Emmy Predictions: Dramatic Performances

Supporting Actor
Nominees: Alan Alda (The West Wing), Naveen Andrews (Lost), Terry O'Quinn (Lost), Oliver Platt (Huff), William Shatner (Boston Legal)

Should Win: It's hard to stand out when your show focuses on a different character seemingly every week but O'Quinn somehow did exactly that.

Will Win: I honestly think any of these guys could win, but Andrews might be too fresh and Shatner already won for the role (not that that means anything). O'Quinn has a shot and Platt's work is undeniable but Alda has already been nominated for a Tony and an Oscar this year, is a respected Emmy vet and was supposedly out-of-this-world great on the show.

Should've Been Nominated: Anthony Anderson was nothing short of revelatory in his season-long arc on The Shield.


Supporting Actress
Nominees: Stockard Channing (The West Wing), Tyne Daly (Judging Amy), Blythe Danner (Huff), Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy), C.C.H. Pounder (The Shield)

Should Win: When the nominations were announced nothing made me happier than seeing C.C.H. Pounder's name on the list. Now, if she actually wins...

Will Win: I'm not sure I even want to know. Word is Daly has an edge since her character on the show had a heart attack (and she's been an upset winner in the past). But I do sort of think Blythe Danner has to win for one of her three nominations. She already lost comedy guest actress and probably won't win for her TV movie. Considering the voters will have to watch Huff they'll see a great actress elevating a mediocre role, that should do the trick.

Should've Been Nominated: The absence of Deadwood ladies Robin Weigert and Paula Malcolmson is inexcusable. And I call her lead but Emmy calls her supporting, whatever you call her Lauren Ambrose deserved a nomination.


Actress
Nominees: Patricia Arquette (Medium), Glenn Close (The Shield), Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under), Jennifer Garner (Alias), Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU)

Should Win: Close. No contest. Not because she's an Oscar nominee but because she effortlessly became a part of a brilliant ensemble and elevated an already great show in the process.

Will Win: Close. See above. (But there is an unhealthy amount of Internet-buzz for Hargitay and there would be worse things than Conroy winning an Emmy.)

Should've Been Nominated: Jennifer Beals. Who knew? Anyone who watched the second season of The L Word.


Actor
Nominees: Hank Azaria (Huff), Hugh Laurie (House), Ian McShane (Deadwood), James Spader (Boston Legal), Kiefer Sutherland (24)

Should Win: McShane continued to captivate on Deadwood, even when his character was silenced by kidney stones.

Will Win: Back in December I really thought McShane would have this all locked up, and watching the show's second season only confirmed that. But buzz for Laurie is so strong that he's jumped to the front of this odd pack.

Should've Been Nominated: Where do I even begin? Well with Michael C. Hall I guess, the fourth season was his best ever on Six Feet Under. The Shield's previous winner Michael Chiklis and Rescue Me's Denis Leary were especially worthy as well.