Pilot Review: Legends

Legends (TNT)
Premiered August 13 at 9pm

I’m sure at one point the idea of an undercover agent who could easily assume any identity was novel. But at this point there have been far too many shows about supposedly unique operatives with exceptional abilities for this concept to be considered fresh. I think many were and are excited by the prospect of Sean Bean, who heroically anchored the first season of “Game of Thrones,” returning to television. Yet there’s something about his character that feels hopelessly recycled, and his convincing stutter just doesn’t convey the sense that he’s a true chameleon who could convince anyone that he was someone entirely fictitious. He expresses a certain smugness when he shifts back into his natural British accent that makes it all but guaranteed that he can be the anti-hero he needs to be, just likeable enough to be a good guy but far from endearing otherwise. As usual, there’s a love interest mixed in there to complicate the work situation, though Ali Larter’s unfortunately-named Crystal McGuire does show up to save the day pretty handily, even though she fell for the “make it look real for the camera” routine. This is a deep-seated conspiracy series, with Martin now searching for answers about the death of his coworker and his own personal Deep Throat. There isn’t much about this show that stands out as original, and so unless you’re a spy show junkie, I’m not sure what this show has to offer in the way of flashy newness or unique appeal.

How will it work as a series? Martin will work with his team to take down episodic villains while all the while pursuing the truth behind his own lost identity. Other spy shows have it before, so it shouldn’t prove too challenging. Whether it’s watchable television is another question altogether.
How long will it last? The show was launched early in a few formats, and so the numbers didn’t exactly represent the “BOOM” that TNT has been going for with some of its recent programming. This show may pick up steam, and I think TNT will want to stick with it.

Pilot grade: C

What I’m Watching: Tyrant

Tyrant: Season 1, Episode 8 “Meet the New Boss” (B-)

Bassam has undergone a very radical and dramatic transformation that isn’t too easy to buy as genuine based on what we knew about his character from the start. Sure, he executed someone to satisfy – or was it to spite – his father as a child, but his every instinct since arriving in Abuddin has been to help spare others any sort of violence or undue suffering. Watching his brother and learning about what he did wouldn’t realistically shape him into another version of him, but instead inspire him to become something completely different. It seems, however, that somehow all of the power has gone to his head, and Bassam has gone from negotiating for free elections to helping his brother kill his enemy to working with American leaders to take down his brother and steal his position. There’s no way that Jamal gets away from all of this with immunity, but it’s interesting that Bassam asked for that, since he knows full well that his brother is guilty of plenty. Bassam wasn’t being too bright in treating his wife and family in absolute terms with no flexibility, and wouldn’t have raised any suspicion had he been kinder and more open to their perspectives instead of shipping them off to the United States at the earliest possible moment. Nusrat is a formidable foe for Jamal, determined not to be taken advantage of without making him feel bad about it, hating her husband for the horrific actions of his father, a veritable theme for this show.

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Nominees are pictured and listed in alphabetical order. Submitted episode titles are in parentheses. Beware of minor spoilers for listed episodes.

Mayim Bialik as Amy Fowler, The Big Bang Theory (The Indecision Amalgamation)
This is Bialik’s third consecutive nomination. Her show seems to be doing just as strong as ever, and she has a fun installment for voters to view. Like almost everything related to her character, her submitted episode features her tending to Sheldon’s needs, which in this case relates to his inability to decide between an X-Box and a Playstation. It’s a funny showcase and a decent submission, though I don’t think it’s the only to give her the win.

Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy, Modern Family (The Feud)
This is Bowen’s fifth nomination. She has won twice, in 2011 and 2012. She outlasted costar Sofia Vergara and is now the only representative from her show in this race. Bowen’s chances this year aren’t so great if they’re based purely on her submission, which finds her obsessively scratching her head because she unknowingly has lice. She may still be able to win based on voters having seen her in the past and liking her.

Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer, Veep (Detroit)
Chlumsky was a surprise nominee last year for her show, and this year she’s back again. In her submitted episode, she gets the chance to become campaign manager after a season of being sidelined. The trouble is that she’s such a great part of the ensemble that sometimes she doesn’t even get noticed, and I don’t see her being able to defeat any of the much showier actresses in this category.

