Channel Surfing
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
www.bradyresidence.com/channelsurfing.html
September 7, 2004

Here are my predictions for the Primetime Emmy awards, which will be handed out September 19.

Best Comedy
o Arrested Development
o Curb Your Enthusiasm
o Everybody Loves Raymond
o Sex and the City
o Will & Grace

Fox scored a nomination with "Arrested Development," but the best comedy on the network remains "The Simpsons," which should be nominated every year.  "Curb Your Enthusiasm" has been hilarious the last two seasons, but has more of a cult following.  "Everybody Loves Raymond," going into its ninth and final season should win. 

Best Drama
o 24
o CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
o Joan of Arcadia
o The Sopranos
o The West Wing

Since this is an election year, "The West Wing" has a good chance to win.  "CSI" is the top rated show of the nominees, but has never won best drama.  "Joan of Arcadia" was the big surprise of last season (remember when "Miss Match" with Alicia Silverstone was supposed to be the big show?). My pick would be "The Sopranos," but the Emmys will probably vote for "The West Wing."


Best Reality Show
o The Amazing Race
o American Idol
o The Apprentice
o Last Comic Standing
o Survivor

I love all of these shows.  "The Amazing Race" won last year, "Survivor" is the veteran show, and "The Apprentice" is rookie of the year. Though I cringe of the thought of Donald Trump having another thing to boast about, I'm afraid "The Apprentice" will win, with Omarosa as "Best Villian."
 
Best Actor, Drama
o James Gandolfini, The Sopranos
o Anthony LaPaglia, Without a Trace
o Martin Sheen, The West Wing
o James Spader, The Practice
o Kiefer Sutherland, 24

This will be one of the few triumphs for ABC, as James Spader should win.  I'm still impressed by his performance as "Steff" in "Pretty in Pink."


Best Actress, Drama
o Edie Falco, The Sopranos
o Jennifer Garner, Alias
o Mariska Hargitay,
  Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
o Allison Janney, The West Wing
o Amber Tamblyn, Joan of Arcadia

Allison Janney is the Emmy darling, so it's tough to vote against her.  I'd like to see fellow NBC actress Mariska Hargitay or Edie Falco win.


Best Actor, Comedy
o Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
o Kelsey Grammer, Frasier
o Matt LeBlanc, Friends
o John Ritter, 8 Simple Rules
o Tony Shalhoub, Monk

I would be shocked if anyone other than the late John Ritter wins.  However, my favorite is Larry David. 

Best Actress, Comedy
o Jennifer Aniston, Friends
o Patricia Heaton,
  Everybody Loves Raymond
o Bonnie Hunt, Life with Bonnie
o Jane Kaczmarek, Malcolm in the Middle
o Sarah Jessica Parker,
  Sex and the City

Watching "Sex and the City" reruns on TBS is a weekly reminder of how great Sarah Jessica Parker is in the role of Carrie Bradshaw.