2011 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Who We Think Should Make It

With the nominees for the 2011 Emmy Awards set to be announced on Thursday morning, everyone is wondering who will make it this year. It's true that the Emmys can sometimes seem a bit predictable (oh look! Alec Baldwin won! AGAIN!), this year is shaping up to be fairly interesting. Here's a look at our predictions in some of the major categories:

Best Drama:

"Mad Men," "The Good Wife" and "Boardwalk Empire" are practically locks for this category, as all have been here before and performed just as well this past year. You're also likely to see "Dexter" in this spot, and probably "Friday Night Lights" as well, considering it's wrapping up its final season.

But here's where it gets interesting: "Breaking Bad," another perennial favorite, is ineligible this year. So, who will fill in that last spot? Chances are it'll be an HBO or an AMC show, but will it be "The Killing," "The Walking Dead," or "Game of Thrones," each of which earned critical praise and solid ratings?

HBO always seems to have the edge of AMC, so "Thrones" might get the nod. However, fantasy is inaccessible to many, and there are some industry folk who dislike the show and consider it overrated. "The Killing" was going strong until its season finale, which might have been enough to knock it out. If it were up to me, I'd be putting the incredibly emotionally powerful "The Walking Dead" in there...but who knows how easily zombies will sit with voters?

Best Comedy:

You can count on "30 Rock," "The Office," and "Modern Family" to be there. NBC has two other strong contenders in "Parks & Recreation" and the endlessly postmodern "Community," but sadly those two brilliant shows still don't get the recognition they deserve. So, you'll likely also see "Glee" in there. Now, I enjoy "Glee," but let's be honest, fans: this season just wasn't all that great, especially as compared to the first one. Still, the nomination is almost a sure thing.

You can assume the other two slots to go to two of the trio of "The Big Bang Theory," "Nurse Jackie" and "The Big C." However, "The Big C" has been discussed before in terms of being barely a comedy, so it's likely the first two.

Best Actor:

For drama, you can't go wrong betting on Jon Hamm, Steve Buscemi and Michael C. Hall returning. "House" has been a bit uneven, but Hugh Laurie is always a favorite as well. Expect to see "Friday Night Lights" star Kyle Chandler on that list as well, what with the show ending. But the underestimated "The Walking Dead" has the underestimated Andrew Lincoln, who deserves a spot as well.

For comedy, Alec Baldwin is a lock, as he's won the award for the past, I dunno, 80 years or something. But watch out this year for Steve Carell, who exited "The Office" and is due for an Emmy. You can also expect to see Jim Parsons of "The Big Bang Theory" on the list. The many talents in "Modern Family" are categorized as supporting actors in that ensemble show, so there are still a few more spots here...Matthew Morrison of "Glee" has made it before and could again, but the rest is a fog of war. Joel McHale for "Community," perhaps? Maybe the very deserving Louis C.K. for "Louie?"

Best Actress:

Two words: Julianna Marguiles. Two more words: Kyra Sedgwick. Those are the heavy hitters for drama, and you can bet on seeing Mariska Hargitay in there (like it or not), and Katey Sagal isn't a bad bet for "Sons of Anarchy" either. Elisabeth Moss has been promoted to a leading role on "Mad Men" and could easily show up here as well. Emmy Rossum of "Shameless" is a bit of a long shot, but well-deserving considering some of the performances she turned in later in the season.

For comedy, bet the farm on Tina Fey and Edie Falco making the list. "The Big C" is again in that weird serio-comedy zone, but Laura Linney, who is always fantastic, will land here rather than on the drama side. The rest could get interesting: will we see Lea Michele again this year, with no Jane Lynch, from "Glee?" Michele doesn't have as much of the comedic bite, but her dramatic scenes have been a bastion of honesty in the overblown second season of the musical show. Amy Poehler of "Parks & Recreation" was nominated last year and certainly deserves it again, turning in perhaps the funniest female performance on TV, period.

Be sure to check back with us for more Emmy coverage as the race continues!