Allison Janney as Bonnie, Mom (Estrogen and a Hearty Breakfast)
Janney is a very funny woman, but she’s never actually been nominated for a comedy performance before. That said, she does have four Emmy wins for “The West Wing” under her belt, and the way that she responds to relatively average material on her new CBS sitcom suggests that she is the frontrunner in this race. Dealing with menopause in the most uncensored fashion in her submitted episode only helps matters.

Kate McKinnon as Various Characters, Saturday Night Live (Host: Anna Kendrick)
McKinnon , who joined her show’s cast in 2012, is nominated for the first time this year. She’s the only regular member of the cast nominated this year, and would be the first to win if she did. In her submitted installment, she has the chance to play a variety of characters, demonstrating something that many cast members don’t usually have – range. She won an American Comedy Award this past spring, indicating that some people like here, though I don’t know if she’s big enough to score an Emmy just yet.

Kate Mulgrew as Galina “Red” Reznikov, Orange is the New Black (Tit Punch)
I like Mulgrew a lot from her “Star Trek: Voyager” days, and it’s great to see her on Netflix’s prison comedy as the Russian head of the kitchen with a very sympathetic backstory. Her submitted episode, the second installment of the series, doesn’t cast her in an endearing light, but she’s still terrific as she starts to starve out Piper when she insults her cooking. She’s a great veteran actress yet to be rewarded, and if she can beat Janney, she’ll be golden.

Who should win (based on entire season): Mulgrew
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Mulgrew or Chlumsky
Who will win: It might be Mulgrew, but I think Janney is leagues ahead.

Next up: Best Directing for a Drama Series

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Nominees are pictured and listed in alphabetical order. Submitted episode titles are in parentheses. Beware of minor spoilers for listed episodes.

Fred Armisen as Various Characters, Portlandia (Pull-Out King)
This is Armisen’s first acting bid after back-to-back writing bids for IFC’s variety series. With Bill Hader ineligible this year, he’s the lone variety player recognized in this race. Armisen is great in a number of different parts, including one role as a pregnant woman, but I don’t see viewers, most of who probably haven’t seen this show before, warming enough to give him an Emmy for this enjoyable but truly bizarre series.

Andre Braugher as Captain Ray Holt, Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Christmas)
Braugher is an Emmy veteran, scoring his eighth nomination this year after wins for “Thief” in 2006 and “Homicide: Life on the Street” in 1998. He’s due for a win this year if the eight-year gap continues This is actually his first fully comedic role, and as someone who gave up on the show a few episodes in because I just wasn’t into the show, I found this submitted episode to be the most enjoyable among all the episodes I sampled for my Emmy viewing. In it, Ray is forced to endure round-the-clock protection from Andy Samberg’s Jake. While Samberg is responsible for much of the humor, Braugher is terrific too, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he won.

Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Modern Family (Spring-a-Ding Fling)
This is Burrell’s fifth nomination, and he won on his second try back in 2011. At that point, there were four members of his cast nominated, and now we’re down to two. In his submitted episode, Phil prepares to host a realtor event. While it’s entertaining, much of the comedy comes from what he sees rather than what he does. There’s a bit of physical comedy, which Burrell excels at, but this is hardly his best submission and isn’t likely to result in another win.

Adam Driver as Adam, Girls (Two Plane Rides)
Driver is back for his second consecutive nomination, though his show has disappeared from the Best Comedy Series lineup. Driver, who has been getting plenty of movie roles recently, spent the entire season pushing Hannah away as he became a bona fide actor, and the season finale sums up all of that up as he realizes he needs to move on apart. It’s not really a comedy performance, and therefore I don’t see Driver beating any of these five other legitimately funny men.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, Modern Family (Message Received)
This is Ferguson’s fifth consecutive nomination, and he’s managed to stick around while costars Eric Stonestreet and Ed O’Neill have been snubbed. He’s still up against costar Burrell this year. His submission is an interesting one, since it features some funny stuff related to his old comic book but also includes a dramatic moment with his father. This category tends to reward showier comedy, so I don’t think Ferguson will be the choice this year.

