Who will win Emmys this weekend?
The answer is: A lot of people who don’t deserve them but will win anyway because they’re better known than some other nominees who did superior work last season.
Of course, it’s all a matter of opinion. And with that in mind, here’s my take on who should win vs. who will win when the Emmy Awards are given out Sunday, starting at 8 p.m. on NBC/Ch. 4.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
Steve Carell of “The Office” would seem to be the frontrunner in this category since he got the most ink last season of any of the nominees. And there’s no question he’s doing great work as the star of NBC’s hilarious workplace comedy.
But Kevin James has also done great work on “The King of Queens,” and he’s done it for eight seasons, though this nomination is his first. Carell’s show will likely be around for a while.
He can wait ’til next year.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
I didn’t even like “The Comeback” on HBO, but Lisa Kudrow’s performance as an insecure former primetime TV star deserves every award for which she might be eligible, especially this one.
More likely, though, the Emmy will go to Jane Kaczmarek, who has been nominated for the seventh time for her rubber-faced mugging on “Malcolm in the Middle” and has never won.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
Martin Sheen is also a multiple nominee for “The West Wing.” This year’s nomination is his sixth for playing President Bartlet against no wins – which makes him a sentimental favorite to win.
However, his role was greatly diminished in the “West Wing’s” final season, while Denis Leary turned in electrifying performances every week in “Rescue Me” as the show’s dominant lead character. It’s time for Leary to win.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
I never risk money on bets, but if I did, I would bet on Kyra Sedgwick winning in this category.
She not only should win, but will win for “The Closer.” As the standout star of the TNT police drama, Sedgwick is the only bona fide “lead actress” in the category – with the exception of Geena Davis in “Commander in Chief,” which was a failed show.
Outstanding Comedy Series.
There are two reasons why “Arrested Development” was critically acclaimed. (1) It was a great show, especially in its final season, which is the one up for an Emmy this year. And (2) critics were among the few people who bothered watching this inventive but low-rated series.
It should win, but it’s more likely the Emmy will go to “Two and a Half Men” on the basis of popularity.
Outstanding Drama Series.
“The West Wing” should win here for the creative way it handled its final season – with a suspenseful presidential election set against the backdrop of the Bartlet administration’s final year in office.
But look for the Emmy to go to “Grey’s Anatomy,” the hit ABC drama best described as “a drama about a singles bar, but set in a hospital.”
—-
Adam’s Emmy predictions
Who oughta win — Category — Who will win
Kevin James — Actor: Comedy — Steve Carell
Lisa Kudrow — Actress: Comedy — Jane Kaczmarek
“Arrested Development” — Comedy — “Two and a Half Men”
Denis Leary — Actor: Drama — Martin Sheen
Kyra Sedgwick — Actress: Drama — Kyra Sedgwick
“The West Wing” — Drama — “Grey’s Anatomy”
