Breaking Bad vs Mad Men Emmys: Walter White and Don Draper Face Off on Sunday

Culture

The TV award madness begins this Sunday with the Emmy Awards. Mad Men vs. Downton Abbey; Jonn Hamm vs. Bryan Cranston ... these are tough decisions people! Will the academy stick with tradition and make the 64th ceremony a Modern Family and Mad Men year? Or will new traditions take over and usher in the year of Girls and Downton Abbey. The host of the evening will be none other than late night's Jimmy Kimmel, and if the ceremony is anything like his pajama-clad nominee announcement we are in for some laughs. Here are the predictions; the who will win, and who should win of this year's awards.  

 

Outstanding Drama Series

Who Should Win: This is such a tough category; amazing shows all around. If I'm choosing one though it's going to Mad Men. It would also be a record breaking fifth straight win for the series. 

Who Will Win: Honestly I think this one is between Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, and Mad Men. I think Mad Men is probably out just because they want fresh blood. This might be Breaking Bad's year.

 

Outstanding Comedy Series

Who Should Win: I think this award belongs to Girls if only for its cultural phenomenon status. That said, I think the HBO series is an uber long shot.

Who Will Win: The Emmy's are pretty obsessed with Modern Family. They've been two-for-two in recent years and I think we're heading for a third straight win. 

Outstanding Actress in a Drama

Who Should Win: Claire Danes. She plays a bipolar genius, I mean come on. If Michelle Dockery wins I will not be sad though, phenom.

Who Will Win: My money is on Danes. 

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama

Who Should Win: Any of those gems from Downton Abbey. They are the second coming of the British invasion and it should be recognized. 

Who Will Win: Maggie Smith. For one reason: she's Maggie Smith. 

Outstanding Actor in a Drama

Who Should Win: Eek must the choice really be made? If so, I'm giving it to Jon Hamm. Don Draper deserves his first Emmy.

Who Will Win: Bryan Cranston. He is the mega favorite and has already won three times in a row (he didn't win last year but that was only because the show was on hiatus.) 

Who Should Win: I do love Jared Harris in Mad Men. If I were casting ballots, he'd have my vote. 

Who Will Win: Giancarlo Esposito is a near shoe-in. Last year's winner was Dinklage and I don't think he'll be a two-win guy, Esposito is looking like it. 

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy

Who Should Win: If you ask the masses they will tell you that Amy Poehler deserves this one.

Who Will Win: I think this is a toss-up between three talented women, Amy Poehler, Lena Dunham, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Melissa McCarthy had her win last year and Edie Falco is under the radar. Sadly, New Girl just isn't taken seriously enough.  

 

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy

Nominees: Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory), Merritt Wever (Nurse Jackie), Julie Bowen  (Modern Family), Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live), Sofia Vergara (Modern Family), Kathryn Joosten (Desperate Housewives)

Who Should Win: Kristen Wiig deserves this one. She held down the fort at SNL and as she is no longer a cast member this would be a really nice homage to her time there. 

Who Will Win: Julie Bowen won last year and I definitely won't be surprised if she clinches it again. 

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy

Who Should Win: I think Alec Baldwin should win every year. This year I also think Jon Cryer deserves it just for being such a pro on a show defined by chaos. 

Who Will Win: Jim Parsons is the likely candidate. He won the last two years in a row and the academy likes a pattern.

Who Should Win: Max Greenfield, Max Greenfield, Max Greenfield. This is the best new character on primetime and he deserves the accolade.

Who Will Win: Any of the Modern Family men. They gave it to Ty Burrell last year so this might be an Eric Stonestreet evening. 

I will be live-blogging all the action on Sunday night so don't forget to tune in at PolicyMic.