Tony Hale as Gary Walsh, Veep (Crate)
Hale, who won this award last year, developed a chronic shoulder pain due to his frequent bag-carrying and endured plenty of abuse from Selina throughout the season. In his submitted episode, he gets to revel in a delirious celebratory moment with Selina. I don’t think it will enable him to repeat, but he certainly could based on his performance throughout the season.

Who should win (based on entire season): Hale, Burrell, or Ferguson
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Braugher
Who will win: My bet is that Braugher takes it, but who knows?

Next up: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Nominees are pictured and listed in alphabetical order. Submitted episode titles are in parentheses. Beware of minor spoilers for listed episodes.

Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart, The Good Wife (The Last Call)
Baranski, who has been nominated five years in a row, chose the same episode as costar Julianna Margulies, which deals with the aftermath of a devastating and extremely transformative event in the history of the show. Diane responds initially by shutting down, which is a disconcerting sight, and then by employing her token shrewd nature with a shocking move. It’s a great showcase for her that might earn her her first Emmy since her first of fourteen nominations back in 1995.

Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates, Downton Abbey (Episode 2)
Froggatt was nominated two years ago and now returns thanks to her affecting work in her disturbing plotline this season. Her episode features her character being raped by a visitor who initially seems friendly, and the beginnings of what ends up being a difficult journey back to some sort of normalcy. Anna has always been the most sympathetic character on her show, and this performance may just net her the win.

Anna Gunn as Skyler White, Breaking Bad (Ozymandias)
Gunn won this award last year, and it’s very possible she might win again for the final year of her show. Her submitted episode features her last half-decent interaction with Walt, which of course quickly turns sour as she realizes just who he is and tells him how she feels. There’s tough competition, but I think her show might sweep, and she could well be part of that again.

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister, Game of Thrones (The Lion and the Rose)
Headey scored her first Emmy nomination for her complex performance of the increasingly evil Cersei on HBO’s fantasy series. In her submitted episode, Cersei reveals the lengths she will go to in order to be cruel before tragedy strikes and she truly has a reason to be vicious. It’s a formidable episode for her, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she rallied and managed to overtake her fellow nominees.

Christina Hendricks as Joan Holloway, Mad Men (The Strategy)
This is Hendrick’s fifth consecutive nomination for this role. Emmy voters’ regard for this show has clearly declined, and Hendricks is the only remaining regular cast member nominated aside from star Jon Hamm. Her submission finds her in a typically unfortunate situation but sees her standing up for herself and for her individuality. While it’s strong, there’s no way that this is the hour that wins it for her considering her past submissions.

Maggie Smith as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, Downton Abbey (Episode 8)
Smith is on her fourth nomination for this role, and won this award for the show’s first two seasons. In the show’s fourth season finale, Violet helps her granddaughter Edith to get back on track following a life-changing development and has some lighter moments bickering with Shirley MacLaine’s Martha. She’s won before, so she could again, but I think her costar Froggatt is more likely this year.

Who should win (based on entire season): Headey
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Headey, Gunn, or Froggatt
Who will win: It’s a competitive year, and I’m torn between predicting Froggatt or Headey. It could also be Gunn or Baranski.

Next up: Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Nominees are pictured and listed in alphabetical order. Submitted episode titles are in parentheses. Beware of minor spoilers for listed episodes.

Jim Carter as Mr. Carson, Downton Abbey (Episode 1)
It’s hard to believe that Carter has now been nominated three years in a row, but it’s a credit to the actor for standing out in a large and talented ensemble. The two-hour season premiere isn’t the best showcase of Carter’s work this season, though it does feature Carson being both loyal to those he cares about and dealing the return of an old friend he doesn’t talk to anymore. He’s got the least meaty role in this category, so I don’t suspect he’ll earn too many votes.

Josh Charles as Will Gardner, The Good Wife (Hitting the Fan)
Charles, who was nominated once before in this category three years ago, exited his show this year. Before that, however, he turned in an incredible performance that started with this episode, in which he finds out that Alicia is leaving and goes ballistic. Seeing the anger boil in him based on her betrayal is incredible, and it’s a side of Will that’s absolutely incredible to watch. Maybe he could even win this thing.

Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Game of Thrones (The Laws of God and Men)
Dinklage, who won an Emmy for the first season of his show, is back with his fourth nomination and his best shot at an Emmy since that first year. Tyrion delivers an incredible speech in the final scene of his submitted episode in which he takes down all those around him and expresses his frustrations at the world. He’s still the best performer in his show’s enormous ensemble, and I think Emmy voters are well aware of that.

Mandy Patinkin as Saul Berenson, Homeland (Geronition)
Patinkin is back after earning a nomination last year, and though the show’s quality severely decreased, Patinkin was actually just as good. His season-long struggle to maintain his job and do the right thing despite others around him doubting him was worthwhile to watch. He did, however, submit my least favorite episode of the season, in which he acts like a child to deceive a colleague. There’s no way he wins this year; maybe in the future if the show improves in season four and beyond.

Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman, Breaking Bad (Confessions)
This is Paul’s fifth consecutive nomination, and he has won twice for this role. For the final year of his show, Paul submitted a strong episode for Jesse in which he finally speaks his mind when he’s cornered about how Walt treats him. It’s a great showcase for Paul, who’s clearly an Emmy favorite; it’s just a question of whether he can beat the powerful actors with him in this category.

Jon Voight as Mickey Donovan, Ray Donovan (Fite Nite)
This is Voight’s third career nomination, following mentions for miniseries and TV movie work in 2006 and 2002. Now, he’s the lone representative for Showtime’s new series. Half of the nomination is the role and the other half is Voight himself, who does a great job of portraying the con man patriarch. In his submitted episode, Voight manages to turn the tables on his fate, and it’s a very compelling transformation that could net him a win.

Who should win (based on entire season): Charles, Voight, or Dinklage
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Charles or Dinklage
Who will win: It could really be anyone except for Carter or Patinkin. Optimistically, I’ll say Charles, but it might be Dinklage, which would be great too.

Next up: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

What I’m Watching: Masters of Sex

Masters of Sex: Season 2, Episode 5 “Giants” (C+)

I’m trying to get back on board with this show, but it just doesn’t feel like the show that so intrigued me a year ago when it first started. That said, there’s a hefty amount of analytical storytelling going on, digging deep into the psyches of its characters and the basic natures of sexuality and honesty. Virginia forcing Bill to act as the patient and giving him commands was a strange role reversal, and I think it definitely supported her point that she wasn’t just there to serve a purpose but to fulfill the science in which she truly believes. Virginia was rightfully angry with Lilian for dismissing her outright because of her tryst with Bill, and both parties seemed to feel equally betrayed by the other. It’s no surprise that Bill’s old patients aren’t feeling excited by the notion of coming to the black hospital, though a segregated waiting room is a bit of an extreme and literal reaction. Courtney B. Vance’s Dr. Hendricks has some justified and scathing things to say, and hopefully he’ll wake Bill up to putting in more effort. I like that Libby was inspired by her conversation with Coral about what romance feels like to have sex with Bill, but that’s just about all I like related to her, which is a shame given that she used to be my favorite character. Sarah Silverman’s guest spot as Betty’s former lover didn’t do anything for me either, and I found her to be out of place, and, if possible, more grating in the way she spoke than our loveable Betty.

What I’m Watching: The Leftovers

The Leftovers: Season 1, Episode 7 “Solace for Tired Feet” (B+)

