, had a much more prominent season and his submission, "Battle of the Bastards", is probably the best he's ever been on the series (it also doesn't hurt that the episode has scored six other nominations this year, and his performance will be scene quite a lot).

Of the rest, I can really only see Banks or Voight having a shot at spoiler. Voight's a scene stealer on Ray Donovan and a veteran actor, two factors that could really sway voters in a weaker year. Banks had another excellent season on Better Call Saul, but he didn't have the same impact on the overall story that he did last year. and is missing on knockout episode like "Five-O" (which should've won it for him last year). He could still surprise though.

Power Rankings
1. Kit Harington- "Battle of the Bastards"
2. Peter Dinklage- "No One"
3. Jonathan Banks- "Bali Ha’i"
4. Jon Voight- "The Kalamazoo"
5. Michael Kelly- "Chapter 44"
6. Ben Mendelsohn- "Part 23"

And the nominees are...



*Kathy Bates- American Horror Story: Hotel
*Olivia Colman- The Night Manager
*Regina King- American Crime
*Melissa Leo- All the Way
*Sarah Paulson- American Horror Story: Hotel
*Jean Smart- Fargo

And the Emmy goes to...

**Jean Smart- Fargo**

With American Crime Story looking to beat it in every other category, this looks to be the only award that Fargo will take the whole night (and it doesn't even look like that much of a certainty). Smart's been an emmy favorite for years, nominated several times (winning twice) and her role on Fargo is commanding. While it isn't a lock, she seems to be the safest bet here. I could see Colman or Leo taking too; Colman has the type of steely-determined, scene-stealing character that can do damage here and Leo is an Oscar winner, always helpful here. I suppose King could surprise (she won last year), but she didn't have as strong of an arc as she did last year. The ladies from AHS are always strong here, and usually when on odd-numbered years, but Paulson's gonna win one so there won't be as much of a need to give one, and Bates has already won one for the show.

Power Rankings
1. Jean Smart- "Fear and Trembling"
2. Olivia Colman- "Episode 6"
3. Melissa Leo
4. Regina King- "Episode Eight"
5. Sarah Paulson- "The Ten Commandments Killer"
6. Kathy Bates- "Battle Royale"

And the nominees are...



*Louie Anderson- Baskets
*Andre Braugher- Brooklyn Nine-Nine
*Tituss Burgess- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
*Ty Burrell- Modern Family
*Tony Hale- Veep
*Keegan-Michael Key- Key & Peele
*Matt Walsh- Veep

And the Emmy goes to...

**Tituss Burgess- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt**

This is pretty much a toss up. I'm fairly certain that this thing's gonna come down to three guys; Anderson, Burgess, and Hale. Hale is the sensible choice; he has already won two awards, and Veep is such a powerhouse this year that I wouldn't be shocked to see him win, but I just really see him winning this time. He had so little to do in the series' fifth season that if voters are paying any attention, they won't be able to see past that. With Anderson, he seems to be the more cult-ish, critical favorite. Playing a woman, and doing so in a way that isn't demeaning, assures that he'll have a lot of eyes on him, and that could develop a (or build on the existing) fanbase. Burgess, I believe, occupies both spaces, not so out of the box to alienate, but quirky enough to win the fringe voters over. I picked him last year and lost, but last year's winner, Hale, doesn't have the golden ticket in terms of episode submission ("Inauguration" is no "East Wing) and Burgess has a very strong one. "Kimmy Gives Up!" plays to just about every one of Burgess's strong suits, and is too giggle inducing to turn away.

Power Rankings
1. Tituss Burgess- "Kimmy Gives Up!"
2. Tony Hale- "Inauguration"
3. Louie Anderson- "Easter in Bakersfield"
4. Matt Walsh- "Kissing Your Sister"
5. Andre Braugher- "The Oolong Slayer"
6. Ty Burrell- "The Party"
7. Keegan-Michael Key- "Y'all Ready for This"

And the nominees are...



*Ellen Burstyn- House of Cards
*Allison Janney- Masters of Sex
*Margo Martindale- The Americans
*Laurie Metcalf- Horace and Pete
*Molly Parker- House of Cards
*Carrie Preston- The Good Wife

And the Emmy goes to...

**Laurie Metcalf- Horace and Pete**

Power Rankings
1. Laurie Metcalf- "Episode 3"
2. Ellen Burstyn- "Chapter 41"
3. Margo Martindale- "The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears"
4. Allison Janney- "Matters of Gravity"
5. Carrie Preston- "Targets"
6. Molly Parker- "Chapter 45"

And the nominees are...



