9/18 UPDATE: I went 8 for 18 with my Emmy picks. Correct selections are starred.
Sunday Night, Jimmy Kimmel will host The 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on ABC. Here are my picks for the most coveted 18 categories:
*COMEDY SERIES – In this Presidential election year, HBO’s “Veep” will win for the second term in a row.
LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY – In recognition for the impressive episodes over the past season, Anthony Anderson will take home a trophy for “Black-ish”.
LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY – I could easily pick Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She very well could win her 8th career Emmy (and fifth acting statue in a row for “Veep”). But Ellie Kemper (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”) is the hot underdog, and I’ll take a chance on her.
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY – Tony Hale seems to be the frontrunner, but the industry loved “Key & Peele” and still adores their stars (most “Keanu” reviews were, shockingly, positive). Keegan-Michael Key will pull-off the surprise win.
*SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY – With a breakout performance in “Ghostbusters”, Kate McKinnon’s popularity is rising. She will win for her work on “SNL”.
*DRAMA SERIES – I wanna go out on a limb with “The Americans”, but “Game of Thrones” just seems to be too powerful to conquer.
*LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA – It’s one of the hottest shows on cable – “Mr. Robot”‘s Rami Malek wins.
LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA – “How to Get Away with Murder” is a guilty pleasure for millions of viewers, star Viola Davis is one of the main reasons why. Winner!
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA – The “Game of Thrones” phenomenon continues: Peter Dinklage is your victor.
*SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA – Constance Zimmer (“UnREAL”) is a contender, but in “Downton Abbey”‘s final year, Dame Maggie Smith will be honored.
TV MOVIE – Based on the stage play, and dominated by a fearless Bryan Cranston, HBO will take this category home – again – with “All the Way”.
*LIMITED SERIES – One of the biggest TV events of the past year: “The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”.
LEAD ACTOR IN A TV MOVIE/MINISERIES – Six movie stars nominated for TV performances. As much as I’d love to see Cuba Gooding, Jr. (“The People vs. O.J.”) give another wild awards acceptance speech, Bryan Cranston was fantastic as LBJ in “All the Way”. And he’ll also give a hell of a speech.
*LEAD ACTRESS IN A TV MOVIE/MINISERIES – Sarah Paulson is also nominated in the Supporting Actress category for “American Horror Story: Hotel”. She will win here for her performance as Marcia Clark in “O.J.”.
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TV MOVIE/MINISERIES – Hugh Laurie’s return to TV on “The Night Manager” earned praise, but The Juice will continue to flow here – with a win by John Travolta as Robert Shapiro on “O.J.”.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TV MOVIE/MINISERIES – Melissa Leo (“All the Way”) should win simply for LOOKING so much like Lady Bird Johnson. But she just doesn’t have enough screen time. The award will go to Kathy Bates for “AHS”.
*REALITY-COMPETITION SERIES – “American Idol” was snubbed in its final year, and Ryan Seacrest lost to RuPaul in the Host category. Look for surviving singing competition “The Voice” to take the trophy.
VARIETY TALK SERIES – It won’t go to “Jimmy Kimmel Live”, simply because Kimmel is hosting the Emmys. Some voters may sway towards political junkies Bill Maher and John Oliver. But thanks to his incredible Cinderella success story the past year and a half, including a heavy internet following, “The Late Late Show with James Corden” will win.