This show continues to be inherently fascinating, expanding back to focus on more of its ensemble but still achieving those deep, powerful moments present in the solitary installments. Nora provides such an interesting and irreverent perspective on everything, always saying some jarring things but managing to elicit a calm, fun-loving attitude from Kevin, best evidenced in his texting his daughter that he was excited to have sex with Nora for the first time. Turning the hose on Meg and her Guilty Remnant friend was great if just for the shocked, dampened reaction it produced on Meg’s face. Kevin is having more disconcerting nightmares that seem to have played out at least in part in real life, and Amy seems more than willing to fill him in on what he missed even if he doesn’t want to acknowledge that he can’t remember. It was great to see Scott Glenn as Kevin’s father, who is obviously hearing voices but conveying some messages that we’ve heard before. Saving Jill, who got locked in a refrigerator in another twisted game that the kids on this show play, was a terrific entrance, and I love that he and Jill just hung out casually at the house while Kevin and the cops were out looking for him. Holy Wayne is turning out to be a bit of a false prophet, or at least a dishonest one. Tom discovering another loyal servant with a pregnant girl by his side was eerie, and now he has one of those Wayne babies back at home which is sure to throw things into even more chaos.

What I’m Watching: Ray Donovan

Ray Donovan: Season 2, Episode 5 “Irish Spring” (B+)

Things change so dramatically in such a short period of time on this show. Kate was ditching Avi midway through the episode as he was tailing her for fear of her being taken out by Cochrane, but then just a bit later a whole new plan had been hatched with Ray, Mickey, and Cochrane all telling Kate a made-up story about how Mickey was an FBI informant actually doing what he was supposed to be doing all along in order to lure Sully out of hiding. It seems like far too easy a solution, and we’ll see how long it sticks. In the meantime, Ronald is proving to be a liability, and Cochrane is getting more dangerous by the moment. Those scratches on his back are not good, and the fact that his affair is known about and he thinks he has no skeletons indicates that he believes he’s invincible and would likely respond very poorly to any kind of blackmail. At least Mickey and Ray seem to be on better terms, with Mickey demanding a bit of respect and a stipend, a rather amusing and innocuous request. While Connor continues to get in trouble for his violent outburst and Bridget cuts school to hang out with good influence Marvin, Abby was actually the most uncontrollable Donovan this week, playing nice with her new neighbors before attacking them when they said the wrong thing. That wasn’t good, but propositioning her new cop friend in the car so bluntly definitel took the cake.

What I’m Watching: The Last Ship

The Last Ship: Season 1, Episode 8 “Two Sailors Walk Into a Bar…” (B-)

This episode was a decent improvement over recent hours, but not by all that much. It sure didn’t take long for two high-profile prisoners on an enemy ship to regain complete control and manage to get away unscathed with two other prisoners and a full armed escort. The cat-and-mouse game between Ruskov and Tom was moderately interesting, but Ruskov really is more of a caricature than anything else. The Russian henchman who spewed out broken English on cue was an even worse offender, and it’s no surprise he was the first to die as the escape began. Rachel does deserve some credit for executing her part of the rescue plan, making out passionately with Tom in order to pass him both a blade and a note. Tex was at his unserious best, commenting as often and obnoxiously as possible at what was going on around him. Seeing Slattery in charge was worthwhile, though I’m constantly reminded of the fact that Adam Baldwin has so much more potential. Hearing him deliver with no intonation a joke about two sailors walking into a bar and both walking out was far from satisfying, especially knowing how sarcastic and funny he can be. The action on this show, while often over-the-top, is usually relatively on point, but unfortunately the dialogue just doesn’t come close. None of the conversations feel real, and they’re all hopelessly forced. I don’t watch a show like this show for its writing, but it could be so much better if all elements were just a little bit stronger.

What I’m Watching: True Blood

True Blood: Season 7, Episode 8 “Almost Home” (B)

This episode was definitely wrapping up a few plotlines neatly in a bow while making it abundantly clear that there are other elements that won’t be resolved as cleanly. On the bright side, Violet’s elaborate and gruesome torture chamber didn’t get much use after a colorful introduction from the seductress herself, thanks to an unexpected visit from Hoyt of all people. Wade and Adilyn can be happy, good kids now, and their soon-to-be-wed parents can breathe a sigh of relief. Jessica and Jason will always be friends, apparently, which is fine, and I like that Jessica and Hoyt got some closure rather than some true romantic resolution, since I’m not sure they were ever destined to be together. Brigette, to her credit, didn’t manage to mess anything up during her brief stint in Bon Temps. I couldn’t figure out where I recognized her from, and it turns out she’s played by Ashley Hinshaw, the breakout star of “About Cherry.” On the Tara front, a desolate flashback revealed why she stuck around, which I don’t think merited almost an entire season of Lettie Mae, but at least now she and the reverend can get their lives started again. Eric’s healing process was quick and simple, and it’s a shame that Bill won’t just drink Sarah’s blood and get it over with, since Eric and Pam’s lives are clearly in jeopardy now. If Bill wants to die, so be it, but this hardly seems like the way to go. He should take a cue from Godric and embrace the sun with open arms.