*Larry David- Saturday Night Live
*Tracy Morgan- Saturday Night Live
*Martin Mull- Veep
*Bob Newhart- The Big Bang Theory
*Peter Scolari- Girls
*Bradley Whitford- Transparent

And the Emmy goes to...

**Larry David- Saturday Night Live**

Power Rankings
1. Larry David- "Host: Larry David"
2. Tracy Morgan- "Host: Tracy Morgan"
3. Martin Mull- "The Eagle"
4. Bob Newhart- "The Opening Night Excitation"
5. Bradley Whitford- "Oscillate"
6. Peter Scolari- "Good Man"

And the nominees are...



*Mahershala Ali- House of Cards
*Hank Azaria- Ray Donovan
*Reg E. Cathey- House of Cards
*Michael J. Fox- The Good Wife
*Paul Sparks- House of Cards
*Max von Sydow- Game of Thrones

And the Emmy goes to...

**Max Von Sydow- Game of Thrones**

Power Rankings
1. Max Von Sydow- "The Door"
2. Reg E. Cathey- "Chapter 50"
3. Hank Azaria- "One Night in Yerevan"
4. Michael J. Fox- "Taxed"
5. Paul Sparks- "Chapter 49"
6. Mahershala Ali- "Chapter 44"

And the nominees are...



*Christine Baranski- The Big Bang Theory
*Tina Fey & Amy Poehler- Saturday Night Live
*Melora Hardin- Transparent
*Melissa McCarthy- Saturday Night Live
*Laurie Metcalf- The Big Bang Theory
*Amy Schumer- Saturday Night Live

And the Emmy goes to...

**Tina Fey & Amy Poehler- Saturday Night Live**

Power Rankings
1. Tina Fey & Amy Poehler- "Hosts: Tina Fey & Amy Poehler"
2. Christine Baranski- "The Convergence Convergence"
3. Laurie Metcalf- "The Convergence Convergence"
4. Melissa McCarthy- "Host: Melissa McCarthy"
5. Melora Hardin- "Flicky-Flicky Thump-Thump"
6. Amy Schumer- "Host: Amy Schumer"

And the nominees are...



*Jack Bender- Game of Thrones (Episode: "The Door")
*Michael Engler- Downton Abbey (Episode: "Episode 9")
*Lesli Linka Glatter- Homeland (Episode: "The Tradition of Hospitality")
*David Hollander- Ray Donovan (Episode: "Exsuscito")
*Miguel Sapochnik- Game of Thrones (Episode: "Battle of the Bastards")
*Steven Soderbergh- The Knick (Episode: "This is All We Are")

And the Emmy goes to...

**Miguel Sapochnik- Game of Thrones**

Based on the mass level of support for the show, I'd be quite surprised if GOT didn't win this. So, to, it then comes down to which GOT. Both have a lot of things going for them; "The Door" is arguably the season's finest episode, with a brilliantly thrilling ending that's as good as anything that the show's ever done. It's also of note that Bender, a TV veteran, is on his fifth nomination (i.e. he's due). However, where Bender has a couple of big set-pieces to play with, Sapochnik's entire episode is comprised of two major battles, one of which (the actual Battle of the Bastards) is the biggest that the show has ever done. With this category, the biggest usual wins, whether that be in front of or behind the lens and in this case, Sapochnik has the advantage.

Power Rankings
1. "Battle of the Basterds"
2. "The Door"
3. "This is All We Are"
4. "Episode 9"
5. "The Tradition of Hospitality"
6. "Exsuscito"

And the nominees are...



*Chirs Addison- Veep (Episode: "Morning After")
*Aziz Ansari- Master of None (Episode: "Parents")
*Alec Berg- Silicon Valley (Episode: "Daily Active Users")
*Mike Judge- Silicon Valley (Episode: "Founder Friendly")
*David Mandel- Veep (Episode: "Kissing Your Sister")
*Jill Soloway- Transparent (Episode: "Man on the Land")
*Dale Stern- Veep (Episode: "Mother")

And the Emmy goes to...

