• by Ed Martin , September 20, 2013

What should we make of the Emmy Awards during this golden age of television? There are so many extraordinary shows and performances on an ever-increasing number of networks and other outlets that it seems archaic to narrow categories down to a mere six nominees each, given that five nominees per category was the norm when there were programs on only three networks (plus PBS) from which to select each area’s best.

Seriously, would it kill the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to increase the number of nominees per category to ten? Perhaps then the television industry wouldn’t face a situation like the one it is up against this year, when so many of the actors who gave some of the best performances in comedy and drama series were not even nominated.

As far as the usual predictions and preferences go, I’ll begin this annual ritual on a positive note. The two best drama series of the last year were actually nominated for Outstanding Drama Series: AMC’s “Breaking Bad” and HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” A win for either would be thrilling. Showtime’s “Homeland” is still a favorite, but its second season was ferociously flawed, so a win would suggest that it is still coasting on its outstanding freshman year. Netflix’s “House of Cards” was a touch overrated, AMC’s “Mad Men” was strangely uneven (though in the few episodes when it was on its game it was still TV’s best) and PBS’ “Downton Abbey,” the most popular of all nominees in this category, is just too light and lovely to hold up against the all-consuming darkness that characterizes its fellow nominees. I predict a win for “Breaking Bad,” although my preference would be “Game of Thrones.”

The Drama Series category got it right, but the Comedy Series category overlooked the two most consistently funny shows of the last year: ABC’s “The Middle” and Fox’s “Raising Hope.” I suspect that’s because both shows are about families without money, and there is nothing Hollywood abhors more than consistent reminders that not everyone lives as people do in the better sections of Pasadena and Hancock Park. Of the six nominated shows here, I predict a fourth consecutive win for ABC’s “Modern Family.” My preference would be CBS’ unfailingly riotous “The Big Bang Theory.”

Like the Comedy Series category, all of the Drama and Comedy acting categories also managed not to include the two best choices among their nominees.

The two best performances by lead actors in drama series were given by Timothy Olyphant in FX’s “Justified” and Kelsey Grammer in Starz’ “Boss.” But neither actor was among the nominees. Of the six men nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series I predict a second consecutive win for Damian Lewis of “Homeland.” My preference would be a fourth win for Bryan Cranston of “Breaking Bad.”

The two best performances by lead actresses in drama series were given by Tatiana Maslany of BBC America’s “Orphan Black” and Glenn Close of DirecTV's “Damages.” But these actresses were not among the nominees. Of the six women nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series I predict a second consecutive win for Claire Danes of “Homeland.” Danes is also my preference in this category.

The two best performances by supporting actors in drama series were given by Michael Cudlitz of TNT’s “Southland” and Freddie Highmore of A&E’s “Bates Motel.” (Walton Goggins of “Justified” was a close third.) But neither actor was among the nominees. Of the six men nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series I predict a third win for Aaron Paul of “Breaking Bad.” My preference would be his co-star, Jonathan Banks.

The two best performances by supporting actresses in drama series were given by Monica Potter of NBC’s “Parenthood” and Jennifer Carpenter of Showtime’s “Dexter.” But neither actress was among the nominees. Of the six women nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series my prediction and preference is a third win for Maggie Smith of “Downton Abbey.”

The two best performances by lead actors in comedy series were given by Jake Johnson of Fox’s “New Girl” and Garret Dillahunt of “Raising Hope.” But neither actor was among the nominees. Of the six men nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series my prediction is Louis C.K. of FX’s “Louie.” My preference is Jim Parsons of “The Big Bang Theory.”

The two best performances by lead actresses in comedy series were given by Patricia Heaton of “The Middle” and Zooey Deschanel of “New Girl.” But neither actress was among the nominees. Of the six women nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series my prediction is Julia Louis-Dreyfus of HBO’s “Veep.” My preference would be Laura Dern of HBO’s “Enlightened.”

The two best performances by supporting actors in comedy series were given by Charlie McDermott of “The Middle” and Alex Karpovsky of HBO’s “Girls.” But neither actor was among the nominees. Of the six men nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series my prediction is Ty Burrell of “Modern Family.” My preference is his co-star, Ed O’Neill.

The two best performances by supporting actresses in comedy series were given by Eden Sher in “The Middle” and Sarah Hyland in “Modern Family.” But neither actress was among the nominees. Of the six actresses nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series my prediction is a third win for Julie Bowen of “Modern Family.” My preference would be her co-star, Sofia Vergara.

Elsewhere, the competition in the Movie and Miniseries categories has never been hotter.

My prediction for Outstanding Movie or Miniseries is HBO’s “Behind the Candelabra.” My preference is Sundance Channel’s “Top of the Lake.”

My prediction for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Movie or Miniseries is Michael Douglas of “Behind the Candelabra.” Douglas is also my preference in this category, though a win for his co-star Matt Damon wouldn’t be a terrible thing.

My prediction and preference for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Movie or Miniseries is Elisabeth Moss of “Top of the Lake.”

My prediction for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries is Zachary Quinto of FX’s “American Horror Story.” My preference is Peter Mullan of “Top of the Lake.”

My prediction and preference for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries is Sarah Paulson of “American Horror Story.”