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Nominees are pictured and listed in alphabetical order. Submitted episode titles are in parentheses. Beware of minor spoilers for listed episodes.

Lena Dunham as Hannah Horvath, Girls (Beach House)
Dunham is back for her third nomination, but this time she isn’t nominated for directing, writing, or Best Comedy Series. If she couldn’t before, there’s no way she can now. Her submitted episode is an episode that takes place outside of New York City where Hannah lets her selfishness out more than usual, a decent showcase of an entirely unlikeable character.

Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton, Nurse Jackie (Super Greens)
This is Falco’s twelfth career Emmy nomination and her fifth consecutive bid for this show. She won three times for “The Sopranos” and once for the freshman season of this show. Falco has managed to stick around despite her show and costar Merritt Wever being intermittently nominated. Her submitted episode features plenty of material, namely her daughter being arrested and the revelation of her ex-husband’s engagement, but it’s much more dramatic than comedic, so I don’t see her scoring a win this year.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, Veep (Crate)
This is Louis-Dreyfus’ fifteenth career nomination, and she’s the two-time defending champion in this race. Her submission of the season’s penultimate episode is a great choice, featuring the visual gag of her standing on a very expensive crate and then her reaction to the unbelievable news that leads into the finale. While others could earn their first wins this year, Louis-Dreyfus could very easily repeat.

Melissa McCarthy as Molly Flynn, Mike and Molly (Mind Over Molly)
McCarthy is back as a nominee in this category after a win in 2011 and a nomination in 2012. She’s also up for the third consecutive time for hosting SNL. In her submitted episode, Molly goes to therapy and pretty much talks for the entire episode. She’s somewhat funny, but it’s hardly the comedic showcase that she usually has and probably won’t net her too many votes.

Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, Parks & Recreation (Recall Vote)
This is Poehler’s fifth nomination, and sadly, she’s the only part of her show recognized. She won a Golden Globe this year, so maybe she could finally take home an Emmy, though it’s hard to see her unseating her good friend Louis-Dreyfus. Her episode is a knockout, featuring her being recalled and getting drunk before giving a solid speech, but she’s submitted episodes just as good in the past to no avail.

Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman, Orange is the New Black (The Chickening)
Schilling is a first-time nominee, and she stands a much better chance in this race than she did as a drama nominee at the Golden Globes. It’s all a question of how Emmy voters will respond to this show, though I think that all the nominations suggest they like it. It’s not always easy to like Piper, and in her submitted episode, she gets entranced by the sight of a chicken in the yard. I think she has a decent shot, but I think her show will be rewarded elsewhere.

Who should win (based on entire season): Poehler, Louis-Dreyfus, or Schilling
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Poehler or Louis-Dreyfus
Who will win: I’ll bet on Poehler even though I’m sure it will end up being Louis-Dreyfus or Schilling.

Next up: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Nominees are pictured and listed in alphabetical order. Submitted episode titles are in parentheses. Beware of minor spoilers for listed episodes.

Don Cheadle as Marty Kahn, House of Lies (Wreckage)
Cheadle is on his third nomination for playing the self-destructive management consultant who, in the season premiere of his show, is struggling to get a handle on finally having his own firm. If Cheadle couldn’t win for season one or two, I don’t see how he could now, and I think that another nomination is enough of a victory.

Louis C.K. as Louie, Louie (Model)
Without a comedy special this year, C.K.’s individual nominations total dropped from last year’s nine down to five, which is still pretty impressive. This is his fourth nomination for playing a fictionalized version of himself on his FX show. His selection of the episode in which he bombs at a comedy show and then ends up in bed with a model is actually a dynamite choice that might enable him to score his first acting win in a year with no clear frontrunner.