**David Mandel- Veep**

With Veep featured here thrice, it could really go to any of them, or any of the other four nominees (it's that kind of category), but looking at them, my gut is just telling me to go with "Kissing Your Sister". Of the three Veeps, it has the most, visible, degree of difficulty, with several storylines, including several from previous episodes that are shot from different angles and perspectives. Much like it's dramatic and limited/movie counterparts, degree of difficulty is always a strong motivator, and I think it'll work this time. Though, it could really go to any of them (though probably not Silicon Valley).

Power Rankings
1. "Kissing Your Sister"
2. "Mother"
3. "Man on the Land"
4. "Parents"
5. "Founder Friendly"
6. "Morning After"
7. "Daily Active Users

And the nominees are...



*Susanne Bier- The Night Manager
*Noah Hawley- Fargo (Episode: "Before the Law')
*Anthony Hemingway- The People v. O.J. Simpson (Episode: "Manna From Heaven")
*Ryan Murphy- The People v. O.J. Simpson (Episode: "From the Ashes of Tragedy")
*Jay Roach- All the Way
*John Singleton- The People v. O.J. Simpson (Episode: "The Race Card")

And the Emmy goes to...

**Jay Roach- All the Way**

He's 2/2 in this category (2008's Recount & 2012's Game Change), and most critics have called this his most accomplished effort yet. While he does have a lot of strong competition here, he also did in his two other wins, beating both years big miniseries (2008's John Adams and 2012's Hatfields & McCoys). This is a squeaker though, and I wouldn't be surprised to see O.J. or Fargo (which won for it's inaugural season) take it this year.

Power Rankings
1. All the Way
2. "From the Ashes of Tragedy"
3. "Before the Law"
4. "The Race Card"
5. The Night Manager
6. "Manna from Heaven"

And the nominees are...



*David Benioff & D.B. Weiss- Game of Thrones (Episode: "Battle of the Bastards")
*Sam Esmail- Mr. Robot (Episode: "eps1.0_hellofriend.mov")
*Julian Fellowes- Downton Abbey (Episode: "Episode 8")
*Joel Fields & Joe Weisberg- The Americans (Episode: "Persona Non Grata")
*Michelle King & Robert King- The Good Wife (Episode: "End")
*Marti Noxon & Sarah Gertrude Shapiro - UnReal (Episode: "Return")

And the Emmy goes to...

**Sam Esmail- Mr. Robot**

A solid category that looks like a three horse race between The Americans, Game of Thrones, and Mr. Robot. GOT is going to dominate this years awards and could very well this award for the second straight year, but the choice of "Battle of the Bastards" is a peculiar one. While the episode is, no doubt, a true blockbuster, it's much more an episode noted for it's directorial presence, not it's script. Of the seven episodes that Benioff and Weiss wrote this season, there were so many more that better showed off their abilities as writers; "Book of the Stranger", "The Door" and "The Winds of Winter" spring to mind. I think it's a submission that hurts the show's chances, especially compared to the other two series noted heavily for their writing.

Unlike other categories, The Americans isn't fresh blood here; the show was nominated last year. However, this year it finally made the cut in Best Drama Series, so it's chances are heightened exponentially (as only twice has this category been won by a show not nominated, since 1970). This is a category that frequently goes to critical darlings, and The Americans is most certainly that. So, with that in mind, why an I picking Mr. Robot? Basically, because I think it's got the momentum. The Americans is a beloved series, but not one that seems to be garnering much passion. Robot however, has a lot of fans and "eps1.0_hellofriend.mov" is the type of punchy standout that draws a lot of attention. The reception of the show's second season (which has been getting progressively mixed as the year has gone on) may take away from the first season's attention, but I think voters will be able to separate the two.

Power Rankings
1. "eps1.0_hellofriend.mov"
2. "Battle of the Bastards"
3. "Persona Non Grata"
4. "Episode 8"
5. "Return"
6. "End"

And the nominees are...



*Aziz Ansari & Alan Yang- Master of None (Episode: "Parents")
*Alec Berg- Silicon Valley (Episode: "The Uptick")
*Rob Delaney & Sharon Horgan- Catastrophe (Episode: "Episode 1")
*Alex Gregory & Peter Huyck- Veep (Episode: "Mother")
*David Mandel- Veep (Episode: "Morning After")
*Dan O'Keefe- Silicon Valley (Episode: "Founder Friendly")

And the Emmy goes to...

