HBO’s Game Of Thrones ready to slay Frasier’s record number of Emmy awards
SLAYING dragons and fair maidens is all in a day’s work for Game Of Thrones. But there is a show that could stop it from breaking a new Emmys record.
IF they gave out Emmy awards based on column inches, Jon Snow aka Game Of Thrones actor Kit Harington would have this year’s gong in the bag.
His resurrection on the most watched and talked-about TV series in the world today sets up the program for another record haul at tomorrow’s awards gala in Los Angeles - but the show won’t have it all their own way.
While Harington and his co-star girlfriend, Rose Leslie will likely rule the red carpet competition — as one of Hollywood’s hottest couples right now — the 29-year-old will have a fight on his hands in the hotly-contested best supporting actor in a drama category; from another Thrones favourite Peter Dinklage, Better Call Saul muscle man, Jonathan Banks and Australia’s dog in the fight, Bloodline’s Ben Mendelsohn.
The smart money is on Thrones to take the best drama crown (from upstart rival Mr Robot) edging the production closer to the record for the most Emmy wins ever.
After taking nine awards at the technical Emmys last week, the HBO phenomenon has 35 Emmys to its name; just two shy of the benchmark set by comedy, Frasier.
Late night host Jimmy Kimmel steps up as host, but if all goes to plans, he could end up playing traffic cop to a cavalcade of Thrones stars and the skilled team behind the show.
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Game of Thrones
Mr. Robot
House of Cards
Downton Abbey
Better Call Saul
The Americans
Homeland
Holly Byrnes: I’m a rare breed who hasn’t bought into the bear skins, boobs and dragons brigade, but by sheer weight of numbers this seems like a slam dunk for Game Of Thrones. For fear factor and brilliant screenwriting, I’d give it to Mr Robot.
Andrew Fenton: Game of Thrones was the big winner last year so it’s in pole position. But Mr Robot’s first season was dramatic perfection so it deserves to win.
Colin Vickery: Common wisdom is that Game of Thrones is a bit off the boil so I’m tipping an upset by Mr Robot.
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
Veep
Transparent
Modern Family
Black-ish
Silicon Valley
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Master of None
HB: America’s Presidential race has been circus enough, but Veep still manages to get the laughs. A winner for mine.
AF: Veep ended Modern Family’s five year streak last year and looks set to do it again. But Silicon Valley is even better so I hope it gets up.
CV: Veep is the favourite but I reckon voters will give Transparent the love this year.
OUTSTANDING DRAMA ACTOR
Kevin Spacey (House of Cards)
Rami Malek (Mr. Robot)
Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul)
Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan)
Kyle Chandler (Bloodline)
Matthew Rhys (The Americans)
HB: Rami Malek. Cut his teeth in Australia filming The Pacific back in 2010, but has graduated big time in Mr Robot.
AF: Rami Malek’s incredible performance in Mr Robot means he’s a strong contender in a very strong field.
CV: For me it is a battle between Rami Malek and Matthew Rhys with Malek the likely winner.
OUTSTANDING DRAMA ACTRESS
Robin Wright (House of Cards)
Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder)
Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black)
Claire Danes (Homeland)
Taraji P. Henson (Empire)
Keri Russell (The Americans)
HB: After meeting Viola Davis, from How To Get Away With Murder, earlier this year I wouldn’t dare give this to anyone else. A force.
AF: Robin Wright should win for the acclaimed House of Cards.
CV: The second season of How to Get Away with Murder was disappointing so can’t see Viola Davis going back-to-back. I’m giving Keri Russell a shot at the Emmy.
OUTSTANDING COMEDY ACTOR
Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent)
Anthony Anderson (Black-ish)
Will Forte (The Last Man on Earth)
Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley)
Aziz Ansari (Master of None)
William H. Macy (Shameless)
HB: Tambor is loved, but for a bolter look to Master Of None’s Aziz Ansari.
AF: Jeffrey Tambor looks set to win back to back Emmys even if Transparent isn’t an out and out comedy. But Aziz Ansari has had a lot of buzz.
CV: I reckon Jeffrey Tambor’s a lock to make it two wins in a row.
OUTSTANDING COMEDY ACTRESS
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)
Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer)
Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt)
Laurie Metcalf (Getting On)
Tracee Ellis-Ross (black-ish)
Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie)
HB: Julia should have this one on lock, but it’s been a monster year for Amy Schumer, who has rarely been out of the spotlight. She’s my dark horse.
AF: Julia Louis-Dreyfus is the favourite, which would give her a whopping five consecutive wins for Veep.
CV: Will Julia Louis-Dreyfus grab her fifth win in this category? Probably but Lily Tomlin is a roughie.
OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES
The People v. O.J. Simpson
Fargo
American Crime
Roots
The Night Manager
HB: The Night Manager was all class, but the soap factor should play for People v O.J. I just don’t get it.
AF: The People Vs OJ Simpson is expected to win the category and has the second most nominations of any program at the Emmys this year.
CV: The People v. O.J. Simpson is the best thing I’ve seen all year on TV. It must win.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY
Andre Braugher (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)
Ty Burrell (Modern Family)
Matt Walsh (Veep)
Louie Anderson (Baskets)
Keegen-Michael Key (Key & Peele)
Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt)
Tony Hale (Veep)
HB: This is one of the hardest categories to decide: my vote goes to Veep’s Tony Hale.
AF: There’s not much to separate any of these supporting actors, so when in doubt, pick the guy who won last year: Tony Hale to emerge victorious.
CV: This category is wide open. It wouldn’t surprise me if Ty Burrell bounced back and pipped Tony Hale.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY
Niecy Nash (Getting On)
Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live)
Gaby Hoffman (Transparent)
Allison Janney (Mom)
Judith Light (Transparent)
Anna Chlumsky (Veep)
HB: Kate McKinnon’s impersonation of Hillary Clinton on SNL has made her buzz-worthy, but the smart money is on Mom’s Allison Janney.
AF: Who doesn’t love Allison Janney?
CV: Allison Janney is a hoot as Bonnie Plunkett in Mom. Give her another statue.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA
Jonathan Banks (Better Call Saul)
Ben Mendelsohn (Bloodline)
Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)
Kit Harington (Game of Thrones)
Michael Kelly (House of Cards)
Jon Voight (Ray Donovan)
HB: Have a soft spot for Bendo (Mendelsohn), but think Harington and Dinklage will arm-wrestle for this one. Kit for mine.
AF: All those ‘Is Jon Snow Alive? articles helped boost fan favourite Kit Harington’s profile, so I expect him to win.
CV: Emmy voters love a movie actor who goes to TV so I’m tipping Jon Voight.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA
Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)
Lena Headey (Game of Thrones)
Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones)
Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones)
Maura Tierney (The Affair)
Constance Zimmer (UnREAL)
HB: For maximum laughs, I’d say Constance Zimmer for UnREAL. For pure class, nothing like a Dame (Maggie Smith).
AF: I’m thinking it’s Lena Headey’s year, though Dame Maggie Smith is also a good chance to win her fourth for the final season of Downton Abbey.
CV: All those Game of Thrones actresses will split the vote so look for Maura Tierney to grab a deserved win.
* The 68th Primetime Emmy Awards airs 10am, Monday on Fox 8.
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