Emmy Predictions
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
September 18, 2005

 

There is a big difference between who will win and who should win a Primetime Emmy Sunday night.  The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is notorious for finding a favorite then sticking with that favorite for years (see:  Bergen, Candace; Hunt, Helen).  Here are some predictions for the main acting categories.

 

Lead Actor – Comedy Series
Jason Bateman, Arrested Development
Zach Braff, Scrubs

Eric McCormack, Will & Grace
Ray Romano, Everybody Loves Raymond
Tony Shalhoub, Monk

 

Will win – Though I wouldn’t be surprised if the Academy somehow gave the award to Kelsey Grammer even though “Frasier” has been off the air for two years, it will probably go to current darling Tony Shalhoub.

 

Should win – Zach Braff, who won many over with his indie-hit movie “Garden State,” or Jason Bateman of the critically-acclaimed, ratings-challenged “Arrested Development.”

 

Lead Actress – Comedy Series

Marcia Cross, Desperate Housewives

Teri Hatcher, Desperate Housewives

Patricia Heaton, Everybody Loves Raymond
Felicity Huffman, Desperate Housewives

Jane Kaczmarek, Malcolm in the Middle

 

Will win - Though all four leads on D.H. are great (including Eva Longoria, who wrongly wasn’t nominated), Marcia Cross was the most talked about character on the most talked about show of the year. 

 

Should win – The Emmys like “Desperate,” so Cross will likely follow co-star Teri Hatcher’s win from last year.

 

Lead Actor – Drama Series

Hank Azaria, Huff

Hugh Laurie, House

Ian McShane, Deadwood

James Spader, Boston Legal
Kiefer Sutherland, 24

 

Will win - Lots of omissions such as Anthony LaPaglia from “Without a Trace,” Christopher Meloni from “Law & Order: SVU” and William Peterson from “CSI.” Of the nominees, Hugh Laurie created the most buzz on “House,” but expect Spader to win for the second year in a row.

 

Should win – Kiefer Sutherland goes through more drama in a day, than many do in a lifetime.

 

Lead Actress- Drama Series

Patricia Arquette, Medium

Glenn Close, The Shield

Frances Conroy, Six Feet Under

Jennifer Garner, Alias

Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU

 

Will win – Glenn Close will probably get rewarded for “slumming” and doing television.

Should win- Frances Conroy of “Six Feet Under” deserves a going-away Emmy.

 

Ellen DeGeneres, who had the difficult task to strike a balance between comedy and national tragedy when she hosted the Emmys after “9-11,” will have that responsibility again as she returns as the host of the show. The New Orleans native will be sure to talk about Hurricane Katrina, which devastated her hometown.