Neil Patrick Harris -- who's been making a second career out of hosting awards shows lately -- will oversee the activity of the 61st annual Emmy Awards, slated for 8 p.m. EDT Sunday on CBS.
While most years see the same old names on the ballot, these Emmys have been thinking outside the norm. Among the contenders are unusual nominees such as HBO's surreal comedy "Flight of the Conchords," Fox's naughty cartoon "Family Guy" and controversial Comedy Central star Sarah Silverman.
(A nod to all you traditionalists out there: Ed Asner and Betty White, both from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," got nods for guest roles this past season.)
Will the Emmys shock us all with its picks? Doubtful. This is the Emmys, after all, where very little changes.
But a guy can dream, can't he? Here is who I think should win:
BEST DRAMA SERIES. "Big Love"; "Breaking Bad"; "Damages"; "Dexter"; "House"; "Lost"; "Mad Men."
What should win: "Lost."
The storytelling is unparalleled, making it one of the most compelling and intriguing stories ever told for television.
BEST COMEDY SERIES. "30 Rock"; "Entourage"; "Family Guy"; "Flight of the Conchords"; "How I Met Your Mother"; "The Office"; "Weeds."
What should win: "Flight of the Conchords."
During its all-too-brief run, the comedy was innovative, always performing outside the box.
BEST ACTOR (DRAMA). Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"; Michael C. Hall, "Dexter"; Hugh Laurie, "House"; Gabriel Byrne, "In Treatment"; Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"; Simon Baker, "The Mentalist."
Who should win: Bryan Cranston.
I doubt he'll get the trophy again, but there's always hope.
BEST ACTOR (COMEDY). Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"; Tony Shalhoub, "Monk"; Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory"; Steve Carell, "The Office"; Charlie Sheen, "Two and a Half Men"; Jemaine Clement, "Flight of the Conchords."
Who should win: Jemaine Clement.
As long as we're finally noticing "Conchords," let's go all the way.
BEST ACTRESS (DRAMA). Sally Field, "Brothers & Sisters"; Glenn Close, "Damages"; Mariska Hargitay, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"; Holly Hunter, "Saving Grace"; Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer"; Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men."
Who should win: Elisabeth Moss.
Of the nominees, she plays the greatest range expertly every week.
BEST ACTRESS (COMEDY). Tina Fey, "30 Rock"; Christina Applegate, "Samantha Who?"; Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "The New Adventures of Old Christine"; Sarah Silverman, "The Sarah Silverman Program"; Mary-Louise Parker, "Weeds"; Toni Collette, "United States Of Tara."
Who should win: Sarah Silverman.
Of course she won't win. She's too controversial. I'm thinking, maybe, it's Toni Collette's time.
(E-mail Terry Morrow of The Knoxville News-Sentinel in Tennessee at morrow2(at)knews.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
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