OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Ted Danson, DAMAGES
Michael Emerson, LOST
Zeljko Ivanek, DAMAGES
William Shatner, BOSTON LEGAL
John Slattery, MAD MEN
DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN ALL OF "DAMAGES"
Analysis: A lot of people are saying that Danson will win this Emmy, but that is something that I just cannot completely get behind. In Danson's submitted episode, there's not much of the type of stuff Emmy voters like to reward in this episode. Danson's probably very far behind in actual chances of winning. Ivanek submitted a really good performance but I don't know if the voters are going to want to reward an episode where the guy committs suicide at the end. I don't think Shatner's episode is as strong as some of his past submission's have been and that leaves Emerson and Slattery. Emerson, as always, gives a great layered performance on "Lost" and Slattery gives a great performance in an episode where he has a heart attack while committing adultery in his office. It's a very hard category to handicap, but when the momentum behind "Mad Men" is factored in, I really do think that Slattery has the most serious shot at taking this trophy home.
CURRENT EDGE: John Slattery, MAD MEN
PERSONAL PICK: John Slattery, MAD MEN
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jon Cryer, TWO AND A HALF MEN
Kevin Dillon, ENTOURAGE
Neil Patrick Harris, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
Jeremy Piven, ENTOURAGE
Rainn Wilson, THE OFFICE
Analysis: Neil Patrick Harris should be a no brainer in this category. The only problem is that voice in the back of my head when I look over Jeremy Piven's name. He definitely has the material that could pull it off and he's won this category the past 2 years. I mean Brad Garrett won this category three times, David Hyde Pierce won it four times and there was John Larroquette's infamous winning streak in this category from 1985-1988. This category is prime for repeat wins and Piven's character definitely feels like the kind the Emmy voters have warmed up to. Harris, though, has the feel like he's a winner this year. Plus the he's been the Emmy's personal errand boy for the past two months with not only announcing the nominations but also co-hosting the Creative Arts Awards on Saturday. They better give him this as payment.
CURRENT EDGE: Neil Patrick Harris, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
PERSONAL PICK: Neil Patrick Harris, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE
Bob Balaban, RECOUNT
Stephen Dillane, JOHN ADAMS
Denis Leary, RECOUNT
David Morse, JOHN ADAMS
Tom Wilkinson, JOHN ADAMS
Analysis: The two from "Recount" don't stand a chance because of how their characters were made very interesting but ultimately went nowhere. This race comes down to portrayals of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Ben Franklin. Dillane's performance as Jefferson was showcased the most throughout the miniseries but the realizations that were provided by Morse and Wilkinson. Wilkinson brilliantly brought to life all of the eccentricities of Ben Franklin. Morse embodied everything we've come to believe and know about Washington. His performance was calm, collected, level-headed at times of insanity and always commanding a sense of authority. I have to give a slight edge to Wilkinson but don't be surprised if Morse ends up collecting his first award.
CURRENT EDGE: Tom Wilkinson, JOHN ADAMS
PERSONAL PICK: Tom Wilkinson, JOHN ADAMS