Ricky Gervais as Derek, Derek (Episode 2.6)
I deliberated about whether to watch the pilot of this Netflix series or go in blind, and I ultimately opted just to watch the second season finale. While it’s hard to get a grasp on just what the show is about, it’s clear that Gervais is doing something different than usual, and he’s actually pretty good at it. Going on a date and dealing with his father’s declining health are great fodder for a surprisingly tender performance. Just like with his last unexpected nomination in this category, I think Gervais is primed for the win.

Matt LeBlanc as Matt LeBlanc, Episodes (Episode 306)
I’m so thrilled that LeBlanc is back for his third nomination for his self-portrayal on Showtime’s terrific comedy series. LeBlanc’s episode submission is truly terrific, as he has the chance to sleep with his costar’s daughter, who just happens to have a certain “Friends” fetish. He also launches on a great tirade against British people. It would be great to see him win, but I’m skeptical about his chances.

William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher, Shameless (Lazarus)
I’ve been a proponent of Macy being recognized for his committed, deranged performance, and even though I think the show is now more of a drama than a comedy, I think it’s great that he finally got nominated. It might be hard to connect to Frank’s signature awfulness if you haven’t seen the whole show, but there’s no denying the emphasis Frank puts on his character’s words as he announces his latest cockroach-like triumph in the season finale. Macy isn’t likely to put another trophy next to his 2003 Emmy for “Door to Door” this year.

Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory (The Relationship Diremption)
This is Parsons’ sixth consecutive nomination. He has won three times, most recently last year, and is also nominated for TV movie “The Normal Heart” this year. In his submitted episode, Parsons realizes he may be in the wrong field, and his search for the right kind of science is truly entertaining. Parsons could easily repeat given the lack of a clear frontrunner.

Who should win (based on entire season): LeBlanc
Who should win (based on individual episodes): LeBlanc
Who will win: It could easily be C.K. for the first time or Parsons again, but I’ll bet on Gervais for the sneak attack again.

Next up: Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Nominees are pictured and listed in alphabetical order. Submitted episode titles are in parentheses. Beware of minor spoilers for listed episodes.

Lizzy Caplan as Virginia Johnson, Masters of Sex (Pilot)
It’s great to see Caplan, who I think was Emmy-worthy in guest spots on “New Girl” and “True Blood” and also probably on “Party Down,” earn her first-ever Emmy nomination for her portrayal of an intelligent, curious sex researcher way ahead of her time. She’s great in the series premiere; the only question is whether she can eclipse five better-known actors. Her show not being nominated anywhere else aside from the guest categories doesn’t help matters much.

Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison, Homeland (The Star)
Danes has won this award the past two years. She fared much better here than with the Golden Globes, where she had the same statistics and was then snubbed for the show’s less impressive third season. With her show omitted from the Best Drama Series race, Danes is back for a third shot for her emotional performance in the season finale, which is probably her best work all season. It’s possible she could repeat again, but I don’t see it given the backlash against the show.

Michelle Dockery as Mary Crawley, Downton Abbey (Episode 1)
This is Dockery’s third nomination, and she’s officially the only “lead” of her ensemble represented with Hugh Bonneville gone from the Best Actor race. Her submission this year may be her best yet, as she copes with a devastating loss and makes it very clear that she’s not going to be pushed aside because she’s a woman. She seems least likely to win from this group, but her episode choice is a good one that could garner some votes.

Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick, The Good Wife (The Last Call)
Margulies hasn’t had a terrific Emmy track record for this show – she lost the award for season one, won for season two, was nominated for season three, and then snubbed for season four. Fortunately, she’s back following a creative resurgence. Unfortunately, her submission is the deeply emotional episode following a major loss rather than the game-changing “Hitting the Fan” submitted by costar Josh Charles. She might still win since it’s hard not to find her performance powerful.

Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, Scandal (The Fluffer)
This is Washington’s second nomination. In her submitted episode, she stands up to one of the men in her life by giving him a serious piece of her mind and makes an important decision regarding another which has extremely adverse effects. Washington is very popular and most people would likely be surprised that she doesn’t have an Emmy yet. I’m just not sure I see it happening, but I don’t think there would be too many objections if she won.