**Alex Gregory & Peter Huyck- Veep**

As with most of my reasoning for the show's chances, Veep is the beast of the comedy world this year and the favorite in about every category. Of the two nominations here, "Mother" is clearly the most well liked, with many praising it as the series finest episode. While it would be a bit of a surprise to see it lose, I wouldn't rule out "Parents", "The Uptick" and "Morning After" taking it. "Parents" is sweet episode that could really endear itself to voters; "The Uptick" is another strong Silicon Valley finale, and Alec Berg's third straight nomination (forth overall), so there probably going to give him one at some point; "Morning After" is another Veep episode, so it's obviously got a shot.

Power Rankings
1. "Mother"
2. "Parents"
3. "The Uptick"
4. "Morning After"
5. "Founder Friendly"
6. "Episode 1"

And the nominees are...



*Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski - The People v. O.J. Simpson (Episode: "From the Ashes of Tragedy")
*Joe Robert Cole- The People v. O.J. Simpson (Episode" "The Race Card")
*Bob DeLaurentis - Fargo (Episode: "Loplop")
*D. V. DeVincentis- The People v. O.J. Simpson (Episode: "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia")
*David Farr- The Night Manager
*Noah Hawley- Fargo (Episode: "Palindrome")

And the Emmy goes to...

**D. V. DeVincentis- The People v. O.J. Simpson**

Power Rankings
1. "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia"
2. "Palindrome"
3. "From the Ashes of Tragedy"
4. "Loplop"
5. "The Race Card"
6. The Night Manager

Best Reality-Competition Program
**The Amazing Race**


Best Structured Reality Program
**Lip Sync Battle**


Best Unstructured Reality Program
**Born This Way**


Best Variety Special
**Lemonade**


Best Informational Series or Special
**The Story of God with Morgan Freeman**


Best Documentary or Nonfiction Series
**Making a Murderer**


Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special
**Listen to Me Marlon**


Best Animated Program
**Bob's Burgers (Episode: "The Horse Ride-er")**


Best Short-Format Animated Program
**Robot Chicken (Episode: "Robot Chicken Christmas Special: The X-Mas United")**


Best Children's Program
**Hello, I Must Be Going! 25 Years of Nick News with Linda Ellerbee**


Best Special Class Program
**Grease: Live!**


Best Short Form Comedy or Drama Series
**Childrens Hospital**


Best Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series
**Roots: A New Vision**


Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking
**Cartel Land**


Best Interactive Media Program
**Game of Thrones Main Titles 360 Experience**

Best Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series
**Rob Huebel- Childrens Hospital**


Best Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series
**Erinn Hayes- Childrens Hospital**


Best Character Voice-Over Performance
**Keegan-Michael Key- Supermansion (Episode: "Puss in Books")**


Best Narrator
**Laurence Fishburne- Roots**

Best Casting for a Comedy Series
**Veep**


Best Casting for a Drama Series
**Game of Thrones**


Best Casting for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special
**The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story**


Best Choreography
**Kathryn Burns- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (Routines: "I'm So Good at Yoga" / "A Boy Band Made Up of Four Joshes" / "Settle for Me")**

Best Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series
**Steven V. Silver- The Big Bang Theory (Episode: "The Convergence Convergence")**


Best Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series
**David M. Dunlap- House of Cards (Episode: "Chapter 45")**


Best Cinematography for a Limited Series or Movie
**Dana Gonzales- Fargo (Episode: "Waiting for Dutch")**


Best Cinematography for a Limited Series or Movie
**Matthew Heineman & Matt Porwoll- Cartel Land**


Best Cinematography for Reality Programming
**Deadliest Catch (Episode: "Carpe Diem")**

Best Commercial
**Love Has No Labels**


Best Costumes for a Contemporary Series, Limited Series, or Movie
**American Horror Story: Hotel (Episode: "Chutes and Ladders")**


Best Costumes for a Period / Fantasy Series, Limited Series, or Movie
**Outlander (Episode: "Not in Scotland Anymore")**


Best Costumes for A Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Program
**The Wiz Live!**

Best Directing for Nonfiction Programming
*Laura Ricciardi & Maura Demos- Making a Murderer (Episode: "Fighting for Their Lives")**


Best Directing for a Variety Series
*Don Roy King- Saturday Night Live (Episode: "Hosts: Tina Fey & Amy Poehler")**


Best Directing for a Variety Special
**Thomas Kail & Alex Rudzinski- Grease Live!**

Best Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series
**Downton Abbey (Episode: "Episode 9")**