Robin Wright as Claire Underwood, House of Cards (Chapter 26)
Wright was nominated for this role last year, and won a Golden Globe in the interim. Claire doesn’t have as much of a showcase as her husband in the season finale, in which she sees the hard work she has put in have alternately adverse and productive effects. “Chapter 17,” where she admits to having been raped, would have been a much wiser choice. It seems that she is respected right now, however, and without Tatiana Maslany in this race, I think she’s the frontrunner in spite of her submission.

Who should win (based on entire season): Margulies or Caplan
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Caplan
Who will win: I’ll go with Wright, but it could be Washington or Margulies.

Next up: Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Nominees are pictured and listed in alphabetical order. Submitted episode titles are in parentheses. Beware of minor spoilers for listed episodes.

Bryan Cranston as Walter White, Breaking Bad (Ozymandias)
Cranston took this award home three years in a row and has been a nominee for the last two. He’s now up for his final shot, and I suspect his show is going to perform extremely well even though it signed off the air almost a full year ago. His submission is dynamite – not the series finale, but one of the season’s strongest episodes in which everything implodes for Walt and he expresses both true devastation and makes a regrettable impulse power decision. It’s pretty damn strong as a submission.

Jeff Daniels as Will McAvoy, The Newsroom (Election Night, Part 2)
I was floored when Daniels’ name was called last year since he was the only performer in this category whose show wasn’t nominated for Best Drama Series, which is the case again this year. Instead of the pilot, which let him give an epic Sorkin speech, he submitted the season finale, in which his character makes an unexpected romantic turnaround. He won last year, so who knows, but I don’t think this could score him a second trophy.

Jon Hamm as Don Draper, Mad Men (The Strategy)
I’ve written for the past few years that it’s hard to believe Hamm doesn’t have an Emmy yet, and it’s just as hard to imagine that he would finally win for the show’s seventh season. Hamm chose wisely from a field of seven episodes this year, selecting the hour in which Don actually changes as a person, deciding that his pride isn’t worth the impact it has on his work and making a true effort with Peggy. This show isn’t really in Emmy voters’ favor anymore, and I can’t see Hamm beating the other five powerhouses in this category.

Woody Harrelson as Marty Hart, True Detective (The Locked Room)
This is Harrelson’s seventh career Emmy nomination but his first foray into dramatic territory (most of those nominations were for “Cheers”). While Harrelson hasn’t gotten as much buzz for his show as his costar (read below), he’s actually just as good if not better. This episode especially underlines that, as Marty acts out his emotions when Rust mows his lawn and juggles his personal life in the poorest way. I don’t think he can eclipse his costar, but wouldn’t that be cool to see him rewarded for succeeding in a dramatic role like this?

Matthew McConaughey as Rust Cohle, True Detective (Form and Void)
This is McConaughey’s first Emmy nomination, but after this past year, he’s no stranger to awards following many wins, most notably a Golden Globe and Oscar, for his starring role in “Dallas Buyers Club.” This performance would be impressive even if McConaughey wasn’t hot right now. His submission of the season finale does give him plenty of material, though I think that if anyone hasn’t watched the entire season (I marathoned it for this purpose), it’s harder to connect with the long-haired present-day version of Rust than the quote-heavy younger version who could easily have won this with earlier episodes. It’s just a question of whether he can trounce Cranston.

Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood, House of Cards (Chapter 26)
Spacey was nominated last year for his role as corrupt political player Frank. He submitted the pilot then and the season finale, in which everything he has worked for throughout the second season comes to marvelous fruition, now. It’s a tough field, and I thought Spacey would win last year. While it’s a good look at how determined and motivate Frank is, it doesn’t seem like the hour to push him through to the win.

Who should win (based on entire season): Pretty much anyone but Daniels
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Cranston, Hamm, Spacey, or Harrelson
Who will win: A dead heat between three-time winner Cranston and first-time nominee McConaughey. I give the edge to the latter.

Next up: Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series