Best Hairstyling for a Multi-Camera Series or Special
**The Wiz Live!**


Best Hairstyling for a Limited Series or Movie
**American Horror Story: Hotel**


Best Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program
**Ryan Seacrest- American Idol**


Best Lighting Design / Lighting Direction for a Variety Series
**The Voice (Episode: "Episode 917A")**


Best Lighting Design / Lighting Direction for a Variety Special
**Grease Live!**

Best Main Title Design
**The Night Manager**


Best Make-up for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic)
**Penny Dreadful (Episode: "Glorious Horrors")**


Best Make-up for a Multi-Camera Series or Special (Non-Prosthetic)
**The Wiz Live!**


Best Make-up for a Limited Series or Movie (Non-Prosthetic)
**American Horror Story: Hotel**


Best Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Limited Series, Movie, or Special
**All the Way**

Best Music Composition for a Series
**Abel Korzenioski- Penny Dreadful (Episode: "And They Were Enemies")**


Best Music Composition for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special
**James Newton Howard- All the Way**


Best Music Direction
**A Very Murray Christmas**


Best Original Music and Lyrics
**Crazy Ex-Girlfriend- "Settle for Me" (Episode: "I'm Going on a Date with Josh's Friend!")


Best Original Main Title Theme Music
**Víctor Reyes- The Night Manager**

Theme

Best Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series
**Tim Porter- Game of Thrones (Episode: "Battle of the Bastards")**


Best Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series
**Steven Rasch- Veep (Episode: "Inauguration")**


Best Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series
**Curtis Thurber and Skip Macdonald- Fargo (Episode: "Did You Do This? No, You Did It!")**


Best Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series
**Gina Sansom- Horace and Pete (Episode: "Episode 103")**


Best Picture Editing for Variety Programming
**Bill Yukich- Lemonade**


Best Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming
**Moira Demos- Making a Murderer**


Best Picture Editing for a Structured or Competition Reality Program
**Andy Castor, Julian Gomez, Andrew Kozar, Ryan Leamy, Jennifer Nelson, Paul C. Nielsen, and Jacob Parsons- The Amazing Race (Episode: "We're Only Doing Freaky Stuff Today")**


Best Picture Editing for an Unstructured Reality Program
**Josh Earl and Ben Bulatao- Deadliest Catch (Episode: "Carpe Diem")**

Best Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More)
**Game of Thrones (Episodes: "Blood of My Blood", "The Broken Man" & "No One")**


Best Production Design for a Narrative Period Program (One Hour or More)
**Outlander (Episodes: "Not in Scotland Anymore" & "Faith")**


Best Production Design for a Narrative Program (Half-Hour of Less)
**Transparent (Episodes: "Kina Hora", "The Book of Life" & "Man on the Land")**


Best Production Design for a Variety, Nonfiction, Reality, or Reality-Competition Series
**Saturday Night Live (Episodes: "Hosts: Tina Fey & Amy Poehler", "Host: Larry David" & "Host: Peter Dinklage")**


Best Production Design for a Variety, Nonfiction, Event, or Award Special
**Lemonade**

Best Sound Editing for a Series
**Game of Thrones (Episode: "The Door")**

Best Sound Editing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special
**Fargo (Episode: "The Castle")**

Best Sound Editing for Nonfiction Programming (Single or Multi-Camera)
**Cartel Land**

Best Sound Mixing for Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour)
**Game of Thrones (Episode: "Battle of the Bastards")**

Best Sound Mixing for a Limited Series or Movie
**The People v. O.J. Simpson (Episode: "From the Ashes of Tragedy")**

Best Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation
**Mozart in the Jungle (Episode: "Nothing Resonates Like Rhinoceros Foreskin")**

Best Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special
**Grease Live!**

Best Sound Mixing for Nonfiction Programming
**What Happened, Miss Simone?**

Best Special Visual Effects
**Game of Thrones (Episode: "Battle of the Bastards")**


Best Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role
**Hannibal (Episode: "Primavera")**


Best Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series
**Brooklyn Nine-Nine**


Best Stunt Coordination for a Drama Series
**Marvel's Daredevil**

Best Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Series
**Saturday Night Live (Episode: "Host: Ariana Grande")**

Best Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special
**Grease Live!**

Best Writing for a Variety Series
**Last Week Tonight with John Oliver**

Best Writing for Nonfiction Programming
**Making a Murderer (Episode: "Eighteen Years Lost")**

Best Writing for a Variety Special
**Amy Schumer- Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo**